The day arrived (26.05.06) for
our long planned trip to ride the coast to coast to raise some
funds for the western park cancer hospital rose appeal with much
excitement. Frank and Maurice our back up drivers arrived in good
time and we were on the road by 7.30 am much to my surprise as
Jayne never really surfaces much before 9.00am normally! A trouble
free trip had us arriving at Whitehaven for about 11.15am with
tummies knotting a little with the task ahead with 4 of the riders
not having attempted such a ride before.
After the obligatory photo shoot off, we set for our first stint
all very excited and with a fine mizzle in the air.
The ride out of Whitehaven was uneventful other than William trying
to bunny hop one of the bike restraints after about 4 miles which
resulted in clatter of pedals and his chain getting stuck behind
the chain set. after releasing the chain and a sharp reminder
that we had a long way to go and to try no more silly tricks till
the ride was completed we carried on.
The weather meant that we did not get a great view of the lakes
as we rode towards Loweswater for tea and scones at the Kirkstyle
Inn and the rain came and went all afternoon. Following tea we
pushed on to Low and High Lorton for what was to be the first
big test of the ride. The hill out of high Lorton is a bit of
a killer but all managed the climb in good time and even William
arrived at the stop singing away to his mp3 player and a big smile
for the camera.
We continued on up Whinlatter Pass with George getting the hang
of the route markings and pushing on as our man on point to check
the way forward and except for one very small missed turn in Tynemouth
kept us on track all the way. At the visitor centre in Whinlatter
we knew we had a great down hill section off road that the boys
where looking forward to and as our first b&b was just at
the bottom of the forest off we set in eager anticipation of a
warm shower and a cup of tea.
 Powter
Howe was our first over night stop and Nimrod made us all very
welcome in his house dating back to tudor times. He had us all
in awe with his tales of fell running for England and 2 runs a
day up hills not even mountain goats would attempt.
The next morning, day 2, our first of many full english breakfasts
was fantastic. Fresh eggs from the chucks in the garden, great
bacon and sausages with home made bread and jams all set us up
for our next day of some 32 miles.
So off we set waving Nimrod, Frank and Maurice good bye. we had
only gone a mile or two when Williams chain came of again, getting
caught behind the chainset. This time it could not be released
without technical assistance. so, unable to raise Frank and Maurice
who where off walking the fells we managed to contact Nimrod who
very kindly helped rescue the situation (many, many thanks) and
with mechanical help from a very kind man at Keswick Mountain
Bikes we were back on our way.
T he ride from Keswick was enjoyable with the Mungrisdale alternative
route keeping us away from most of the traffic. Along the way
the rain started with some persistence and we arrived in Greystoke
wet and cold. The local pub was not very warm but after a little
lunch with much tea and hot chocolate we set off on our way with
the rain starting again very soon after our departure.
On in to Penrith where William once again tried one of his little
tricks by trying to bunny hop a kerb in front of 4 teenagers but
got it all wrong and came down with a right clatter, once again
fetching his chain off and getting it stuck behind the chain set
and for his troubles went sliding down the pavement straight through
a pile of dog pooh. Serves him right and for this he was awarded
the “tit of the tour” award.
After being reminded we were on a serious bike ride (by his dad
who was cycling along as map reader) and lots of people were expecting
him to finish this ride in one piece a very kind lady invited
him in to her house and cleaned him up a bit but we still all
kept a good distance from him for a while as he didn’t half
pong!
A After completing the tough climb out of Penrith we carried on
to Langwathby for our second night at Langstanes b&b. On arrival
Sam and Clive made us very welcome and offered to dry all our
wet clothes and even wash and dry poor Williams smelly clothing
that pleased us all as the next day he smelt a whole lot sweeter.
That evening we had a very good meal at the Shepherds inn and
once again we were made to feel very welcome, many thanks. After
another fantastic full english Sam and Clive made sure we had
all the local info for our next stage even trying to persuade
us that Hartside hill was not all that it was cracked up to be.
I think some might disagree!
 So
off we set on day 3 only planning to do a lesser distance as we
had two tough days ahead of us before the final run in to Newcastle.
A quick stop at Long Meg and we soon came to Renwick for a drink
and some energy bars before setting off up Hartside Hill.
The weather had improved so the climb whilst long, winding and
steep especially the final off road section had us all passing
a number of other bikers who where pushing at some stage. I was
pleased to see all our little group cycling all the way to the
top for a well earned cup of tea and hot chocolate.
From the top of Hartside down to Garrigill is a fast ride and
we stopped for a quick drink before taking the alternative route
out of Garrigill to Nenthead. This was a tough climb up through
the forest but well worth it with great photo opportunities followed
with a good off road track down past nenthead mining museum and
water engine display.
We split up for our accommodation in Nenthead with Kerry, William
and myself in Croockbank Cottage with Russ and Pam and the rest
of the crew in Avesgarth Cottage with Joan. Both our hosts where
very welcoming and could not do enough to make our stay comfortable.
Russ very kindly made a kind donation to the charity, many thanks.
Day 4 and after yet another great full english we were ready to
push on out of Nenthead up the hill to the highest point of the
coast to coast at some 609m in english that is about 2200 feet.
From the top of Black Hill it is a quick ride down to Allenheads
with wonderful views across the moors. Unfortunately we had some
heavy rain and hail that stung like needles on the hill down to
Allenheads so the cafe in the village was a welcome stop with
warm radiators and hot tea.
 Refreshed
and with the sun out we pressed on up the hill again out of Allenheads
on to Rookhope where we had to climb possibly the toughest hill
of the trip as it goes straight up off road.
Everyone did exceptionally well by cycling the whole way up and
even William managed the climb with a couple of rests in between.
By then the weather had changed yet again! The wind was now so
strong that we struggled to keep our bikes upright let alone pedal!
Across Stanhope Common (a very high and open moor) and on to Parkhead
Station tea rooms for some well earned lunch and a warm through,
putting a smile back on all our faces. Our final stint of the
day was a gentle run down the Waskerley Way to Bee Cottage b&b
just outside Castleside. David and Melita have a beautiful location
away from any main roads and fantastic views of the countryside.
We had a most enjoyable evening meal cooked by Melita and a very
good nights sleep to awake the next morning ready for another
full english and we enjoyed all of it immensely.
Day 5 the final day and whilst not filled with many hills it was
still another 32 miles to the coast so with sun on our backs and
a full tummy off we went determined to get to Tynemouth in time
to meet our welcoming party of family members. A good run down
through Consett, Rowlands Gill and Gateshead soon had us crossing
the Tyne to follow the north bank down to Newcastle under and
past all the well known bridges and out on to Tynemouth.
 We
arrived to be greeted by our back up crew now down to just Frank
and family members from Derbyshire and Durham to complete a memorable
and emotional trip for all. We had achieved what we set out to
do back in late 2005 and had raised over to £5000 for the
Western Park Hospital Cancer Appeal. We had ridden in total 151
miles with William being one of the youngest to complete the ride
totally under his own steam.
|
