Special events

08/08/08 - remember the date - a date to remember

08/08/08 -That's the date our team of senior boys and 'fit' staff were looking forward to as they prepared to do the Coast 2 Coast cycle ride from Whitehaven to .... well Hartlepool. The actual route finishes in Sunderland but we took a detour on day three to finish in the altogether better surroundings of Hartlepool Marina!

Stage I started with back wheels in the water at Whitehaven Harbour in front of a few welcome supporters who travelled across to wish the team well. The support bus travelled to our first meet up point at 9.5 miles into the ride where the lads stopped for a quick running repair on Ben’s brakes. The bus travelled behind for most of the way towards the Forest Visitors Centre at Winlatter Pass for lunch. 

With now more than 24 miles behind them, the team had managed to find their pace and had one of the days toughest climbs behind them. A fast down hill stretch followed through the wood into Keswick, where despite the repairs en route, it was clear that Ben's bike wasn’t coping with terrain. This was disappointing as it was only two weeks old! So the team set off with Ben on the spare bike and the bus headed off to Halfords in Penrith where they collected a replacement bike.

The sight of the Bus in the market square was welcomed by the lads especially as it was parked near the chipshop! 53 miles down and after packing the bus we headed off to Kendal for an overnight stay courtesy of 1st Kendal Boys’ Brigade. The beds where a great sight – Stu was asleep well before anyone else tonight!

After breakfast on the Saturday we travelled back to Penrith for the start of Stage II. Stu and Andrea missed the start as they were dealing with a 92 year old who had collapsed across the road but the lads headed off in the rain towards Langwathby. They knew that today was going to be tough but the route climbed steadily before climbing steeply towards the summit of Hartside at 1903 feet.

Everyone found it difficult to get up but eventually we were ready for the start of Stage III. The climb up to Waskerley Reservoir was expected to be tough this morning but the team did find it to be easier than thought and soon made good time meeting the bus after an hour and a half for lunch beside the A68. Once fed and watered they headed towards Lanchester and picked up a familiar route which they had used during a training ride to and from Broomley. Andrea, Natalie and Stu were very surprised to get a phone call to say the team was at the passport office in Durham City - 45 mins before the earliest E.T.A.

What was a hard climb out of Durham on the practice rides felt like a small bump today and the team knew that the rest of the ride was mainly down hill. We agreed that the riders and the bus would meet up at the start of the Hart to Haswell at 4pm but again the phone call from the team at 3.15 meant the bus was now behind the lads so it headed straight for Hartlepool where they waited for the lads to complete the Hart to Haswell stretch at Hart Station.

A quick change into their C2C T-shirts and then off on the final 20 minutes towards the Marina. The support they had at the Marina was great, banners, balloons, party poppers and champagne.

The achievement of completing the ride was made more special knowing they have raised over £1800 for the Butterwick Childrens Hospice !

Dundee 2010