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Day One - 28th June 2001 - Whitehaven Harbour to Penrith - 53 miles
The first day was very eventful with episodes ranging from the sublime (Steven
Sharples getting a puncture before he had even started the ride proper!) to the
ridiculous (4 of the boys decided to scare the female population of Penrith by
participating in an Anne Summers party!).
The weather when leaving Whitehaven on the Thursday morning was ideal, sunny but not
too hot. Having taken a couple of group photo's the 23 riders left the harbour,
along part of the Whitehaven ring-road before joining the first cycle track. This
was one of the few times the group rode together, and it really did turn a few
heads. Our first stop was adjacent to Lamplugh school, just off the end of the first
section of cycle track so that we could re-group. Richard Eastman had his work
cut-out negotiating the numerous barriers along the cycle track with his fully laden
bike and dog trailer in tow. Richard had set himself a personal challenge, over and
above the normal C2C, by carrying all his own provisions and beloved dog Mire. A
small group helped Richard lift all 10 stones of bike and equipment over or through
each obstacle. We stopped for a little chat, a snack and executed our first
mechanical repair (or at least - tried to execute our first repair) on Dave's rear
mechanism which had caught on one of those stupid cycle track barriers.
Unfortunately for Dave, we could not repair the damage.
We then headed off on the quiet back roads towards Lorton at the foot of Whinlatter.
This is the first serious climb of the C2C, but our reward come with the descent. On
the road, the descent is steep with quite a lot of long corners, so fun for the boys
amongst us. There is also an off-road section from the visitors centre at
Whinlatter. Again, this is a steep descent, this time passing through Whinlatter
forest with some 'hair raising' sections (see Whinlatter descent below).
We stopped in Keswick at the Lakeland Peddler for a bite to eat & drink and also
have a look around their bike shop - well worth a visit and they managed to make
improvements to Dave's damaged rear mech. From here, the second of three groups got
lost. Well, not lost (depending on who you ask), but rather, Steve B was given
inadequate geographical direction over the phone. After a 6 mile tour of Keswick and
Skiddaw (and a few choice words from Steve S), we found the route only to encounter
another steep climb up the side of Latrigg fell - nice view at the top though. It's
at this point that we must mention that Steve B, climbed about 3/4 of fell before
realising he was riding on the top chain-ring (without any sign of sweat), whilst
the rest of us were in first gear or walking. Those magic shoes are certainly worth
their weight in gold (see rider profiles). In the meantime, the third and last group
had left Keswick and taken an alternative route to Threlkeld in order to make up for
lost time. Although there is a lot of traffic, the A66 is relatively flat and easy
to navigate. This was undoubtedly the first of many 'alternative routes' instigated
by Chris H (we could see a potential award coming-on, see Awards).
All of the group eventually made it to Penrith with anywhere between 54 and 60 miles
registering on their Speedo, depending on their navigator, ready to shower change
and eat. We had booked an Italian restaurant which went down a treat. From here, on
to the pub's of Penrith where we met Dik Stoddart (author of the c2c-guide and
creator of this set of pages). We were able to give Dik an account of the days
events and thank him for the excellent work he had done in producing this site for
us. Don't forget to sign our guest book, and make it worth his efforts. A number of
refreshing energy drinks were consumed to nurse our weary bodies i.e. John Smiths,
Harp, Guinness etc.
Day One's highlights:
The wanderer
As we cycled towards Lorton early in the day, it became apparent that one of the
riders had gone missing. Although most of the riders had mobile phones, none of them
worked because of the hilly terrain. We had lost Chris Tyson within two hours of the
start! It was quite a bit later when Bob in the van found Chris on the road to
Cockermouth, having taken a wrong turn at the top of Fangs Brow (before Loweswater).
Boy, did he get some stick off the rest of us.
Whinlatter wobble
We had two 'spills' on the off-road descent, the first was Richard Green who's chain
caught in his wheel and threw him off his bike, grazing his knee quite badly. Scott
had to pay a visit to Keswick hospital for stitches in his elbow after a gorse bush
jumped out into the track leaving Scott no option but to dismount - head first onto
the track. Both Scott and Richard Green were fortunately able to re-join the race
ride.
Tarmac attack
Leaving Keswick, Gill came a cropper when she caught Neil's back wheel (should have
been watching the road - not Neil's gadget) and proceeded to scrap with the tarmac
using her helmet and thigh. Needless to say, the road came off better, Gill has the
cracked helmet and bruises to prove it, and if you're one of a privileged few, you
could get a glimpse of the tender spot's too.
Menu mayhem
On arrival at the Italian Restaurant, Ian presented a spreadsheet with a list of the
previously booked food orders. It would have worked a treat, until the girls decided
on the night to order a Tomato and Mozzarella starter each, not registered on Ian's
spreadsheet. He was frantic, "Whaaat? How did you get those? That'll mess-up my
spreadsheet totals. Naturally, Ian scrumpled up his paper and muttered something
like "Huh, sort out your own food orders then".
Ann Summer's - that
wasn't on the agenda!
It was during the replenishing exercise in the pub at Penrith that 4 of the boys
answered an SOS for males to help out at an Anne Summers party, being held in the
back room of the pub. Quite what happened in there is unknown and there were no
cameras available unfortunately, so there is no photographic evidence available.
However, it is rumoured that the Daily Star and Daily Sport have started a bidding
war for exclusive rights to their stories!
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Day Two - 29th June - Penrith to Allenheads - 34 (very hilly) miles
We spent the night dotted
all around Penrith in B&B's and some in tents. We would like to give a big thank
you to the Tyndale
Guest House (for reasons mentioned later) and Blue Swallow Guest House who not
only made the guest's very welcome, but also contributed kindly to the charity. All
of the guest houses were able to offer secure storage for the bikes.
Soon after the start of today's ride, we made a long descent followed by a very
poorly marked left-hand bend, there were a couple of close shaves (see Mike's mishap
below). Back to the ride - we continued in solemn mood towards Hartside, the first
big climb of the day. Hartside itself is a 4 mile climb to 1910 ft lasting typically
45-50 minutes, but what a fantastic feeling it is to get up there. A splinter group
tried to ascend the off-road route which offers a more direct climb up the fell, but
that was closed as a result of the Foot & Mouth restrictions. It was quite windy
on the ascent, but this helped keep us cool. After a well deserved break in the
Hartside café, the clouds began to drop and we lost sight of the surrounding
countryside. The descent over Hartside, through Garrigill and on to Nenthead was
done in pouring rain, but we figured once you are wet, we couldn't get any wetter.
Through Nenthead and then a right turn up the steepest looking section of road we
have yet encountered (a few groans from the peleton at this point). It levelled off
a little, but still this was a fair climb. The wind helped all the way thankfully.
With one more similar climb ahead, we were near to the highest point of the ride
(609m, 2010 ft), then a fantastic descent into Allenheads. Allenheads is a lovely
remote village, surrounded by some stunning scenery and it was here that we spent
the night in the Allenheads Inn. This is the day on the ride where the accent
changes from Cumbrian in the morning to Northumbrian in the evening - you then begin
to appreciate the distance you have cycled since leaving Whitehaven.
The sense of achievement at tackling the two largest climbs was fantastic. We sat in
the west facing beer garden, with a now clear sky, and the sun shining on a pretty
happy bunch of cyclists - getting happier as the night went on (that could be
attributed to the 'energy' drink consumed).
Sue and Steve of the Allenheads Inn have to get a mention at this point. They run
the most charismatic (lost for words really, but charismatic will do) Inn that any
of us had stayed in. The building and it's location are superb. We couldn't believe
how many locals descended on the Inn in the evening. This was an excellent
opportunity for Tracey to don her NECCR T-shirt, whip out her upturned cycle helmet
and ask the locals to contribute the charity. Tracey raised a further £60 that
night - well done Tracey! Many thanks also to the folks in the Allenheads Inn, in
particular Sue and Steve who made our visit the most memorable evening of the ride.
Day two's highlights:
Mike's mishap
Mike managed to loose control on the bad bend mentioned earlier, a couple of miles
out of Penrith and fell off his bike. Unfortunately for him, there were parts of the
wall lying in the long grass on which he caught his left wrist. This is where the
wonderful landlady (Irene, of the Tyndale Guest House) came to the rescue. We
contacted her for advice on local hospitals, whereupon she offered to come and
collect Mike and take him to causality in Penrith where they suspected a breakage.
Not only did she then take him on to Carlisle Hospital, but she waited with him
until he was admitted for the night- thank you Irene. Mike underwent surgery on his
wrist to pin his broken Radius (large bone in forearm) and again in the morning,
under local anaesthetic, to free a trapped nerve. (As of 11th July, Mike is at home
still suffering in excruciating pain - We're all thinking of you Mike and family!).
G+T (-G)
Sorry to mention Steve B again, but he does draw attention to himself. He has found
an alternative 'energy' drink for softies. He spent the latter part of the evening
thinking he was drinking a Gin &Tonic. Unbeknown to him, Neil had bought him a
G&T (umbrella and cherry etc) without the Gin. This hold two important character
traits within, firstly, that Steve cannot take proper drinks in a pint glass like
the rest of the men, and also that Neil is a typical Scot and tried to save himself
a few pence on his round.
Awards
As the energy drinks began to take affect, Neil felt the need to do a Grammy-style
award ceremony. He had produced certificates for each of the riders who contributed
in their special way. Only Neil could have carried this stunt with such …….such……Neilness.
The award for the best… goes to:
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Day Three
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30th June - Allenheads to Sunderland - 53
miles
Saturday was a slightly woolly start as a result of Friday night. A delicious
breakfast was served over a relatively quite table. All made it onto the pub
forecourt ready for the start, and after the usual pre-ride confusion the team began
to head off up the road (except Ian, see Solo Ride below).
Chris Halliwell, Dave Kilburn and Mike Travis, in the usual pursuit of the flattest
possible route, decided to take the long route round Stanhope Common. This avoids
the steep rough track that can be found, but is easily missed, on the left in
Rookhope. Unbeknown to these 3, the Stanhope route was just as steep if not quite as
scenic. As it turned out, Ian also took this route, thereby also missing arguably
the best technical ascent open to us on the route. Those who did turn left at
Rookhope where rewarded (?) with a challenging climb that certainly blew away any
morning cobwebs still lingering. Once at the top, a pleasant but rough, slow descent
beneath Bolts Law followed. Gill, Helen and Tracey got the shock of their lives on
this section (See woolly story below).
Shortly after this a road is crossed. There is a small farm just off the road and a
tea-bar is being built that will be an ideal stopping place for future C2Cers. This
is also the 100-mile mark and the start of the long, relatively effortless descent
on a cinder-track surface - the Waskerley Way (watch out for the Waskles though!).
With the exception of the Chris H, Dave and Mike T group (see Distractions,
distractions below), other parts of the team were now arriving in Consett. This was
perhaps the poorest sign-posted part of the trip, and much map checking was carried
out. With the help of some mobile phones, Bob the Driver was located in a
supermarket car park and a rendezvous took place.
The bulk of the group were now also joined by the wayward Ian, who by now had
decided that cycling solo for 29 miles was not so much fun and that he would re-join
the party. A leisurely lunch and watering boasted spirits before we once again set
off. Again the directions were a little on the sparse side but we managed to
negotiate Consett and get back on the old Consett-Sunderland railway path. Eyes
should be peeled along this path, as there are a number of assorted sculptures wish
make interesting viewing if you can be bothered applying the brakes! On this section
you are back in suburbia so be prepared for broken-bottle induced punctures.
Otherwise it makes a pleasant wind-down for tired legs. The signposts become much
better again and the final stretch through Stanley and on to Sunderland is both easy
to navigate, and very enjoyable. It was imagined that the final leg through
Sunderland would be just like cycling through a town. Well, it is, but the Wear, the
Stadium of Light and the waterfront generally make an interesting contrast to the
wilderness that we travelled through earlier in the day.
A trip out to the end of Roker Pier marks your completion of the ride, or if you did
so in Whitehaven, then dip your wheel in the water (do this from the beach, as the
Pier is very high). Just because you're at the end of the ride, doesn't mean the
danger has passed. Random patches of sand on the promenade can catch cyclists
unawares (Tracey), and kerbs can be more technically challenging than you think
after a long day in the saddle (Ian). However - We did it!
Day three's
highlights:
Solo Ride
Ian, in his infinite wisdom, decided that it would be sensible to head down the road
a little, just to warm up his legs, prior to tackling the long ascent out of
Allenheads. Unfortunately, Ian decided that the hill should be tackled, full on,
head-down. This in itself is all very well but when riding head-down, one should
always remember to keep an eye on the road signs. In particular, on this ride,
following the C2C signs is of utmost importance.
Distractions,
distractions
Chris H, Dave and Mike T were
mysteriously drawn off the route (again) into Castleside. Here they chanced across
the Smelters' Arms, which just happened to be showing the British Lion's first test
against Australia (the one we won), and serving beer - what on Earth were they to
do? Not wishing to see the pub sat empty; they took a brief pause from the ride.
A woolly story
Gill, who was as usual in front, was the first to see Neil's bike at the side of the
track, and his shoes and socks sat beside it. To their horror, they then witnessed
Neil, up to his shins in a muddy pool, bent over a sheep that he was clinging onto.
A hasty explanation was demanded! Neil told how he had seen the sheep stuck up to
it's middle in the mud. He had wadded into the pool to try and pull it, the sheep,
out. Stuck fast as it was, he had to plunge his arms, up to his elbows, into the
murky, foul, stagnant water to get under the sheep and roll it out. Which is when
the girls arrived on the scene! Anyway the sheep, after a short pause to gather it's
strength, trotted off. A young lamb, rather satisfyingly, immediately joined it,
which by this time must have been fairly hungry. The less said about the smell of
Neil's gloves after this incident, the better. Only to say that they were consigned
to an airtight bag for the rest of the trip!
The Last Night
Some of our party had to leave us immediately. But the hardy ones stayed on to
unwind in Sunderland.
After settling into our accommodation, and in most cases a short power-nap (40 winks
in old money), we headed back out for a quick apéritif (known in Roker as a beer)
and then curry (See Steve B gets the hot's for an Indian below).
Angela and Phil, our return drivers, then pampered us by running us into Sunderland
town centre. Being from West Cumbria, we had never seen such tremendous queues for
clubs before. But as with every town with good clubs, we managed to find one with no
queue (See Pizzazz - far from it! below).
Steve B gets the hot's
for an Indian
The Shagorika Indian Restaurant in Roker is recommended. However, if you order the
Madras or a similarly hot dish, ensure the waiter has brought you a drink before you
start eating. Steve Brinsden lost lots of fluids in attempting to conquer his,
before the waiter eventually gave in and brought the five-times-asked-for pint.
Pizzazz - far from it!
Pizzazz is just the job if all you want is a late night drink and a dance (what
after 150 miles on a bike - are you mad!). In spite of having no queue, and judging
by the clientele (us excepted obviously) they did not have a strong refusal policy
on the door. Despite this, the astute bouncer decided that Ian was an obvious threat
to the peaceful nature of the club and he was sent packing. Unfortunately Ian was
last in the queue for our group, so the rest of us were in, and settled at the bar
by this time. Assuming, for the first 30 minutes, that Ian must be in the toilets,
no search party was dispatched. In the meantime, Ian had set off on his second solo
expedition of the day, as he shunned the need for a taxi, the queues for which
appeared to have transformed themselves from the clubs to the taxi-ranks. It is a
long lonely walk, in the dark, from Sunderland to Roker when you don't know where
you're going! Back at Pizzazz, those with the energy shook their booties, or in some
cases, hips, to the ground. The night was finished off with a round of the
obligatory Fried Chicken 'bits'.
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Foot, Mouth and Bike Wheel Disease
It is worth stating at this point that, being based in West Cumbria, we are fully
aware of the devastation that FMD has caused to rural economies. What we cannot
abide is when the MAFF in their infinite wisdom impose ludicrous rules on cyclists
and walkers, whilst allowing cars freedom of movement. We have experienced 2 such
cases of sheer inanity.
The first occurred on our practice ride that took place shortly before our trip
proper. On the approach to Cat Bells (in the Lake District), we were stopped by a
National Trust official (we know it's not their fault) who asked us to disinfect our
wheels and shoes. This request was all very well in itself, but as we began to
'scrub-up' we watched as a number of cars and minibuses drove straight past and off
up the road. When challenged about this, the NT chap told us that the rules were,
cyclists and walkers must disinfect, whilst people travelling in vehicles were clear
to go straight through! Is FMD really selective enough that it will not
attach/detach itself to/from the shoe of someone in a car when they get out at a
lay-by on the fell roads? But it will adhere and then drop off the shoe of a
cyclist? (Any FMD experts reading this - please put a comment in our Guest Book).
The second example of MAFF lunacy came, on our ride, at the Lowther Caravan Park in
Penrith. Unfortunately we didn't see the small sign at the entrance to the Park, but
on reaching the check-in hut, we were told that the bridleway (the main road into
the site) was closed to, you guessed it, walkers and cyclists. But once again cars,
motorcycles, camper vans etc, were allowed to use it. Furthermore, if you arrived in
your car, with bikes on the back, you were allowed to ride around within the site
itself. But now that we were on the site, and with the threat of £5000 fine each,
to get back off again (because we couldn't cycle or walk) we had to order a taxi
(which of course cannot carry FMD) to take us into town. Then in the morning our
support van had to drive in to collect us!
We were given an excuse for an excuse. There is a footpath that extends from the end
of the road, out of the site into the open fells. Why could the MAFF not just close
the bridleway at this point thereby not impacting walkers and cyclists and thereby
reducing the amount of traffic going up and down the road into the site. (we
searched the MAFF web-site for the phrase "common sense". Surprisingly,
the search found 72 documents, although they were probably appeals from other bodies
for MAFF to apply some common-sense).
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