Route 7 Stanhope to Consett

[mediumbird]

Planning to cycle a C2C route this May and there is a large off road section on route 7 between Stanhope and Consett. Does anyone know what this section of path is like? Will it be ok on road bikes, or will we need something more sturdy, or avoid this route?

Also, on our first day to Keswick on route 71, there are two options taking you towards Braithwaite that go through forests. I'm reckoning that they both won't be suitable either and so am planning on taking 4 miles of the Whinlatter pass instead. Is this a wise move, or stupid??

Both Garmin routes here.
https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/148879954.
https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/148880336#

Many thanks. Louise

[Lookrider]

Both are mountain bikes I'm afraid.....
The off rd part of stanhope is the ROOKHOPE INCLINE
It is in my opinion the best part of the c2c and I've been on it several times..its glorious views and nice ruin of an engine house there from the days by gone
It's not a path at all and had a sharp steep section to start and is aldo technical with boulders in the way and narrow tyres will constantly spin out looking for grip
It is a challenge but feel free to stop have a drink take in your breathe and photos of the stunjing area
The top of the incline e becomes the WASKERLEY way at the park head cafe stop ( this was up for sale last year so may be closed now )
This path is still railway ballast for around 1mile but is flat and rideable all be it slowly on a rd bike
After that it is tarmac path other than around 500m in the Rowley car park area then decent into consett
My advice to yourselfs and others would be to do the ROOKHOPE INCLINE and WASKERLEY WAY parts as they are great to ride on as opposed to the rd alternatives
The rd alternative to rookhope is in itself a nice very quiet safe rd..it has a steep climb at Crawley side and gradual gradient to the waskerley way but is a nice rd
The rd alternative to waskerley runs pretty much parallel to it into casteside ( rowley car park) after which it is then a few Miles of usual boring busy minor rd into consett

ROOKHOPE INCLINE
Really mtb
Not possible on rd bike
Check out grouse shooting dates as it may be closed
Theres a pub called the rookhope inn ...I'm sure the will advise


WASKERLEY WAY
Doable on rd bike
Much more enjoyable on a mtb bike at full speed
It will also have pot holes covered by leaves in autumn time
Again not rd tyre friendly

ANFIELD PLAIN PATH
to end at Sunderland is 90odd% tarmac and rd bike able
Again though pot holes are covered over by leaves

Hope that helps
Any other questions feel free

[Lookrider]

My apologies for ommitting comment on winlatter .....
It is mtb territory but the rd alternative is fine safe and scenic with the cafe at winlatter
Check the brakes on your bikes before the fast downhill into braithwaite

[Paulatic]

IME
The one time I tried the off road road at Whinlatter it was deep with mud and extremely hard going on a MtB. When I got to the end I saw a route closed sign.
The road is fine.

The Rookhope Incline is a lovely route and IME , having done both, preferable to Crawleyside. I’ve ridden it on a road bike with 28mm tyres and recall only walking a short section, quite loose, near the bottom. I walked far more of Crawleyside. From the top across to Park Head is a flyer. Literally for me I was going far too fast trying to hold a wheel rut.

[mediumbird]

Many thanks Paulatic and Lookrider. Had to look up where those sections were. Thankfully hadn't mapped the Rockhope incline, instead headed south to Stanhope. I've also taken out the other off-road sections from Stanhope to Consett, so it should all be ok now.

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/42204875

[Lookrider]

Small advice
When you approach the lovely hamlet of GARRIGHILL
Get in your lowest possible gear because around 1/4 out is the garrigill climb ot is hidden by hedgerow and a sharp right ...your faced with an immediate climb
If your not in tbe low gear you have little time to react
Beware of the fast twists into nenthted
The above is only applicable if you DO NOT go to Alston after HARTSIDE climb ....your map goes to Alston taking you round garrighill climb

[mediumbird]

We're staying in Alston at the Temple Croft hostel, so will be leaving there in the morning. I might just bring us down the B6277 from Alston instead of the advertised cycle route. Unless Garrighill is worth visiting.....

[Lookrider]

Garrighill is a smart hamlet ...nothing there really other than the rural ness of it ( I like it)
Thetes a small corner shop tbere
The 6277 from alston has you backtracking really and that rd is bumpy with several short sweet climbs
The rd from HARTSIDE to alson is very fast as its slight down hill ...it gets busy with traffic ( by northern standards)
Gets busy with motorbikes
I think sustrans dropped this part of the route on safety reasons as you needed to cross this busy rd into leadgate
I have pocket size laminate map if you want it
It's got Info on and advice on tbe rd parts and off rd parts

[mediumbird]

That's very kind of you, but I think we are ok as regards maps. It's just that sometimes it's hard to find out if dedicated traffic free cycle routes are road bike friendly or not, hence asking the hive mind here. The elevation profiles certainly look "interesting".....

[Lookrider]

Where else are you staying
Alston is fine ..highest market town around and well known as the boys outnumber girls massively so its rich pickings for girls
Enough eating places and couple old bars there
You may as well turn left out of Alston and head for nenthead along another nice but qiut and safe rd as opposed to backtracking to garrighill

[mediumbird]

I'll mention that to my single female companions
We're staying at Keswick YH and an air BnB at Birtley. We chose to go to Sunderland as didn't fancy heading to Tynmouth and then having to backtrack to Newcastle station.
I've routed it so we head on the B6277 towards Garrighill and then to Nenthead without backtracking. It's all slowly coming together

[ANTONISH]

I rode this in 2021 - I followed the road over Whinatter pass - I didn't fancy the off road forest route.
The pass was fine - not too steep - it's a fast descent - traffic was light in June.
I fell off in Allenheads ( stayed at the hotel but had damaged my knee and bailed. - kindly bus driver allowed me to take my bike on the bus to the station.

[Lookrider]

I dud notice your map took you Into birtley and wondered why ....now I know ( the air bnb ) (( beamish museum is on the doorstep if you have time ))
As you are staying in Sunderland I assume you know that GRAND CENTRAL RAIL run trains from Sunderland down east coast to london kings cross
Sunderland centre is very much absolute dismal just now as it is being developed and will be fine in 3 years time
Theres a new holiday inn by the city and its next to the theatre area which is tbe only decent part of the town just now
The coastal area roker ( c2c finish point) and seaburn is much nicer with a lot of eateries and pubs and much more scenic
As I now know t

he route your taking ...mentally from waskerly way to Sunderland is some 28mile downhill to the river
Sp once you get to waskerley cafe you can say you've done it even though you still have a long way to go
It's a great achievement and a route you will remember
Your single girls may even live to regret ever staying in alston as all the good "catchez" have long gone

[mediumbird]

Thanks for those top tips Lookrider.
Ah, yes, but we are heading north back to Scotland, hence the need to get to Newcastle train station. I looked at picking up a train from Sunderland, but it was via the metro I think, and not sure about bikes on that. Be nice to pootle along the Tyne....

[Paulatic]

Be nice to pootle along the Tyne....

I found it very interesting having not been back in Newcastle for over 40 yrs. Highlight watching the Millennium bridge opening.