Day 5: Northwich to Stoke-on-Trent

I have officially reached the point of total exhaustion... 

It was another 50 kms today, it's mad, I don't make much distance. But this cycle route is not for the fast-paced lovers, its more for the lovely-scenery-junkies. The route is basically jumping from one canal to the next, with lots of people in their houseboats shipping along. I didn't know there where that many canals in the UK, its very much like in Holland (no its not me phantasising about this other part of my journey ;-)). As you can imagine, its quite lovely to cruise at the side of a canal, greeting the houseboat people and exchanging short opinions about the weather (yes, it was grand today, with the odd shower at the horizon but not along my way). The thing about these paths allong the canal is, that they are only half a meter wide and they are full of little stones and patches of grass. So, cycling on that is just a tiny little bit faster than walking...

Also the little pains start in the body. Despite the really good cycling shorts, my bum has also reached the point of total exhaustion. So, I called it a day in Stoke-on-Trent, checked into this old fashioned hotel with pool, sauna and jacuzzi and relaxed here for the afternoon. My legs are not following any commands from the brain anymore after all that sauna and jacuzzi relaxation. ;-) I think this calls for a day off or a day on the train tomorrow!

Oh yes, I met some older English guy when I stopped in front of the hotel. He smiled at me and started asking where I am going to and how long I am already on the road. He immediately started praising the very good cycling paths in Germany, where you have proper roads for yourself and you can really get some distance done in a day. :-/ Really? He said: "But fair play to you cycling here, I have done all of our routes too, you are not in for the distance here, just enjoy."

When I mentioned going on a train tomorrow he said that wasn't allowed, that would be cheating. And with a giggly laugh he walked away.