The Team: Nick & Anna, Brian & Hillary, Collette, Sue, Peter, Iona, John, Linda and Me.
The Company: Saddle Skedaddle
Leader: Andy
Day 1
After having a nightmare drive up to Gateshead the night before I was really nervous. The drive up took 4.5 hours. I took a lunch stop on the motorway, then on the A1 the air ambulance was in attendance on the other side of the road so the journey was slow. I then got to Gateshead and took a wrong turn into the one way system and it took me an hour to get back to where I made the mistake. I got the Hilton just in time for the 4pm departure.
We arrived at the Horse & Farrier pub to check in around 6. I was sharing with Collette in the pub across the road. Dinner was booked for 19:30 so had a chance to chat to Collette who seemed as apprehensive as I was.
Dinner was a laugh. The fish and chips was a huge portion and I was too stuffed to finish my dinner let alone start on a pudding. We had our brief for the next day by Andy and Collette and I retired to our room. It was cosy with the smallest bathroom in the world but toasty and clean.
The alarm was set and I took a while to drop off.
It was raining when we woke up. We got fairly well getting across the road to breakfast and I was working out what to wear. We had a drive to the start so I was hoping that the rain would ease.
We set off to the start point in Whitehaven.
Unpacked the bikes, checked our stuff and posed for photos.
Iona took the lead out of Whitehaven and we all kept together as a group as the route winds around the area out onto a trail. We stopped briefly after 5 miles to regroup and Anna had already taken a fall due to cleat issues. We set off again and the rain set in. It wasn't too bad and I had got my waterproof jacket on with shorts, deciding that legs will dry quicker.
Our first stop was Lampoo School grounds. Just before this the hail set in and I was in a strop. We got to the break stop and there was a tarpaulin set up to give us some shelter. The rain was easing off but I was soaked through. My fingers and toes were cold. I'd cycled through some deep puddles and the shoes were damp.
Standing around I was getting cold. We were 3 people short - Brian, John and Peter. They soon appeared but by this time I was frozen. We all set off as soon as ready.
There was a steep downhill and the amount of river running down it looked like a river.
Lunch was at Loweswater Lake. Again we had shelter from the rain but I got cold very quickly.
The rain set in again. Every time it stopped, I'd just about dry out and it would start raining again.
I struggled up the hill to Whinlatter Pass. I did stick to the road rather than going through the forest section and was relieved to get to the visitor centre as I hadn't seen anyone for a while. I'd followed the signs and religiously checked mileage at each sign incase I needed to back track but still a bit earie being alone.
We regrouped briefly at Whinlatter visitor centre and then set off again towards Keswick. I knew that there were signs in Keswick and knew that if I got totally lost I would be able to find my way out of Keswick. I did get a bit lost and ended up catching up with Peter and Sue. There must have been a sign missing. It appeared most of the group missed at least one of the signs. I ended up in the main square in Keswick and Linda spotted me so I joined the rest of them for a quick break.
We spotted a hen party that didn't look like they were having fun.
I wandered around a few shops with Sue looking for waterproof socks. I wasn't prepared to pay the Keswick prices though so came away with nothing.
I got back on the bike and made my way to the B&B we'd stayed in the night before. The route followed a disused railway so the ground was a bit rough. It needed pedalling all the way.
We hadn't seen Collette but when I got back I saw her bike. Collette had got a bit lost and just decided to head on when she got back on the route.
A lovely hot shower later (including scrubbing the legs to death and mistaking a bruise for a grubby mark) and I was ready for dinner. I had already decided on the cheeseburger which I'd seen the night before.
The ride was tough only because of the weather.
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