Day 5

As is the case during many ultra-endurance races, keeping oneself energised is of utmost importance. It's therefore appropriate that a couple of riders have dubbed #GBDURO19 more of a 'rolling picnic' and have shared their nutritional delights with the wider group. We've seen everything from pizza and fry-ups with a side of chips (yes, chips for breakfast) to pans of custard and freshly made sticky toffee pudding courtesy of the checkpoint volunteers.

Speaking of checkpoints, I'm delighted to say everyone still on the race is now through CP1 after Renata arrived at around 1:30 this morning - a great effort to continue long into the night after several enduring days.

Riders have been catapulted from rural Welsh countryside to metropolitan Manchester within a number of hours which has led to sensory overload for many.

Miles reflects on the changing terrain while enjoying a scenic view of the M60.

Help was at hand courtesy of the lovely staff (shout out to Charlie) at Patagonia in Manchester who turned on the coffee machine and offered riders some of their finest brew and a place to perch for a bit of rest.

Miles followed Lachlan's advice and chucked in a pair of hiking boots ready for the next stage.

And on that note, Lachlan opted for a hotel in Alston last night, presumably as a place to dry his clothes. The rules of the race dictate that the time spent at checkpoints does not count towards the final aggregate time so there was a question as to whether the clock continued to tick while Lachlan slept. Luckily, he doubled back on himself before he set off properly and the race director has okay'd this and the man in pink was free to continue with time on his side.

As expected, he quickly said his goodbyes to England and crossed the border into the land of haggis and whisky. He's immersed himself in the local culture so far so we fully expect him to chuck some IRN BRU and deep fried pizza into his bikepacking bags for the last few miles.

https://twitter.com/harrydowdney/status/1143802855696060421

It looks like we've seen the last of the ordinary weather and early reports from God's Own Country suggest the sun will play ball for a few days.

Mark Tillett shares this typical Yorkshire scene on his way through the Dales.