Sunday 4 Sept.

Gathered a pebble from the beach on the West coast and set off East in the late afternoon. After exploring the one way system of Workington in great detail we were out onto very quiet country roads.

It was hot and humid. We were conscious of the time because we did not want to be riding in complete darkness. Towards the end of this section the route heads across fields of sheep (photo) and then dives downhill through a forest. It was very steep, and very dark with a surface of rough loose cobbles. We dismounted and had to hold back our bikes which were determined to take off on their own like a pair of frightened horses. I was beginning to wonder what I had taken on.

Completed about 22 miles and were grateful for the chocolate cake provided at our bed and breakfast stop.

Monday 5 Sept.

The forecast had been for thunderstorms but it was dry for us. We started with a fairly flat stretch to Keswick and for a few miles on a disused railway track. We passed a distance marker showing 100 miles to Sunderland. The route is well signposted and easy to follow as it passes through rolling countryside to Penrith. We stopped for refreshments here and a rest from our saddles, which we realised we'd been on for several hours. There is a steep climb out of Penrith and I had to get off and push but I was feeling optimistic now as we finished our first full day and another 29 miles near Langwathby.

Tuesday 6 Sept.

We always knew this was going to be tough. I made the mistake of eating a full English breakfast. As we climbed and climbed all of my leg muscles started to cramp. I felt absolutely desperate as it looked as if I wasn't going to make it. Peter encouraged me to take my time and keep going. At last we reached the top of Hartside Pass(photo). This was the first of several long hard climbs. There was a lot of walking and a lot of admiring the views, whilst trying to catch my breath. We finished the day with an amazing 5 mile downhill into Rookhope.

Wednesday 7 Sept.

We thought there was one climb left. There turned out to be a second long drag up a hill called Crawleyside - I now know where it got its name. From here the route is almost all off road and downhill or flat along disused railway tracks via Consett to Sunderland and the sea. The remaining 42 miles took a long time as the gravel surface was not easy going. We must have looked tired as we had to cross a busy road and a lollipop man held up the traffic for us. When we finally reached the sea I threw my pebble back in(photo).