Another C2C idea?

[dimrub]

I had this strange idea as I was watching a video of Hank (James Lowsley Williams) of GCN fame talking about his recently inherited manor:


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOxsZSVZeuw


Surely, if he wants to bring it into the 21st century, and given his background, he should try and lure in various cycling enthusiasts? Then I looked it up and found out it's near Bristol. Then an idea started to form. I've recently done C2C (of sorts) in Wales and a proper C2C in Scotland. I lack only England for a full house of C2Cs. Bristol to Ipswich, by way of Cavenage (the aforementioned manor), Oxford, Milton Keynes, Cambridge, how bad/good can it be? I have no idea - but it seems to be doable along NCN - 41, 45, 48, 57, 51.

 

[mjr]

51 was interrupted by HS2 works but maybe that is out of the way now.

You could head up NCN11 after Cambridge because "the Severn to the Wash" makes more sense than to some random point on the east coast.

 

[dimrub]

51 was interrupted by HS2 works but maybe that is out of the way now.

You could head up NCN11 after Cambridge because "the Severn to the Wash" makes more sense than to some random point on the east coast.

Beautiful! And then Ely comes into play, and it's a lovely place, we went narrowboating there last year. It should have been a popular route, I'm surprised it isn't.

 

[mjr]

Another, more Midlands, way to do Severn to Wash would be 41, 45, 41, 52, 63, 1. Hillier in the middle.

 

[dimrub]

Would late April be a suitable time for this route, weather-wise?

 

[roubaixtuesday]

Would late April be a suitable time for this route, weather-wise?

Of course. Both driving sleet and warm sunshine are possible, even on the same day at that time of year, so an interesting and invigorating range of alternatives.

 

[dimrub]

I'm starting to look at flights. BA is flying direct, and allows a bicycle instead of a checked suitcase - that covers the difference in price. So I'm thinking of flying in with my bike (instead of hiring) and immediately boarding a train to Bristol (or a bus, if there are delays). Staying the night in Bristol (as opposed to London), and off I go. On the way back - arriving to Heathrow the evening before, figuring out the bike box and packing up the bike (at the Heathrow cycle hub), then an early flight home. Arrival on the 11th, departure on the 19th, that gives me almost 7 full days of cycling - brilliant!

 

[Gwylan]

Another, more Midlands, way to do Severn to Wash would be 41, 45, 41, 52, 63, 1. Hillier in the middle.

Oooh, that looks interesting. I can't find Hillier on the map?

 

[Psamathe]

There is a walking C2C route called ViaBeta that I believe some have cycled. The actual ViaBeta route is not suitable for cycling (a lot on footpaths) but I believe some cyclists have followed it "in spirit" in that it's a pilgrim route passing through 25 "way stations" (notable religious sites).

C2C in that it's UK most easterly point (Lowestoft) to most westerly point (St David's Head). ie widest way across.

https://www.viabeata.co.uk

Maybe an idea if somebody took the route, way stations and set an appropriate cycle route as well? But please, not a gravel track route so loved by CUK these days. Something OK to take a fully loaded camping gear bike/recumbent.

I'm sort of vaguely considering it for 2025 but the rare occasions I've cycle camped in UK I've not been impressed (too many sites needing caravan membership, just not easy as in France). But also thinking of Europe R1 or maybe France again. Early days.

Ian

 

[ColinJ]

So I'm thinking of flying in with my bike (instead of hiring) and immediately boarding a train to Bristol (or a bus, if there are delays).

You won't be able to take a bike on most UK buses, unless it is a folding bike.

 

[dimrub]

You won't be able to take a bike on most UK buses, unless it is a folding bike.

I was thinking of taking it on the bus as is, in a box, and only putting it together at the destination. Wouldn't that work?

 

[ColinJ]

I was thinking of taking it on the bus as is, in a box, and only putting it together at the destination. Wouldn't that work?

I just checked the Megabus t&c. Not for them!

You might be able to persuade a friendly driver on a half empty bus/coach but I would not want to risk it.

 

[Jameshow]

I used a bin bag and gaffa tape to take my bike on a coach from thurso to Inverness at the end of my lejog!

I was worried but I just lifted it on and bungied it to one of the steel supports in the hold! No worries!

 

[ColinJ]

I used a bin bag and gaffa tape to take my bike on a coach from thurso to Inverness at the end of my lejog!

I was worried but I just lifted it on and bungied it to one of the steel supports in the hold! No worries!

Citylink Scotland? They seem to have a better policy but even they have a limit of 1 or 2 bikes per coach.

I just checked some more companies...

The correct answer is to check the specific bus company's t&c since they are all different!

 

[dimrub]

The bus was just a backup in case the flight is late, or the immigration is slow and I don't make it to the last train (I have 2 hours from planned landing to getting on the train - touch and go in these days of uncertainty). But I can just stay in London instead if this is the case, and catch an early train to Bristol the next day. Granted, it will mean being flexible about my accommodation - I don't like that .