September 1 - 3, 2006

The English Sea to Sea Ride

Footnotes 2

 

Footnote 2: Highs and Lows (cont.)

 

Dave:

 

Lows.

Getting absolutely soaked on first night before we had even started, on the way back from chippy

Having thought we had done the last hill on Saturday only to be faced with the climb out of Stanhope

Getting nicely dried off and warm in Hartside Cafe and then having to go back outside

 

Highs

Unexpected Barbeque in Allenhead even though it was raining

The Turnoff onto Waskerley Way just as we were halfway up yet another hill

The finish

 

Michael:

 

Highs

The chippy on Thursday night - great fish and chips, if a little longer than normal wait. Free fish cakes..

Getting to the top of Whinlatter pass and then the high speed descent

When I arrived at Bee Cottage, the guy had tea and cake waiting for us. Good shower, dry clothes, perfect end to the hard day

 

Lows

Getting to Renwick and seeing the rain, the top of Hartside and the road.

The last mile into Allenheads nearly killed me. Wet, hungry and knackered.

Probably the real low is knowing it’s finished. It was a great weekend with a real challenge.

 

Phil:

 

Highs

Day 1: After months of anticipation, hard training, and abstaining from beer since England were knocked out of the World Cup - the first day appeared, weather was okish and the bikes seemed to be ok. The first ten miles, up a gradual slope with no problems. I felt I could actually complete this.

 

Day 2: After a long day, trudging up hills in the wet and cold, reaching the top of the hill out of Stanhope. I knew it was definitely the last major hill (this time it really was) and I pushed hard to cycle it rather than walk up. Then the long easy stretch down waskerly way to the 2nd nights B&B.

 

Day 2: Reaching the pub in Allenheads, throwing it down with rain, the past hour or so spent wandering up hills on my own over the top of the moor. Finding other members of the team and a welcoming bar serving drink was a good feeling enhanced by the lovely steak sandwich cooked on the BBQ. It gave me renewed strength and belief I could finish the day.