C2C Day 4

Crisp cold morning in Rookhope and it turned out the moorland route was closed due to grouse shooting. Down valley to Stanhope and then stiff climb to Parkhead where we joined the disused railway. The next 2 hours were pretty fast at almost exclusively down hill. Some suburban sustrans hopping around Consett but soon back on railway and whizzing past Beamish and Stanley. Eventually dropped down to the river Wear and there was a rubbish bit amongst some industrial estate but the final few miles along the river path were great. Its almost like one linear park and sculpture trail. Finished on beach at Roker in lovely sunshine. It lived up to the hype: one hill and downhill all the way. 42 miles. Finished by 1430 and now car and train faff for every one to get home

C2C Day 2 Keswick to Penrith

Easiest ever gimpcamp day with an unhear of half three finish.  This even involved a leisurely coffee stop and a pint in a pub at lunch.

Nice disused railway east of keswick and then lanes into farming country as we left lakeland.

Penrith is a nice little town with plenty of interesting buildings and nice residential squares. Went to see castle and then down into town for some carbo loading fash and chaps ahead of all the big hills tomorrow.  Only 25miles

C2C Day 1 Whitehaven to Keswick

Arrived in Whitehaven to lovely warm sunshine. Relaxing wait for gimps to arrive following their hire car faff in Sunderland and then set off on old railway to ennerdale. Great little route. Climb over to lorton and pub stop at Kirkstile. Nice past Loweswater and then steady climb up to whinlatter pass.
In the gloaming we did a bit of the blue mtb trail and then with lights on we whizzed down to keswick and the yha. Curry later and bed. 30miles ish.