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
Friday, 6 August 2010
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.
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.
Thursday, 5 August 2010
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.
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?
saturated fat that's best for athletes isn't it?
Now for the last leg...
Allenheads
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.
Wednesday, 4 August 2010
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.......
Nenthead
Not sure of the time at the minute as I can't see anymore. This is the
climb out of Nenthead that awaits us. Only 7 more miles today.
7 more miles...
7 more miles...
7 more miles...
Hartside
time. It's been constant climbing all morning and now we get to go
all the way down the other side and back up again- twice!
The Pyrenees
Lance famously said (I don't stalk him, that was never proved), that the climb up Hartside was one of the most challenging of his career. Beset by Hell's Angels and ropey based sausauge products from the 'bleakest cafe in living memory', he looked forward to the end of stage stop at Allenheads.
Alston seemed a nice little town but all those cobbles and horse brasses in the 21st Century? Nenthead was eerie. Had someone forgot to swotch it on? The ride was challenging and all that lead mining was heavy for the heart. He entered the sleepy village and was heartened by the sight of the red post box, the village green, the stoney, stoney cottages and the warmly lit public house....... but wait what was Papa Lazarou doing behing that curtain?........
(Papa last seen in Wearydale, 2010)
Alston seemed a nice little town but all those cobbles and horse brasses in the 21st Century? Nenthead was eerie. Had someone forgot to swotch it on? The ride was challenging and all that lead mining was heavy for the heart. He entered the sleepy village and was heartened by the sight of the red post box, the village green, the stoney, stoney cottages and the warmly lit public house....... but wait what was Papa Lazarou doing behing that curtain?........
(Papa last seen in Wearydale, 2010)
Tuesday, 3 August 2010
End of day 1
51 miles, official time 5hrs, 6m, 36s.
We probably could have done it quicker if I hadn't spent half an hour
complaining about my legs hurting and eating Kendal mint cake.
The weather cleared up this afternoon so the going was a bit easier.
The highlight of the day (aside from Paul using a border terrier as a
bike stand) was definitely the descent through Whinlatter forest. It
was a bit hairy in parts with the wet weather but good fun. Think the
bikes will need some running repairs before starting tomorrow though.
Right, there's a big bowl of pasta with my name on it- and some
specialist sports fluid (made in Belgium with only four ingredients).
Keswick
with driving rain, whinlatter pass to navigate, and Paul hitting a
dog. On to Penrith...
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