Why are we doing it?
That question will go through our minds more than once on this trip, but you
must remain positive if you are going to fully enjoy the challenge.
This is about enjoyment and achievement so providing the groundwork of training
and planning has been done, both these objectives will be realised.
And cos we want to!
Can we do it?
Yes is the answer.
The coast to coast can be achieved over 1, 2, 3 or more days depending upon
fitness, experience and commitment. We chose to do it over 3 days – achievable
for any reasonably fit rider.
Kevon - Six previous C2C’s. I love doing it because every time you see something
different or the route changes and there is something new about it.
Chris - 3 timer. It gets him away with the lads for a few days and no DIY
Paul - Virgin C2Cer. As a runner, a bike ride will give his knees a rest. It
will be good to show him the route and a new riders prospective on it.
Paul and Chris are on mountain bikes and I am on my Dawes tourer.
The Start
The start for Paul and I is at Newcastle Railway station for the train to Workington,
with Chris coming over on Saturday morning with the bikes and the rest of the
gear by car.
We arrived in Workington (it looked as if the whole place was closed) at about
6pm after an enjoyable, (and on time) two and a half hour journey through some
great countryside, which we will see, from the other direction tomorrow. We
checked into the Waverley Hotel, which has seen better days and listing all
it faults would take too long.
Saturday 28th August 2004
We all met at about 9am and made our way to the start on the beach and after
a quick photo we were off. The first few miles are great as you get your legs
going on the cycle path and the miles fly by. The route through Wythop Woods
was very wet and slippery so after a couple of slides on the slick road tyres
common sense prevailed and we walked down. This was just as well as I don’t
think we would have made the right turn which gives a great view over the lake-
so long as you are not in mid air at the time. We arrived in Keswick for an
early lunch with rain threatening but after a few spots, out came the sun as
we set off again.
Just past the station the route takes you through the woods and criss-crossing
the river on boarded sections then riding through the trees with the sun dappling
the ground made it a very pleasant journey to the A66.
We stayed on the cycle path as far as the turn for Mungrisdale and stopped
to decide which way to go. As there seemed to be little traffic going our way
we thought a fast blast along the A66 cycle path was called for. It proved
right as we saw some others who had taken the alternative route and had said
how bad the road condition had been.
We had an uneventful journey to Penrith and arrived there at about 3pm at the
Norcroft Guest House, which is well worth a visit. Then it was off to find
somewhere to eat. A new Tapas Bar looked inviting but we decided to load up
on pasta so the local Italian restaurant got the vote.
We awoke to the sound of heavy rain, which, despite being forecast didn’t make
the sight any better. So we decided, as we had a shorter day, to have a leisurely
breakfast and see if it would clear up. It didn’t, so at 10am we set off up
Fell Lane, which is a bit of a shock so early.
The rain soon eased, helping us make good time with a strong following wind
and after the long drag up through Scales, we decided to stop at Long Meg Druids
stone circle for a look around. With a bit of a gale blowing we did not linger
too long, so after a couple of photos we were on the road again, meeting the
tail end of a large group of riders we had seen the previous day.
We were now starting the long approach to Hartside. The wind was still blowing
and we realised that it was going to be a cross wind on some of the winding
roads up to the summit. A lot of riders were opting for the off road route
but bearing in mind the amount of rain that had fallen over the past week and
especially during the night, that way was not an appealing option. It proved
to be the right choice as most who came up the off-road route looked thoroughly
knackered and covered in mud.
The climb up Hartside was hard and a laden bike in a crosswind made things
a bit wobbly at times. With the sky clearing in the west we had great views
back over the lakes where we had been the previous day - which seemed to pass
too quickly.
There weren’t as many motorbikes roaring past at ridiculous speeds as we’d
seen before. Perhaps the sight of the air ambulances picking up another accident
victim is having an impact. However, judging by the number of bikes at the
summit, perhaps not.
We put on more clothes at the top as the wind was stripping paint it
was so strong. After a great cup of hot chocolate and cake we were
off down the hill
with 3 miles of freewheeling to Alston. Touching 50mph is not where you want
to meet the local moron in his beaten up VW Golf overtaking on your side of
the road. We made our feeling very clear, only for him to pass us again with
his horn blaring. As a friend of mine would say”A waste of a good skin”.
We got to our overnight stop about 2pm and we now know for future reference
that we should have planned to go on for a couple more hours to make the third
day a bit shorter. Something to remember for next year’s trip. Alston is one
of those places that is a cross between a quiet little village and a bustling
town depending on the weather, but as you are so high there you have to take
your chance.
The day started with the wind moving round to the S.W. but still strong so
we once again made good time. A very pleasant ride over the tops to Allenheads
for a short stop in the café to meet again some nice people from South
Africa. They had come here several years ago to work and had decided to stay
as they loved it so much and were spending their retirement cycling around
Britain.
And then we were on Black Hill, the highest point of the C2C. We
were passed by a couple of lads whom we met again at the top. One
was only on a road bike
with just 12 gears. How he got up the hills, I don’t know.
We saw lots of signs regarding the Route over the Rookhope Incline
and how cyclists were ignoring the notices about occasional closure
during shooting.
If it continues the right of way could be withdrawn. It was stated that there
would be a steward at the 92-mile marker if the route was closed but as we
didn’t see anybody who looked like they had just stepped off the QE2, we carried
on.
This was to be the hardest part of the trip as the wind and very rough ground
made it impossible to ride up the incline. You forget how long that drag up
to the ruins is and once there, they made a welcome shelter from the wind.
We didn’t stop at the café at the start of the Waskerley way
- big mistake as we started to feel hungry 10 minutes later but pressed
on to Consett. From
the Waskerly Way we can almost see home and that spurred us on We could have
made better time but being a bank holiday everybody seemed to be on the route
so we had to keep slowing to pass walkers and slower riders.
In Consett we stopped at Safeway to buy lunch which we had sitting
on a grass bank overlooking the car park. Had we known we could have
gone 2 miles down
the route and sat in a nice little park - but that’s life.
The rain started as we arrived in Rowlands Gill and lasted all the way to Newcastle.
Luckily it stopped as we had our only bad mechanical of the trip. Paul tried
to change gear as he started a steep climb under the bridge and wrapped his
chain around his chainrings.
The only way to get it out was to break the chain. We got assistance from a
passing rider who helped with a chain splitter to shorten the chain and we
were on the road again after 15 minutes. A big” thank you” to the lad on the
pale blue Denton road bike.
We were now on Newcastle Quayside and then on Hadrian’s way on the
north side of the Tyne. It was great to be on the last stretch now
but the route could
be made more cycle friendly. Having to carry your bike down steps when there
is a perfectly good road to use is just plain stupid.
We arrived at the finishing point and after the obligatory dipping wheel ceremony
and more pictures the ride is over for another year. Now, where shall we start
from next time?
Meeting great people along the way, fantastic scenery, good weather (most of
the time). Also, a feeling of achievement.
The start at Workington. Nowhere decent to eat or stay.
An enjoyable trip made better with good company and great countryside.
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