Friday - Left Whitehaven (under pedal power) at 10:30 after a quick photo at the start point (the camera never saw daylight again till Sunday).  It was wet and windy as I passed along a cycle friendly course through some ‘gentle’ inclines including the gremlinWhinlatterPass with the high winds arriving at the same time!  After getting my breath back Keswick was some time after 1 o’clock.   A few more inclines – not to mention more wind and rain and the Penrith B&B was a welcome sight. I’d done 56.5 miles in 6 hrs 45 mins.

Saturday – Left Penrith at 08:30 with a severe weather warnings given out for the N Pennines’ and Northumberland; a challenging day as our route was yes you guessed it….. 

A quick hill after breakfast was followed by a ‘free wheel’ into Langwathby arriving at speed and by now drenched wet through but for the constant rain I would have been dry with the ever present (head on) high wind!

The course was now all up hill to Hartside (and the Café).  The weather by now was severe - driving rain, gale force winds oh and fog!  I was blown off my bike on a section on the A 686 and for my own safety had to walk.  I now realised why of the 14 I was supposed to start with 6 had decided to miss the day out!  At the Hartside Café I can recommend the meat and potato pie and the log fire!  After a 45 minute break and dewatering of clothing the journey continued in the most harsh and extreme weather conditions.  I was wet again within minutes and wishing I’d got the Taxi from Hartside (man down 7 left).

We now cycled as a group with the “Buddy Buddy” system kicking in big time.  A steep incline, which was pedal assisted due to the gales was followed by a step climb from Garrigill to Nenhead.  We had passed the highest point – not that I could see anything! The sign said Welcome to Northumberland – it was a great wind shield and time for an energy bar.  It was going to be needed. 

Two more climbs followed in gale, rain and fog.  The climb out of Allenheads was bad – I had to remind myself why I was here!  Our descent into Rookhope was preceded by warnings from motorists who had turned back warning us of floods.  After a few ‘up to your knees’ water obstacles we passed the poor people in Rookhope busy sand bagging their houses – many were too late.  From Rookhope there was one (it was two!) last climb for the day to Parkhead Station. We left Stanhope – the climb just about did me in.

I arrived at Parkhead Station having completed just short of 48 miles in 8 hrs 45 mins after leaving Penrith.   A hot shower, food and nightcap were interspersed with reflections on what had been the hardest day of my entire life.   I had now cycled 104.25 miles in 14.25 hours.

Sunday – It was still raining and foggy but with no high wind to contend with, this was very much the setting for the day.  Breakfast was taken watching the TV coverage of the tragic first hand experiences of the previous days weather from around the country. 

Left the Parkhead Station sanctuary at 09:10.  It was all down hill and a day to enjoy albeit wet but nevertheless great cycling.  The course was along Waskerley Way downhill to Consett.  Along the Derwent Walk the high water from the River was experienced at first hand in the park. 

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