Message from Martyn .......
Thank you for your kind donations. I have raised £680 so far which is fantastic!
After an appallingly wet Saturday, Sunday dawned clear which was a great relief myself and the other 699 riders booked in for the event . Steady pleasant riding with a few gentle ups and downs took us under Skiddaw with great views of Bassenthwaite Lake on the way to Cockermouth and the first food/ drink pit stop. A steady climb and then back lanes (flooded in places) through the beautiful Vale of Lorton.
Next came the big climb up Whinlatter Pass, steep but rideable to begin with, a frustrating drop down to the river and then a steady pull to the summit and applause from spectators. Pretty pleased that I managed to stay on the pedals for this climb, plenty were pushing but also got passed by some who seemed impervious to the gradient!
Fast descent slowing for the wet z bends at the bottom, unlike the Stagecoach bus which was scarily right up my bum on the slippy bends. Pleasant riding across to Derwentwater with a steep little kick near Cat Bells. Down to Grange and back up the Lakeside to Keswick. Reading 38 miles and 2 hours 35 ride time on my speedo, 2 hours 48minutes official time . The training paid off and I didn’t feel too bad, however hats off to those who did the 85 mile 3 passes route!
Here’s to next year
Regards
Martyn Nicholson
