C2C - Bike and Tyre choice

[jethro10]

Been looking at the C2C and how much of it is off-road.
Ok, a lot is cycletrack tarmac. But I live near whinlatter, and some of it there for instance is quite off road.
Also I would want to do the offroad options anyhow. But then, a lot of it is on-road.

So......
If you have done this, what type of bike did you use amd what 'style' of tyre did you use.

thanks
Jeff

 

[Soltydog]

I did this a couple of years ago, on my hybrid, with 700 x 38 marathon + tyres
Coped very well, apart from one section towards the west (but cant remember where )

 

[jethro10]

I'm also guessing that weather plays a part.

drier harder packed will be easier than a few days of rain and all squishy?

Jeff

 

[vernon]

700C X 28mm Panaracer Pasela touring tyres did the job for me. I used a Dawes Galaxy for all five of my traverses. Squishy makes it hard for everyone.

 

[andym]

I've not done it, but the advice I've seen on other forums from people who have is just to go with whatever your normal general-purpose tyre would be. A knobbly tyre might help on muddy bits but this advantage would be outweighed by the disadvantage of a knobbly tyre on roads. Sounds sensible to me.

Oh and I'm not sure whether they're quite the right area but have a look at the pictures on the South Lakes Rough Stuff Fellowship site (off-road cycle touring so work-safe - although I know it sounds like it could be an S&M club). They seem to use all sorts of different types of bike (except skinny-tyred racers):

http://www.southlakesgroup.org.uk/2010photogallery/photos-23rd-januarysl.html

 

[Cranky]

I did it on an MTB with front suspension (and lockout for the road sections). Tyres were Conti Travel Contacts, 26" x 1.75 IIRC. No problems anywhere, although the weather was relatively dry.

 

[jethro10]

I did it on an MTB with front suspension (and lockout for the road sections). Tyres were Conti Travel Contacts, 26" x 1.75 IIRC. No problems anywhere, although the weather was relatively dry.

EXACTLY where I am.

MTB, front Suspension + Lockout and Conti Travel Contacts.
Looks like Job sorted.

Jeff

 

[Cranky]

Indeed! Enjoy the trip.

 

[Brains]

We did it in intermittent torrential rain.
Flat bared touring bikes, with 25mm Pansaela Tourguard tyres
No problem at all for the tyres, however should have taken a spare set of brake blocks as those long wet decents ment we went through a set of block each in 2 days