| | | | |
|
Please click onto either the titles on the left or the titles below to reveal thumbnails, click on the thumbnail to enlarge. |
 |
Coast to Coast May 17th - 20th 2007
Whitehaven to Sunderland
134 Miles approx’
In aid of the NSPCC
Seven of us Mick, Des, Paul, Rory, Darryl and the two Nigel’s decided to take part in the NSPCCs Big Bike Ride, we chose to do the coast to coast from Whitehaven to Sunderland in May over four days, doing all the off-road sections on the route. We travelled up to Whitehaven on the Thursday.
I would like to thank our retired Mudpacker Dave (now does the non-dangerous sport micro-lighting) although we didn't need him he kindly offered his services of support if we had of needed it, on his Honda VTX 1300. (no pedal power here)
The good news came this week that we had managed to raise £1275 for the NSPCC.
|
 |
Whitehaven to Keswick :-31 miles
Weather:- Cloudy but not raining
We managed to be in the saddle for 10:30am (not forgetting to dip our rear wheel in the Irish sea) heading towards Keswick following the Sustrans sea to sea cycle route. A steady climb up to Murton Fell (850ft) via Cleator Moor and Kirkland, before descending down to High Lorton via Lamplugh and Loweswater. Now starts the first major climb up WhinlatterPass (over a thousand ft) then descending down to Braithwaite and on to Keswick for our first night stop at Grassmoor Guest House (1st class accommodation, food was excellent and they are geared up for bikers & walkers alike) |
 |
Keswick to Little Salkeld 31 Miles
Weather:- Awful, Raining & very windy
Off we go again another 31 mile ride to our destination Little Salkeld. A steady first four miles to Threlkeld, now we get serious, taking the Old Coach Road option to Matterdale End, climbing 1000ft over about a distance of 1.5 miles over very rocky terrain. But we did have a rest after 100 yards into this climb, Pauls chain snapped, fortunately the rain had eased and we were fairly sheltered. The climb up the old coach road is very stiff and no! we didn't manage to ride it all the way but thats why they are called push bikes. From Matterdale End we headed towards Thackthwaite dissecting Great Mell Fell and Little Mell Fell, then onto Greystoke and fall gently into Penrith before a small climb out of Penrith and then dropping down to Langwathby, and onto our 2nd night stop at Little Salkeld at the Bank House Farm which is on route.
|
 |
Little Salkeld to Nenthead 20 Miles
Weather:- Cool & damp
Day 3 is supposed to be the hardest day, It was because three of our group stayed out a little longer than intended & got s**t faced, you can probably guess who they were from the photos, we also put a little present in the bottom of Micks rucksack, this will be unveiled at the end of the ride, (he couldn't understand why his bag seemed to be getting heavier) It should have been 27 miles long up to Allenheads, taking in the highest point on the C2C but due to not being able to get accommodation in Allenheads we cut it short by 7 miles, which worked out well, because being a football fan we were in the pub early afternoon to watch the FA cup final. Anyway back to day 3 (it’s supposed to be a mtb site). Leaving the Eden Valley behind a steady start with 4 miles of gentle climbing, warming us up nicely for the first real climb of the day. At Four Lane Ends we take the off road option which is a rocky track that climbs to Hartside (1800ft), anybody want a brew in the café? (Yes its pouring down again) After our brew we continue on the road (A686) downhill at last to Leadgate, (how cold was that wind & rain on that descent) carrying on down the B road to Garrigill. From here we again take the off road option to Nenthead south of Flinty Fell, (but not before Pauls chain snaps again) according to the book, it is a challenge, (some found it a bigger challenge than others after the late night) but good fun, two waterfalls and some very steep rocky rough stuff, after this we hopefully arrive at our 3rd night stop Mill Cottage Bunkhouse. (well designed to sleep up to nine) Hurry up the footballs on. Another night of drinking & playing pool in the Miners, & Rory aquires a new nick-name Shaggy even the locals are calling him it.
|
 |
Nenthead to Sunderland 52 Miles
Weather:- Hot & sunny (wheres my sun cream when I need it)
A long day ahead, and straight into a stiff climb (no not that way Mick follow the c2c signs) to Black Hill the highest point on the C2C just short of 2000ft in the first 2 miles of the day, at least our third night stop was at 1400ft so it was not too stiff a climb. Back onto a B road and onto Allenheads, continuing on the B road between Wolfcleugh Common and Redburn Edge onto Rookhope,(middle of nowhere the local bus only comes once a week on a Thursday) now for the last climb of any note, the off road option, a 1 mile climb back up to 1700ft above Stanhope Common. Time to relax, 38.5 miles to go but nearly all downhill. At this point we pick up the Waskerley Way, it is described as being an excellent, easy going and largely well surfaced dedicated cycle and walking trail that brings you to Consett, via Rowley and the impressive Hownsgill Viaduct before coming to Lydgetts Junction where we make our decision to finish in Sunderland and not Newcastle on this occasion. After bobbing and weaving through Consett, we pick up the Consett and Sunderland Railway Path, following this path all the way down to Sunderland, passing places such as Stanley and Beamish (but not before Pauls chain snaps again) then past the Stadium of Light, down to the promenade where we dipped our front wheel in the North Sea, fairly tired and saddle sore but with a sense of achievement. Come on Mick whats that in the bottom of your bag, its no wonder weve been calling you Barney Rubble for the past two days. I dont believe it! who would put a big rock in the bottom of your rucksack? At this point we got our transport back to Whitehaven to collect our cars using The Bike Bus who are based in Stanley.
|
 |
Guides and Maps used
Sustrans Sea to Sea Cycle Route.
The Ultimate C2C Guide. (all accommodation and transport home can be found in here)
Fugawi UK Maps. (detailed ordnance survey maps, route marked, printed out and laminated)(be prepared for our weather)
|
|
|
 | | | | |
| |
|
