Not another C2C in a day?
21st October 2006

Why did I do it?
I wanted to raise funds for the 2007 World Scout Jamboree. Next year sees the centenary of the Scout movement and great celebrations around the world. One of these will be the Jamboree held at Hylands Park in Essex next July. Forty thousand young people from around the world will be joining together. I wanted to raise money to help send people from all nations to take part in this event.

Who am I?
Dave Edwards, 43, Assistant Scout Leader with 2nd Penrith and primary school teacher. My son Duncan is one of only 22 scouts selected to represent Cumbria at the Jamboree. I am not a cycle fanatic - as soon as people start to talk about gearing my eyes glaze over. July saw me starting training in earnest i.e. recording my distances and times (7 miles in 43 mins).

Preparation
During the summer holidays I was going out almost every other day. Gradually increasing mileages and interspersing sprints and hill climbs. It helps that I live virtually on the C2C route. I rode from Workington to Nenthead in various stages at various times and drove as far as the beginning of the Waskerley Way. I hardly ever exceeded 100 miles in one week and the greatest distance I have ever ridden was 75 miles (the Sunday before the event). Complete record available if you are interested.

The route
West to east (obviously); Workington - Tynemouth. Not the traditional start but wished to avoid another hill at Whinlatter. I wanted to use my road bike (2002 version of the Edinburgh Continental road bike £350) so decided to avoid really rough bits and stay on road wherever possible.
Bits I avoided:
Any off-road options where a road option was available
Wythop Woods - too steep and rocky for skinny tyres. Dropped down to Routenbeck and the A66.
Mungrisdale loop - too many gates and the A66 was fairly quiet at 8:30
Waskerley Way - on advice from friendly cyclist I met at Currick on the day (thanks).

The day
The day started on the Friday evening. My wife dropped me at Seaton scout hut in time for their usual evening meeting. This was to be my overnight accommodation. Great welcome from scouts and leaders - thanks.
5:00am - woke-up for about the fourth time. Instant porridge, tea and wash. Cycled down the couple of miles down to Workington lighthouse. Great to see one of the other 22 Cumbrian contingent scouts and family were there to see me off.
6:00am - left Workington. Stuck to the roads for the first bit having previously attempted the very narrow bridge by the railway and the dodgy track alongside river and harbour. In the daylight it was tricky. In the dark I reckoned impossible. Joined the cycle track / old railway line to Seaton.

Somewhere before Great Broughton very black farm dog gave me very rude awakening by barking at my ankles without warning. Where did that come from?

Cockermouth - rain started. Entertained by own private firework display. Drops of water flicked up by wheels burst into light as passed through the beam of my front light like a Roman Candle. Very mesmerising.

Bassenthwaite - rain stopped and dawn began to lighten the sky. Spirits raised.

Braithwaite - lots of pheasants and three deer bouncing through the bracken.

Keswick - first stop; banana and already 20 minutes late. My calculations did not allow for slower speeds in the dark.

Threlkeld - puncture. Only my second since started training. Why now?

Penrith - scheduled stop at Arragons Cycle Centre. Meet up with family who provide back-up for remainder of trip. Change of clothes. Coffee and advice from Sarah Arragon who has really supported my attempt. Photo opportunity with Sarah, scouts and contingent flag. Met with John, workmate of my wife, who was to accompany me up Hartside.

Never ridden with John before. He was to pace me and protect me. After telling him not to peddle down hill we settled into nice rhythm. Good company and someone to talk to. Almost knocked out by dead bird which rolled across the road just in front of us after being dropped by a peregrine falcon.

Hartside was as Hartside is. The ride up is straightforward. The top was in the cloud: grey, windy, wet and cold. Another stop and John reluctantly went home to child minding.

Hartside - Garrigill. Downhill but very cold and wet. Think I would rather pedal uphill just to keep warm. Weather dries up and at least the wind is in the right direction.

Garrigill - Nenthead. This was the first hill I walked. The stretch between the right turn and the B-road was too much for my gearing. (I only had 14 to choose from.) Back on the bike at the B-road and up and over Dowgang Hush to Nenthead and a pan of SuperNoodles.

Nenthead - Allenheads. The climb out to Black Hill (highest point) was okay. Nice and steady, had to phone back-up who were still clearing up in Nenthead so that I could have a photo taken before moving on again. Countryside between here and Allenheads was fantastic - rolling heather moors, lots of red grouse and perfect weather. Another stop in Allenheads; more food and drink.

Allenheads - Rookhope. Another climb out of another village; this time up to that cairn at Currick. Met one of those cyclists of indeterminate age, you know the sort, wiry but friendly. Lots of advice and chat. The run down to Rookhope was brilliant down the valley past Lintzgarth Arch; not too many sharp bends so I could let the bike run and run.

Rookhope - Stanhope. I took the road option which started nice and rolling but started to climb too much for me. I got off and walked a half mile or so and then dropped into Stanhope.

Stanhope - Consett. I already knew that Crawleyside Bank would be another walk. This was confirmed by that friendly cyclist at Currick. Got back on at the cattle grid and cycled up to the tea shop at the start of the Waskerley Way. Nice cup of tea with the family.
I took the road option from there to Rowley. Again, great long rolling stretches of smooth quiet road with long views; much better than the gritty Waskerley Way on my skinny tyres.
At Rowley I rejoined the official C2C route; only to meet a small black bullock just outside Consett. This was the least of my worries. So much broken glass and groups of youths intentionally getting in the way. I would have loved to have stopped at the sculptures but felt uneasy. Hurried away to join the Derwent Walk down to Rowley. Hownsgill Viaduct before Consett was superb: sun just going down on autumnal colours of the valley.

Consett - Newcastle. Very gentle descent along the Derwent Walk. Light fading to dusk especially in the woods. Met back-up at Rowlands Gill and arranged to meet again at Millennium Bridge.
After sharp left turning off the Derwent Walk, the cycle track becomes super smooth concrete. Enjoyed that bit, nobody about, fast sweeping bends. Soon down to the Tyne. Easy navigation over Scotswood Bridge and then down to the river carefully avoiding angler's rods in the gloom. Into a busy Newcastle on a Saturday night; the smell of aftershave and beer. What did I smell like to them? More food and a gel bar. I think I had three gel bars throughout the whole day. How can the packaging suggest a maximum of 60 a day? How can you afford (or stomach) that many at £1 a throw?

Newcastle - Tynemouth. We were most concerned about this stretch. Navigating in the dark when tired through what we thought might be a bit dodgy. It turned out to be fine. Well signed throughout. Generally well lit. A little too much broken glass. But the various groups of youths I disturbed were friendly. Battery on front light gave up in the last mile. Not a problem as well light and the police at Tynemouth Castle were too busy with the large group of lively youth.

Statistics
Total miles: 133.15
Cycling time: 11hrs 7 mins 14 secs
Total time: 6:00 am - 8:20pm (14hrs 20mins)
Top speed: 37.5 mph
Average speed: 11.9 mph

Days after the event I feel fine. Enjoyed the challenge and raised over £500 for the scout jamboree (so far). Should you like to donate to the cause please contact me at dcandfj@btinternet.com