St Bees Head - Eskdale              45.1km (28.03miles)

 

        We woke up to glorious sunshine for our first day, just what we wanted. After a hearty breakfast at our B&B Stonehouse Farm

           we made our way to the van and set up the bikes, a few last minute checks on brakes, tyre pressures etc. We made our way to

           the beach (half a mile) for about 9:30am. We touched our wheels into the the sea, (and our feet!). Cookie also decided that

           he did not need his Sunglasses!!!

                          

                       

 

            We were on our way after a steady ride out of St Bees.We dropped onto the Sustrans cycle way for a while, through Cleator Moor

            before dropping onto the forest track by Ennerdale water and Ennerdale forest.

                       

             

        After leaving the forest track we approached our first bit of serious terrain, Black Sail Pass between Kirk Fell and Mosedale.

        Our 'Sponsored walk carrying bikes' had officially started

             

                                                    

        After reaching the summit of black Sail we had a short rest, before the long descent into wasdale head. There were a few fast sections

        riding on loose rubble with a few technical sections requiring good concentration. Cookie became our first victim to the terrain when he

        was thrown from his bike and badly hurt his wrist. We were all happy to reach he bottom and refill our water supplies in wasdale head.

        My computer told us we were 25 miles in and the temp was 30C.

                  

 

                 

        After our short break we were back pushing & carrying up towards eskdale fell with fantastic views of Wast Water and Sca fell.

        Although the temp was now 33C the terrain was quite boggy, with plenty of water flowing about the bridleways.

              

        The ride down was a very good section,slightly interrupted by a few gates.

        Lee & Ian took the opportunity to speed to the bottom, while Cookie, struggling a little with his wrist bandaged up and Ray our least

        experienced rider opting for a steadier pace.

        At the bottom we arrived into Boot, Eskdale and had a mile or so to our digs in Eskdale Green by road. It was approx 18:10 when we

        met up with Terry who had sorted all our bags etc into our rooms at Stanley Ghyll House  B&B.

                

        Our first days riding was complete, with my computer reading 30.3 miles (which does not include any walking/carrying).

        It was a job well done by everyone. Especially Cookie with a knackered wrist, which was getting strapped up, and Ray who had his first

        experience of some serious terrain.

        We were showered off then walked back into Boot for a meal, had a couple of pints and discussed the days activities. Tried to phone our

        mates on the way home but were having trouble with phone reception.

We were all ready for a good kip in anticipation of day 2.