September 1 - 3, 2006

The English Sea to Sea Ride

Footnotes 1

 

Footnote 1: Ouch my Coccyx

 

While I’d be lying if I said my legs weren’t sore by the end of the trip, I still felt reasonably good with more miles in me if required. However, that changed when (nicely relaxed after the three rushed Carling Extra-Colds) I flopped down on the back seat of the minibus, and dropped the base of my spine directly onto a (very) rigidly mounted seatbelt anchor – ‘Ouch my Coccyx!’, to much derision

 

My legs recovered after a day or two, but my backside still hurt two weeks later where I hit it against the seatbelt anchor!

 

Footnote 2: Highs and Lows

 

Of necessity the recollections above are based largely on my own trip, so those who didn’t ride with me don’t feature much. I did ask everyone for their most and least favourite memories of the trip, and here they are:

 

Colin:

 

Highs

The last 7 miles on Saturday, turning onto the Waskerley Way, dropping down to Bee Cottage and onwards to Castleside.

Souther Fell to Penrith on Friday - flying.

Steak & Kidney Pud and several pints in the Smelters Arms in Castleside.

 

Lows              

The last hard climb out of Stanhope (in the pouring rain) onto the tops.

Nenthead and up Black Hill - wet, cold and deserted.

Allendale and upwards - even more wet and cold.

 

Andy:

 

Highs              

Phil's spectacular finish (closely followed by your own)

Gathering round the open fires on Saturday (3 as I recall)

Enjoying a BBQ in the pouring rain and 2 pints of Durham something or other

Mine and Ken's kamikaze decent after Garrigill

 

Lows              

Leaving the open fires to go out into the cold and rain

Mikes chain snapping and having to wait for 1.5 hours to get it fixed

My chain coming off twice and getting caked in oil before I had made it to the start

The journey home

 

 

Neil:

 

Highs              

Reaching the Hartside Cafe

The 5 mile downhill section into Rookhope

Ginger cake from the Cyclists Cafe at Greystoke

 

Lows              

Tramping across Stanhope Common

Looking up from the bottom of Garrigil Bank

Crap pint of Black Sheep at the Miners’ Arms at Nenthead (having waited outside in the rain for 15 minutes)