We started in Birkenhead where we picked up Julie and Elaine at 6:30 am on an overcast Friday morning. The Sat-nav played up but we found them and got them comfortable in the van. Through the Mersey Tunnel to Childwall. We saw Gill on her bike coming down to meet Brian at his house where we picked up Eddy, Derek and Brian from the PCT riders group. Last pick up was to Christine's in Huyton. Making our way to Whitehaven we soon noticed the heavy rain closing in for the day. We arrived at Tesco's in Whitehaven at 11:30am had breakfast, got changed into our cycling wet gear and started off. We dipped our bikes in the sea and made our way to Bowness on Solway which is on the Solway Firth 51 miles later. We stayed at our first B ans B, which was the Hope and Anchor. We met Doug and his wife who made us very welcome. Port Carlisle is a little railway village on the coast. Brian was staying with Doug's brother in a row of cottages
just next to the Inn, everyone got a good nights sleep and we met for breakfast at 8:30am.
Day 2
A bright but overcast start to the day. Rode through Carlisle, did not get lost on the bridge this time, we asked a local rider who pointed us in the right direction. After meeting Alan our driver we hade tea and snacks at 18 miles. Sun still shining we rode another 50 miles to Bardon Bridge.We started to climb uphill a steep 1 in 6, everyone got off and walked except Derek. Elaine tried but took a tumble when she tried to get her foot out of her cleat... she was OK. The road got steeper and the rain came down again. We assessed the route to our second nights stop and decided to take the van as it was getting dark at this point. Good decision in hindsight as Gibbs farm was another 5 miles and two hills away. We had a rushed shave, shower (Weak water, ask Gill) and made our way to the Twice Brewed Inn for dinner and a chat. Everyone was shattered ,so left quite early.
Day 3
Wet and overcast, seems to be the order of the day. We decided to start our last leg of our trip at the top of Bardon Mill summit at 256m The first 10 miles were quite hilly, then we dropped onto the river Tyne cycle way through Newcastle and into Tynemouth. Just our luck the rain stopped as we got to the end of Route 72. We got changed in the van then had a meal in the Salutation Inn. We left Tynemouth at 7:00 pm and arrived in Liverpool at 11:00 pm.
Memories : Gills sore Bum, Derek's interesting stories about his Journalistic exploits, Christine's impression of Mars Attacks, Eddys Bad Back, Julies Cartlidge, Elaines tumble, Alans Golf Stories, Brians stamina. Our thanks to Derek for his great help at the back of the group. We will post photo's when I get them from our riders.
Happy Days ...................
<><><><>
<>
<><><><> 
 |
| START OF THE C TO C IN WHITEHAVEN |
 |
| LIVERPOOL BIKETIME RIDERS |
READY TO RIDE ON SECOND DAY
No comments:
Post a Comment