C2C B&Bs booked! Eeek. Scared. Excited. Advice needed!

[P.H]

I have one bottle carrier on my frame but there doesn't seem to be room anywhere else to put another one.

There's a few options, like this one that fits on the handlebars;
http://www.rutlandcycling.com/45156/Raleigh-Handlebar-Mounted-Bottle-Cage---Black.html

Or this one that fits to the seatpost;
http://www.rutlandcycling.com/45153/Raleigh-Seatpost-Bottle-Cage-Mount.html

I use the handlebar one on my folding bike, it works fine.

 

[ufkacbln]

We did the C2C some ten years ago, and as it was my wife's first Tour we took it easy and did the route over 5 days with lots of stops and detours for churches and ancient sites. For instance dropped the wife off at the Eden Hall hotel and nipped up to visit Long Meg and her daughters) The Rookhope section we did in wet, miserable windy weather, and go to the pub to find it closed. We sheltered in the corner of a car park between the minibus and the wall

Then an arm stretched out of the minibus window with a cup of tea!

A group of Venture Scouts were waiting for their colleagues and thought we would like one.

There is a certain camaraderie amongst the cyclists that are doing the C2C and you often find yourself meeting up with the same riders over the ride as you each stop at different places

... and if you get the chance visit the Allenheads Inn.... the decor is eccentric to say the least

 

[Jet]

Oh wow - that pub in Allenheads is crazy!!! Must stop there!! Like the sound of the GreyStoke tea shop too!!! I get the feeling I'll be riding from pub to tea shop to pie shop!!!

The bit of the route that may be closed for shooting is marked on my c2c map so I guess its a case of wait and see what happens on the day.

@somebuddy I've booked the b&bs myself purely because I want to keep the cost down as much as possible. There seem to be lots of helpful accommodation lists out there that I used. The main problem I found was that some b&bs are not happy to book just a 1 night stay in August - you probably wouldn't have this problem if you were going at a different time of year. The company you mentioned sounds good tho!!!

 

[theloafer]

Jet, Can I ask where your B&B's are located. i.e. how many miles per day are you planning on doing. I am thinking of doing the C2C, and had looked at a company that does it over 2 days, carries your bags and provides a three course meal at the end of day 1 at the campsite. Or should I do it myself? They provide a bus from Sunderland to Whitehaven, which means I could park my car at the finish ( handy) and have like minded cyclists to chat with enroute.

places we stayed at gets 5* all excellent
whitehaven http://www.tivoliguesthouse.co.uk/ and for no better place http://www.zestwhitehaven.com/
penrith http://edengateguesthouse.co.uk/
parkhead st http://www.parkheadstation.co.uk/ ...its all down hill from here all these had no probs booking 1 night

 

[Pale Rider]

Are slicks wise for the C2C?

Parts of it can be rough, depending on the weather.

Knobblies not needed, but something in between - with more puncture protection than a slick - would be my choice.

 

[Glenn]

... and if you get the chance visit the Allenheads Inn.... the decor is eccentric to say the least

The food was first class when I stayed there 3 years ago, can't same the same for the shower though, they have no mains water so rely on water off the moor.

 

[Andy2484]

I did a double CTC last weekend over 2 days. Followed the main CTC route going but headed back via Carlisle on the main roads for speed (had to be back at work in the Midlands Monday morning). The CTC route is cracking and easily doable with a bit of training. I would echo all of the advice though regarding mechanical skills and kit. There should be lots of other cyclists doing it though around that time of year so hopefully you will be able to grab a bit of help/advice on route if required. All the best.

 

[Somebuddy]

I've just found this company which I will use when the weather picks up. http://www.c2chasslefree.co.uk/index.php
I can leave my car at their farm for the duration of my c2c, they take me and my bike to the start and collect me from the finish. It sounds ideal, no need to mess about with taking my bike on the trains.

 

[theloafer]

I did a double CTC last weekend over 2 days. Followed the main CTC route going but headed back via Carlisle on the main roads for speed (had to be back at work in the Midlands Monday morning). The CTC route is cracking and easily doable with a bit of training. I would echo all of the advice though regarding mechanical skills and kit. There should be lots of other cyclists doing it though around that time of year so hopefully you will be able to grab a bit of help/advice on route if required. All the best.

hi andy
glad to see you made it back ok ... weather must have improved you also same andy http://c2c.freeforums.org/ its a great trip

 

[Andy2484]

Hi Loafer,

Yes same Andy. Just trying to sort the LEJOG now for August. Really enjoyed the CTC and the weather was kind. Hectic weekend though as I left Coventry at 3am and headed of on the ride by about 8:15 (by the time I had faffed around). Made it to Tynemouth via the NCN and roads due to snow. Came back via Carlisle on the A roads (still did over 5000ft climbing (111 miles) and then got back into the car to drive home. Proper tired by the end of it. If I did it again, I would take more time and come back the NCN route. Not a particularly pleasent ride back in the traffic and a 2 inch nail in my rear tyre was an unwelcome sight.

 

[RiflemanSmith]

Good luck

 

[Andy2484]

hi andy
glad to see you made it back ok ... weather must have improved you also same andy http://c2c.freeforums.org/ its a great trip

hi andy
glad to see you made it back ok ... weather must have improved you also same andy http://c2c.freeforums.org/ its a great trip

Replied in the wrong bit. Still a novice at the forum malarkey.

Yes same Andy. Just trying to sort the LEJOG now for August. Really enjoyed the CTC and the weather was kind. Hectic weekend though as I left Coventry at 3am and headed of on the ride by about 8:15 (by the time I had faffed around). Made it to Tynemouth via the NCN and roads due to snow. Came back via Carlisle on the A roads (still did over 5000ft climbing (111 miles) and then got back into the car to drive home. Proper tired by the end of it. If I did it again, I would take more time and come back the NCN route. Not a particularly pleasent ride back in the traffic and a 2 inch nail in my rear tyre was an unwelcome sight.