Story
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For our sins we are participated in the Annual Coast to Coast Bike Ride on the 3rd, 4th and 5th of July. What a weekend, we made it safely from West to East passing through some of the most beautiful scenery in England. Here are some of the highlights and photos from our adventure. Friday 3rd July 7:00 AM start from Samlesbury, arrived Workington 9:15 but couldn’t find lighthouse. Unloaded bikes and conducted the traditional dipping of the wheels in Irish Sea. Away by 10:15 but got lost in first 10 minutes and we could still see the van. 10 miles in and the rain came down. With Anders complaining about the lack of tarmac and missed turnings Hopwood went into giggle mode. Into a good down hill stretch high up alongside Bassenthwaite, Bardin gets puncture no 1. After a quick tube change Bardin brakes hard and gets nerfed off by Tuley. Lunch stop 20 miles in set off again rain still persisting. Anders and Hopwood pair off to play it safe and stay on tarmac. 45 miles in, Anders approaching Penrith argues with tarmac and lost, kind gentleman in Jaguar ferries Anders with bike in boot to Penrith hospital. Hopwood follows on bike. Remainder arrive in Langwathby safe but wet at 17:30. With no dry clothes remainder waited until Lord recovers the wily pair from hospital. Bardin somehow manages to arrange free transport to pub, good time had by all at the Highland drove Inn, Great Salkhead. Saturday 4th July (Hill Day) Birchall (Heavy snorer) raise the roof of caravan no1but all still managed a 9:00 AM start after breakfast. Anders departs Penrith on the Preston express. 1st stop Hartside café after first real climb. Weather warms up and Sunburn and horse fly bites take our minds off the pain. Bardin gets puncture no 2, Birchall leaves new glasses on garden wall. Second stop Nenthead where Lord was perfectly positioned once again. Hopwood sets off after lunch but lost chain and fell off yards from the start. Proceeding to the highest point of the day Lord retires to the pub in Stanhope to await our arrival but first had to negotiate preferential parking with the local constabulary. Arrived Pack horse inn Stanhope for beer in the sun around 16:45. With Birchall Banished to his own room remainder crashed in the loft. Great time once again after a good curry and being mesmerised with the Why Aye lady’s card tricks!! Sunday 5th July Hearty breakfast delayed early start, Bardin suspects puncture, First task the Killer hill Crawley side the locals had forewarned us the night before. With a blessing from the local priest we thought we had it sussed. It didn’t work and the locals where right. We all got to the top but it took 1 hour to cover just 2.5 miles. After a short rest we head off down hill on an old railway line at a lightning pace until Bardin confirmed puncture no 3. Off again we head off down hill Knott and Bardin begin to build a lead, Knott slides to a halt to avoid running over a dog, Once again they valiantly disappear from site, GPS missed a turning and they arrived late for lunch. Lord was once again perfectly positioned on route this time after negotiating with the Derwent Park Ranger. Birchall had suffered sunburn of the right leg, left leg was OK only 20 miles to go. The ride along Newcastle key side was a pleasant surprise with some interesting sites including Victorian bridges and BAE land systems impressive building, so impressive Knott looses footing on steps and falls with Bike. Away from Newcastle heading for Tynemouth the route becomes strewn with broken bottles, but Bardin continued not caring a jot, he was an expert tube changer by now. Tynemouth’s approach is greeted with a welcome sea breeze only 3 miles to go. The pace quickened and with no van to be seen we stumbled up on Lord once again perfectly positioned but he had failed to negotiate his rightful parking spot. The Lord had been forced to join the team on less comfortable transport in the form of Anders Bike, which we later found was left with the front brake cam off. In the scramble to dip our wheels in the North Sea Tuley takes tumble in the soft sand. Meredith was the only one unscathed during the whole weekend, a latecomer to the event he put in a sterling effort and managed to keep pace with the boys up front. You will notice in the final photo that Anders bike completed the journey without its rider but his spirit was with us all the way, hard luck Dave better luck next time. Thanks to all those who sponsored us and for those who didn’t get around to it there is still time. Thanks again the Mellorhouseboys maybe next year some of you might join us!!Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Sue Ryder Care gets your money faster and, if you’re a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.
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