Cycling UK Forum

Colin Stanley wrote:I managed to find a plastic band-on clamp (2 off) in Halfords a number of years ago for my 531 steel frame. They work surprisingly well. Might have been Zefal.
I understand that there is some sort of hank stud that can be swaged into a plain drilled hole with an appropriate tool Like a pop rivet thingy. Again for a steel frame, and possibly an aluminium alloy one. A good LBS should know?

Asdace wrote:If it's the one from Whitehaven to Sunderland, then it's the c2c http://www.c2c-guide.co.uk/ There are other Coast to Coast routes, one called Wheelwrights is a good off-roader.

I've done the c2c now 5 times and never really had any problems, only problem is the North Pennines weather which can be very changable, so good wind/waterproof gear is recommended. I was once caught in a very heavy rain shower, the type that the skies go dark. This was on the Waskerley Way which is very exposed and no shelter, apart the shooting butts. There is now a Cafe called Parkhead nearby to the old quarries.

Some people say there are problems around the Sunderland with local Yobs breaking glass around the access barriers, but don't let that put you off. The link will give you plenty of information, also there is a forum, which is very good. http://c2c.freeforums.org/

KeithW wrote:Thanks to everyone for your replies.

I'll be travelling via hostels and the odd B&B having booked in advance. That way I feel as I'm committed then I'll make the distance each day. I'm planning 2 weeks with 12 full days cycling. As for getting sponsored, I'm not sure as previous sponsored events have ended in disappointment with people not drumming up the cash (more stressful than the event itself).

Thanks for the nod on those roads, I'll reconsider the A30 in Cornwall (I'll pm you Mick F).

I'll get the train to Wick on a 'seated sleeper' and return from Penzanze on the late afternoon train back to Reading and cycle home from there. Well, thats plan A anyway!

I've done a few routes so far but keep changing it! although with your latest comments I'm not too far off.

Has anyone found a place to stay after cycling across Glasgow on the sustrans route? The reason is that I am carving my route up into 75 mile chunks and 1 day ends around Hamilton - or is that too simplistic?

Thanks all

Keith

bikepacker wrote:Eurostar are going to be putting on a direct train service to Avignon from London, during the summer months. It is scheduled to take 7 hours.

You could be at the top of Ventoux in less than 10 hours from London.

All we need to do is to persuade Eurostar to take bikes without them being packed in a bag.