Didn't sleep brilliantly again either. Woken by a screeching owl at 2.00am and then again by the rain at 4.00am. Did manage to get a few hours after that though.
The kind and talkative lady at the Old Vicarage made me a bacon sandwich and a pot of tea which set me up a treat. £7.50 for camping and brekkie is great value I reckon. Again - I'd recommend this place very strongly.
Weather looked a bit ominous and so after packing away I donned the rain jacket and set off a bit later than I'd expected. I was straight into a climb out of Rookhope that dragged on for a bit up to the moors. I'm sure the views would have been lovely but the clouds were down. Nice descent into Stanhope and then Crawleyside Bank awaits. It isn't called CRAWLyside for nothing. 3 miles up to Parkhead and a long stretch of 17% that, on a loaded touring bike, you have to winch yourself up. Again, very desolate and beautiful on the North Pennine moors but surprisingly cold and windy!
Cafe at Parkhead
At Parkhead there is a fantastic cafe that is another cyclists' haven on the C2C. It was only a few miles into the days ride but I decided to escape the elements for a while and stopped for 2 pots of tea and a toasted teacake. The owners are very friendly and the whole place is set up for cyclists.
From here it is nearly all downhill or flat to the coast!! Wow. The first section is the Waskerley Way (on which I saw no wascaley wabbits) - a long downhill on a smooth, well surfaced (compacted cinders) disused rail line. A highlight was Hownsgill Viaduct with great views across the surrounding countryside. It was also a site for potential suicides given the large notices with telephone numbers for The Samaritans. Unfortunately, flowers tied to the railing suggest that for at least one individual, these were ignored.
Hownsgill Viaduct
Onwards towards Consett and all around here were massive, magnificent sculptures; some constructed from remnants of the old steelworks. More amazing sculptures - this time grazing cows made from scrap iron, huge chains and bits of a JCB - near Beamish. Took a detour here ot visit the open air museum but was put off by the £16 admission.
Transformers. Robots in disguise!
Grazing cows at Beamish
Got chatting to a couple of local MTBers out for a spin and rode with them to the outskirts of Sunderland. Nice tracks alongside the Wear but then got lost in Sunderland itself. Must have missed a sign. Resorted to main roads to get to the marina and the coast where there were the obligatory photos.
Finished the C2C at Roker Pier
Followed NCN route 1 to South Shields to a campsite at Lizard Lane directly opposite the famous Marsden Rock, grotto and cliffs. After pitching the tent I cycled into South Shields for fish and chips which I ate far too quickly whilst enjoying the views across the sands to the sea. Then enjoyed a couple of cans of Stella sat atop the cliffs on a glorious evening. Got my bike locked up in the campsite laundry room and ready for an early night. A very noisy family 'next door' managed to keep me awake for a while though.
Old WW2 gun I tried to aim at a passing Ferry. I missed :-)
Marsden Rock. No longer with its iconic natural arch
Todays stats:
Mileage: 62.4
Max speed: 38.2 mph
Av speed: 11.2 mph (all those bloody access controls plus getting lost in Sunderland)
Pints: 2 cans Stella
Soakings: 0
Mechanicals: 0
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