Outspoken Instructor Bryan Jessop has just completed a coast to coast challenge with his son, raising money for ANDYSMANCLUB, a men’s suicide prevention charity aiming t to end the stigma surrounding men’s mental health and help men through the power of conversation. #ITSOKAYTOTALK
Read below Bryan’s description of the gruelling but rewarding challenge in his own words.
Day 1 – Whitehaven to Keswick. 32 miles ascent 2625 feet steepest gradient 25%. 75% off road.
Tradition is you dip your tyres in the sea at the beginning and at the end. We didn’t need to, the waves crashing over the sea wall did it for us. Fastest speed coming out Winnlatter forest to Braithwaite 42 mph.
70 mph winds and biblical rain (thanks storm Amy). Fortunately back wind. Awesome ride as the weather improved slightly.
Day 2 – Keswick to Little Salkeld. 36 miles 60% off road 2916 feet taking on the old coach road and Matterdale horseshoe. Brutal. The old coach road has been destroyed by weather and green laneing. Still rideable but only just. Fell off, bike fell on me and cracked one of my ribs. The down hill on the horseshoe was great but painful. Grey stoke, Penrith, Langwathby 20% hill leaving Penrith for 2 miles with many false summits, to Little Salkeld. A most enjoyable pint and curry in the pub.
Day 3 – Little Salkeld to Allenheads. This is the shortest day 25 miles however has the most climbs, 4000 feet over 4 peaks. No chance to warm up, the climbing starts immediately on leaving the village up Hartside 1903 feet The bridleway was a sole destroying rock garden in many places with gradients in places of 25% making it difficult to get going if you stopped. Thick fog and very sore ribs. Fastest descent out of the fog for 6 miles 46 mph. Only another 2000 feet left to climb before the descent into Allenheads. Made it to the Hummel village cafe and even though they had closed the cafe kitchen they did make us a very welcome chip butty. Unfortunately the pub shuts on a Monday however my son very kindly persuaded me to carry a box of wine to our digs for the night, the Northumberland observatory to drink wine, eat Kendal mint cake and watch stars. Thick cloud all night!
Day 4 – To the finish at Sunderland (Roker bay). Should have been 62 miles ended up being miles 52, with 3688 feet of climbing. Again no time for a warm up as the climb starts immediately on leaving the village. Two red squirrels crossing my path was a joy and then up and up and up. This should have been the only climb of the day followed by gentle gradients over the Rookhope and Stanhope moorland common. No! Like the last time I did this particular coast to coast, 22 years ago they shut the moor for shooting. So onwards on the road to Rookhope, 20% climb for 2 miles out of the village, to Stanhope with and average gradient of 20% for 4 miles. Distance completed so far of about 10 miles with 3688 feet of climbing.
Joy of joys we hit the summit! 40 miles of downhill all off road on an old railway line (the Waskerly way) to Roker bay in Sunderland where we dipped our tyres in the sea. To my huge relief, my car was still parked where I left it last Friday.
An epic mostly fun 4 days riding with my son Adam, sore backside, very sore ribs and thighs on fire. Most importantly we have raised so far £936.00 with an additional £208.75 on gift aid for a worthy cause. Thank you to everyone in the Lincolnshire instructor team who has donated and offered encouragement and support during the last 4 days. It would be really great if we could smash the £1000.
Would I do it again?
It’s the hardest of the Coast to Coast challenges I have ever done. Never say never but we are looking at Scotland for next year.
Would I recommend this trip?
Most certainly if you want an adventure. If any one is interested I have full details of the route including OS mapping.
Huge congratulations to Bryan and his son for completing this amazing challenge for such a good cause!