Day 1 over

 This was a battle. So many hill climbs and some go on for ever it seems.

A good start, dipped the back wheel in the Irish Sea at Whitehaven Marina and off by 8am.  

The climbing soon began moving up from sea level steadily through the first 5 miles of Cumbrian lanes.  

As I reached Ennerdale some sharp climbs began.  A lovely downhiller followed down to Loweswater, the first lake on the ride.

Progress was generally good, covering the 31 miles to Keswick in a little over 3 hours or so.

Theres a lovely old disused rail track from Keswick and I was looking forward to using it for the next 10 miles or so.  Trains couldnt go up steep hills so its usually just a light constant climb.  

Sadly the 2015 floods had washed away a bridge ,(no funds to replace after 4 years?) and it was closed after just one mile.  A diversion sign took me straight up hill approaching Grasmere then further rigiurous climbing into Threlkeld.

I took a lunch break in Greystoke at the Boot and Shoe, its a bit of a tradition to call in there, 45 miles into the ride.

Further diversions and a road closue meant a quick alteration of plans so rode into Penrith on previously unknown roads and no blue C2C signs for a while.

There's no way to describe how brutal the climb to Hartside is. It begins only 10 miles from my day 1 stop, but after 60 plus miles of Cumbrian hills, I had little left in the tank. Everything ached. 

The next 5 miles took 1hr 15mins. Hardly beating walking pace. It was savage. 

Reaching the top in a totally destroyed state was such a relief, as then you have a very fast 4 miles downhill into Alston. 

By this time, the temperature on Alston Moor was beginning to bite, my fingers were frozen by the bottom.  I was thankful for the fleece I put on at Greystoke. It certainly dropped 5 or more degrees very rapidly.

Tonight after a hot shower I made a pasta meal and the tea was so reviving. I drank the pot.

I'm staying in tonight the thought of walking up the hill to see the nightlife of Alston Market Square does not appeal.

If Im still awake an hour from now it will be by poking sticks into my eyes!

This trip might be "au revoir" to the C2C or at least over 2 days. Might be nicer to do it over 5 days with Janet.

Some pics will follow if the very slow countryside wifi works.