LEJOG day 8 - Beverley to Whitby

111 km  Elev gain: 832 m  (69 miles / 2760 ft)

1 °C (real feel -3 °C)

I start week 2 by loading up with porridge and toast at my cousin's house while nervously checking the weather forecast. Snow is on the way. I make some sandwiches, say my goodbyes and call in at the excellent Minster Cycles for some new shoe covers. I opt for the thermal lined ones.

 

It's a cold headwind and hills all the way north to Scarborough. I'm struggling with energy and saddle pressure which has progressed from mild irritation to downright uncomfortable over the past few days. It's only 10:30am when I shelter from the wind by a haystack and devour half my lunch. But after the grey overcast skies of the past week, the sunshine is uplifting. 

I push onto Scarborough, aware that I'm moving slowly and stopping frequently, but then the sea comes into view and I thread my way through the town, stopping by chance at Koda coffee for an excellent flat white and possibly the best chocolate brownie in the world. 

I pick up NCN 1 and am shortly on the fabulous Cinder Track, following the disused railway line for 21 miles all the way to Whitby. Now I'm out of the wind and suddenly the whole trip comes alive for me on this cold sunny day. I'm loving it. There must be something special in that brownie.

There's some snow on the ground in places, but the ground underneath is soft and grippy. There are few walkers in this weather, so I push on making good progress on the gentle uphill drag. I pass Robin Hood's Bay and see the fiery sunset on the run in to Whitby before arriving at the excellent family run Arundel House hotel, right at the end of the Cinder Track.

The Cinder Track - reborn from the Beeching Axe

Passing Robin Hood's Bay

I've visited Whitby before and am planning to go to the Magpie Cafe for dinner. But I waste time at the hotel, forgetting that it's a Tuesday night in March and by the time I'm out at 8pm most restaurants are closing. I double back to the chippie I passed earlier only to find that closed too.

I panic and end up in 'Spoons for the 3rd time in as many days. Sausage and chips

Running total: 950 km  Elev gain: 9142 m  (590 miles / 29,993 ft).  47 hrs 31 mins