I woke up at 6 and packed my kit and checked the route for the day.
We met downstairs for breakfast and had a Full English. Not too much mind - just enough. I was gutted there were mushrooms on my late mind! We looked out the window and it confirmed what we already knew...it was raining.
We got our bikes out and headed off. The first part of the journey out of Greystoke was mostly downhill to Penrith with a slight climb about midway. By the time we reached Penrith, we were wet enough not to care too much about the rain now. What the rain did do was make you not really want to go into your back or take photos.
We got to Penrith and head up quite a long steep climb to Langwathby. The climb was about 100 metres over about a mile. After the climb was a considerable descent - and quite long - and it was here that Andy was to have his off. We were going downhill at considerable speed...I'd reckon 25-30mph...when we approached a sharp left hand bend. Andy misjudged it slightly and applied his brakes. However, it was wet - as was the road - and his back wheel locked...swinging out from under him and off he came. All I could do was shout "ANDY! ANDY!"...I don't know why - I'm sure he knows his name. Anyway - I was bearing down on him...now - I had slowed enough to take the bend...but I hadn't slowed enough to avoid the new obstruction now laying in my path - Andy and his bike. So I applied my brakes fiercely. My back wheel locked also...and started to slide to the right. But I kept my front wheel facing the way of the slide and prevented the wheel coming out from under me...and missed Andy and his bike by no more than a couple of feet! A lucky escape for both of us...though Andy did suffer a bit of grazing to his arse.
Coming out of Langwathby saw us with a considerable amount of climbing to do. In fact, it was pretty much a steady 10 miles of climbing interspersed with some pretty minor downhill sections...which were always followed by a climb!
The dreaded Hartside loomed. We were soaking and cold. In fact, we were so wet, when I lifted my arm up to point at a hill, the water than had collected in my jacket ran down into my armpit...and was cold!
Hartside looked fearsome in the book. A 3 miles climb of 1348ft. As it was, I didn't find it too bad in so much as whilst it was long and energy sapping, it wasn't overly steep. The short steep climbs on the route really killed me...the longer ones like Hartside, whilst long and hard, were not so hard for me. Don't get me wrong...I was puffing for air at the top...and we all made it to the top. Davey was first to arrive. All I had to do was keep the pedals turning.
At the top was a very, very welcome cafe. The Hartside Cafe. We jumped in there (and very busy it was too) and had some nice sugary food. I wanted a photo of Hartside Summit sign, but we were way too cold and wet.
After about 40 minutes we decided to head off. We were wet through and very cold now. We looked outside and couldn't believe what we saw - the mist had come right down and it was raining harder than ever. On top of that, the wind had picked up!
I actually wanted to put my long sleeve top on, but really couldn't be bothered to go into my bag on my bike (I had another bag bungee tied on top of it and it was a bit of a pain taking things in and out.
However - I wished I had within 10 minutes. Coming off Hartside was amazing for me. I was able to get my head down and speed off that summit. I had my lights on, the road was clear and good tarmac. I headed past Davey and Andy doing 40+mph and once up to speed pretty much free wheeled. Whilst it was nice to get that speed, it was also painfully cold. And the rain ws hitting my face with such force (from the wind and my speed that every drop was stinging my face - but I just wanted off that hill as fast as possible!
Coming off Hartside was amazing - and cold. But once off we had a pretty long undulating climb followed by a steep short descent into Garrigill. And after Hartside were we not pleased to come across a very, very steep 1 mile climb of 250 meters out of Garrigill? It was hellish. Andy hit the bottom of the hill in the wrong gear and could not get any purchase and had to come off and walk up. Myself and Davey continued - until I had absolutely nothing left in my thighs and my bike came to an abrupt stop. Davey managed the climb. I think it's worth mentioning here that Davey has the honour of being the only one of us who pedalled up every climb.
On the border of Northumberland - looking wet
After the climb out of Garrigill, the rain had slowed somewhat. It was downhill from there to Nenthead and a sharp incline again to the highest point on the C2C route...Black Hill at 609m. Yet another very steep difficult climb at 150 meters over 1 mile! There was more to come!
Downhill off of Black Hill saw us with a short steep incline across Hartley Moor. We now had a very welcome long descent into Allenheads. Yet another short very steep climb out of Allenheads and into Currick - and from there...all downhill to our second days destination...Stanhope!
And on the County of Durham border
So it was a nice shower a wee rest and down to the pub for a few beers and a nice curry...that'll go down well tomorrow I thought!
Day 3 and a daunting climb out of Stanhope and a trip to the other side of England will be up soon!
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