Coast to Coast (C2C)

The residents of Alexandra Court in Windermere waited with anticipation for us to leave this morning, although this was due to them wanting to wish us all the best in person, rather than escort us off the premises. After photos and handshakes we thanked them for their hospitality and bid them farewell. Once again the sun was shining, although the grey skies in the distance were looking ominous. After a steady first 30 minutes the climbing began and passing a number of other C2C cyclists we slogged our way up Hartside (1900ft) stopping for the first coffee of the day. On this ascent Jon got involved in an impromptu hill race to the summit with a mountain biker, which he fortunately managed to win but only just!! Little did we know that we would be going up and down every hill between here and the North Sea for the rest of the day!! As we started to work our way across the Pennines the rain started so we donned raincoats by which time it had stopped so we took them off, by which time it had started again so we put them back on and so it continued for much of the day. After yet another long steep climb we passed the highest point on the C2C at over 2000ft followed by a swift descent and (yet) another climb. We stopped at Stanhope for refuelling and managed to avoid a huge rainstorm, then it was off for the final long and steep climb of the day and the start of the descent to Newcastle. Negotiating the rush hour traffic (and Geoff’s driving) we made it to the quayside of the Tyne and the final 13 miles of the C2C. Riding past the numerous pubs and bars with lots of people enjoying an early evening drink showed excellent self control and we arrived at Tynemouth just after 6pm to be greeted by Jon’s sister in law Alyson and nephew Joseph. Delighted to welcome us to the finish, Joseph brought his bike along and joined us in a celebratory dip of the wheels of our bikes in the North Sea, the C2C completed. Total distance completed to date 573 miles, altitude climbed today approx 8000ft!! Looking forward to a flatter day tomorrow.