After discovering there's a direct train from Manchester Airport, which is close by, to Penrith, today brought a train assisted adventure to the two highest public roads in England.
First, though, a visit to see Long Meg and her daughters.
A call of nature was necessary there, which Meg turned out to be highly displeased by. Her curse hit within a couple of miles as the rear tyre emptied and puncture repair was necessary.
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Then over Hartside, with spectacular views over the Vale of Eden
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and down to Alston, a typically handsome Cumbrian town.
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Now the first big one, but not before a stop at North Pennine cycles in Nenthead to top up the tyre with a track pump - a proper old school LBS. Had a nice chat with owner David and bought a new tube. He tells me C2C riders are very few and far between these days, one of the reasons local businesses are failing.
A sharp climb up, to the first objective - Killhope Cross, 627m...
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...and a lovely descent to St John's Chapel via a stop at the Killhope Wheel for a cereal bar.
What turned out to be the most brutal climb of the day awaited, Harthope Moss AKA Chapel Fell. Really, it's a bugger! Great views over to Teesdale at the top though.
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Lunch from the quite excellent chippy in Middleton, then the lovely road over and very lively descent to Brough.
Thence a mixture of tiny lanes either side of the main road descent to Sedburgh, and managed to get a train two hours earlier than planned from Oxenholme.
The TPE trains are excellent; nominal bike storage for four, but could easily fit in six if staff are amenable, and no silly racks or hooks.
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Meg struck again just a mile from home with a spectacular WHOOOOSH. Too tired to fix it, just walked home. So that's one for tomorrow, and I might sacrifice a goat to appease Meg while I'm at it.
A grand albeit somewhat cool day out; 94 miles and 2700m climbing from Penrith to Oxenholme and another 12 miles to and from the station, so I claim a century. Very rapid by my standards at 14 mph.
