THE COAST TO COAST HAS BEEN COMPLETED!

We’ve only gone and done it! But what a four days, and what conditions we had to endure – well enjoy when we stopped.

Instead of me waffling on about how the ride went I’ll just say a few words then leave the images to tell the tale.

The four days concluded with about 170 miles completed, shattered thighs, worn buttocks but with a feeling we’d achieved something we had been planning for a long time.

To some people it may not mean much, but to the four of us it was something we wanted to achieve and also raise some money for Cancer Research UK.

Due to the very high temperatures, the night time was very uncomfortable to sleep in, while most days it hit 20c before 10am.

We stayed together and endured, then enjoyed the climbs, while the longer sections of flat or fast flowing downhill bits were enjoyed all the way through.

Top speed was 45.4mph, while the quickest mile was done in just 122 seconds! That was downhill before you ask.

Thank you to everyone who has donated, or indeed is going to donate, we’re all very grateful for every penny, so if you would like to donate please go to http://www.justgiving.com/mydadgrahamknowles

Finally, before the picture story, thank you to Neil, Pads and Ian who formed a great team with me, which stayed strong and united all the way through. It was tough, very tough at times, but we helped each other through and formed a stronger bond between us as the days flowed.

THE START - THE IRISH SEA

 

FIRST STOP - KESWICK

 

SEEING MY DAUGHTER AT DAY 1 END

 

 LUNCH ON DAY 2 - HOT, HOT, HOT

 

SO HOT ON DAY 2 WE HAD A SWIM

 

THE START OF DAY 3 - SIX CLIMBS

 

LONGEST CLIMB DONE

 

 

ANOTHER CHANGE OF COUNTY & HIGHEST POINT OF RIDE

 

 

TIME FOR LUNCH ON DAY 3

 

 

END OF DAY 3

 

 

NO FOG ON THE TYNE - JUST HOT SUN!

 

 

FINALLY WE REACH THE NORTH SEA

 

HERE WE GO.....

So the day has come when the Coast to Coast team departs for Cumbria and tomorrow’s start of the bike ride.

Training has been completed and everyone’s weather prayers seem to have been answered – in fact the weather forecast couldn’t be better.

Last year we had wind, rain, floods and temperatures of about 12C, this week it looks like being 25C, sunny, dry and no wind.

The team, Pads, Neil, Ian and I, are really looking forward to the bike ride and on behalf of the team, I’d like to thank everyone for their support, donations, best wishes and reading my blog.

Whatever you have done it has been much appreciated – now we just have to go and do it!

We’re looking at starting the ride on Wednesday morning at about 8.30am from Whitehaven’s Irish Sea waters, arriving in Keswick for lunch, before powering on to our overnight stay.

The next two days are shorter, in terms of mileage, but could potentially take longer to ride due to the serious hill climbing that we face.

After those two days we face the final overnight stay in the pub and, as luck would have it, a steak night and quiz night all rolled in to one.

Then it’s one more climb, before descending the 48 miles to Tynemouth and the North Sea.

I’ll be trying to update on twitter, while I’m sure we’ll all be updating Facebook at some point, so stay tuned.

The highlight for me will be seeing my daughter on the route cheering us on – I’ve not seen her for almost a week as she is on ‘holiday’ with her grandma and granddad.

So here we go, wish us luck.

Finally, we’re riding the Coast to Coast for Cancer Research UK, so if you would like to donate please go to http://www.justgiving.com/mydadgrahamknowles

Any donation is very much appreciated and will go to an excellent charity that has helped millions of people and will hopefully help many millions in the future.

A new appeal has helped boost the total and it’s now over £800, so the £1,000 target is well in sight.