Came back last night from the coast to coast (C2c) ride in northern England. I am taking advantage of this holiday before I start work in September to cycle around a bit. Nice weather, great ride, very stiff legs. Here a map of the ride (use this website to plan the ride: it's very good).
Day one: Workington to Keswick
The ride starts in Workington, a fairly ugly town on the irish sea. You cycle from there to the lake district on b roads and cycle paths. The road is pretty much up and down, so quite tiring, but to be honest I should have cycled a few miles more on day one and do the whole thing in three days instead of four.
Lovely scenery. I stopped for the night at the Twa Dogs Inn in Keswick for the night. Not exceptional
Day two: Keswick to Alston
This was the first day of climbs, and the longest stage on my ride. This is a picture taken from the top of the Hartside, a big climb on day two, and my struggling face. I stayed in a very nice B&B for the night.
Day three: Alston to Bee Cottage
This is when you think the climbs are over and you are wrong. There are at least two more big climbs as you leave Alston heading east, and to make things worse your legs are still in pain from the day before. The scenery is rough, mountainous and with few scattered mining villages. Stayed at bee cottage for the night. Glad to get there.
Day four: Bee Cottage to Sunderland
pretty much 50k downhill to sunderland, on dirt (although very manageable with a road bike). Nice to eventually get to the north sea in Sunderland.
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