| Mike and Ang Walker are two cyclists from Derbyshire
who have ridden the C2C lots of times, either as a single crossing,
there and back or just sections of the route. They do it because
they enjoy it and because, as is the case with the C2C, once is
never enough! Here they offer a condensed account of all of their
trips rolled into one. Many thanks for the input to the Shelton
Bikers (all two of em!)
Our C2C Chronicle 1996 / 2002
Our love affair (cycling that is!) with the C2C goes back to March 1996 when
on two Hawk Trak-Attacks (basic cycling machines of their day) we sallied forth
from Whitehaven and hit Sunderland some 4 days later having B&B’ed along
the route.
Since those early days we now make annual pilgrimages (sometimes twice per
year) on more sophisticated machines taking sections of the route, on and off
road, doing circles and reverse rides whilst rerouting to take in the surrounding
Towns and Villages easily missed in ones haste to finish and score an early
finish to declare I’ve done it!
Day one can take you from Whitehaven past the pigeon lofts, around the Lakes
and through the challenging Whinlatter Pass to Keswick for a pasty and chips,
or you can take Workington via Cockermouth to hit the same destination, then
its either over the Old Coach Road or the easier A66 route to Greystoke,
day one is soon over and the bath, local pub and bed beckon.
Day two with a hearty breakfast on board take Penrith in your stride, but this
Town is worth a visit, we got two of the largest bananas in the world from
here!
The its out of the Town and on to Langwathby with a must visit to the Brief
Encounter Café based at the Station (slightly off route if you are sticking
with the map for the Hartside challenge). Onward and upwards through the Villages
climbing to the challenge of Hartside -‘On or Off Road’ we have done them both,
but the weather will make the choice for you unless like ourselves we take
whatever comes!
Refreshments at the top? Only if the Café is open - Take in the view and enjoy
the experience of the Bikers (motor that is) that arrive from the cloud shrouded
summit like a plague of locusts to enjoy the experience with you, then freewheel
down to Garrigill (yes what goes down must go up or something like that!) -
Nenthead beckons after a gruelling climb on or off road out of Garrigill -
Do you want some more or is day two drawing to a close with the welcoming sight
of the bunk house next to the pub?
Day three and what you have been told is the worst is behind you,
then you take Black Hill in your stride over to Allenheads and light
refreshments at
the Hemmel Café (with log burning fire). Up the hill and over to Rookhope (who
said it was down hill all the way to the Coast from Nenthead!). Take the incline
(if open to ride) and enjoy the start of what I believe is the best part of
the route for scenery and stunning views on the right sort of day, crack on
along the Waskerly Way where on one occasion a Weasel peered from its bunker
at the side of the track, had a good look at the pair of us, decided we where
off our heads and no doubt went back to watch the telly!
Consett beckons and McDonalds is a pleasant sight if only to use the loo! Pick
up the trail through the Town with easy riding and plenty of sculptures to
view along the way to Stanley to end day three, or if you really want the three
day finish go for it and hit the Coast before supper.
Day four and its all down hill to Newcastle or Sunderland with alternative
routes around the Coastline to do both, then why not journey back to Stanley
(did I not mention we are on a reverse ride to finish at Workington!) - Another
overnight at Stanley and day five beckons.
Day five starts with an easy reverse journey via Consett, down
the Waskerly Way, hold on down Rooookhoooope Inccccline, hack
it up and
over to Allenheads,
take Nenthead in your stride and divert to Alston for refreshments - B&B
looks favourite here to prepare for day 6.
Day Six and with tired limbs and creaking timbers Hartside Summit is a long
time coming, but the four mile descent to Melmerby and a visit to the Bakery
is good payback - Through Langwathby, skirt Penrith, journey out to Greystoke
and its make your mind up time Old Coach Road or A66 to Keswick (does it matter
after Six Days?)
Keswick is soon reached and with 25 miles to Workington via Cockermouth
you can go for it or take another overnight in the Town - Whatever, my
memory of
Workington is of a ‘local’ lady advising me to get some ‘Tatties & Onions’ in
my ‘Bunker’ before going back to Derbyshire! (She asked me where I had
come from so I told her)
Our memories cover many visits but to share a few we have rescued sheep
(no they where not on bikes!), been chased by dogs, geese and kids on BMX
bikes,
but we have only ever had three punctures and no mechanical failures;
we have shared our technical knowledge and supplies (always take a ‘Chain Splitter’ I
have repaired more chains than Samuels the Jewellers on the route!), supported
the unfit & ill equipped, laughed, sang and swore our way from Coast
to Coast.
A fellow cyclist once asked us why we do it? Our reply was simple
- ‘to meet
people like you and share the experience’ - So get your bike out and share
yourself with someone out there - The C2C is something special and I only wish
this Web Site had been available to gather knowledge and share the joy of riding
when we started our cycling Holy Grail back in ‘96
2002? We have already been for a Valentines Weekend and Easter looks favourite
for another tour of duty.
Mike & Ang Walker - We are the Shelton Bikers - All Two Of
Us!
|
