Although covering fewer miles than Day 1, Day 2 is a tougher challenge, as the hills are steeper, and the countryside is more exposed, often making it rather more cold and windy. With panniers on your bicycle, the hills can feel arduous, but the glorious views across the Pennines will make up for it.
From Penrith
Leaving Penrith, things begin as they mean to go on, with a fairly steep climb. The countryside is noticeably more rugged as you leave the rolling hills of the Lake District behind you and head towards the Pennines. Although much of the second day’s route uses the roads, they are extremely quiet and it feels much more remote than the previous day.
Hartside and the Big Climbs
There are few places to stop for food and drink on this section of the route, so ensure that you have plenty of snacks to keep your energy levels up – you’ll need it before lunch, as the place that every cyclist must stop at is at the top of a very long and steep hill. Hartside is the infamous climb that all Coast to Coast cyclists will remember. The gradient is not too high, but the road bends back on itself frequently and the side of the hill is extremely exposed. However, in the distance, as you turn the pedals over and over, you will see the welcoming sight of Hartside Top Café, where hot food and drink will be waiting for you. And the other good thing about climbing a gruelling hill such as Hartside? The descent!
There will be two or three more fairly tough ascents on this second day, most notably the climb out of a small town called Garrigill. The blue signs take you around a right hand bend and the gradient is suddenly 20%. Thankfully, this does not last long and you are soon on a more manageable incline that continues for a mile or two; this is, however, the last climb of the day and after this you will have your destination of Allenheads firmly in your sights.
Reaching Allenheads
Allenheads is a small village in a stunning location, nestled into the bottom of a valley, with a stream running along the length of it. There is a B&B capable of accommodating a number of cyclists, providing you book well in advance, and as there are no other restaurants in the village, it also provides a hearty evening meal with portions of gargantuan sizes – perfect for the hungry cyclist refuelling for the third and final day of the tour.
Worth Remembering:
- There are few places to buy food and drink on this section of the route so ensure that you have adequate supplies to last you through the day.
- Carry plenty of fluid, preferably a mixture of water and energy drinks.
- There are a couple of bicycle shops on this section of the route, including one in Nenthead, but you will need a good repair kit with you, as the shops are few and far between.
- Hartside is cold! Even on a warm summer’s day, the wind drops the temperature, so ensure you have adequate clothing.
Susanna Crossland - Susanna studied English Literature at the University of Exeter, before taking two years out to work with dressage horses. Having qualified ...
Join the Conversation