In true JackRabbitt style, 12 crazy folk are about to embark on a 140 mile bike ride September 5th-7th (obviously Sunday rides didn’t quite suffice) Lucas Albro, Mark Dale, Ems Featherstone, Joe Graham, Richard Grave, Chris Izon, Dan Jesse, Tom Napper, David Proudfoot, Mike Saunders, Stu Sirey and Alice Woolmer-Tyler will take on the 3 day challenge, starting with our back wheels in the harbour at Whitehaven and ending (hopefully) with our front wheels in the North Sea at the beach in Tynemouth. The 140 mile route takes us 1998ft high at Black Hill, the highest point of the route, with at least one compulsory 3.7 mile climb taking us 1248ft up Hartside. 19 peaks, 17 valleys and over 25 villages. Why?! 3 reasons… Number 1…to raise money for MS Society to raise awareness, fund research and support those suffering from MS. Number 2…to raise money for Wheels4Life, a charity that donates bikes to people in desperate need of transport to get to work, school, doctors etc in developing countries. And reason number 3…why not?!
If you would like to support us…please sponsor via the Jackrabbitt shop! 
Also…feel free to come and join us as we celebrate somewhat lethargically on Sunday 7th Sept, having just stepped off the train back from Newcastle. We will be having a shindig at Walkabout with photos, videos and no doubt stories from our trip…and if you couldn’t find your pennies before we left…never fear…here’s your chance!
Yet again hear we are stood with our bike’s out side the turf waiting to get started on our way. It was decided we would re ride a previous route out to burgh marsh. Setting of from the turf we went in the direction of Newtown road, once we were about half way allong we turned right heading to Kirkandrews upon Eden, from there we pushed on to Burgh arsh. Stopping for refresment in the pub in Burgh by Sands, stopping at pubs is now somewhat of a habbit but never mind. From Burgh by Sands we headed for Bousted hill and then on to Kirkbampton on Moorhouse road. From hear on it was a straight road back to Carlisle. Once back in carlisle we all went our seperate ways and headed home.
Dan the leader asked me to do some tips and advice for riding the coast to coast so here goes……….
1. Bring a good waterproof jacket – if it rains it can get very cold up on Hartside!
2. Get a waterbottle or a Camelback filled with water, fizzy pop will just give you a sugar burst but when its over you will feel drained its better to use an energy drink like SIS or High 5(NOT RELENTLESS!)
3. Get some lycra shorts to wear under your riding pants. They will stop a sore arse developing and they are comfortable to ride in when wet.
4. Jeans are not a good idea. 50 miles in wet denim WILL make you grumpy and tired.
5. T-shirts are made of cotton, not a very good material to be sweating up a climb in, a wicking base layer or riding top will be alot more comfortable.
6. Check your bikes over for things like worn tires , chain, cassette etc before we set off and get it sorted if needs be well in advance.
7. Beer is for winners!
8. Good food to snack on while riding includes, fruit ‘n’ nut mix, Jaffa cakes, Jam sandwiches, peanut butter sandwiches, fig roll biscuits and Haribo/jelly babies for emergency rations.
9. Eat loads of carbs the week before to build up your slow burning energy reserves, things like pasta, rice, beans etc.
10. some one bring some innertubes!
Joe.
This Saturday the 23rd a few of us chaps (and lady chaps?) are going to show them folks at Whinlatter how to ride. Going to meet in Keswick in the morning for a breakfast of pie (I love pie) before going to the trail. If anyone else wants to come along then please do, check out the forum for more details etc…….
