The Butterwick 2009 coast-to-coast cycle ride challenges you to take to the saddle and tackle 135 miles over the course of three gruelling days.
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Starting on Friday 10 April, you will ride from Whitehaven to Sunderland, concluding at the Stadium of Light on Sunday 12 April 2009.
While the days will be punishing, there will be plenty of evening entertainment and joviality to take your mind off your sores.
And all you need is your bike and the pedal power to take you from Whitehaven to Sunderland; we’ll take care of the rest, including bike transport, accommodation, entertainment and of course the support car.
This means you can just turn up and enjoy the ride, not having to worry about any of the organisation or administration of the event, taking the hassle out of what is a complicated activity.
This is an ideal event for a few groups of people. It’s great for a novice who hasn’t entered such an event before, with the distance being tough but not too tough and also with the event organisation taken care of.
Or perhaps those who have organised and entered coast-to-coasts before, but would like to just relax and ride their bike and enjoy themselves, free from the worry of event management.
The cost of the event will be no more than £125 and places are limited due to the nature of the event.
In addition to being an enjoyable cycling challenge, the ride is a fundraising activity for Butterwick House Children’s Hospice and the Shildon Freemasons.
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Day by Day Schedule
The Butterwick 2009 coast-to-coast schedule will be as follows:
Day 1.(Friday, 10 April 09)
Meet at Shildon Masonic Hall 06:15
Depart Shildon Masonic Hall 06:45
(approx 110 miles to Whitehaven – transport provided)
Arrive Whitehaven 09:00
Get bike gear on, set off after dipping wheels in the wet stuff 09:45 Cycle to Keswick and meet support car for lunch at Keswick Leisure Centre.
(Completed 31 mls) 12:30
Set off for Penrith 13:15
Arrive at The Bus Station, Penrith and meet support car.
(Completed 53 mls)16:00
Transport to respective accommodation.
Meet for evening meal. You will get time to yourself for evening
entertainments. Lots of pubs available and curry houses.
Day 2. (Saturday, 11 April 09)
Depart The Bus Station, Penrith after breakfast 10:00
Stop for bait at Hartside cafe, and meet support car
(Completed 69 mls)12:00
Set off for Allenheads 12:30
Arrive Allenheads (Completed 87 mls) 15:30
Transport from Allenheads to Bunkhouse, Nenthead for night.
You will get evening meal at The Miners Arms, Nenthead (6-8.30pm).
Sorry, only one pub here, which should make for a good party!
Day 3. (Sunday, 12 April 09)
Transport from Nenthead to depart Allenheads for Sunderland 10:00
Optional stop at Parkhead tea rooms, Waskerley way 11:30
Arrive in Sunderland and dip wheels in the wet stuff 15:00
(Completed 135 mls)
Back to Stadium of Light for the Fun Day 16:00
All times are Approximate only depending on Fitness levels and punctures!
What’s Provided…
The following items are included in the maximum entry fee of £125:
- B&B Penrith
- B&B Nenthead
- £10 allowance per person towards evening meal at Penrith (first night).
- Evening meal at The Miner’s Arms, Nenthead (second night).
- Event T-Shirt
- Bike Transport from Shildon Masonic Hall to Whitehaven on the Friday morning.
- Transport from The Bus Station, Penrith to first night accommodation.
- Transport to The Bus Station, Penrith for start of second day.
- Transport from Allenheads to Nenthead for second night accommodation.
- Transport from Nenthead to Allenheads to start third day.
- Transport from Roker to Stadium of Light on Sunday afternoon. (All transport includes rider and one bike.)
- Lunch packs each day (including Apple, Banana, Crisps, Energy Drink, and Energy Bar (if you require anything else please bring this yourself and leave with support car and we’ll transport it for you).
Some More Information…
Please note the following random but important notices about the event:
- Any gear can be left in the support car or vans during the day as long as it is fully labelled.
- Bikes can be left in the support vehicles over night; however no responsibility will be given if anything is broken or stolen.
- Any waterproof gear can be left in the car and only used if necessary.
- Any spare clothing can be left in the support vehicles.
- Any water, food or energy drinks can be left in the car again fully labelled.
- Bring spare tubes!
- Prepare overnight rucksack make sure it is labelled.
- Drink plenty of water/isotonic drinks on route and carry any energy bars required, it’s a hard slog and you must fuel up on route to replace what you take out of your body. Drink frequently.
- Start practising now. If nothing else it will get your behind in shape.
- Make sure your bike is in good knick and up for the job as we are not miracle workers when it comes to repairs.
- Anyone who drops out before or during the event must tell Dale or John so that we don’t send out the search party!
- If you can, pair with someone/group of a similar ability.
- Remember it is not a race so you don’t have to worry about your time if you don’t want to.
- Helpful Website: www.c2c-guide.co.uk
- Don’t forget the Sudocream and Vaseline (and toothpaste!)
Accommodation Details
The first night accommodation of bed and breakfast in Penrith will be in either:
Acorn Guest House (Scotland Road, Penrith, CA11 9HL, 01768 868696, www.acorn-guesthouse.co.uk) or
Albany House Guest House (5 Portland Place, Penrith, Cumbria, CA11 7QN, 01768 863072)
The second night riders will stay in one of the following two bed and breakfasts:
Miners Arms (Nenthead, Alston, Tel 01434 381427, www.nenthead.com/) or
Bunkhouse (North Pennine Heritage Trust) (Nenthead Mines, Nenthead, Alston, Cumbria, CA9 3PD, Tel: - 01434 382037, www.npht.com/nentheadmines/activities/bunkhouse/index.htm)
Mileage from Whitehaven:
Below is a list of the distances riders will travel from Whitehaven, the start point.
- Cleater Moor – 5
- Lorton – 20
- Keswick – 31
- Greystoke – 48
- Penrith – 55
- Langwathby – 59
- Hartside – 70
- Garrigill – 77
- Nenthead – 81
- Allenheads – 89
- Rookhope – 95
- Consett – 111
- Stanley – 119
- Chester-le-Street – 123
- Sunderland – 133
- Roker Pier – 135
Transport Available
The following will provide transport during the various phases of the event.
Vehicles from Shildon Masonic to Whitehaven:
- Dale x 1 car
- John x 1 car
- Ken x 2 vans (taking all the bikes)
Vehicles from Roker to Shildon Masonic:
- Dale x 1 car
- John x 1 car
- Ken x 2 vans
About the Organisers
This event organised by and in support of two very worthy local charities: Butterwick House Children’s Hospice and the Freemasons in Shildon. Each cyclist is asked to raise funds in sponsorship to help fund these charities. The Butterwick House Children’s Hospice cares for local children with life-limiting illnesses from across the North East, offering a very homely and friendly environment to both the children and their loved ones. The Freemasons are active and regular supporters of a number of local community charities.
How to Get Involved
To find our more or to register for this fantastic event, please contact Damon Millar as set out below:
Tel 01642 628 930
Mob 07886 246 498
E-mail damonmillar@butterwick.org.uk
