Sunday, September 13, 2009

Day 15: Stoke to Manchester

Here are my cycling companions from today's ride:

On the left is an old friend and ex-housemate of mine, Matt then on the right is today's Human Sat Nav, Abbi and her fella, Jamie. Excellent company all round.

Here's the route they took us on:


As you can see from the uppity-downity, it's been a pretty easy day.

It's been one of my shortest rides so far - only 42 miles - and with a net descent too! I earned it with all the climbing yesterday, I suppose.

It wasn't hill-free but what climbing there was rewarded us with spectacular views...

... and with most of the climbing out of the way early in the day we could just cruise through the rest of the ride. It almost feels like I've had a day off.

We stopped at Abbi's parents for tea and cake - - thanks John and Ange - and then stopped at Matt's flat in Manchester for more of the same. It really couldn't have been much more civilised.

Here we are at the finishing line:


What a lovely day out!
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18 comments:

  1. JobySeptember 13, 2009 at 5:47 PM

    Lets hope your wide awake for the show tonight then :)

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  2. Dave GormanSeptember 13, 2009 at 6:05 PM

    I've not been asleep for one yet.

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  3. JobySeptember 13, 2009 at 6:52 PM

    Not what i've heard :0)

    Only joking!!!

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  4. robSeptember 13, 2009 at 7:33 PM

    Manchester? Pah! You're in Salford! :-)

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  5. ArgentSeptember 13, 2009 at 8:35 PM

    Thanks for sharing your day with us. Hope the show goes down a storm.

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  6. RachaelSeptember 13, 2009 at 11:44 PM

    Dave - you were bloody brilliant!

    I first heard about your stand-up when I was about 14/15 and for many reasons I've never been able to see you live until now (12 years later), and I'm so very glad you lived up to my expectations after all that time. And the fact you cycled here just makes it all the more impressive.

    Anyway, thanks for being so funny

    Rach

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  7. CraigSeptember 14, 2009 at 12:41 AM

    Thanks Dave - reading this blog and looking at the pictures is like watching a mini series - something different happens every day - thye uppy downy maps are brilliant - and finding out who your next Human satnav is - well its most entertaining - seeing as we couldn't get tickets for any of the shows this is a rich consolation and an impressive service you are providing so consider yourself well and truly appreciated!

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  8. VivianSeptember 14, 2009 at 8:01 AM

    I also can see the series in Asia everyday. (Of course! the Internet world is boundless. ;P)

    Well, it was just like Craig said, there were new friends coming as your Sat Navs, new stories happened daily....
    It’s brilliant and interesting !

    Good luck for the rest of your trip.

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  9. JobySeptember 14, 2009 at 8:30 AM

    Great show last night! Thanks for making my head hurt with laughter!!!

    On a more serious note - I live 9 miles away from the Lowry and it took me 1hr 50m to get home!! I could have cycled it in 25!

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  10. CaroleSeptember 14, 2009 at 10:40 AM

    Bet it seems a long time since Sterts. Thanks for signing my book, (Are you Dave Gorman?). I've just started reading it and it's great!

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  11. AnonymousSeptember 14, 2009 at 12:31 PM

    Dave, me and my friend really loved your show at The Lowry last night. I think everyone else did too. We travelled from London and Leeds to make it, and it was well worth the journey :)

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  12. Catt**September 14, 2009 at 1:39 PM

    We saw you at The Lowry last night and it was a really GREAT show!
    Hope teh rest of the rides and shows go as well.

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  13. ColSeptember 14, 2009 at 2:07 PM

    Great show last night Dave, with much laughter. The only downer was that my girlfriend couldnt make it due to having a sinus operation the other day. She was gutted. I will ensure i book some tickets tonight for your return in March (company firewall wont let me onto the Lowry site, but blogger.com is ok apparently).

    My friend who came with me is now a new convert.

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  14. ashmannSeptember 14, 2009 at 3:32 PM

    We also came from Leeds (a complicated journey involving bikes, buses, trains, trams and feet) however on arrival we were informed our tickets weren't valid as the lovely and not-at-all-incompetent See Tickets had double-sold 50 of the seats. Luckily there was still standing room available (at an additional cost) so we got to enjoy the ace show. Apologies for the moan, just thought it warranted mentioning.
    Must say Dave, your clothes are hanging off you lad! Hope you're still enjoying it.

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  15. KatieCakeSeptember 14, 2009 at 4:52 PM

    Wow. I love that Johnny-Five (the Short-Ciruit Robot) made a guest apparence on your "finishing line" photo!

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  16. izziwhizziSeptember 14, 2009 at 7:20 PM

    Do all of your ex-housemates sport beards?
    Loved your gig at Stoke, I cried with laughter several times!!
    Thanks for a fab night! I xx

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  17. Leah WildSeptember 14, 2009 at 11:50 PM

    you cycled through Cheadle, that's where I live! :)
    I didn't see you sadly but i've got tickets to see you on friday in Carlisle! I'm making the journey rather unimpressively by taking the train :(

    race ya!

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  18. RolloSeptember 16, 2009 at 12:42 PM

    Shame you bypassed the Peak District! Would a detour via the centrepoint of the UK have been stretching things a bit?

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