Seeing how far it is to the Wetlands

Out on my Orbea Gain

A week or so ago one of my friends and work colleagues, Anne mentioned that she was going to be taking part in this years Great North Bike Ride. As I understand it the ride is approximately 60 miles, starting at Seahouses Tourist Information Car Park at 8:55 AM and ending at Tynemouth, outside the Priory. The ride is to raise funds for vital cancer research.

Anne went on to tell me that so far she had not done a great deal of preparation, however she had thought about riding up from where she lived (Sunderland area) to the Wetlands Centre at Washington and from there head on up to Consett. I asked Anne " Have you ridden that route before" ? to which she replied "No".

I have ridden numerous times down from Stanley on the C2C going past the Wetlands Centre and following the route to take me down to Sunderland, the Marina and then looping back around, coming through Seaburn and South Shields and eventually making my way back home riding to Whitemarepool roundabout and turning up Leam Lane to Wrekenton, then down to Lamesly along to Birtley and then get back on the C2C home to complete an approximate 50 mile loop.

I explained to Anne that the ride up from the Wetlands would be a fairly tough one. Stanley is situated approximately 807 Feet above sea level and Consett is the third highest market town in England at 900 feet. 

Back in the day when Consett Steel works was operating some 40 odd years ago, there were sections of track, which the C2C now follows, that had the highest gradients of all the British Rail Network. These were at 1-55 Beamish and further on at 1-35 West Stanley.

During conversation I suggested to Anne I would  have a ride down to the Wetlands, turn around and come back and see how far it was and how my stamina was. Well this morning I had my alarm set for 5:00 am, my internal clock awoke me at 4:59. I had pretty much prepared my gear the evening before so I was up and out the door fairly sharpish.

Only one issue this morning my dam Orbea Gain wouldn't connect to my phone...again. After a bit  of fannying on I got it to connect and sync. I had fastened my Leyzene Lights on  and these added to the Gains installed lights. It was starting to get light anyway. I had put my new Oakley Sunglasses on with Prism Trail varifocal lenses, so to be honest I couldn't really tell you what it looked like outside, everything was "`Ooooh" to me

I cheated a little going up Durham Road, onto Wear Road and popped my bike on Level 2 assist. As soon as I got to the top of the bank I switched the assist off and never put it back on until returning to Stanley and the horrible little steep bank at the back of Iceland.

The ride down from Stanley to approaching the Wetlands was a breeze. Loving the new Oakley Sunglasses, as I rode into the sun, its was blinding as it was low in the sky

I do have to say no matter where I go, or how many times I always get lost, and this mornings excursion was no different.

Excuse the language... " Where the fuck am I"? 

"I can't ever recall being this close to a massive river"..." Oh it must be the River Wear". 

Just some of the things popping into my head, along with " Dear me I can't feel my foot"... Now I know I can't feel that one, however I also couldn't feel the other one. Obviously 2 pair of socks on my good foot were not working. Time to invest in new socks and possibly gloves, as my Seal Skin gloves were not keeping my hands warm.  It was brassic.

I got to the end of this very scenic trail, that was right beside the river, the grass all covered in a morning frost as the sun, glistened through the trees which cast distorted shadows all around. I then looked to my Left " Aww crap a geet big set of steps roughly placed up the Bankside". I had to get off my bike and push, until I found the trail again. My useless sense of direction then cut in and I just guesstimated where I should be going and rode on.

" I'm sure that fence looks familiar".

Suppose I am going to have to push

Just then as if showing me the way 2 geese flew over head, honking their little beaks off and circling a couple of times. It was great... "Keep your eyes on the path Glenn", as I wobbled after starring up in the sky.

 

Wetland Centre

Just then as I turned off the path I saw a large carpark looming ahead, and then I saw the signs for the Wetlands Centre 12.2 miles covered to get there. A few pics and then I turned to head back.

At the Wetlands Centre

"Mmmmm now then which way do I go"?  I found a sign saying C2C west. I knew I had been riding East to get to the Wetlands so West was a good bet. More riding along a section I swear I have never been along, and I discovered the large Asda depot. I could recall seeing this on the other side of the fence, so I rode past Asda and followed the path down until I saw another sign for Consett and knew I was going the correct way. I have to say the signs for the C2C are not particularly good.

  

Love my ne shades I can actually see.

Back on track and now knowing where I was going the ride from the Wetlands back up to Birtley went quicker than I thought and was easy.

Birtley to home....Grrrrrrr! 7.1 Miles approximately.

Now I don't usually us the word "Hate", it's such a negatively emotive word. And forgive me in my next sentence for using an expletive. Oh and whilst I am on I also don't like the word "But" as it's an excuse of a word, preferring to use the word "However".

"But I Fucking Hate that ride up from Birtley to Stanley".

Upon my research into the railway line, no I am not a train or track spotter, just wanted to give those of you an idea of how this climb doesn't appear steep, but just feels like it goes on forever and ever, well apparently the trains used to do 2 mph up the line, not sure how quick they went down, however bet it was a case of "Holy Shit, we have no brakes". Anyhoo  quite often the trains would get stuck on those notorious leaves that `British Rails always goes on about, and the trains used to overheat. Well I am proud to say I would at least beat a train upon the line as my speed was 5 mph at its slowest point.

As I approached Stanley, remember I had not used any assist I decided my bottom was too sore, my leg was to weak and basically I am another year older so Fuck going to Consett I am going home.

I can now tell Anne, the ride up from the Wetlands is ok until you get to Birtley, and from there up to Stanley and beyond is a slog. I covered 24.21 miles, and it took me just over 2.30 hours with a few stops to get some pics, climb some stairs and have a few drinks of the H20 variety, oh and almost crash as I checked out honking geese.