Coast to Coast for a Cause

Daily Updates

Map of route across Northern England

Day 7

Our last day to complete the coast to coast was expected to be a breeze. We planned for a quick ride on the road to the Robin Hoods Bay where we would complete the trip with a dip in the North Sea. The morning greeted us with good weather for the trip. We had no idea of the number of steep hills that we would have to conquer to complete the ride. Road or no road, the hills gave us a good test. We took in the sights of the bay as we got closer to the coast and stopped for photo ops of the old Whitby Abbey that inspired Bram Stoker's Dracula.

We were all up to the task. At noon we pulled into Robin Hoods Bay on schedule and headed to the water's edge for a champaign celebration! The water was too cold for any of us to give serious consideration to jumping in. Great memories and friendships were made along the way. The mountain bike ride proved to be more challenging than any of us anticipated.

After a quick stop for fish and chips, we parted company wondering what our next challenge would be.

Daily totals:

- Paul and Deane

Day 6

We started off day 6 knowing it would be a long day. Within the first 5 miles we had our first bike malfunction, a problem with gears that we fixed in North Allerton. Nice to have helpful bike shops along the route. After 2 hours in the shop we were back on the bikes.

We traveled through the Moore lands which was more hilly than any of us expected. The highlight of the trip was when we came across an Adder, the only poisonous snake in England. That got our attention.

The ride was long and slow not helped by navigation issues or the separation of riders which cost even more time. Overall the ride was longer than any of the previous days.

Daily totals:

- Paul and Deane

Day 5

As the day started out, we weren't sure what to expect. Our plans called for a 40 mile ride. The weather called for rain in the afternoon and colder temps. The ride out of Keld was fast along a river. Knowing we had a long ride for the day with 1000 feet of climbing, when given a choice between going up another steep hill or staying on the bridalway down by the river, the group choose the easier path. Of course it turns out that decision cost us the chance to ride some of the best mountain biking trails the area has to offer.

We stopped at a bike center to have a quick tuneup on the breaks of one of the bikes and a lite lunch. Back on the road we headed into Richmond, the largest city we've riden through to date.

We finished up our day with a fast 15 mile road ride into Danby Whisk. We are now only 80 miles to our destination which we plan to arrive at early on Saturday.

Daily totals:

- Paul and Deane

Day 4

Today we had a great day. We expected the ride to be easy based on feedback from the coast to coast guide but it really wasn't. As a result the day was long.

We went through very scenic territory and lots of sheep country throughout the day. By lunch time we traveled 15 miles and felt so great we enjoyed a nice lunch at a pub. It was the first time we didn't eat lunch on the go.

With 5 miles left we cycled past the highest elevated pub in the UK and had to stop for a pint. Overall a long but very memoral day.

Daily totals:

- Paul and Deane

Day 3

Day 3 started out much like the first two. Within 5 minutes of getting on the bike, we were faced with our first big hill. Back to pushing our bikes. In all there were 3 mountain passes to navigate for the day. At the bottom of the first mountain we saw a woman who we asked where to get a coffee. We were in a very remote area so she offered us coffee in her garden. It was fantastic.

By lunch we travelled only 7 miles. A quick bite of food by the river before our last mountain climb over what we think was an old Roman road.

The descent into Schapp was a very wet marsh that prevented us from making good time. Once we reached the outskirts of town we had a 6 mile road ride to our destination, the last part being a very unwelcoming hill that tested our will. At the end of the day between the 4 riders there wasn't a consenses on which of the three days was the hardest.

Daily totals:

- Paul and Deane

Day 2

After our full English breakfast, we headed out for a very slow start to the day. We had challenges navigating the correct route so there were frequent stops to check our route and some backtracking. Our group is down to 4 riders as one dropped out after Sunday's ride... he had to be at work on Monday.

Once we got on the right path it was all up hill. After the first hour and a half of pushing our bikes uphill, the descent into a marsh area was unrideable too. By lunch time we only traveled 5 miles of our 22 mile ride!

After a quick lunch by the river over looking the valley below, we set off on another 2 hour push up a mountian all wondering when the biking part of this trip would start. The pace was so slow, walkers without bikes were passing us. However about a quarter of the way down, we were finally able to clip-in and enjoy the payback for all our hard work.

Down in the valley, we took a detour into Ambleside to repair the tacoed wheel and then made good time on the last 10 miles into Troutbeck for the night.

Daily totals:

- Paul and Deane

Day 1

The day starts out excellent. A full English breakfast at the B&B and reassembling the bikes that were brought over on the plane. We made good time and were on our way. We started off down at the Irish sea for the traditional dipping of the tires and all 5 of us headed off.

Eighteen miles into the trip and everyone is feeling great. As we headed for our first real climb about 2000 feet up Black Sail Pass, the day was just beginning.

The weather turned nasty with continuous light rain and poor visibility. The majestic beauty of the Lake District was lost in heavy fog with visibility at only 30 yards. That was probably a good thing since we couldn't see the top as we carried and pushed our bikes for 2 hours up a mountain. Coming down the other side wasn't any better.

Daily Totals:

Tomorrow is more of the same. Lots of pushing bikes up mountains.

Check back for an update.

- Paul and Deane