Coast to coast route

[Mick54]

Hi folks,
Just wondering what your thoughts were on a middle aged guy with limited rides over 30 mikes but i would like to try it next year to raise money for charity,am i thinking the impossible?

 

[Heltor Chasca]

Devon or the one up North?

Fantastic ambition.

 

[newfhouse]

Hi folks,
Just wondering what your thoughts were on a middle aged guy with limited rides over 30 mikes but i would like to try it next year to raise money for charity,am i thinking the impossible?

No!

C2C was my first ‘long’ solo ride when I had a word with myself and decided to get fit before it was too late. Have you thought about how long you plan to take?

 

[HLaB]

Hi folks,
Just wondering what your thoughts were on a middle aged guy with limited rides over 30 mikes but i would like to try it next year to raise money for charity,am i thinking the impossible?

Go for it

 

[DCLane]

I'm presuming the C2C or Reivers given you're up north. C2C has guides for how to ride it over 3-5 days and is probably the easiest of the two; 5 days = 30 miles a day maximum.

 

[Slick]

Hi folks,
Just wondering what your thoughts were on a middle aged guy with limited rides over 30 mikes but i would like to try it next year to raise money for charity,am i thinking the impossible?

All you need is the confidence to tackle it, so go for it.

 

[HobbesOnTour]

I did a version of a coast to coast (Hull to Holyhead) last year. I wrote it up in the travelogues if you want to check it out.

There's no reason that you can't do it with a bit of preparation and a can-do attitude.

However, I would say to anyone doing a tour for charity, especially a first tour, to think very carefully about the commitments you may be placing on yourself if you plan on live updates on social media etc. I've read of more than a few accounts where people found it very burdensome, especially when things were not going optimally or as planned.

That's in no way meant to put you off, but a reminder that a charity ride can be "bigger" or "heavier" than just a regular ride.

Best of luck!

 

[robgul]

If the C2C from Whitehaven/Workington to Newcastle/Sunderland I would recommend Whitehaven-Newcastle and 3 days is fairly comfortable, 4 to give a bit more relaxation time en route!

Rob

 

[Mick54]

Many thanks for all the replies and definitely adding inspiration to the challenge

Would i be better off joining a registered group for the ride or going solo

 

[Slick]

Many thanks for all the replies and definitely adding inspiration to the challenge

Would i be better off joining a registered group for the ride or going solo

A group is great for sweeping you along and definitely more fun but it really is up to you and your personal preference.

 

[newfhouse]

Many thanks for all the replies and definitely adding inspiration to the challenge

Would i be better off joining a registered group for the ride or going solo

That depends on you and your personality. Do you enjoy or need encouragement and banter, or do you prefer your own company and the option to ride at your own pace? The route is well signposted so you won’t get lost even if you go solo.

 

[HobbesOnTour]

Many thanks for all the replies and definitely adding inspiration to the challenge

Would i be better off joining a registered group for the ride or going solo

That's really only a question you can answer.

A group dynamic is very different to a solo dynamic. There are advantages and disadvantages of both. I went away with a group once for a weekend tour....never again!

Concentrate on getting a few 2/3 day rides under your belt. It'll work wonders for confidence and also help you figure out what you want to do and how to do it. Then, if you find a group similarly minded.......

 

[BoldonLad]

If it helps, I did the C2C Whitehaven to Sunderland, with my SiL, approximately 23 years ago. We did it over 3 days, stayed in B&B accommodation. I was then aged 50, one year after a heart attack. We did a small amount of preparation, ie, rides of 20-30 miles, once per week for about 6 weeks before the “off”. We were on fairly basic hybrid bikes.

first day, we made it to Eamonn Bridge. The second to Allenheads, then Sunderland on third day, so, about 45miles per day, average.

it was fun.

 

[robgul]

Many thanks for all the replies and definitely adding inspiration to the challenge

Would i be better off joining a registered group for the ride or going solo

I rode C2C in about 2002 and it was the first "tour" that I did (there have been many since with '000s of miles, and km in Europe) and did a package where they took luggage etc. It was really as a safety net just in case - I teamed up with another couple of chaps (total group was about 14) and we rode together on an enjoyable and uneventful traverse of the country.

As suggested it's what you're comfortable with.

Rob

 

[Heltor Chasca]

The Cicerone guide looks the business. Paired with Cycle.Travel