Rotary Club of Epworth

and  the Isle of  Axholme

           District 1270

 

COAST 2 COAST BLOG 2010

Yellow Text Ian Parkin

Red Text Hilary O'Connor

Set off from Epworth Leisure Centre 4.38pm Friday 11 June 2010.

        

Received 9.30 pm Friday   

A promising start the sun is shining.  Alas not necessarily a totally smooth one as the bus booked has forgotton our booking.  Last minute alteration by our great leader Simon cliff and big 50+ seater arrives. However there was still the problem of fitting all the bikes in the bus - 3 and a bit are having fun on the back seat.

Slow progress on the A1 due to an accident. Slight emergency as Julie needed a fluid adjustment but no facilities on the A66 for a bus. The driver did Jim Bowen and Bullseye showing us where we could have gone at Colonel KFC but sadly the bus would not fit through the drive through.

Forward planning and meals booked. Tonight's choice roast beef, lasagne, tuna pasta or lentil lasagne. Simon Walsh spoilt for choice had changed his option a couple of times. Clearly roast beef is for lunchtime.

The bus has voted Simon Walsh as having the best cereal bars.

Simon cliff has announced swimming pools at hotels for the next two nights. Skinny dipping will be the order of the day unless Hilary and Sally are able to secure 18 pairs of speedos.

We are hoping the kitchen will stay open as we are running late.

 

Despite bus getting lost even with several sat/navs and going down a road which banned heavy good vehicles,  eventually arrived safely at 9 pm backup crew had no probs their map reading skills obviously better! Needed Dave Pearce as plumbing quite noisy and water pressure a bit suspect as Ian Parkin found out to his cost when washing hands he ended up having a shower.

 

Text 10.22

Arrived safe & sound                    

 

First meal.

 

 

Saturday 12th June

Breakfast interesting  as coffee machine had the option of whipped black and was quite popular until coffee ran out when it came to Simon W turn when it looked more like earl grey tea. With everyone fed n watered cyclists set off from a very sunny whitehaven harbour.

Checked out and on route.

After a good night's sleep and a hearty breakfast - some people had two bowls of Alpen,  ie. me and Walsh.   A gentle ride to the start line and to dip our tyres. It appears that the birds are as scared as most of us due to the amount of their deposits.

A meander out of Whitehaven and a gentle hill towards Workington. Route follows old railway line. Slight detour over new bridge in Workington heading to Cockermouth.

Ian Parkin regretting being in front party as wrong turning taken. Dave Parslow way ahead going faster than speed of sound and not able to hear Simon Cliff calling his mobile for directions. Detour  - more off road terrain and testing those who are on Raleigh shopper bikes.

Now in Cockermouth  - stopped for elevenses.   Hope they speed up serving the coffee or we could be here for lunch too!

Another 30 miles to go to end of day. Intending to stop at the Sun pub at Hesket Newmarket in another 18 miles!

   

                   

 

Received 2.00pm

Lost.  Hope we don't have to go back up the hill we've  just come down

Received 8.30 pm

Well end of first day and everyone finished.  Although  plenty of groans were heard when they sat down at dinner.   All confirmed that the route is a lot hillier than last year and this didn't help when they got lost 3 times as the signposts are really not good on this route. A flock of sheep descended on Sally and Hilary whilst they were waiting at  Market Hesketh for the cyclists. They were so fast Hilary couldn't get camera out in time (that's the sheep). Cyclists  claim to have seen topless jogger but they couldn't tell whether it was a man or a woman! When close up they established it was in fact a man in his underpants who definitely needed a bra!! Julie thought they were speedos and wanted to borrow them as she had just heard there was a pool at the  hotel and she hadn't got her cossie!!

Arrival at hotel saw everyone decamp to a charming pub nearby where other people asked about the Alzheimers charity and two people gave donations.

Received 8.15am

Well here we are on day 2 and with everyone fed and watered most have now set off for the longest day of cycling 70 miles.  Sadly the intermittent light rain has now turned heavier and constant. Its not going to be a pleasant day for them.   Last night saw several getting directions from staff at the hotel to ensure they got out of Carlisle without getting lost plus they studied today's route as they can't afford to have to do any further miles!

Most had a good nights sleep though some had a disturbed night due to the wedding party (a wedding was held in the hotel yesterday). This was not from the disco but from the noise of the washing up!   Guy Howitt had to change rooms but he assured us it was the noise from the kitchen and not Iain Hogg's snoring.   Iain  slept like a log  he didn't hear a thing!

Text from Hilary 8.55

Raining steady now. Just had text from Ian and they are just having a breather having already done 11 miles.  Already Simon W got sore bum but Mike got spare bike so going to swap seats.

  Today's leaders.           Changing Simon's seat cos of sore bum   

    

Andrew and Dave filling their faces again don't let Andrew fool you he's got food behind his back!

 

   

Definitely rearenders!!!! 

 

Tailenders - however Iain H will argue he had a slow puncture and when he   went to change inner tube valve dropped out of new tube!!

 

 

 

Text  11.15

Arrived at next check point awaiting the leaders.

Received 2.00

Hotel didn't provide sandwiches this morning so Hilary and Mike had to source sandwiches in Carlisle at 8am as not much between Carlisle and final stop today at Bellingham.  No mean feat on a Sunday!!  Luckily they found a newsagents who could provide 17 butties!!!   Thinking of bringing catering van next time!!   2nd stop at Bailey Mill saw everyone devouring their sandwiches along with welcome hot drinks from the cafe together with delicious cakes.   Sticky chocolate toffee cake highly recommended especially when warmed!!!   It was noted that Iain Hogg and Richard Vergette did have two cakes,  they claimed to need a sugar burst. Cyclists will be entering the Kielder Forest next and back-up will not be able to meet up with them until Kielder Water.

  

 

Guy's not convinced they're taking the right route n Annie having fun wiv insect repellent but it don't work on blokes

 

 

Very remote and even some of the natives have webbed feet!                

 

Ready to move on again

 

 

 Back up Crew

 

 

 

Received 6.15pm

The cyclists had the last break at  Kielder Water after their challenging journey thro Kielder Forest.  All agreed that was by far the hardest part of their journey and towards the end  today's route was hard for them. They now have only 15 miles left to do.

                    Ian Parkin and Keith        Julie and Debbie

 

 

Well everyone eventually arrived safely at this evenings hotel despite getting lost again in Kielder Forest. Mike made sweeping searches of the area trying to find the stragglers and guide them back in. Has been a really tough day which no one will deny. A certain party ran out of food n water n stopped at a house to ask for water. The man at the house who had 6 fingers on 1 hand filled it up from his well which was called Donkly Wood well he then announced that all the village drank from the well - they've all got 6 fingers!!! Watch out for any rotary member growing a sixth finger. This along with the alien dog we met today who had different coloured eyes very eerie!! Last meal together was excellent with speeches from Simon C n Andrew with a special award to Debbie for service to the environment another to Mike for his excellent support and an invite for him to join us next year but hopefully as a rider. Good nights sleep will be had by all tonight

President elects discussing next years ride and the possibility of going abroad- Black Forest was one suggestion funnily enough the flat of Holland was a more popular option.

 

                                                               

 

Simons speech announcing Black Forest as an option for next year!! Think he'll be going alone

 

 

                    Mike receiving his reward

 

 View from the rooms at Riverdale Hall Hotel overlooks cricket pitch with river at bottom of pitch n sheep in surrounding fields

 

 

Final Day Blog received 7.00pm 14th June

Well they have all managed to survive until the last day with only gentle manoeuvres by a few at breakfast and all stated that they felt rested. Julie's nursing skills were called upon this morning as Simon W has a swollen foot and she applied a bandage and what a little soldier as he stated that it would not affect his performance today.   Hearty breakfast had by all they set off to complete the last 50 miles. Bill Lennox from Hull Paragon has joined the group to ride the last leg with them all,  a welcome guest.  Bags packed in Mike  and Hilary set off aiming to meet the group at Stamfordham around mid day.

   Last group to set off on the last day only another 50 miles! 

                 

The cyclists thought their progress was slow you should see what the support had to put up with

 

Dave applying a little more lubrication must say didn't see anyone else do this but once he got his can out everyone wanted to borrow it!

 

Support team have been called upon this morning sadly - Bill's bike suffered tyre damage that could not be repaired on sight so sadly he has had to leave the cyclists. He was picked up and taken back to his car and he is hoping to find a cycle shop and will try to join the group later if not possible will join the group at the finish. Unfortunately this meant the support team have had to forego elevenses at quaint teashop what hardship!!

Change of plan as first stop of the day was at Matfen which was a lovely old village with a stream running through it. Teashop in general store where home made cakes sold - delicious Humming Bird cake n Lemon drizzle cake both quickly devoured by the cyclists. Next stop the finish.

 

Julie filling her face again this with home made Hummingbird cake all voted this delicious

Dave sampling Humming Bird cake    
Simon chose lemon drizzle

                        Back up team came across this steamroller and feared 4 the cyclists!!

 

First group to finish       

 

Well all cyclists finished safely it was great to see them all arrive. Elation was evident. They waited at Porthole pub until everyone finished. More stories were told as each arrived but probably the funniest was Julie, Keith, Debbie and Ian P's they were all cycling along a quiet country lane when a farmer started muck spreading in the adjacent field to them!! You've guessed it - they got sprayed but even worse Debbie had her mouth open at the time!! Simon Walsh had the funniest walk cross between sore bottom and sore ankle made him walk very strangely! When everyone finished they cycled the last part to the sea together and on the way back several took a detour via a recommended local fish n chip shop!  Bus arrived and managed to get all bikes in the trailer once on the bus soft snoring could be heard from several parts of the bus. Another C2C successfully completed and they are already planning the next one!

One final thing - Best sun tan has to go to Ian P who had red n white stripes on top of his head from the gaps in his cycling hat it was suggested that he paint a blue stripe also to support England in the world cup! He also has strap marks around his ears from the chin strap these became affectionately known as his bra strap marks!!