Thank you Ruth

I just wanted to publicly say that Ruth is the best C2C back up driver there is. She knew all of the best places to stop en route and had snacks and drinks ready every time we reached the car. Her combination of matronly care and cutting sarcasm was exactly what was needed to keep us going through the tough bits. Well done Ruth and thank you.

PS I love you xx

C2C reflections

It's half past seven in the morning of the day after the C2C and I am lying here too tired to move and too sore to sleep asking myself "Was it worth it?".

The answer is a resounding YES!

There were too many highlights to list but here are a few of my favourite quotes over the past few days; Thanks to everyone who contributed.....

"There's nothing as angry as a drunk wasp"

"Sudocrem. It's the way forward"

"Your energy drink has made my insides go wrong"

" Why does Ruth only take photos of us when we are arriving at the top of a hill panting and sweating? (Us that is, not Ruth)"

"I've been cycling for 40 minutes and Hartside Cafe has got no nearer"

"Watch out for that dog Paul"

"I feel like Patrick Swayze in the film Ghost. Remember that bit where he separates from his body and his sprit looks down on his dead self? I feel like the shell that was left"

"According to my heart rate monitor I'm dead"

In the pub in Nenthead. "Beer is good for cycling"

On the climb out of Nenthead. "Beer is bad for cycling"

Question. "Be honest. Is the climb up to Hartside going to be the worst experience of my entire life?"
Reply. "Of course not.......The climb out of Garagill will be"

"There is nowhere on my body that isn't sweaty"

and now a couple of signs that we read along the way.

"Beware Red Squirrels" - Are they dangerous?

"Tek care Lambs on't road"

Appologies to anyone reading who thinks these are just a bunch of unfunny out of context ramblings; but to me, it's quotes like these which make me look forward to half killing myself all over again next year. Roll on the next epic.

We made it!

Just finished! Pictures to follow as I'm too exhausted to sort them
out. Today's time from Allanheads to Roker was 3hrs 33m 23s.

That makes a total cycling time of:

12hrs 11m 33s.

Last one back to Whitehaven gets the beers??

Stanley

Just leaving the picturesque market town of Stanley after lunch. It is
saturated fat that's best for athletes isn't it?

Now for the last leg...

Day 3

We've had a quick 1hr 30m this morning and just made it to Consett.

Allenheads

Made it into Allenheads last night, the land that mobile phone signal,
computers and bathroom hygiene forgot. It was a long tough day with
lots of breaks but actual cycling time was quick: 3hrs, 33m, 34s.

Animal cruelty update: Jeff nearly hit a rabbit and Paul killed a wasp.

Effigy?

Hmmm I've twitted Lance and he's rootin' for you all. He says that Papa Lazarou is harmless. He did point out, however, that the cycle man in Nenthead is a known effigist!

It appears he's a big fan of Edward Woodward's early films and doesn't take kindly to his services being taken for granted. Be on your guard for 20ft sculptures, especially if they are made from any wicker or straw based product (he's got very good at sculpting wicker wheels).
Lance warned that the Basque separatists had nothing on 'Nenthead Norm'.

Onwards you should go to the chapel brethren at Ireshopeburn. Be wary, wicker wary.......