C2C (probably again)

[ANTONISH]

I'm intending to attempt this - probably in June.
I'm intending to use my touring bike with 28mm tyres.
Can anyone advise me what off road sections are best avoided ?
I don't mind paths and a bit of mud but I'm not keen on real mountain bike territory with deep mud combined with steep slopes, tree routes and rocks.

[audaxjk]

Hi, I did this 2 yrs ago on a cyclocross bike with 28mm road tyres.

I had 2 punctures, one was a very short section gravel track at Rowrah which can easily be avoided. The other was on the Waskerley Way past Consett. Although this is a good track, my tyre sidewall caught a rock, delaminated & punctured the tube. I tiptoed carefully into Newcastle after this having used my last spare tube!
The rest of the route is fine, pretty much tarmac (obviously avoiding the off road alternative options!).
I’d recommend you carry at least 2 spare tubes, there are plenty of bike shops en route where you can top up

[ANTONISH]

Hi, I did this 2 yrs ago on a cyclocross bike with 28mm road tyres.

I had 2 punctures, one was a very short section gravel track at Rowrah which can easily be avoided. The other was on the Waskerley Way past Consett. Although this is a good track, my tyre sidewall caught a rock, delaminated & punctured the tube. I tiptoed carefully into Newcastle after this having used my last spare tube!
The rest of the route is fine, pretty much tarmac (obviously avoiding the off road alternative options!).
I’d recommend you carry at least 2 spare tubes, there are plenty of bike shops en route where you can top up

Thank you for that advice - I usually carry a folding tyre as well as the two tubes.
I bought a copy of "the c2c ultimate touring guide" which is good, but some first hand information helps greatly.
I've got a GPX track of the route which I'm amending to incorporate the minor changes needed to avoid the worst of the rough stuff.
A cyclocross bike seems ideal but my tourer should be ok.

[audaxjk]

Yes, a tourer will be no problem. I only use a Cyclo-cross bike for convenience really - for commuting & touring, I like the multiple braze ons for mudguards/rack, super wide tyre clearance & slightly less racy geometry.

The route is very heavily signposted, you could almost ride it without a map!

Don’t miss out the Waskerley Way, it’s a lovely route into Newcastle and your bike will cope. If the Keswick rail path is still shut, use the alternative road route up past Castlerigg Stone Circle, and the little detour to Mungrisdale is very pretty & worth your time.

I’d highly recommend a stop at Little Salkeld water mill (before the climb up to Hartside), served a beautiful lunch with a stunning cup of blended tea. The Cumberland Inn in Alston was also a great stop to refuel - superb local beers, cosy place and great steak & ale pie.

[ANTONISH]

Yes, a tourer will be no problem. I only use a Cyclo-cross bike for convenience really - for commuting & touring, I like the multiple braze ons for mudguards/rack, super wide tyre clearance & slightly less racy geometry.

The route is very heavily signposted, you could almost ride it without a map!

Don’t miss out the Waskerley Way, it’s a lovely route into Newcastle and your bike will cope. If the Keswick rail path is still shut, use the alternative road route up past Castlerigg Stone Circle, and the little detour to Mungrisdale is very pretty & worth your time.

I’d highly recommend a stop at Little Salkeld water mill (before the climb up to Hartside), served a beautiful lunch with a stunning cup of blended tea. The Cumberland Inn in Alston was also a great stop to refuel - superb local beers, cosy place and great steak & ale pie.

Thank you for your advice.
The guide is very good but was last published in 2014 so some of the information isn't current.
The steak and ale pie sounds inviting but I'm hoping to stay the night in Allenheads and I don't know if I can manage the extra weight.