Walney to Wear Cycle Route

Malcol at the start of the W2W at Walney Walney to Wear September 2008
by Malcolm Dodd

Sunday 7
I left Walney Island (Barrow in Furness) around 9am and proceeded through the hills and dales of the Lakes Peninsula to Ulverston, enjoying the flat before Bigland Hill which took an effort greater than I expected.

Viaduct near Beck Foot
I then cruised down to Grange over Sands and onto Natland outside Kendal for lunch after cycling for around 4 hours. I headed towards the Howgill Fells and the spectacular scenery of the Dales, finishing the first day around Orton 68miles into the trip - wet and extremely tired. Bed and breakfast stay at Newbiggin on Lune was fantastic.

Monday 8
After a fabulous breakfast, I loaded up the bike and re-commenced the trip at Orton, through Kirby Stephen heading towards Tan Hill. There are a couple of serious challenges before you commence the ascent to Tan Hill, so its quite disheartening when you see a sign telling you that Tan Hill is still 6 miles away! The scenery is brilliant as you make your way across the top, I felt on top of the world. Just me, sheep and endless views. Stopped at the Tan Hill Inn to take in the view, what a day it was, very still and very clear! The descent though was excellent, toping 42mph at one stage.

The view from Tan Hill The undulating countryside to Bowes and Barnard Castle was fantastic and had lunch at the 100mile marker. I pushed on to Witton (120 mile marker) because the weather forecast for Tuesday was going to be grim.

The climb out of Barnard Castle was long and tiring but the route through the Hamsterley Forest was worth the struggle. Almost at Witton, I stopped and looked at the Castle, what a find. Bed and Breakfast in Hamsterly Forest was out of this world - showered, brilliant home cooked meal and a well earned rest.

Tuesday 9
I started the final day at Witton in the pouring rain - never mind only 31 miles to go. It was wet, wet, wet, and muddy on the cycle tracks outside Durham and Sunderland. Following a steep ascent out of Witton the remainder of the route was reasonably flat. It was well sign posted through Durham and into Sunderland itself; however I did manage to get lost in Sunderland because I missed a blue ‘20’ sign on the post after coming down from the Wearmouth Bridge crossing the River. So beware at the River - turn left!!!

Journeys End - Sunderland The end was a mile or so away and I completed the whole 151 miles in 14 hours 27 minutes, averaging 10.4mph. For me that was brilliant, I have never completed anything like this before and to do it with that average speed considering the terrain, left me extremely pleased. I raised £800 for Prostate Cancer which added even more satisfaction to the whole trip.

I rode a basic 18 speed hard tail mountain bike with front suspension, carrying water, camera, food and essential spares/tools with my wife supporting me in the car, carrying extra food, clothes, drink and water, rendezvousing along the route to re-fuel me.

Overall a brilliant ride, well worth it!



	Walney to Wear September 2008 by Malcolm Dodd Sunday 7 I left Walney Island (Barrow in Furness) around 9am and proceeded through the hills and dales of the Lakes Peninsula to Ulverston, enjoying the flat before Bigland Hill which took an effort greater than I expected. I then cruised down to Grange over Sands and onto Natland outside Kendal for lunch after cycling for around 4 hours. I headed towards the Howgill Fells and the spectacular scenery of the Dales, finishing the first day around Orton 68miles into the trip - wet and extremely tired. Bed and breakfast stay at Newbiggin on Lune was fantastic. Monday 8 After a fabulous breakfast, I loaded up the bike and re-commenced the trip at Orton, through Kirby Stephen heading towards Tan Hill. There are a couple of serious challenges before you commence the ascent to Tan Hill, so its quite disheartening when you see a sign telling you that Tan Hill is still 6 miles away! The scenery is brilliant as you make your way across the top, I felt on top of the world. Just me, sheep and endless views. Stopped at the Tan Hill Inn to take in the view, what a day it was, very still and very clear! The descent though was excellent, toping 42mph at one stage. The undulating countryside to Bowes and Barnard Castle was fantastic and had lunch at the 100mile marker. I pushed on to Witton (120 mile marker) because the weather forecast for Tuesday was going to be grim. The climb out of Barnard Castle was long and tiring but the route through the Hamsterley Forest was worth the struggle. Almost at Witton, I stopped and looked at the Castle, what a find. Bed and Breakfast in Hamsterly Forest was out of this world - showered, brilliant home cooked meal and a well earned rest. Tuesday 9 I started the final day at Witton in the pouring rain - never mind only 31 miles to go. It was wet, wet, wet, and muddy on the cycle tracks outside Durham and Sunderland. Following a steep ascent out of Witton the remainder of the route was reasonably flat. It was well sign posted through Durham and into Sunderland itself; however I did manage to get lost in Sunderland because I missed a blue ‘20’ sign on the post after coming down from the Wearmouth Bridge crossing the River. So beware at the River - turn left!!! The end was a mile or so away and I completed the whole 151 miles in 14 hours 27 minutes, averaging 10.4mph. For me that was brilliant, I have never completed anything like this before and to do it with that average speed considering the terrain, left me extremely pleased. I raised £800 for Prostate Cancer which added even more satisfaction to the whole trip. I rode a basic 18 speed hard tail mountain bike with front suspension, carrying water, camera, food and essential spares/tools with my wife supporting me in the car, carrying extra food, clothes, drink and water, rendezvousing along the route to re-fuel me. Overall a brilliant ride, well worth it!