Ready for the off
You're supposed to dip your back wheel in the Irish Sea on the slipway. What they don't tell you is that it isn't called a SLIPway for nowt! It was very greasy at the bottom and there was a danger that I'd be more submerging the whole bike AND me rather than dipping the wheel. Contented myself with the wheel touching the salty water and seagull shit on the slipway and off I went.
The first section through Whitehaven is a bit drab and the cycle paths are, typically, strewn with broken glass in places. However, I was soon on to a disused railway line that was well tarmaced and it was lovely. Lots of artwork on the route to enjoy and its not long before you can see the North Lakeland Fells in the distance.
Example of artwork on the early part of the route
Lakeland Fells loom
Lots of wildlife. Highlights included a buzzard flying very close by and a red squirrel.
Looking across to Grassmoor
The first 10 miles or so are all flat and then there are only a few short hills to contend with before a steeper, longer climb up Whinlatter pass. This gets me sweating a bit and breathing harder but its not that difficult and not steep enough to require the use of the granny ring. Passed a group of 3 doing the C2C. Two of them were carrying huge rucksacks on their backs. I bet that got sweaty and painful before too long. Stopped at Whinlatter visitor centre for tea and stodgy ginger cake (nice). Its a beautiful place inhabited by birdwatchers and for good reason. Handy tip number 1: don't park your bike under a tree with loads of birds heling themselves to nuts and seeds. Not if you don't want bird shit on your saddle that is!
Very welcoming but cover your saddle!
The road from the visitor centre was steep and rough (just as the map indicated) and I was on the brakes most of the way down. From the bottom it was secluded country lanes all the way to Keswick. Very picturesque and under the shadow of Skiddaw. Came across the 3 lads again who must have taken the road rather than the C2C track. Good call as the guy loaded up with panniers and a tent had wheels that were very sparsely spoked!! In Keswick I should have visited a cashpoint but forgot. From here it was another disused railway line that criss-crossed the river on its way to Threlkeld. It was fantastic. As was the pint of Jennings at the Horse and Farrier in Threlkeld! Then more cycle lanes and tracks avoiding the main A66.
About 8 miles before my campsite in Greystoke the Heavens opened dramatically. Took some shelter but carried on when it eased. Amazingly, 3 miles later the road went from wet ... to dry immediately. Thats the Lake District for you.
Greystoke cycling cafe is wonderful. A cyclists' oasis where you can make yourself tea and enjoy some excellent home made cake (blackberry and apple flapjack for me). There are towels to dry yourself off and even a radiator on which you can dry wet kit. Its not officially a campsite but the very friendly owner was more than happy to let me pitch my tent on the lawn. I'd strongly recommend it to anyone cycling in the area. Oh, and the cats are friendly too.
Squinty the cat gets friendly
Greystoke cycle cafe
Wandered a mile or so to 'The Crown' in the next village (Blencow). Huge portion of liver, bacon and onions and 3 pints of Black Sheep. Just what the Doctor ordered.
Todays stats:
Mileage: 51.8
Max speed: 36 mph
Av. speed: 11.5 mph
Pints: 4
Soakings: 1
Mechanicals: 0
1 comment:
Given the amount of money the C2C brings into places like Whitehaven you'd think the council could spend a tiny fraction of it keeping the cycle tracks free of glass wouldn't you?
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