Chase the wind, touch the sky. Coast to Coast Day 4 Harry and Joe. The long version :-) The day started with Harry opening the B&B bedroom curtains to see.........rain :-(. For the first time in 4 days though, there was no wind :-) Im not sure if I mentioned during yesterdays small updates that they both had full English breakfasts as well as 2 bowls of cereal each! Lots of fuel on board for a big mileage day in the saddle. We couldve been out of the door earlier but we were waiting for a break in the rain. It was approx 9.50 when we got going. The plan was to aim for a 10 mph average and get the 20 ish miles to Keswick in around 2 hours. Optimistic I know. We set off canny, the villages we passd through were nice, Joes average speed updates every 15 seconds and also his constant questions kept Harry and I entertained as we ate the miles:-) The rain came at around 11 miles in, the heavens opened. We found a tree to shelter under and stood there for around 20-30 mins. We talked about things that had happened the previous 3 days. I was pleased the rain eased off when it did, as we were beginning to get a bit stir crazy. We made a ride for it and although it started poring down again we luckily came across a pub/restaurant within a mile from the tree shelter. Our lunch stop was supposed to be in Keswick , 9 Miles up the road but we were happy of the shelter from the rain. We stayed there around an hour and a half and as well eating and drinking loads. I dried the boyss socks and shoes using the hand drier in the toilets . Another break in the rain, off we go again :-) The 8-9 miles to Keswick wasnt as easy as Id imagined, the sky was black and a few spots of rain came but it couldve been much worse. We arrived in Keswick at around 14.45? The sun was shining, time to shed some clothes for H&J! A quick team talk. Are we going to find a B&B here? Or are we riding to Whitehaven? Whitehaven but can we have some chocolate and a drink first. :-) Following the trusty blue C2C signs we started our trek towards Whinlatter. This was also harder than Id anticipated, we seemed to have approached Whinlatter and then started to skirt around it, within a few miles I could see a lake that I hadnt expected to see. I stopped to phone a friend. I got 2 for 1. Nick Wilson and Andy Flower. I told them the crack and we had picked up the signs for the coast to Coast that ends in Cockermouth, that wasnt part of the plan. We turned around, retraced our route and with the help of my mates on the phone and also a friendly walker we got back on the right track. And what a track it was. In steepness it was not quite as bad as Garrigill but its mud and stone makeup made it a very difficult climb, especially for the boyss little legs 30 something miles into the days ride! It was long and tough and hot. We stopped a few times for a drink and once to give directions to an Australian couple who where riding tandem. At the top of Whinlatter forest theres a cafe, Id told the boys this in the daily brief, all the way up Whinlatter the conversation was about this magical cafe at the top. The kids were elated when we saw it through the trees. This is it I said. Food stop then we are on the home straight. As in previous cafés Harry and Joe attracted a small audience. It started off when one of the staff asked how far wed cycled today and Joe, proud as punch said 35-40 miles and looked at me for conformation. The woman also looked at me half laughing at his answer :-). I agreed with him but added today thats what weve done but I think its around 130 since Monday I couldnt help myself, I was overwhelmed with pride at what theyd achieved and Joe and Harry had every right to be proud of themselves too. Just before the climb up Whinlatter, I rang my dad to tell him that we were on for a finish. After we stuffed our faces once more on the cafe. We were off again. In search of Whitehaven. This leg involved 1 big down about 12 medium sized climbs and 3 downy bits. On that last leg the kids were taking count, as well as letting me know our average speed, racing each other at every climbing opportunity, trying to talk sheep etc. All of a sudden,out of nowhere, Harry slammed the brakes on, look Joe, theres the Sea!!! It was a nice sight but I could also see that it was a fair distance away so I didnt want them to get too excited, I could barely keep up with them to ask them to slow down. We passed a sign saying Whitehaven 9 miles. 9 miles at 9 miles an hour Joe. What time will we get there? ....50minutes if we go faster is what I think he said before he took off. We arrived at Whitehaven Harbour at approx 19.40. I stopped my strava app we had a quick swig of lucazade sport and my parents drove towards us. My phone did not have enough juice for pictures so my dad did the honors. We took a second set with our new t shirts on. We rode 59.5 miles yesterday and the way the boys were riding I think they couldve done 100 miles?? The 59.5 miles we did involved a 4000 feet elevation gain. All that at an average of 9.3 mph! I was and still am blown away by what theyve achieved this week. I cannot find the words to do them true justice. In total over the week they rode 146.5 miles with over 10500 feet of climbing. We saw a lovely sunset on leaving Whitehaven and within two minutes the boys were sound asleep. It was strange because in those few moments of the sun going down, they transformed from being little biking machines to being my baby boys once more. We are very grateful for the support weve received and for the Donations that have been made to Bradleys fight against Neuroblastoma fund. Thanks for reading. Harry, Joe and Anthony :-)
Posted on: Fri, 15 Aug 2014 18:17:17 +0000
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