We
don't know yet to which extent the Great Divide will test our limits,
but we know it's going to be challenging, both mentally and
physically.
As
for the mental training, we think we are very lucky to have been
training in Scotland, nothing can be worst than Scottish weather
right? ...or maybe not mmmhhh...
As
for the fitness, we are both reasonably fit and tough. We cycle
regularly to work and around town , and we cycled one of the
usual+100k routes once a month over the last year, and the below
trips in the last month.
C2C
– Version 1
When
|
24
to 26 April 2015
|
Distance
|
200km
in 2 days
|
Elevation
gained
|
2000
m
|
Route
|
|
Team
|
Damian,
Paolo, Paul, Tobias, Walter and myself.
|
What
I've learnt: I'll never ever cycle with 5 guys any more in my life!
This
was meant to be a farewell group cycle, as we may not see some of the
guys for a very long while. Because Walter is living in London we
decided to meet half way and the c2c seemed to be the perfect option.
The
meeting point was on Friday evening in the hostel in Whitehaven. Paul
and myself took an after work train, while the other guys got an
earlier train and cycled the bit Carlisle – Whitehaven.
DAY
1 - Whitehaven to Alston, via NCN 71 -14
There
were a few killer hills, some unexpected unpaved bits, and, even more
unexpected, the weather switched from morning pour rain to afternoon
clouds and evening sun. The route was stunning indeed. Passing
through the Lake District and then entering the Pennines, and
reaching the Hartside Summit was a rewarding moment. To be honest I
spent all day pushing hard to stay behind the guys, so that I
couldn't really appreciate the views as I wished I would. When we
finally arrived in Alston at 8pm, the guys went to eat at a pub but I
was just to tired so that I kept going all the way up out of town
towards the hostel – the Adventure Training centre – that was a
few miles away – and enjoyed the best sunset ever, at my speed,
setting on the mountains on a clear sky, beautiful moment!
DAY
2 - Alston to Newcastle via NCN 7
This
was a much easier day, for gradients and total elevation gained,
sunny, and the guys slowed down the pace too. Much more enjoyable day
although less panoramic. Getting in Newcastle was a good feeling, and
the after cycle pint the best recovery drink ever!
On
Monday I managed to cycle to work, legs and body were ok, I was
feeling generally tired but not too bad, which gave me hope for the
longer ride.
When
|
9-11
May 2015
|
Distance
|
300km
|
Elevation
gained
|
1840
m
|
Team
|
Paul
and myself
|
DAY
1 - Lockerbie / Beattock / down to New Abbey via Forest Ae
45m
/ 72km vith 500 m elevation gained
N74
to Moffat and then Regional Route 10
DAY
2 - New Abbey to Kielder Caravan Park
73m
(117km) / 670m elevation gained
NCN7
until Longtown then B6357 road via Newcastleton
DAY
3 - Kielder to Berwick upon Teed via Kelso
70m
(1112km) / 670m elevation gained
B6357
up to Kelso, via Jedburgh, then NCN 1 to Berwick
This
was taught. The idea was to test bikes and equipment, so that we took
everything, well, let's say 70% of what we will bring. Dharma felt
comfortable from the start, so did Hayduke. Paul was testing an
already broken Brooks saddle and being sceptical about it he carried
a spare saddle which at the end he didn't have to use.
The
first day was not long in distance but the 10 / 15 miles of unpaved
road on the Regional Route 10 in the Ae forest killed me. That was
not an easy ride, the stones were so big that it was hard to keep
balance and it was all up and down. I really hope the GD quality of
roads will be better than that!
Day
2 was long, paved, but the weather was ferocious. The first bit up to
Annan was pour rain and 40m/h headwind, no mercy. But, sometimes you
laugh, sometimes you cry. The turning point to pushing wind was such
a relief! Wind on the back, some patches of blue sky, and flat road
up to Newcastleton, what else can you ask for?
We
stopped few times and quick as the wind wouldn't give us a break.
Entering Kindler Forest was like entering a fairy tale book. This is
a beautiful ride first by a stream and hills, then into the forest,
and finally in the village and campground. The place was so
beautiful we couldn't understand why nobody goes there, but we found
it out at night.
Although
we had all the camping equipment we saw a wood pod and opted for the
easy way. We went for an abundant dinner to the pub, a digestive walk
down the lake, and off to sleep. The pouring rain woke me up. The sky
opened the sink, amazing, I've never see so much rain in my life!
When we woke up in the morning all the camping ground had ponds, I'm
so glad we didn't have to pack the tent in those conditions! Getting
the pod was the best idea ever!
 |
| Add caption |
The
day after was a long ride again, and the first coffee was 25 miles
away in Jedburgh. The first few miles out of the forest were
headwind, but as soon as we went out the strong wind was pushing up
the hills. The road up to Jedburgh was really pleasant, with
relaxing landscapes up and down in the borders hills. Entering the A
road was a shock but it didn't last long, and the well deserved
coffee in the sheltered sunlight and the ruin of the abbey nearby,
was a priceless break. The bit to Kelso was a matter of surviving a
busy road, and entering Kelso with its absurd traffic was not
pleasant at all, but at least we got some food and kept going to a
more quiet place.
The
NCN 1 sent us around farms road, the wind was still strong, and, I
hit the wall. A few miles from Coldstream I had nothing left. It
never happened to me before. I don't know if I didn't eat enough, or
if it was the wind, or an heavier bike, or maybe just not the day,
but all I wanted was to lay down. I managed to get to the village
park, and threw myself on the grass to rest. Paul was so kind as to
go get me some milk, which he know is my favourite recovery drink,
after beer. After getting some food and a coffee my strengths were
back and it was an easy last bit to Berwick.
It
took me 3 good days to recover from this cycle. Maybe I'm just
getting older, or maybe I needed to hit the wall in order to pass to
the next level, time will tell, but still, it was a great ride, with
beautiful landscapes and company.
Holy Island
When
|
23
May 2015
|
Distance
|
160km
|
Elevation
gained
|
1000m
|
Team
|
Paolo,
Paul, Ruan, Tobias and myself
|
Route
|
Edinburgh
to Holy Island via NCN 76 until Berwick, and then NCN1 to and back
the island.
|
The
new entry of the day was Ruan, who was brave and crazy enough to join
with his single speed for his first road bike trip, respect!
The
weather was the closest to summer that you can get in Scotland. We
all got slightly sunburnt, but after the previous miserable weeks we
will certainly not complain.
We
were supposed to start at 7am but the day before Paolo broke his
cross bike so that he borrowed one from Paul and the start was
delayed at 7.30am. The problem this time was not the hours of
daylight, but the tide to enter, and exit the Holy Island. We knew
we'd have had to get out by 5.40pm, which didn't allow for much time
to wonder around.
The
way to Dunbar was well known, flat and fast. Heading down we faced
headwind but the route was different and pleasant. We had two hills,
one before and one after Eyemouth, and hills always makes us happy :)
After
a quick stop to get some food in Eyemouth we kept going to Berwick.
After that the NCN 1 follow the coast on an unpaved path, plus the
wind, hunger, tiredness and the fact that the island was not in view,
it felt endless. But we finally managed to get in the village at
4.30pm. After a quick lunch we headed to the Castle for some good
views, truly beautiful, we were all feeling happy and coping with the
distance. Paul, who was riding the cross monster, got to the island
very tired but the break did him well. He then found out that the
disc breaks were too tight and slowing him down...ops!
On
the way back we tried to avoid the NCN1 and tried the road, but we
soon got to a very busy A road and decided to go look for the cycle
path. In the attempt we cycled through some theme park (we think),
which was very weird... Gladly we found our way out and rejoined the
path. Wind pushing us, sun kissing us, we got in Berwick quickly.
We
didn't book the train ticket and no bike reservation either, but at
the end we didn't have to wait too long. Ruan took the first one, and
after 20 min we were lucky to board the next train and go celebrate
to the pub.
This
was one of the best cycle of my life. Good mood, company, weather,
route, everything was just perfect,we want more!
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