Coast to Coast Day 2
I woke up to find the weather was not great. The only place for breakfast in Consett appeared to be a ‘drive in’ Starbucks. I understand why most of the Starbucks in Australia have closed down. What I don’t understand why they haven’t all closed down. The one in Consett will probably stay open. That says as much about Consett as it does about Starbucks.
I retraced a bit on my ride from yesterday. This included ridding over a railway viaduct that was built in the Victorian era. It never ceases to amaze what was built in that period. The infrastructure made Great Britain Great.
The route follows what I understand was that highest railway in England. It is a rather bleak, but interesting landscape.
I stopped in a café, seemingly in the middle of nowhere. By this time the rain was teaming down. The place was full on fellow cyclists. All were heading West to East and thought it was odd that I was heading the other way.
I decided to head out into the rain. After about 200 metres my left front pannier fell off. A small bolt was that cause of the problem. I headed back to the café. I am not the best improviser when it comes to mechanical stuff. My progress was delayed.
When I was able to continue it was really pouring. There were two options on Route 7 – one on the road, the other off road. I decided to take the latter. This wasn’t the best choice. This track was so bad I was forced to walk a lot of the way. Check out the pics!!
Two groups on MTBs heading the other way stopped and told me that I was “completely mad”. As I dropped down into little village called Rookhope, I came across a bloke on a road bike. If I am “mad”, that bloke needs to be certified. He was carrying the bike. I told him that the track only got worse. He seemed to not believe me. I am sure he will survive, but hewill rue his decision to take that option.
Rookhope has a pub and a Bunk House. The former is closed. The latter turned out to fully booked. The owner, a very earnest woman with a very active Black Labrador dog was concerned about my welfare and rang around to find me accommodation.
The result is that I am at the Allenshead Arms – well fed and my tent pitched out the back. The place is full of C2C cyclists.
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