We have made it!

Despite the weather trying its best yesterday we have arrived on the beach at Tynemouth at just after 1.00pm today. Great effort by all.

Stopped at Tony's Mum and Dad's for tea and cake

In the back garden being served tea and cakes, wonderful!

All getting set for the last day

Packing up for the last time, stopping at Tony parents for tea and cakes next. We have been promised its down hill all way now but after so many promises yesterday I don't believe them!

Camping is very cosy tonight

Campsite not as good tonight! Its very wet, very tight and Will's snoring will disturb all of us!

We have found the drying room!

This is the place to get dry!

Lunch stop at Allenheads

Monster climb up hartside with wind in our faces, rain started on the descent. Lost a rider who didn't turn right when instructed. Reconvened at the pub. Thankfully, the fire was lit.

Made it to the top

Hey, first to the top, 30 mile head wind did not help! Weather holding off for now.

Camping in local farm with Yook feeding us again

Great campsite chosen by Martin, we are camping in the back garden of a small farm. Yook cooked Hunter chicken to a standard you would not get in the local pubs, great. Weather tomorrow does not look good but we have expected it.

Day 2

7:00 am, and all tents down and breakfast underway. Rain has not materialised, so conscious decision to leave before it does..

Plan B

Moving to plan B for Martin, getting his bike fixed in the morning and then joining us once we have tackled Hartside

Oops!

Martin unfortunatley pushed Mark wide round a fast corner (there is a debate going on as to who's fault it was), Mark didn't make the corner and to avoid the stone wall he decided to do a forward roll bike and all! No damage done to Mark and bike but Martin's bike didn't fair well! Fish tailing down the road he stayed on but buckled his wheel and for those who know bikes the photo below tells the story.

Low tea at Greystoke manor

Having a well earned rest after over 50 miles in some of the best weather in the lakes. Tea and cakes just arrived.

First puncture

Guess who forgot to pack the spare tube? Quick repair and back on it again

Lunch stop at keswick

35 miles in, cracking descent through whinlatter forest. Bright sunshine all the way. One puncture.

Found Ivan!

Ivan decided to get a head start and miss out on the beach, we let him ride out for 10mins before calling him back.

Traditional dip on the sea to start

When they said it was traditional to have a dip in the sea, no one told me it was just your front wheel!

It all starts here!

All lined up on at St Bees east coast, anyone seen Ivan? Collecting a pebble each to take to the other coast

Glorious first morning!

Yook is cooking our breakfast in wonderful sun shine, we have ordered this weather for the weekend but think it may not last! Mines a full English.
66 miles and lots of hills to come.

We are here, setting up in the dusk

Great journey up despite Jame's driving and lack of rest breaks. Setting the tents up in the dark, looking forward to a swim in the morning!

Van packed....just

Van packed on time, first and last time we will be on time for the whole weekend!