Sunshine and blue skies greeted us in Penrith and it looked like a great day for riding
Up Hartside Summit to Alston: C2C Day 4
Day 4 of our C2C ride took us from Penrith, up and into the Pennines and onto Alston, one of England’s highest market towns. After several overcast days it was a pleasure to see the sun. Oh and the snow on the climb up to Hartside Summit.
From grey stone of Keswick to sandstone of Pennines & Eden.
Before leaving town we stocked up with supplies for hills ahead
At Little Salkeld, a rest before the climb
After first few hills, we stopped off for tea and organic cake at the pink Little Salkeld Mill
Where even the evidently free range chickens looked interested in a Mill Tour
No time to visit the stone circles
On the road beyond towards the Pennines we passed a Druid’s navigation aid
With Hartop Summit to conquer we didn’t have time to visit
Incentives are what it’s all about
We knew the kids might need incentivising
for the big climb to Hartside Pass
And were left in no doubt that
conditions at the top could be harsh
Snowballs on the way up
But we took it in stages, rewarded ourselves for each 100m of climb
Put on extra layers to deal with the cold and focused on reaching the cafe at the summit
We thought there was time for fun and to reach the cafe before it closed
But disappointment at Hartside Summit
Unfortunately it was already closed when we arrived…
.. frozen pipes
Fortunately we had brought our own provisions
A frozen moment and then the descent
For a brief but cold celebration
Before a magnificent descent down to Alston
Into Alston for a warm up
And some cobble bashing to reach a cafe before closing time
By the time we’d eaten it was dark again, leaving us with a short night ride
to find our accommodation at the Lovelady Shields Country House Hotel
You can read about our stay in this wild part of Cumbria here.
Have you taken on a family challenge?
Do leave a comment and tell us about it.
See more of our Winter Coast to Coast (C2C) Photo Journals
- Are you a purist or not bothered?
- Day 1: Setting Out: Workington to Cockermouth
- Day 2: Northern Lakes: Over Whinlatter and into Keswick
- Day 3: In the Shadow of Blencathra: Keswick to Penrith
- Day 4: Goodbye Lakes, Hello Pennines: Penrith to Hartside Summit and Alston
- Day 5: Over the Pennines: Nenthead to Allenhead and onto Consett
- Day 6: Welcome to the North East: Consett to Beamish & Sunderland
- Day 7: The end of the ride: Along the Wear in Sunderland
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[...] Day 4: Goodbye Lakes, Hello Pennines: Penrith to Hartside Summit and Alston [...]
[...] Day 4: Goodbye Lakes, Hello Pennines: Penrith to Hartside Summit and Alston [...]
[...] Day 4: Goodbye Lakes, Hello Pennines: Penrith to Hartside Summit and Alston [...]
[...] places in Northern England than Hartside Summit, just before Alston on the C2C cycle route. On this winter’s afternoon, a blue light falls across miles of deserted moorland, and the solitary motorists that drive to the [...]
[...] watched him grow in confidence and develop a tougher attitude towards the hills, especially on the climb up to Hartside Summit. And now he is way ahead, leading the climbs, shouting for instructions at every mist clad [...]