I can't believe we've reached the ambitious, or so I thought , target of £500 in less than a week. The overwhelming generosity of those who have donated, online and offline and supported this ride leaves me humbled and grateful. I hope those that read this will continue to donate, even the smallest amount.
PS. Cycle shorts being surgically removed tomorrow , fingers crossed Rowley doesn't win his bet and everything is is where it should be.
Thursday, 9 June 2011
Wednesday, 8 June 2011
HADRIANS CYCLE DAY 3
Haltwhistle to South Shields
I awoke early in the sumptious B&B, breakfast was at 8am and did not disappoint. The "Full Monty" was the order of the day fuel for the coming 60 miles. I did chuckle to myself overhearing a conversation amongst 6 walkers next to me whilst placing their order of miniscule proportions; "On special occasions we will have white bread at the weekend" ...draw your own conclusions, but they must have spoken about my plate of calories all day.
However a fabulous place to stay if you are inclined to visit these parts( www.ashcroftguesthouse.co.uk )
9am I set off, this was a day of two halves though. The first 20 or so miles were gruesome , about 5 miles in I realised the elevation scale on the sustrans map I was using was different from the day before. Thus these hills were somewhat bigger and steeper. This was not aided by a headwind the higher I got. However the scenery was magnificent and the RAF were out again. I wasn't fooled this time , never looking up, I didn't want to make a wrong turn on these hills. Passing several Roman outposts, I reached the highest point on the ride at about an hour and a half in. I hoped from thereon it would be downhill, but it wasn't the case. The rain started and it was sunshine and showers for the rest of the day - jacket on,jacket off,jacket on. No animal encounters upto now as I rode through Hexham onto Prudhoe.
On reaching Prudhoe I caught my first sight of the River Tyne and knew from there it was a flat ride in. The scenery changed and the headwind picked up as the sound of the Geordie accent grew stronger. The cycle path was a former railway line to Newcastle and led me straight into the quayside and famous bridges.Rather nice along here.
Along to Wallsend onto North Shields through some very interesting housing developments and the passenger ferry to South Shields. Navigation took a little time here as the locals seem to enjoy defacing some of the signs. I saw the Ferry at the dock and the sign to it, in my haste to get there before it left, I rode into someone's driveway only to be met by a load of Geordie builders looking at me oddly. This wasn't the cement delivery they expected. A quick about turn and I jumped on the Ferry. A 5 minute ride / break and on the other side I had 1 mile to go . Another bloody hill. As I arrived I was surprised to find the Roman Fort of Arbeia in the middle of a housing estate opposite a primary school. I knew they were forward thinking....
The rain started again here and despite the fact it was in the middle of an estate there was nobody around to take a picture of my achievement. A kindly chap visiting the site obliged but took 4 attempts due to iphone dyslexia. A shade under 59 miles today according to my bike computer.
Lady S. had made it to the nearby coastal road to pick me up as pre-arranged. But I found myself riding another 2 miles along the coast into a headwind to meet her, just what I needed. God bless her though, she had driven up in the morning and waited several hours for my arrival, so I can't moan.
I drove home from there and we made it back just after 8 ( time for a mint ).
I awoke early in the sumptious B&B, breakfast was at 8am and did not disappoint. The "Full Monty" was the order of the day fuel for the coming 60 miles. I did chuckle to myself overhearing a conversation amongst 6 walkers next to me whilst placing their order of miniscule proportions; "On special occasions we will have white bread at the weekend" ...draw your own conclusions, but they must have spoken about my plate of calories all day.
However a fabulous place to stay if you are inclined to visit these parts( www.ashcroftguesthouse.co.uk )
9am I set off, this was a day of two halves though. The first 20 or so miles were gruesome , about 5 miles in I realised the elevation scale on the sustrans map I was using was different from the day before. Thus these hills were somewhat bigger and steeper. This was not aided by a headwind the higher I got. However the scenery was magnificent and the RAF were out again. I wasn't fooled this time , never looking up, I didn't want to make a wrong turn on these hills. Passing several Roman outposts, I reached the highest point on the ride at about an hour and a half in. I hoped from thereon it would be downhill, but it wasn't the case. The rain started and it was sunshine and showers for the rest of the day - jacket on,jacket off,jacket on. No animal encounters upto now as I rode through Hexham onto Prudhoe.
On reaching Prudhoe I caught my first sight of the River Tyne and knew from there it was a flat ride in. The scenery changed and the headwind picked up as the sound of the Geordie accent grew stronger. The cycle path was a former railway line to Newcastle and led me straight into the quayside and famous bridges.Rather nice along here.
Along to Wallsend onto North Shields through some very interesting housing developments and the passenger ferry to South Shields. Navigation took a little time here as the locals seem to enjoy defacing some of the signs. I saw the Ferry at the dock and the sign to it, in my haste to get there before it left, I rode into someone's driveway only to be met by a load of Geordie builders looking at me oddly. This wasn't the cement delivery they expected. A quick about turn and I jumped on the Ferry. A 5 minute ride / break and on the other side I had 1 mile to go . Another bloody hill. As I arrived I was surprised to find the Roman Fort of Arbeia in the middle of a housing estate opposite a primary school. I knew they were forward thinking....
The rain started again here and despite the fact it was in the middle of an estate there was nobody around to take a picture of my achievement. A kindly chap visiting the site obliged but took 4 attempts due to iphone dyslexia. A shade under 59 miles today according to my bike computer.
Lady S. had made it to the nearby coastal road to pick me up as pre-arranged. But I found myself riding another 2 miles along the coast into a headwind to meet her, just what I needed. God bless her though, she had driven up in the morning and waited several hours for my arrival, so I can't moan.
I drove home from there and we made it back just after 8 ( time for a mint ).
Tuesday, 7 June 2011
Monday, 6 June 2011
HADRIANS CYCLE DAY 2
Port Carlisle to Haltwhistle
My stay at The Hope & Anchor Inn was a rip-roaring success,owned by an ex-serviceman it was more than accomodating. Several of his former colleagues had planned to start Hadrian's Wall walk the day before, but had enjoyed the fruits of the bar too much and had to delay proceedings until today. However a fabulous Cumberland sausage meal went some way to replenishing the 5000+ calories burnt yesterday.
In a complete contrast to yesterdays events, I woke up this morning to broken cloud and a bit of blue. Winds were light and in the right direction ,all seemed well. A rather splendid ride to Carlisle through some beautiful scenery & villages with views across to Scotland.
I left Carlisle, hugging the remains of one of The Romans furthest building projects. I had a bit of time to spare and take in the sights.
A couple of "Magnum Classic" stops ( white & dark chocolate ) were the order of the day as temperatures soared in to the high teens .
Just as well because I was about to hit the hills. Progress slowed as the hills came thick and fast. Several miles out from my destination I felt good . Then distracted by the activities of two RAF Tornado's I missed a vital turn. Cycling up a steep hill and through a farm with the toughest cows I've ever come across . They stood in blocking the road as if I had their "Cravendale". My city ways were no match for these buggers. I dismounted and gingerly walked slowly past them only to realise I was on the wrong bloody road,a dead-end. No option but to turn around, the return was as bad if not worse, I feared for my life.
Surviving the encounter I rode the last 4 miles up a very steep hill, this was enough as I rode into Haltwhistle and a very nice B&B. Just over 40 miles today, half of yesterday exploits but decidedly more hilly.
Gammon Steak tonight in a rather odd pub where everyone was watching Emmerdale on the big screen TV. Can't get enough farming round here I guess.
Last leg tomorrow 60 miles to the finish.
In a complete contrast to yesterdays events, I woke up this morning to broken cloud and a bit of blue. Winds were light and in the right direction ,all seemed well. A rather splendid ride to Carlisle through some beautiful scenery & villages with views across to Scotland.
I left Carlisle, hugging the remains of one of The Romans furthest building projects. I had a bit of time to spare and take in the sights.
A couple of "Magnum Classic" stops ( white & dark chocolate ) were the order of the day as temperatures soared in to the high teens .
Surviving the encounter I rode the last 4 miles up a very steep hill, this was enough as I rode into Haltwhistle and a very nice B&B. Just over 40 miles today, half of yesterday exploits but decidedly more hilly.
Gammon Steak tonight in a rather odd pub where everyone was watching Emmerdale on the big screen TV. Can't get enough farming round here I guess.
Last leg tomorrow 60 miles to the finish.
Sunday, 5 June 2011
HADRIANS CYCLE DAY 1
Ravenglass to Port Carlisle
The official distance is 74 miles, however following one navigational faux pas , the somber sight of the collapsed bridge at Workington and the subsequent diversion, I have done just over 80 miles.The first 25 where rather pleasant but as I approached Whitehaven the wind decided to pick up gusting in my face for the rest of the leg. Ruthless and unforgiving it added about an hour and a half to my estimated time. The recently infamous Whitehaven resembled a cica. Nineteen eighties Norris Green-by-the-sea.
Certainly at the south side. The town centre was very nice though.
The day started at 5am with Lady S. taking me and the bike to Ravenglass & at 9am I set off. Lots of Caravan Club approved sites enroute ( Shuts) a particulary nice one close to Sellafield or Windscale depending on your age.
An attack by a rotwieller at Maryport nearly had me in a hedge but an unusual burst of speed repelled the advances of said dog.
The wind got stronger and I got slower but in the nick of time I hit Port Carlisle and the HOPE & ANCHOR INN there. A hearty meal and a couple of brews - time for bed.
Fingers crossed for a following wind tomorrow.
Certainly at the south side. The town centre was very nice though.
The day started at 5am with Lady S. taking me and the bike to Ravenglass & at 9am I set off. Lots of Caravan Club approved sites enroute ( Shuts) a particulary nice one close to Sellafield or Windscale depending on your age.
An attack by a rotwieller at Maryport nearly had me in a hedge but an unusual burst of speed repelled the advances of said dog.
The wind got stronger and I got slower but in the nick of time I hit Port Carlisle and the HOPE & ANCHOR INN there. A hearty meal and a couple of brews - time for bed.
Fingers crossed for a following wind tomorrow.
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