C2C - Day 3 Alston To Parkfield Station by flighty17 at Garmin Connect - Details

C2C - Day 3 Alston To Parkfield Station by flighty17 at Garmin Connect - Details

The Steepest Climbs
This was my toughest day.  2800 calories and 24 miles, but the hills were short and steep.
Iona offered to stick with me again and I was extremely grateful.

We set off from Alston and straight away on a steep cobbled road.  My legs were not ready for that assault.  I managed half of the cobbled section before losing my nerve as well as energy.  My back wheel kept slipping on the cobbles.  I did get off and walk to the end of the cobbles where Colette told me to get back on my bike so I did.

Iona was waiting for me at the top and we set off to Allenheads for our morning stop.  The cafe was shut - they lost a lot of business that morning.
We then set off again and hit another really steep section.  I managed that bit but then soon came a hill that I was really struggling with.  Iona was making me count to get me to the junction.  I could hardly breathe, but she got me there.

I did manage to cycle all the way to lunch despite stopping to catch breath.

Lunch was taken by the village hall in Rookhope.  Again another great spread.  Quick loo stop in the public toilets and we set off up yet another steep hill.  There were 2 options from Rookhope.  On road or Off road.  I had no idea which would be the best for me but the off road section was shut for shooting (we'd seen the 50 billion landys over take us earlier) so the decision was made.  On road it was.  This was a lovely section with a great downhill bit, then we got to Stanhope. 
Left turn was made onto a 17% hill.  I got half way up the houses, a bloke walked past me and I gave in.  I walked to the end of the houses, threw up then got back on bike.  A jet flew past and I started cycling to the end.  Everyone had gone on ahead due to the hills.

I cycled the rest of the way and on the last section Linda and Iona came back to get me.  Good job too as I was wondering if I'd missed the turning for the B&B.  The small railway carriage was there on the right and we turned in to Parkfield Station.

Bikes left for storage and into the cafe we went.  We hadn't got a bath yet again, but Iona & Linda offered to swap for Colette.  Bath later and down for tea.  I'd booked sausage and mash and was really looking forward to it.  I don't think the sausages had ever seen meat.  The veg meatballs apparently were good - for future reference.
I didn't take to the owner - can't put my finger on it, but something odd about her.


The room was double + bunk beds.  Colette had the double this time.  It was the smallest room in the world and the views looked so bleak.  Again it had been a very quiet day traffic wise.  We had only seen 2 groups of cyclists today.  The first day there were loads.