Initially I was a tad worried as all these slim super fit bodies arrived at the B&B. Bikes were all loaded on trailer in the morning as we were taken to Whitehaven. Our meeting B&B was Penrith and the same place as our first stop.
After bus got us to Whitehaven I met Lucy. She was visiting UK from Oz. Listening to all the cycling achievements from folk on the bus was really getting me worried, I mean, I didnt want to do this alone, and neither did I want to slow down others who had goals to meet.... - cripes one of the lads was an Iron Man cyclist!!! I was getting more and more concerned. I was after all the fattest and the oldest rider on the trip by at least 15 years.
Anyhow.... Lucy was a breath of fresh air. She was a traveller from Oz and really hadnt ridden a cycle for 20 + years... Lady Luck was with me. She like me, didnt want to slow others down.
I was amazed at the lack of maps.... I was the only one with one. So Lucy and I stuck together for the duration of the trip and enjoyed each others company as well as the scenery as we had time to look at it.
We were late setting off for various organiser reasons, so at 11.10 am we finally got going out of Whitehaven on the first part of the tour. Destination Penrith. Distance of 53 miles.
Here is a pic of me at the C2C sculpture... this time on the C2C run and not Hadrians.
Can anyone on here tell me why there isnt a public loo at the Harbour at Whitehaven?? There were several C2C tours getting started off many of which were looking for loos, I was turned away by 3 different places before I snook into a pub and had a pee - even then, I got a telling off when I came out. I would of used a public loo cept there didnt seem to be any. No one local could tell us of one anyhow.
Here are some pics taken along the route from Whitehaven to Penrith.
We arrived at Greystoke on the route to Penrith. Discovered the Castle, of course this is supposed to be the start of the Tarzan Adventure, where his family and he originated from.
Found this very nice sculpture of a cyclist advertising the ace tea shop in the village.
We ate lunch at an RSPB forest stop. It was very good, and everything homemade. Unfortunately one of the group got a broken collar bone. He went too fast down hill over rough ground round a hair pin corner.. my bike didnt like the terrain, but she managed. One girl in the group had 23mm wheels and had to walk... downhill too! poor lass.
We didnt have time to stop anywhere for tea or scones. This was because we had all set off late and we were so slow as well. All the other cyclists on the group kept on over taking us They would stop at almost every cake and tea room, sit and chat then speed up like heck and scoot off.
Finally, Lucy and I arrived exhausted at the B&B in Penrith. We had to cycle like mad all day. We averaged 9.1mph and there were some big hills to get up as we went as well. Strangely we arrived first, but didnt get in until 7.15pm.
Next day, we had to get from Penrith and onwards to The Parkhead Station. YES, YES, I was staying at the Parkhead!!! WOW WOW WOW>
First megga challenge was the start of the megga hills. Lucy and I set off at 9am. Here are pics on the way to Parkhead Station.
His is of Hartside.
We met these chaps cycling for Cancer Research - We gave them a donation.
I was very chuffed. This was a HUGE long hill to climb and I did it without getting off once!
Here is the Amazon at the summit:
Lucy and I stopped for lunch here. They did fantastic soups!
More hills and more moorland... The hills on the second day were relentless... up and up and down and up again. It was exhausting.
Lucy was staying at a B&B in Stanhope. My directions said, take a left turn and up the hill. Find Parkhouse Station at the top. Distance of 2 miles.
Well, I turned left, and up the hill. By this time, I had cycled 45 miles of relentless hills and I was totally exhausted. By the time I had done 47 miles and still going up into moorland I was getting in a panic... Had I missed the proper turn, had I missed a blue sticker??
I walked another mile or so, by this time I was unable to cycle any further, before an almost in panic Mary phoned and was assured I was on the right road. I had never ever been so pleased to see my digs. The sun was setting by this time and I could hardly speak when I finally fell into the front door.
Hill out of Stanhope.
Moorland out of Stanhope
Desolate moorland, but a sign!
Bike found the Parkhead Station!
Sculpture at Parkhead
Parkhead Station
Average speed had been 7mph.
This had been a real treat! I gave Lorraine everyones best wishes from this forum and she was delighted! Sends you all hugs and kisses!
She and Terry were a delight, we were well fed and warmed up. The accommodation was the best we stayed at during our trip. Lorraine even gave me a copy of the Millennum Miles book about the NCN. she was a star!!
Next morning everyone assured me it was downhill all the way. Now I had heard that so many times yesterday - 'This is the last hill' was getting to be said once too often the previous day.
We woke to strong winds, but they were westerlys. Lucy and I set off by 9am and indeed it was downhill. In fact we scooted along nicely with no effort thanks to the wind behind us.
Along the Waskerley Way
Bike near the heather
Along a viaduct
Can anyone enlighten me to what this was used for? Looks like a giant concrete hopper?
More sculptures at Consett
Here we are at Newcastle
Finally, the end.
There! Made it! So very grateful to Lucy for letting me cycle with her. So megga grateful for the weather! It was cloudy wiht sunny spells the entire trip. Had the rain and fog and mist come in. I really dont think I could of finished on that second day.
Average speed third day 10.5mph
The trip from Tynemouth to Penrith was fine, no damage to bike on trailer. Only sour note was food poisoning on Monday evening. We ate at a very nice clean looking pub, food was great. But at 2am I was very very poorly indeed! Had no sleep and had to drive to the boat the following day. I was a wrung out rag when I got home, but bright as a button after a good nights sleep.
Had a fab time folks! But glad it was over with. If I do it again, Ill go over more days, and have time to see the scenery.
Mary
