Blimey - don't think I've not run for 7 days (when not injured) since 2008, so this week has felt a bit odd. All work related - Monday and Tuesday were stacked out with meetings and trying (unsuccessfully) to get Linz to not resign, so no running at work - then Wednesday was the start of the big C2C adventure. That started adventurously in the pub in Leeds watching Ingurland play slightly better than dreadfully to beat Slovenia. With free beer. Rob T and I were the lucky punters along for the corporate jaunt, so by the time we got in the minibus to go to Whitehaven we were moderately well oiled.
After 2 pub stops we were even better oiled and finished the night off with a few nightcaps. Surprisingly I felt ok(ish) in the morning, so as we pulled on our posh CallCredit cycling tops I was quite looking forward to the day's activities.
There were a real mixture of bikes and body shapes, with a Dura-Ace top-to-toe carbon number, Rob's 'cross bike and JJB Sports full suss specials. There was also a comedy tandem with no brakes or gears that never really got started.
The first section of the route is a cycle path to Ennerdale, followed by lanes to the bottom of Whinlatter. This was a pretty steady climb, made steadier by being towed up it by Rob and Nieah.
Lunch was at Whinlatter, with plentiful pork pies and energy bars, although I suspect I didn't eat quite enough, as I was running a bit short of puff later. Fast descent off Whinlatter and the team was splintered again. We didn't enjoy the cycle path from Kesewick to Threlkeld much as it was too rough for a road bike, but the lanes from there to Penrith were a delight. By this time the team was down to me, Rob and Steve, but we were a bit baffled by the lack of a stop between Keswick and Penrith. This proved to be because we'd gone through before the van, but we were all heading for the bonk by the time we met up with the car just before the last climb of the day up Hartside.
We'd been joined by Nieah at this point, and this left me the back marker, particularly as I became absolutely desperate for a poo on the way up Hartside. I came in about 5 minutes after the lads and just legged it for the disabled bog as it was the first one I saw! We ate cake and drank tea til the cafe closed, but there were still several riders out on the road. In the end we waited well over 2 1/2 hours for the rest to arrive (minus the 3 real back markers who got to the hotel at 9:30!). Incidentally the hotel was the Shap Wells just outside Kendal, and is absolutely dreadful - note to self: never, ever go there again.
More free beer and many laughs, then we were off back to Hartside for the start of Day 2. At the bottom of the first climb one guy had sheared his inner chain ring, so emergency repairs were required - we then fixed several punctures and adjusted brakes for people before ending up back in front for the final climb from Stanhope, still 30 miles from the finish but with no up to come.
We had an epic wait at the cafe at lunchtime (another 2 1/2 hours) before the least pleasant section for me, the Waskerley Way cycle path which is gravelly and really not suitable for a road bike.
It was, as promised, largely downhill, but for me the C2C is rather spoiled after Consett as trying to keep off roads leads to it taking some really tortuous cycleways - if I did it again I'd find myself a nice main road and finish an hour sooner!
We eventually rolled into Sunderland for a swim in the sea, more free beer and fish & chips after 4 hours of riding and 3:45 hours of waiting!
A great couple of days, but now I really must do some running...
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