Cycling UK Forum

Hi all,

Me and two friends are thinking of doing the C2C from Sunderland to Whitehaven at the end of May. The problem is, the trip needs to be SUPER budget so that means camping. Are we going to be able to find suitable places to wild camp on the way? Obviously using the arrive late/pack early principle...OR are there a good amount of campsites along the route? We're going to be cycling over 4 days with an extra day at the lakes somewhere.

Thanks,

Martin.

These are the campsites I stopped at last year over a 4 day trip.
Keswick, Lanefoot Farm - http://www.stayinthornthwaite.co.uk/?c=lanefootfarm&a=index
Kirkoswald, Mains Farm - http://www.edenvalleycaravansite.co.uk/
Rookhope, The Old Vicarage - http://www.c2cplaces2stay.co.uk/amenity_details.php?AmenityID=2&LocationID=23

There's also the opportunity to wild camp but you have to find suitable spots for yourself. I've wild camped near Consett and Allenheads on my C2C crossings. it's hard to b

Thanks for the help guys.

Also, why is it recommended going from West to East? We plan on doing it Vice-Versa, shouldn't be a massive difference, should there?

West to East is recommended to take advantage of the prevailing wind.

The profile of the hills are said to be steeper west to east. You pay your money and take your choice which you prefer, short and steep climbing or a long slow grind.
Whilst the prevailing winds may favour a west to east trip, it's not unknown for an easterly wind to blow for weeks.

Snibgo's rule of prevailing winds: the day before a tour starts, the wind changes direction.

I saw some information about cycling when it's windy and the wind has to be mostly coming from behind for it not to be sensed as a headwind.

I suppose it's like crossing a fast stream of water, even if you're going straight across the stream, you'll still expend some energy resisting the push from the side as you cross.

snibgo wrote:Snibgo's rule of prevailing winds: the day before a tour starts, the wind changes direction.

Tell me about it, I decided to go west to east and ended up having 2500km of headwinds through the very flat and boring midwest.

Different coast to coast, same problems

Headwinds cause fewer problems than riders think. They don't slow riders down as much as they feel they do.

vernon wrote:Headwinds cause fewer problems than riders think. They don't slow riders down as much as they feel they do.

Well they've certainly slowed me down on many occasions. Worst of all going Rotterdam to Ejsberg last year against steady northerly stiff breeze to gale. Very tedious - especially in Denmark where cycle paths were on top of dykes instead of alongside with a bit of wind-shadow.

Sailor's rule - "ne'er fore-go a fair wind" applies to cyclists if you are looking at a circular route i.e. set off downwind. If it changes it could blow you back, if no change - nothing lost. But if you set off against the wind it could change and you'd have it against you both ways.

Wind resistance becomes increasingly more important as you cycle faster. Cycling against a headwind of 10mph when your doing 20mph is like cycling at 30mph. At such times It's better to adopt an aerodynamic profile and not be wearing loose clothing. If you want to save your brakes when going downhill, sit up to increase your wind ressitance.

Minimise the resistance and you'll might be surprised how fast people can cycle. Cycle a recumbent, have a fairing around you or follow a car shielding you from the wind and you'll fly. I recommended you mute the sound for the following YouTube clip.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmpxJWAJbFM

We found somewhere, in the dark, it was flat, but a bit lumpy!

Right so that's sorted then. Ill get a recumbent and cycle where the hell I like.

All jokes aside, thanks for the useful, if slightly off topic, replies. We're doing it the more traditional W - E way now.