Post ride update

A few days have passed now and things are getting back to normal. I still need to give the bike some TLC but other than that all my stuff is unpacked, cleaned and put away.

C2C was an amazing experience. I really would love to do some more touring. Maybe next year ;)

A lot of people have been very generous in donating towards East Anglia's Children's Hospices. Not all of the money is in yet but it's looking as though it'll total in excess of £700 which is way beyond my expectations and for which which I am extremely grateful.

I've uploaded some photographs which although not very exciting or flattering do give a feel for my journey from start to finish.

Photos link here

Although my iPhone has not fully recovered, I have and am now returning to going for a run a few times a week and trying not to eat too badly. I'm going to try not to undo all the good work I did preparing for the trip.

I'll post again with a total for the fun raising when all the cash is in.

Bye


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Out of the blue donation

Today I was drinking coffee at Ely station and got talking to a woman who is a scientist about general stuff. Before she got her train she asked if she could donate to EACH. How nice is that?!

I've been reminded on this trip about how amazing and friendly people are. Being on two wheels or on foot really gives you an experience you can't have travelling by other means.

Waiting for last train

I'm drinking a coffee at Ely station waiting for the last train home and looking forward to seeing my family.

I've noticed today that my cycle jacket has got a bit smelly since I left home nearly a week ago :{

The morning after

After dinner and a few drinks I was straight to bed. I've been to bed by 9:30 every night and asleep a few seconds later.

I slept well. It seemed strange this morning not to be getting everything ready for the day and studying maps.

It has been an amazing experience that I would recommend to anyone who can ride a bike for a few hours at a time.

I'm raising a load of money for EACH too which makes the whole crazy trip seem even more worthwhile.

A big thank you to all those who have sponsored me. I'm very grateful.

I've just finished a very long breakfast and need to checkout and get to the station for the first of my 3 trains today.

Because I left it late to book the ticket for the first long run to Peterborough there were only first class tickets left. They weren't much more than standard so it wasn't too hard to swallow. So my slightly extravagant end to my adventure continues :)

iPhone is working again!!!

What an end to the day! My phone seems to be fully working again!

.......but it's not over!!!!!

This was not in the plan. After I'd had a rest at the seafront in Roker I started looking at how I was going to get to Newcastle Central station in the morning and for somewhere to stay.

My worst fears were confirmed. There is no way of getting me and my bike the 14 miles to the station using public transport.

In a moment of madness I decided to ride there today. What was I thinking? I phoned ahead to book a hotel before i left and then set off.

To make matters worse my iPhone battery died 10 mins after setting off so I had no idea how to get there. So I went old school and followed the signposts until I got to Central station. I then asked a driver at the taxi rank where the hotel was and I arrived about 90 mins after leaving Roker.

I am now exhausted. That make today's total around 47 miles and today was supposed to be an easy run in!!!!

Still I'm now done and am going to get showed up and head down for something to eat and maybe a beer or two ;)

From the picture you can see that I won't be slumming it tonight!

I made it !!!

What an experience

So sunny but so cold

My room was really hot this morning with the sun coming through the big window.

I put shorts in for the first time this week and even thought about putting my jacket in my bag.

But I'm glad I didn't it's freezing cold and the wind's really strong :( but it's not raining !!!! :)

Final run in

I'm about to set off on the last leg of the route. It should be under 35 miles if I don't get lost and takes in some amazing scenery from here to the coast.
I've got to sort out somewhere to stay within an easy trek to Newcastle station in the morning. This has so far been a challenge but I'm now going to worry about it when the ride is done.

Next stop the seaside :)

I spoke too soon

The climbs for the rest on the day were relentlessly steep and tough. The final biggie coming out of Stanhope nearly beat me. It was huge and seemed to go on forever. Once at the top it was an off road blast of about 7 miles to Consett.

..... or at least it should have been had I not got the location of my overnight stop wrong. In short I added about 7 miles to the end of the day. The last 4 were an uphill slog into heavy wind. By the time I got here I was pretty much broken. Not helped by the owner telling me they were only 400m off the C2C route had I gone the right way. Arghhhhh!!!!!

Now I'm here it's really nice. It's called Bee Cottage Guest house near Castleside. It's miles from anywhere but has excellent views. They're licensed and they do an evening meal menu. The owner cooks your meal to order with local produce. You can even chat with him through the stable style door while he cooks. Outstanding!

On super sized hill left

I'm about to set off again soon. There are plenty of small climbs to go but the last big one is at Stanhope. Around 650ft in a little over a mile :(

Then it shouldn't be too bad to my next overnight at Consett :)

I feel like I'm in the touring zone now. I'm happy on the road all the time and feel confident doing any of the climbs. I hope I haven't spoken too soon!!

A few pictures

From this morning

Phone latest

It been a bit chaotic since I left Whitehaven. Even though my phone was in a waterproof bar bag it got wet.

I've discovered iPhone's don't like this! The screen is in two shades and the various function do and don't work. Sometimes they just work by themselves.

Now it's settled down wifi and GPS work fine. The camera has cleared and looks ok. I can text (when I ever get a signal again) but I can only make calls hands free even then the mic isn't great.

I'm going to go to the Apple store when I get back a plead stupidity which is not far from the truth :(

I have a cheap PAYG to tied me over but haven't had a signal since Penrith.

Hard morning nice lunch

This morning was full of big climbs and fast descents. A good combination of pain and reward although a couple of the climbs were killers.

I've got as far as Allenheads in Northumberland. I've stopped at a very nice coffee shop and am enjoying tea with a cream scone and jam. it tastes really good!

There's still no mobile phone signal but I have wifi ;)

Overnight stop booked

I travelling through sparsely populated countryside today so have booked my accommodation for tonight at Castleside near Consett. I think this will be about 35 miles from Garrigill. Factoring in today's big climbs and my aching body this should be plenty.

The sun has come out in the last few
minutes so i'd best get ready and head off.

Day 3 climbs

Wrong about hills

I thought I'd got the worst of the hills out of the way yesterday but I was wrong. Outside of Garrigill is "the wall". Nearly 900ft to climb in around 2 miles. That's not the best start to the day. Next up is Black Hill at 1998ft that needs another 564ft climb to get to. There are few more smaller climbs before Stanhope which is a 636ft climb over 1.3 miles!

That should see the back of the huge climbs but I think today is going to hurt.

I think i'll go as far as Consett today. I'll see how it goes.

Day 3 aches

I slept very well last night but still feel a bit tired. I was in bed before 10:00pm and breakfast is at 8:00 so I've had as much sleep as I'm going to get. Also my thighs and quads ache a bit too.

Not sure how far I'm going today. I feel I could push on to the finish I I had to buy that's not what this trip was supposed to be about. That would be another 50+ miles. I'll probably stop before then tonight and leave an easy day tomorrow.

Anyway time for breakfast!

What a day

I had a great morning today. The ride from Keswick to Penrith was like traveling through a set of Lakeland picture postcards. Fast flowing rivers, weirs, forests, mountains, the lot.

I got to Penrith around lunch time and headed to Morrison's to get a cheap phone which I did. I made a decision to ride on to Garrigill. I booked a B&B then set off knowing that I was about to enter the Pennines and the biggest peaks and climbs on the ride.

The biggest of all was hartside which was a lung busting and quad exploding climb to over 1900ft. This really hurt although there's a cafe at the top where I got tea and cake to reward myself.

I then rode the last hour to my B&B which is in a very small village in a valley. There's no phone signal, no phone box and no heating in my room and it's freezing!

On the plus side it didn't rain much and there's been more a amazing scenery although much more barren and brutal.

I covered nearly 50 miles today and got the biggest climb out of the way. I plan to cover less miles tomorrow and leave myself an easy run in on day 4.

My body hurts more today and will probably be at least as bad tomorrow. Getting old is no fun!

A comedy moment today was me walking round the supermarket with my panniers, bar bag, saddle pack, drink bottles and helmet in a trolley. I must have looked a right muppet!

Hopefully my body will repair in time for the morning.

Starting day 2

The weather is better this morning but the forecast is for more heavy rain today and high winds.

Most if my stuff has dried out. However my iPhone is still not working as a phone. The nearest shop selling a phone is over 20 miles away in Penrith.

Last night i was trying to decide how far to ride today. Penrith is the next big town but I'll probably be there around lunch time. Then I'm restricted by places to stay. Accommodation options are limited for the next 50 miles or so.

I'm going to play it by ear when I get to Penrith.

Today everything in my bar bag is going to be wrapped in plastic bags.

I will try the live tracking again today but not sure how well it will work with my limping phone!

Dried out

Today's weather could have been better and despite taking 45 mins to get out of Whitehaven it has been an amazing day.

The scenery in the Lakes has been breathtaking. I've tried taking pictures but not as many as I'd like because of the weather and not wanting to ruin my camera or phone. Although the latter clearly didn't work.

I've met some really nice people along the way who have been friendly and enthusiastic despite the weather.

The ride through Whinlatter forest was great fun although tricky in the wet and a fully loaded bikes.

I forgot I'd been there before with my mates on a mountain bike weekend about 6 years ago.

There was a charity ride on the area. There were plenty of people to chat to on the climbs for about an hour this morning.

Keswick is nice and I had a walk round some of Derwent Water before dinner.

I'm resting in my room trying to get my iPhone fully tried.

Today's ride was tough but I'd hoped to get a bit further. The trouble is that there's not many places to stay between Keswick and Penrith. I had no phone and could not guarantee finding somewhere to stay before Penrith which is over 20 miles away with some big climbs tomorrow.

I'm hoping for better weather tomorrow but am laying on my bed listening to the wind and rain battering the window :(

Here's hoping for a dry day.

Very very very wet!

Ok I know the Lakes is not the sunniest spot on the planet but today was madness. It properly lashed it down up until mid afternoon. Roads, paths and trails were all running rivers.

My main panniers held back the torrent but my bar bag with it's "waterproof" cover was useless. I stopped at 2pm for lunch at whim latter visitors centre and everything in it was soaked including my iPhone, camera and wallet. The notes we just a solid lump of sodden paper. The girl in the cafe very kindly accepted a £10 note that I managed to peel off without tearing it.

My phone only started partially working a few minutes ago but it keeps going crazy, has no sound, misted camera lenses and a multi shaded screen. I hope it fully recovers.

Just about to eat dinner so will update on the day soon if the rain still works!

Good start to the day

Morning!

I slept really well last night. I was totally worn out just from the travelling. My side was hurting a bit. I'm sure it was from lugging my loaded bike around trains and stations. It feels much better today.

I've had a big breakfast today and feel fired up to get started until I look out of the window and see the rain :( still a sun soaked journey up here is always unlikely.

At breakfast I chatted with a couple who must have been late 50's who are starting coast to coast today although they have a guy in a van assisting them.

At least if they're faster than me I can blame all the luggage I'm carrying.

I'm not far off being ready to set off but think now is a good time to get the map out and do a bit of route planning before I go!

Good meal

The meal was very nice. I'm not really a dessert person but the highlight was sticky toffee pudding with vanilla ice cream serviced in a brandy snap case. Very very nice.

Time for coffee then the short walk back. I'm exhausted so will probably go straight to bed. Hopefully i'll get a nice long sleep ready for setting out tomorrow. I'd better take a look at the map before I set off so I know which way to go!

Well deserved drink and food

I've struck lucky. The waterfront bar and restaurant in Whitehaven overlooks the sea and had no tables but they managed to squeeze me in. The menu looks very good but I feel a bit underdressed. Looking forward to a nice meal :)

I made it!!!!!

.......to the B&B. What a day. B&B seems fine in an fashioned kind of way.

Been to the toilet for the first time since I left home. That's over 8 hours!! At my age that's impressive :)

Going to unpack and get some advise on where to go tonight. Looks like there's plenty of choice.

Football train

Being treated to a final stretch with a train full of very drunk and very load football fans. Not quite what I'd hoped for.....

Bored of trains now

Made it on my last train which is also packed. I've got the in the carriage and a seat but it's heaving.

I'm so looking forward to getting to Whitehaven in about an hour, checking and and finding somewhere to eat and rest!

2 hours down 40 mins to go

I've been on the Carlisle train now for a couple of hours. The scenery is amazing. We went stopped at the highest mainline station in England which I think was called Dent but could be wrong. We're now out of the wilds and heading downhill fast towards Penrith then in to Carlisle.

I hope the train's on time. This is the shortest change time of the day. There's only 11 minutes between trains. Hopefully it'll be a lot less painful than Leeds!

Easier than I thought!

Leeds to Carlisle was looking to be crowded but the train's a fair size and I've managed to get the bike in the bike carriage. I've had to take all the luggage off but it's in. The train terminates in Carlisle which gives me plenty of time to faff about putting all the luggage back on.

This train is the slow train going east to west and stops at what seems like every town on the way. Time to put on my headphones and chill for a bit :)

Traversing platforms

Leeds station is not simple with a loaded bike. Having got my bike from the train I've needed to queue for lifts to get me to the next platform which is very small with a lot of people on. This leg lasts 2 1/2 hours. I really hope I get a seat!

3rd train

Stress here as the train is about a mile long. The the carraige for bikes and luggage was at the opposite end so I needed to follow the guard down the other end of the train. My bike is loaded and strapped down.

Then I needed to walk through the train to my carraige. Went through the first class carraiges which looked very nice and the buffet car that does Starbucks coffee. Result!!

Someone was sitting in my seat that took a bit of sorting out. I'm now sitting down for the first time since I left home a couple of hours ago.

Next stop Leeds!!!!

Interesting journey to Peterborough

Ely to Peterborough was even worse! Totally rammed. I managed to get on and spent the journey chatting to a guy who'd done C2C, three peaks and other stuff. Really good start.

Also chatting to a group going to visit family then off to Corfu. Maybe I should have planned my route there. The weather will be much better.

1st train done but packed!

I'm at Ely. The train from Brandon was rammed. I could only just physically fit on the train. Hope the next one to peterborough is better.

On my way!

I'm at Brandon station waiting for my first of 5 trains today. I've a few butterflies but have prepared as well as I can.

The bike feels even heavier than in my ride last weekend. I'm sure I'll get used to it and it should get lighter as the days go on.

Early night

It's been a really busy week and I feel exhausted so I'm getting an early night. This is my last night at home before I set off. I feel a mixture of excitement to be getting started and sadness because i'll be leaving my family behind. Still all going well I should be home in a week.

I've got a few tweaks to do on the bike before I go in the morning but will be trying hard not to break anything like I did this time last week!

Weather not looking good

Just been watching the weather report for the weekend. In summary it's looking as though it's going to be lashIng it down in the Lakes on Sunday.

There was me worrying about the factor of sun cream I would need following last weekend's weather.

Good job I've got good waterproofs packed. It looks as though I'm going to need them :(

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Satellite tracking while I'm riding

Now I'm riding solo I've decided to switch on satellite tracking on the RunKeeper app. This does what it says on the tin. It show's where I am and where I've been in real time!

If you want to follow me then register on the RunKeeper website. Add me to you street team and you'll be able to follow my progress.


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Packed!

After faffing around most nights this week I've managed to get everything packed and the weight reasonably evenly distributed.




I'm sure I'll still mess around a bit before I leave Saturday morning but I feel more relaxed now I'm done. I'll study the maps and route guide on the trains. I'll have plenty of time as I've got 5 to catch to get me to Whitehaven.

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Packing and more packing

You've probably guessed from the title what I've been doing this week. I've got pretty much everything together now and in my panniers. I've got lights on the front forks, head tube, seat tube, seat pack and jacket so I'm well covered for all situations.

The bags feel heavy but lighter than I had feared. I've got plenty of energy bars and drinks so the bike should get lighter as the days go by.

It's all starting to feel very real and time is zipping past. My biggest concern at the moment is catching the 5 trains I need to get from home to Whitehaven. As part of this I know getting on and off the trains is going to be a challenge due to the weight and width of the bike with all the luggage attached. I'm sure I'll work it out but it's going to be a lot of faffing around.

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Saddle Graveyard

When I was fitting the new seat post at the weekend I realised just how many saddles I've bought over the years and these are just the spares!

Are off road sections going to be possible?

I've been having a read of the guide to the off road sections on the C2C website this lunchtime here.

For someone who'll be riding a fully loaded hybrid many of these sections are sounding on the verge of impossible. Anyone got any thoughts? I may just have to cherry pick a few of the less extreme sections but the list will be short :(

Bike fixed and final training session

Last week didn't end that well with the broken seat post but I managed to borrow a replacement from my mate which happened to be a USE SX suspension seat post. Not only does it fit a treat but it helps smooth out the bumps which I'm sure I'll appreciate next week.

I also did a final ride with the bike fully loaded. I filled the panniers and bar bag to the top and headed out for an hour. I rode mainly on road with a bit of light off roading to see how the bike handles.

The truth is that off road it's pretty awful. It reminds me of when I used to ride my BMW F650 GS off road. It feels slow, unresponsive and moves around all over the place. I'm sure it'll be fine as long as I keep the speed down when I'm off the tarmac.

On road it was fine on the flat and downhill but the ups weren't as good. It was a bit breezy on Sunday and I rode gently up hill for about 3 miles. The weight and wind brake effect of the luggage was easily noticeable. Again I'll just have to pace myself on the C2C so I keep something in reserve for the big hills.

I'm not doing any more riding for the next few days now. I'm resting my aching muscles and concentrating on getting the packing sorted out before I set off Saturday morning.

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It was going too well

This evening I decided to tweak a cleat position and move the saddle back a bit which ended in tears.




I might have over tightened the bolts a touch.......

None of my spare posts fit so tomorrow I need to track down a new seat post. I really should have left well alone!!!

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Big ride to finish the week

I thought it was about time to see whether the training had paid off by putting in a long ride today. So I decided last night that I would ride home from work today which is a journey of about 33 miles.

I hadn't predicted the searing heat but bottled up plenty of energy drink and took a couple of energy bars. Google maps said it would take about 3 hours and 20 minutes but I managed to maintain an average speed of around 15mph finishing in just over 2 hours and 5 minutes. I really couldn't have asked for any better. It felt like a tempo that I could maintain comfortably which was probably down to the fact there was little in the way of hills.

Hopefully I'll be able to ride at a slower pace with a few stops on the C2C and get through the day in reasonable shape.

Anyway, that's the last big ride. On Sunday I plan to load the bike up and take it for a spin for about an hour to get used to the different handling. I'll do some easy going off road too so I have an idea of the handling differences.


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Energy and Recovery drinks

I've been playing with energy and recovery fuel over the last week.

For Goodness Shakes recovery shakes seem to work very well. They're low fat and loaded with carbs and a bit of protein. They're pretty easy to digest too although a bit sweet. I've got a big box of these so plan to take a handful with me on the trip.

I've been using High5 Zero Electrolyte Tablets as my energy drink for training over the last month. Almost no nutritional value but they do keep you hydrated and have helped burn the fat. The neutral flavour works for me. I tried the flavoured extreme variant but this made me feel sick. However, for the C2C I need something carb loaded. I'm still looking around for something.

For food both on bike and recovery I've been using Powerbar products. They're easy enough to digest and don't taste too bad either.

So it's not going too bad. I'll do some fine tuning but I feel I'm getting there.

I plan to stop intensive training at the end of the weekend and do some light commute sessions next week before travelling on the Saturday.