Day 8

Well we woke up to the sound of the rain on the tents.
Oh joy! Packing away a wet tent. :0(

The ray of sunshine in this downpour was that Aunty Anne and John would be arriving at 8:30. This spurred us to have a quick breakfast and get packing.
Even then we still had not packed away the tents by the time they arrived.
Aunty Anne and John were kind enough to take all our panniers so that all we were left with was our handle bar bags with just the essentials in them.

We set off on the 19 mile cycle to Saltburn with blue skys on the horizon, just not over us.
The ride started along the coast line to Sandsend where the road made a violent upward turn. We thought " ha we have no luggage this will he a doddle" oh how wrong we were.

Violent and steep. We were doing the unthinkable pushing unloaded bikes up a hill. At the top, of a hill that never seemed to end, was the town cemetery. Apt we thought. That hill had probably claimed a few on the way up.
Out of the cemetery came a lovely old lady who was probably in her 70's. We stood and chatted while we caught our breaths. It turned out that  in the ladies youth she had been an avid cyclist. She had once cycled from Hull up round the top if Scotland and back down to Liverpool on a summer holiday with her sisters. You meet the nicest people while cycling :-)

About 12 miles in to the ride the heavens opened and we had to stop to quickly throw on the waterproofs. This was the first time we had had to cycle in waterproofs this year.
About 2 miles out if Saltburn we turned off the main road on to a  bridle path, but still part of route 1, which took us down in to Slatburn and allowed us some good views of the town.

On arrival at Aunty Anne and Johns house we were treated to a magnificent full cooked breakfast. It was soooo nice.
We showered and then cleaned the bikes ready to put in the car.

And we had hauled that lot across the country. WOW

Big thanks to Aunty Anne and John for there hospitality.
About 14:50 we set off back across the country. Seems we have done coast to coast to coast ;-)
The drive over was so boring compared to the cycle. It is better to cycle.

We arrived in St Bees and found Bobbies car safe and sound, then to the campsite and up with the tents. The weather was lovely and sunny so the wet tents got the chance to dry off.

We ventured in to Whitehaven for dinner. We discovered a town that appeared dead. So different from a week ago.

 We had a very tasty Italian meal and then did our last provision shop for breakfast.

Back at camp we had a final walk along the beach before bed.

That's the isle of man out there.

Worth a read. This is what the money raised will go towards.

Well B road fans that's the adventure for 2014 completed. It's been a blast and we have enjoyed every pedaling moment if it. Even pushing up the Hardknott pass :-D

Stay tuned for plans for the 2015 adventure.
Bye for now and thanks for the support.
Today's totals
Miles: 20.09
Average speed: 10 mph
Peddling time: 2 hours.
Travel time: 2.5 hours
Max speed: 37.2

Totals for the week
Miles traveled: 228
Best average:10.9 mph
Average speed: 9.3 mph
Max speed: 39.1 on day 3

Day 7

DING DONG!!!!
Morning campers.
Welcome to Bobby and Al's big day off.
The sun shone brightly (through the tipping rain some how) and the Boyz jumped from there warm cozy sleeping bags. (like that would ever happen ;-)).
The trip they had been planning all year was here. Nothing was going to stop these lads getting to Robin 'the' Hoods Bay. The fun and games that were to be had would be legendary.
The first thing to do was fire up the turbo charged Ferrari 635 carbon fiber bikes. These babies almost peddled themselves.
ZIP went the tent flaps and POW went the boyz on their bikes.
The first obstacle was PC slug who would be waiting for them on the M007 on-slip. The boyz slipped up behind PC slugs car and slipped a mackerel in the exhaust. Then, drawing up next to the slug, saluted and slipped there 635's into first and shot down the on-slip. PC slug put his fat foot on the gas and the wagon farted and died in a cloud if fishy smoke.
As the boyz prepared to leave the M007 they saw the dreaded Councillor Smythes plan to de-rail there day off. A DIVERSION for unplanned road works.
The boyz had to think fast. Yes they cycled down the cycle lane (pavement to you and me).
The trip was a short one, just 7.8 miles and they could not be late to the hood's pad (beach) or they would miss the fun.
When they arrived the timing was perfect. Yes the tide was out.
It was castle building time.
The competition was for the most imaginative castle. The boyz set about the construction with gusto.
Castle builders are a dying breed but this crowd had come prepared with proper shovels for proper castles
The work of art took many different twists and turns until the Eiffel tower suddenly became obvious. And all that with just sand. They had it in the bag.
They collected the coveted top prize of a real diary ice cream cone with flake and raspberry blood.
This was the pinnacle of the day and was savored (as long as the rain did not melt it)
Time for proper grub and that was back in good old Whitby.
The boyz leaped on to there trusty steads and burnt rubber to make it back in time for the gourmet meal.
BUT PC slug had other plans he was touring the lanes above the hoods bay and was determined to catch them good ol' boyz.
Just then there was the sound of the confederate army rallying call. (you know the one ;-)) and the boyz lept right over the roof of PC slugs car shouting "YEEE HAAA" the boyz landed with what should have been a journey ending crunch but their 635's were magically indestructible. PC slug watched as the boyz flew over and did not see the slipway in front if him and glug glug went the wagon.
The boyz flashed back along the M007 to Whitby knowing what awaited them.
Bang on time they drew up in front of the Quay side fish and chip shop.
MUNCH MUNCH!!!! Yum Yum pigs bum.
After such a good day off the boyz returned to there tents and had a brew like all good ol' boyz do ;-)
The end
(yep you guessed it. It has rained all day on our day off but we made the best if it :-D)

Day 6

Amazingly the road noise from the A19 was not a problem for Bobby or I. The day was slow to get going this morning, I had another shower to make use of the excellent facilities.
Breakfast for today was porridge, bacon sandwiches and some toast. I have been enjoying these breakfasts but can only sustain them while cycling. :-(
Once we finely got moving it was 11am which is by far our latest start.

The roads initially were plain and boring but still managed a few hills to keep us warm.

The heat from the raging sun was climbing steadily.
After only 4 miles we meat our first set of cyclists. They were in the over 60 age group and had many a good story to tell.

We passed through a lovely town called Great Ayton. This is a quaint English town with the village green and a small river running through it.

Bobby has been wanting pictures of some ducks and this place had loads.

By mid afternoon the tarmac on the smaller roads was bubbling. I was concerned about scorching my pate so i potected it with some sun tan cream which instantly turned to white slime and ran down my face. Not good when you have cycle glasses on. :0)

The steady flat roads soon gave way to hills and dales. The annoying short drop then climbs were back. So like Cumbria. No matter how nice the bird song was there was another hill to climb.

After couple of hours of ups and downs we found ourselves on an off road section of the W2W. At 20 miles in it was lunch time and just then our prayers were answered and a bench seat came in to view.
The bench was dedicated to many fond memories of Mary Thompson.

Well the view from the seat was wonderful and lunch was just what was needed. The lovely peaceful spot now allows us to have a fond memory if Mary Thompson :-)

While we sat for lunch we met a fellow cyclist who was cycling from Glasgow to Whitby. We was doing 50 miles a day and was on the  final leg today. It must be so much easier to cycle with only two bags and stay at B&B's.
We finished lunch and peddled on.
Soon enough (and after some large hills) we found ourselves on the top of the Yorkshire moors.
The views were spectacular and the wind in our faces was stronger but the beauty of the place was reward enough.

We carried on and soon we were able to see the sea. Oh it was a fine site.
After in final hill climb to get up onto the old railway we were in Whitby.

We made straight for the end of the pier. After a few pictures and a seat for 5 mins it was off to the lifeboat station but unfortunately it was closed and no one to see :-( but we were quite late. So we went to the beach to put our feet in the water which was lovely. Picture posted to the blog at the time.

By 7pm we had made it to the campsite. We quickly set up the tents and showered so we could head in to Whitby for dinner.

Well there we have it B road fans. We have done our W2W. It was great fun and a serious challenge. I think my calf muscles have defiantly grown (possibly from all the pushing we have had to do)
We have tomorrow as a rest day before cycling up the coast to Saltburn. We hope to go to robinhoods bay.
So ta ta for today.

Arrived