We set off late morning on Friday and arrived in Whitehaven after lunch. I left Helen and the girls in the B&B and went for a quick spin on the bike to refresh myself with the start of the route. Although signposted it can be confusing as you head out of the town and through a couple of housing estates before picking up the cycle path. After that it was down to the harbour for a few photos and a nice family meal. Unfortunately it wasn’t the best preparation for Darren who got stuck in traffic traveling up to Whitehaven and he didn’t arrive till 11 p.m. I was in bed so we didn’t actually get to meet up till breakfast.
Typical, all last week it had been a constant tail wind as strong as 26 mph but Saturday it switched to a 19 mph headwind! That was going to make it a very long day and make the climbing much harder! After breakfast and much faffing we made it to the start for the obligatory photos and dipping the wheels in the Irish Sea, don’t think Darren wanted to expose his bike to the salt water but eventually he relented.
We set off slightly later than planned at 06:20 with the target of finishing before midnight (and therefore finishing technically in the same day). With the start fresh in my memory from the previous day it wasn’t long before we passed out of the town and into the countryside.
The start of the route is a very gradual climb and despite all the training (over a thousand kilometers and many hours) I was feeling nervous at the prospect of what it would be like when we hit the major climbs (there are 5 big ones). Most of the route is clearly signposted and easy to follow without a map but occasionally it was a bit confusing and we both relied on our GPS’s which had the route programmed in.
We passed through a few villages and reached Loweswater (07:45 and 16.5 miles). This is one of the big lakes and it seemed appropriate that we stopped for a quick photo.
The first of the major climbs was soon after at 24 miles; the Whinlatter Pass is a steady 3.6 mile climb of 1,148 feet followed by a similar descent into the village of Braithwaite. Halfway up Darren had to stop to change a slow puncture, we hoped this wouldn’t be a sign of things to come.
After 31 miles we passed through the busy market town of Keswick at 09:15, there were plenty of bike shops and on another day I’m sure we’d have stopped for some “retail therapy” !
After leaving Keswick we made good progress and soon passed through the villages of Threkland, Scales, Mungrisdale and Troutbeck.
We soon started meeting fellow C2Cers; we rode for a while with a few guys doing it for a MS charity. Most people we spoke to were doing it over 3 days and everyone thought we were nuts to even attempt it in a day (including one annoying Geordie who told us we wouldn’t make it).
Our first stop was at 10:45 after 48 miles in the village of Greystoke (famed for the story Tarzan), we met our support vehicle and after a quick food refuel and water bottle top up we carried on.
There is a famous cycle café here but unfortunately we didn’t have time to stop and sample their delights.
On the outskirts of Penrith there was another milestone; we crossed underneath the M6 motorway, goodbye to the Lake District and hello to the Pennines!
After Penrith & Langwathby we met up with both the support vehicle and Helen, Nell & Erin for a quick lunch break at Little Salkeld (12:15 and 60 miles). It was great to see the family as it was all the inspiration I needed for what was about to come next… the nemesis of the C2C; the legendary climb up Hartside!
The ascent of Hartside is at the 70 mile point; at over 3.6 miles long you climb 1,345 feet. We both reached the summit (passing quite a few cyclists pushing along the way). It now felt like we’re among the clouds and although it was not raining the mist made the conditions quite damp. Jackets and lights were now the order of the day despite it only being 2 pm!
In freezing conditions we made the descent down through Leadgate and Garrigill. The next 30 miles were undoubtedly the hardest of the day, the remaining 3 big climbs were all within the next 30 miles starting straight out of Garrigil (15:10 and 77 miles); although “only” 876 feet over 2 miles there are a lot of false peaks which have a demoralizing effect when you think you have reached the summit of the climb.
Immediately after dropping down into Nenthead (15:50 and 83.5 miles) we were faced straight away with the next major climb, 564 feet over 1.4 miles.
Very strong headwinds and near zero visibility but we made it. We were now at the highest point of the ride; 1,998 feet above sea level. At the summit of the climb Darren had another puncture and we took the opportunity to stop at the famous “Northumberland” sign and then not long after that the CountyDurham sign, more major milestones passed.
We dropped down into Allenheads at 17:00 for another refuel with the support vehicle and it was then onto Rookhope and Stanhope at 98 miles where we would face the last of the major climbs; 636 feet over 1.3 miles. It was at this point that I hit what marathon runners call the wall. I knew that in two miles (at the 100 mile point) it was our final fuel stop at a tea shop that had specially stayed open for us. However those 2 miles were the slowest/hardest I’ve ever done. The weather conditions were awful it was freezing cold, strong head wind and we were still riding in the clouds so we couldn’t even take a decent photograph!
Once refreshed we knew we were homeward bound, it was a big psychological boost knowing the last 40 miles would be downhill/flat all the way with thankfully no more climbs. After a change into warm dry jackets & gloves we joined the famousWaskerley Way. Almost immediately though I had a puncture, in the cold and fading light this was very demoralising but we were soon on our way again. Our pace slowed down as we tried to navigate the twists and turns of the dimly lit cycle paths and Darren took a nasty tumble when he hit a branch lying across the path. In hindsight we would have been better with brighter mountain bike lights as oppose to commuter lights but I have to confess my mind wasn’t fully focused at the last stop and I was more concerned with warmer/dryer clothing than lights.
The gradual descending gave us a second wind, without realizing it the surrounding scenery soon changed from farmland & fields to housing estates and commercial buildings. We crossed a bridge and in the distance we could see the Angel of the North, you don’t need much more of a sign that we were well and truly in the North East!
Along the route we passed lots of sculptures that the C2C is famous for but stopping for photographs was the last thing on our mind, by now we just wanted to get to the finish. We eventually came across the River Wear, and then the Stadium of Light and we knew the end was in sight even if we couldn’t see it.
Riding past the marina we turned the corner and in the dark we could just make out the welcome party waiting for us.
We were exhausted but we had managed it, the time was 23:19 so taking into account the late start we completed the ride in a shade less than 17 hours.
Photographs were kept to a minimum as everyone was cold and extremely tired but I still somehow managed to pick up my bike and dash 50 yards across the beach to dip the wheels in the North Sea.
The following morning we decided it would be appropriate for a photograph at the finish point in the day light. Darren was on his bike because he was about to ride to Newcastle to catch his train back to Whitehaven
A fantastic ride but not one I’ll be rushing to repeat! There are far too many people to thank here but today wouldn’t have been possible without Darren, Emma, mum & dad and of course the 3 most important people Helen, Nell & Erin…
stats from the ride…
start; 06:20
finish; 23:19
time; 16:59:43
distance; 140 miles
ascent; 12,342 feet
max speed; 35 mph
av. Speed; 11.25 mph
calories; 8,279 (rda 2,500 !!!)
our route taken from the GPS (click on picture to enlarge)…
Good write up, I said you were a fool & now you’ve proved it 😉
Typically since you did the ride the wind has swung round to a WSW but I see the forecast here in the NE is for it to go back to NNE for the weekend so even if you had left it a week it would have been a headwind!
Great effort Mark. See you at football on Wednesday I presume ? Unless you give it a miss you lazy git
Syd
Great to read all about your amazing journey. Your determination clearly got you through. A fantastic achievement. well done!
Fantastic!! Well done. Such an amazing achievement. Cx
Well Done Mark!
What a inspiring story! May our Formby Shopping Fayre Event on Saturday 9th July 2011 at Holy Trinity Church raises alittle more funds for such a wonderful cause!
You must be very proud of yourself!
Hope to see you soon!
Love and Best Wishes,
From Susie & The Absolute Events Team.xx
Well done both of you, the story is amazing and you are both heroes.
Well done Mark on your tremendous achievement. Also well done to Darren. Utmost respect to you both for getting in the saddle and doing the route in a day. Your report and photos amazing. Well done again and for such a wonderful cause. So proud of you.
Chris Richard and Simon xxx
congratulations to you both – you made it sound quite entertaining and just like taking a stroll around town…anyway hope your walking ok again by now and catch up with you soon for the full tales and for me to pass on my cash too ……what next , to be continued I say Alpe D’ Huez
Bully for you !!!!
Seriously absolutely amazing achievement Mark and respect
Great write up! Well done to you both, you made it sound like you had a ride round the local park & back. You should both be really proud of yourselves for this epic journey you have achieved. I bet your girls are proud of their daddy!
Love and best wishes Angela & Warren xx
Well done to the both of you, we drove over the tops to Northumberland recently and it’s bleak in poor weather.
One question. Why didn’t you wear your white sponsored tops in the ride?
Hi
I can t help but leave a congratulations comment .
I fell upon your website by accident .
I’m a teacher based in Manchester and am coordinating sports related charity events (‘Room to Read’ an international charity build schools to enable kids(especially girls) in underdeveloped countries to get an education)
Anyway I was seeking images of Ian Taylor( I’m a Villa fan & he’s my all time legend) in a charity context and it sent me through to your site- he sent you a good luck message.
Also I’ve done the C2C with my elder brother 9 years ago (over 3 days)It was to raise money for Cancer Research as our other brother, Adrian, had just died of cancer (at age 40) He had 2 kids and lived in Aughton ,West Lancs , and had spent time at Royal Liverpool ( and had also played football for Aston Villa reserves in late 70’s ,early 80’s before moving North)
Anyway there are the links I had with your wonderful effort .
You ve now got me motivated to have a pop at C2C in 1 day (and get wife & kids into support mode) to raise funds for ‘Room to Read’ which I’m organising at my school , Darwen Aldridge Community Academy, Darwen , Lancs.
I’ve left a small donation (hope its not too late )
All the best
Brendan Pugh