Day 1
Today’s ride started as all coast to coast rides. As we dipped our back wheels in the Irish sea ( I’m on a hire bike so mine got a good dip), one of my riding companions slipped on the algae and all her bike and most of her body got an unexpected dunking in the waves. This delayed our departure whilst first aid was administered to the grazes on her face and hands. She then has to start the ride wetter than any of us.
The morning ride was pretty uneventful as we followed a disused rail track to morning tea. We then started a more hilly section up to lunch and stopped at one of the may lakes which makes this part of England so pretty
After lunch I had a déjà vue moment as we got caught in a Thunderstorm and as we were riding through Keswick I had to ride over cobbles! Unlike last year I managed to stay upright and finish the ride with no broken bones!
More tomorrow when the real hills begin.
Day 2
Weather forecast was the same as yesterday with showers and thunderstorms predicted.
Its just like commuting to work in Sydney although im sure the weather is warmer over there.
Anyway we roll out of the Horse and Farrier pub after a hearty grease infused breakfast, I’m sure my personal dietician would have something to say with canned grapefruit, cherry yoghurt and bacon and eggs with fried bread!!!
Anyway with this settling into my stomach I rode the the first part of the day at the head of the pack thus avoiding mouthful of wet cow manure flicked up from the back wheel of the bike in front! After an hour or so the happy peloton was fairly strung out and after a few tactical regroup stops we made it to the support van for luke warm tea and museli bars!
We then started the real climbing of the ride and I had no problems sitting on the wheel of the ride leader for “a series of cheeky little climbs” until lunch (his words). Lunch was eaten in a bus shelter as we all decided that standing in the middle of a car park under the awning of the van in a thunderstorm was probably not the safest place to stand. Suitably re-fueled with soggy samosa with stilton and ginger cake for dessert, we set off for the climb of the day and the rain eased off a bit (its all relative when you are as wet as were). I set off last as I had foolishly left my gloves in the rain so had to ring them out before putting my hands into them as they had swelled up. I hate wet clothes!
The rain did ease off a it as we climbed up to Hartside (thanks to Simon and Ben for pulling us up the Pyrenees) I got the King of the mountain 🙂 As the stronger riders rolled into to the café for a well deserved mug of tea (it is England after all) , I when back down the hill to the back of the back and helped the 11 year old on our tour up the hill (pushing with my good arm). Zlatko and Flash will be pleased to know there were no incidents when we took it turns to push him up the hill. We weren’t the last to arrive at the top, the lady that fell into the sea yesterday morning still isn’t fully recovered and came in probably 15 minutes after me, Jamie and his dad.
Well now at the pub with a beer so that’s it for another day. Oh for those with a sadistic curiosity the saddle index is about a three (refreshing your memories from other long distance ride reports: 0 is I’ve just started and feel great, 10 is I’m looking forward to the next hill so I can stand up!)
Turnip