C2C on my own...Recommend?

[Jimmy Splash]

I would like to cycle the C2C but there is no one who wants to do it with me.
That doesn't bother me too much as i'm quite happy in my own company.
I am aware though that the journey isn't always going to be plain (cycling) sailing so the question is.....
Has anyone on here cycled the C2C on their own? Any problems? Mishaps? Advice?
Probably do it next year so i can build up my fitness and save the dosh needed to maintenance, B&B, train fares, food etc....

 

[geocycle]

It’s a great ride and very rewarding. I rode C2C as well as all my tours on my own and much prefer it. I like the sense of freedom and independence, very different from the rest of life. Although it is remote by English standards, it still passes through lots of villages. Any concerns you can share your location with friends and family.. i stay in pubs and bed and breakfasts so you always meet people for a chat. Which route are you taking?

 

[Jameshow]

You'll be fine learn how to maintain your bike, navigate, stay fueled and hydrated and you'll be fine!

Milford Haven to Great yarmouth looks a good coast to coast...

I'll get my coat!🤣🤣🤣

 

[PaulSB]

I've ridden the original C2C twice and Way of the Roses once. Both are great rides and you shouldn't experience any difficulties riding solo. Obviously all the usual things can go wrong, punctures etc. but the risk is no greater than on any other ride.

 

[IaninSheffield]

You've plenty of classic routes from which to choose, or indeed plan a custom alternative if that would better suit your needs.
Having done three different routes (C2C classic, Walney to Wear, and Way of the Roses) with a buddy, and a 'roll your own' route solo, I can recommend a coast to coast as a challenging but rewarding and manageable tour.
You'll find plenty of posts by searching this forum and 'Member Travelogues' to provide inspiration and advice.
Enjoy!

 

[DCLane]

I did C2C solo plus the new Stranraer-Eyemouth route solo last year.

Some ride solo, others in groups. I'd just make sure someone knows your route. It's also worth taking our cycle breakdown cover.

 

[Jimmy Splash]

I haven't studied my OS C2C map in detail but I think for my first ever attempt I'll go the safest but as much roading as possible route.
I read here that going from west to east is easier because of the wind!
Is there a recommendation for a definitive C2C map? I'm pretty sure I can read the one I've got and I have a pretty good sense of direction but any others advised by experienced riders would be great!

 

[PaulSB]

Yes, the general view is west to east is more likely to give favourable winds.

The original C2C is a good route with, from what I recall, only three significant climbs. The Way of the Roses has a lot of serious climbing in the first 60/65 miles. Of the two for a first tour you'll be better following the C2C. There are plenty of other choices.

Both routes above can be ridden 100% on road.

 

[Flite]

The C2C is a Sustrans route, fairly well signed, and they publish a guide
https://www.sustrans.org.uk/find-other-routes/c2c-or-sea-to-sea
A lot of the off-road sections in the west are well surfaced cycle paths.
The same cannot be said for the central section!
Hardly anyone rides the Rookhope to Parkhead section as it is steep and rough.
There are alternative on-road routes.

 

[richardfm]

This might be useful to help your route planning https://cycle.travel/route/c2c

 

[oxoman]

Way of the roses is great. Some hard climbs but plenty of places to stay. I can recommend going tagging along with a group and using a portering baggage transfer company. I've used Pedalpower a couple of times. Picked up at Tynemouth and transferred to Morecombe with routes and accommodation all arranged. A lot easier than carrying all your gear.

 

[Sea of vapours]

The original C2C is a good route with, from what I recall, only three significant climbs. The Way of the Roses has a lot of serious climbing in the first 60/65 miles. Of the two for a first tour you'll be better following the C2C.

This may be a bit of an aside since the OP very much sounds as if they're talking about 'The C2C', as distinct from 'a coast to coast route of some kind'. If it's the latter, however, then I beg to differ on your assessment of relative hilliness of the original C2C and The Way of the Roses. The Way of the Roses really only has the very steep, very short, hill out of Settle and then a long, steepish hill up from Appletreewick to Greenhow. In contrast, the original C2C has a couple of notable lumps through the Lake District and then five distinct and very steep hills up onto and through the Pennines, before being flat / downhill once you're up the steep, quite long hill out of Stanhope (Crawleyside Bank). Having done both, I'd definitely consider the original C2C to be harder in terms of hills! Both excellent though :-)

 

[YMFB]

We have ridden WOTR, Hadrians Wall and Devon C2C in a small group with my wife in the car acting as luggage transfer. I’d happily do any of them solo carrying my own luggage in panniers over three days.

In terms of difficulty being how much I pushed, i rate them as follows

WOTR
Devon
Hadrians

Buy the Sustrans map, download the gpx and follow the signs, you will find you need all three at one time or another

 

[oxoman]

Just to put my personal observations of the way of the roses route. The first couple of days are lumpy and given our group was a mixed bag of riders from 35 to 68 with myself and another lad being the more serious riders at 40 and 55 respectively. Fitness wasn't the best other than myself and we managed it easily enough. Mate did the one that goes up by whinlatter and he said that was a lot harder especially on a hardtail mtb. IMHO the biggest issues riding solo are keeping going an eye out for C2C markers and a tendency to push harder than needed or to fast downhill. Greenhow being one of the best downhill runs on the route.

 

[PaulSB]

This may be a bit of an aside since the OP very much sounds as if they're talking about 'The C2C', as distinct from 'a coast to coast route of some kind'. If it's the latter, however, then I beg to differ on your assessment of relative hilliness of the original C2C and The Way of the Roses. The Way of the Roses really only has the very steep, very short, hill out of Settle and then a long, steepish hill up from Appletreewick to Greenhow. In contrast, the original C2C has a couple of notable lumps through the Lake District and then five distinct and very steep hills up onto and through the Pennines, before being flat / downhill once you're up the steep, quite long hill out of Stanhope (Crawleyside Bank). Having done both, I'd definitely consider the original C2C to be harder in terms of hills! Both excellent though :-)

I'm sure you're right. I last rode C2C perhaps 25 years ago and my memory is obviously vague. I recall a real struggle to get up Hartside on the first ride, the second time I found the "back road" which I view as easier due to the variation in the incline - Hartside I recall was built for horse and cart and is a "perfect gradient." After Hartside I remember three climbs but don't recall anything particularly difficult before Hartside.

Way of the Roses is ten years ago. I was exhausted after the first day and of course found day two a wonderful rolling ride. My club is running a C2C event in a few weeks, Morecambe to Scarborough. Much of my earlier comment came from recent studies of the profile to Settle and beyond.