The Coast to Coast run 2023
Alan, Clive and Tim, three intrepid members of The Magic Wheelers VMCC Cyclemotor Section set out on Cyclemotors to do the Coast to Coast run last weekend the 24th/25th June!
For those that dont know it, it’s a run from Crimdon Beach near Hartlepool on the east coast across the Pennines to Whitehaven on the west coast. A distance of approx 140 miles over some quite arduous windswept terrain and seemingly endless hills ! Most often done on mopeds and small motorcycles these days but our three decided they wanted the challenge of doing the route on Cyclemotors!
Finally leaving Crimdon Beach
It’s Just all sheep and hills !
A welcome stop for Ice Cream at Middleton in Teesdale
Evening meal and a well earned rest at the hotel in Alston
Final checks at the start of day two.
Leaving Alston at start of day two.
Only ? 35 miles to go
A short break at the pub before the rain started
Tim finally bringing it home on just one pedal. Well done Tim !
Clive looking very pleased at having finished
Where are we going ?
Last minute adjustments
Now what are they doing ??
Click HERE for more pictures of the event.
The three set off from Crimdon beach at around 10.30am on the Saturday, Clive and Tim both on Powerpaks and Alan on his Cucciolo. Unfortunately Alans Cucciolo broke down just seven miles into the run and I had to go and collect both the bike and him, clearly the bike didn’t want to do the run as Alan commented that he had been having problems with it recently and as he said “It’s been fighting me all the way here” ! On a positive note however I was glad to have him in the passenger seat of the support vehicle giving me directions as I drove on following our two remaining riders.
The first day from Crimdon to Alston went well with good weather, but the hills and strong winds that are expected in that part of the country made it hard going for the two of them. A few stops were made along the way and we met up with them in Middleton in Teesdale where we all enjoyed an ice cream ! It was then a mere 35 miles further to Alston where our gallant riders could relax and enjoy a meal and a drink at the overnight stop.
After a restful night at our accommodation day two started with checking of machines and filling with fuel and they were underway by 9.00 o’clock. The weather however was looking ominous with grey clouds gathering and the feeling of rain ahead. The rain was ahead and started soon after we left the village of Caldbeck at around 34 miles into the second leg. The rain became heavier from then on giving problems of roller slip which necessitated a lot more pedaling and Tim’s bike kept cutting out. This was eventually traced to the rain running down the HT lead and causing it to track out. The extra pedaling caused a pedal on Tims machine to work loose and then bend in the crank. A roadside repair was undertaken at Bassenthwaite but later on the pedal failed altogether leaving him to finish the last 20 miles on one pedal! After the pedal incident a puncture on Tims bike caused a further delay while I fixed it and he finally managed to get into Whitehaven on one pedal at around 6.00pm !
Two very knackered but pleased Cyclemotorists then rested in the cafe at Whitehaven!
Well done to all three of you. A splendid achievement and an inspiration to all of us!
