Had breakfast in the commercial room. Men seemed vey busy. We came down rather late looking very sleepy and put on his books in a hurry like I do sometimes when later for service. Started out of Sheffield at 9.40 and stopped in suburbs to oil up.
Sheffield - Barnsley
10.45 - 12.20 = 15 miles
total(day) 15
Total 197
Rate 9 1/5 miles per hour
Very long hill up before clearing cycles. A long job owing to yesterday's rain. Did not really get out of Sheffield until 10.45. Frightfully hilly and walked a considerable amount, and were glad we did not attempt this journey last night as we intended. At last we were rewarded with a very fine run down passing a traction engine on the way. Very steep hill up through a village. Met caravans coming down. Went a long better now, and after a good bumping needed Barnsley, and entered the Public House close by the station where we had a drink , and 5 minutes rest, after with we moved on to Wakefield.
Barnsley - Wakefield
12.25 - 1.30 = 10 miles
Total (day) 25
Total 207
Rate 9 1/2
Went along well from Barnsley whilst noting particular happened. Caught up two young ladies quite unconscious of our approach who were very much afraid of soiling their skirts. Arrived in Wakefield in time for the commercial dinner which we very much enjoyed. Wakefield very much the same as other places, and the Cathedral an ordinary parish church.
Wakefield - Wetherby
2.30 - 5.25 = 23 miles
Total (day) 48
Total 230
Rate 8 miles per hour
Continued our journey after an hour's rest. Some more steep hills. Turned to the right and by mistake went the long way round thot Atherton. Only made a difference of a mile or so. Saw the NER in the distance. Asked an old man the way. Soon cut into the Old North Road. Splendid hill down. Going quietly but quickly through a village an old woman threw a pail of water across the road which went a yard in front of me. I think she must have thought that I came out of the pail. Road now bumpy, hilly and straight and uninteresting and in time ran into Wetherby and had tea at the Angel Hotel. Began to rain which seemed rather a dismal outlook. Rested our legs on the chains and after an hour's stay moved on determined to reach North Allerton if possible.
Wetherby - North Allerton
6.30 - 10.0 = 33 miles
Total (day) 81
Total 263
Rate 9 1/2 miles per hour.
Roads wet but surface good. Rain finished. Made splendid time doing the first 8 miles at 15 miles an hour. Ran over several thorns. Passed over Railway. Whizzed through Boroughbridge. Found a difficulty seeing mile stones. Lighted lamps. Occasionally had to dismount to read sign posts. Splendid run , and at 10.0 ran into North Allerton thus completing my second day's run having travelled 81 miles. My former best was 74 miles in 1890 from Broxbourne to Stamford in route for Edinburgh in company with George and Arthur. Re{?} the old inn where we had lunch in 1890 ( the Red Lion). Had supper off a huge joint of cold meat. Had a smoke in ling room with funny partitioned seats, had found very cold so soon turned in after some other men led departure. I was rather annoied with one of them as he was simple enough to take me as 16 years old which I hardly considered a compliment, however it did not much signify.
Miles in the day 81
Total miles run 263
Average daily run 65 3/4
Average rate per hour (exclusive of stoppages for meals) 9 miles an hour.
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