C2C Day 3 - Alston to Parkhead

The shortest but toughest day of the trip with some hard climbs, the first being the Alston High Street! (steep and paved with cobbles) We paused at Black Hill, which at 609 metres is the highest point on the entire National Cycle Network. From Allenheads there was a long downhill run to Rookhope, where we all took a wrong turn that added a mile or so to the trip but avoided a climb so that was good!

The final two miles of the day were a near-vertical climb up the appropriately-named Crawleyside Bank. Phew phew phew.

Overnighted at the quirky Parkhead Station, which isn't a station but a converted stationmaster's house.

The blip shows Ron descending near the old mine workings between Allenheads and Rookhope. Just 24 miles today, but plenty given the hills!