Coast to Coast in a day - 2013

29th June 2013

When someone first mentioned doing the coast to coast in a day, I thought it sounded like madness. Add over 11,000ft of climb, and it sounded completely bonkers.

Setup and ready to go

Staying in Kendal the night before, meant an early set off for Seascale in the morning. Up at 4am for a 4:30am drive. Seascale for 6am, and time for a great bacon butty at the local cafe, and a welcome cuppa to wake us up. After registering, preparing for a long ride became the focus.

A cool and windy morning first thing, and seeing many people starting off in waterproof jackets got us thinking.

Start line

What to wear is always the first decision, if I wear 3 layers, Steve is generally in 2, and Gerry is similar. The start was an all round 3 layer choice, gillet's on top.

Riding down to the start, the calm before the storm, then a beach start, awesome.

The start was pretty sedate for the first 12 miles, then we saw the signs for Hardknot Pass.

Steve, top of Hardknott

The climb started, nice and gently at first, but then suddenly, you knew you were climbing, your thighs start burning, your breathing gets heavy, and it just bloody hurts. The 2.2km climb had a nice 30% start and ending.




I personally don't think I'll be rushing back to do it again, but hey, fab to get to the top. I shouted "Is that all you got" but I meant "Thank goodness I'll never have to do that again"

Worst over? NO! the downhill was harsh. Narrow, pot holed, steep lanes are harsh on the brakes, and certainly concentrates the mind. Yes, there was casualties, not helped by upcoming traffic.

A quick recovery before Wryneck Pass, not quite so harsh, but still a challenge, and another nail biting downhill. No chance to get any speed up, slow and careful.

Mark - Top of Hardknot

Think I may need to check my brake pads when I get back.

Kendal Feed Station

The ride into Windemere was a welcome relief, and a real pleasure, the roads were smooth, and the boys were up for a fast descent to the ferry at 30 miles.
A quick ferry crossing, time to refuel and stretch, and look at the views of Windemere.

Riding on to Kendal, and the first feed stop, and a welcome sandwich, and leg stretch, and a chat with our fab support team. Was nice to get out of the saddle for a few minutes.

Straight into a climb to get the legs going again, and across the M6, out of the Lake District and into Gods own country, the Yorkshire Dales, and what a nice start, a 12 mile climb up to Garsdale Head.

Hawes feed station

The 2nd feed station near Hawes. 58 miles in and 4 hours in the saddle.

Fast midle section

A nice ride down on nice roads to Bolton Castle, another climb, 80 miles, 5 hours 17 mins, and a welcome downhill section.

Tunstall feed station, great Pork Pie

Lovely, more hills

Last feed station at Turnstall, 88 miles, 5 hrs 36 mins. The pork pie was lovely. Needed to get going again for the last 62 miles (is that all).

All the way down to Osmotherley, the start of the North Yorkshire Moors, (and the start of the Lyke Wake Walk). 40 miles to Whitby. 110 miles done, and near at 7 hours.


Legs were starting to tire now, and it was showing, the hills were getting harder.

By the time we got to Glaisedale, 10 mile out, we knew we'd been in the saddle a good while. One last hard push to the end.


It was nice to see Whitby and the sea at last, and finally the sun had come out.
The nicest part of the day, coming in to the finish. Phew!!!

Riding in to the finish

All smiles at the end
Mark, Steve, Gerry, Bob

10 hours 43 mins.
Great team effort.

Bob did it all on his own, in 12hrs 01 mins. Good job Bob.

Support crew - Sam, Louise, Julie & Billy

A really big thank you to the support crew, Julie, Billy, Louise and Sam. Awesome.











Thanks to the organisers opencycling for a great event. The grub was great, and the end was epic.

Had to be done

Support Crew at the finish