Well, my ride yesterday and the day before, to be fact-exact...
Did the C2C (Whitehaven Tynemouth) over 2 days, stopping over at Alston.
Left Whitehaven 10.15 (3 of us)... fairly soon became clear (after about 15 miles) that one of our number had bitten off more than he could chew... he soldiered on, but gave up at mile 65, got a B&B and arranged transport home for the next day. All this had meant we were about 2 hrs behind schedule (

) but me and other chap rode like the wind and made it to our overnight stop at Alston in good time (missed out Old Coach Road, as we were so behind time). Day 2 was a real blast, loved the hills, did Rookhope incline without getting off, and got into Tynemouth for 4.15 and a welcome beer. Great ride, whetted my appetite for more!