Cycling UK Forum

Hi there,
I'm a c2c virgin and i'm planning to do it at the end of May 25th-26th.
As my so called mates heven't the bottle to get on thier bikes, i'll be doing it solo!!
If anyone has any tips or helpful info on the route, or essential kit to take etc. it would be greatly received.

Cheers

I assume you are already aware of this site:

http://www.c2c-guide.co.uk/

The only other advice I would give is be careful of other road users as some of the roads sections are like by other 2 wheel users of the powered variety!

Cheers for that oracle,
yeah i've seen that site and its pretty good if not always up to date!
just thought these forums might offer more up to date (and hands on so to speak) news.
Bikers r part of the reason i'm doing this. Lost a good friend 2 weeks ago in an accident so i'm raising money for the air ambulance which unfortunately was of no help to him but is a very deserving charity.
Cheers I'll keep an eye and an ear open

I did this route a few years ago. If you have one, I would suggest using an mtb as there are some excellent off-road alternatives along the way, in particular around Whinlatter, the Old Coach Rd and up Hartside. I can highly recommend the Honey Bee B&B which is on the Waskerly Way.

We did it last year, using a mixture of hostels, campsites & b&bs.
Firstly we started from Workington because Enterprise have a 1 way van hire drop off there, then rode through Ennerdale to the first stop at Wastwater.
The Hardknott/Wrynose is a pig carrying camping gear - if I were to do it again I'd stick to hostel/b&b accomodation. 2 more hostels have since closed - Kirkby Stephen & Keld. There are good b&bs in Sedburgh if you're too knackered to continue after the Hardknott
Use a proper map for the N. York Moors, we navigated by the seat of the pants with a page from a road atlas & the CTC idiot sheet & hit a BIG 1 in 3! There IS a good campsite on the outskirts of Robin Hood's Bay, and the Bay Hotel is a must! Van hire pick up from Scarborough, via the disused railway line over Ravenscar.

Just did it solo on the Easter weekend (3 days staying at B&Bs). My stay at the Allenheads Inn was great - it's a place that survives because of the cyclists. There were 18 cyclists at the Inn the night I was there, all in the middle of their C2C journey. Will be even busier when you go through.

The climb out of Garrigal seems to go on forever ... but the feeling is wonderful once you finally get to the top of it. If you don't fancy another big climb after Hartside, I believe the Alston route is a little easier. Great fun flying down the hill from Hartside. The worst part is the broken glass strewn across the the path coming out of Newcastle.

Route is well signed, but bring a map just in case. I used the Sustrans Sea to Sea map which made it easy to work out distances as they have each mile marked.

Most of all, take your time and enjoy the trip.

Please take this in theway it is intended, and not as a criticism of your intentions.

Several areas of the C2C are remote, especially if you take some of the off road options, and places like Rookhope Common.

Equally weather is changeable and can deteriorate very quickly.

By all means do this as a solo effort, but do be aware of these issues, plan careful "escapes" shold the worse happen, and have someone as a "control" who knows your route, and timetable should anything adverse happens.

I have no doubt that you will have an enjoyable and importantly safe ride, but do plan for all eventualities.

If you fancy a real C2C challenge, then do the Wheelwrights Coast to Coast by Tim Woodcock fame. Starts at St. Bees, then Ennerdale, Black Sail Pass, Wasdale Head, Eskdale, Walna Scar Road, Ambleside, Mosedale, Pooley Bridge, Kirkby Stephen, Tan Hill, Reeth, Osmotherly, Urra Moor, Eskdale(2) Robin Hood's Bay. It is 210 miles and you need a loose nut (Brain) to do it. Not for the faint hearted. I did it a few years ago on a old steel MTB. Thinking of doing again next year on a super lightweight MTB. Try lugging a loaded bike over Black Sail Pass into Wasdale in the P***ing wet rain, it will made either man of you or just dead meat.