Coast to Coast

[Spinney]

Make sure they have low enough gears - lots of hills getting over the Penines. If they are all on MTBs or hybrids they should be OK, but if anyone else has a rush of blood to the head and wants to buy a new road bike for the trip...

Once you start the off road (gravelly path) at the top of the Waskerly Way going down into Consett, it is just about downhill all the way to the end of the route.

 

[buggi]

i recently did support driving for it. we did over 3 days and on mountain bikes because it gives you the choice of off road routes, plus the extra gears helped the guys over the pennines, all of which are quite fit cyclists! It's bloomin hilly!

there is an official coast to coast website too, just google it.

as said, get money up front! that will motivate them!

and get a support driver. every morning i nipped to a local food shop and loaded up on banana's, bread, cheese, ham, orange juice, fruit etc and we met every 20 - 25 miles for a food stop. i carried all the bags. i also doubled as the mechanic (well, almost... i had to find somewhere that sold rim tape!) and tripled as official photographer.

 

[cnb]

Hi.. Its difficult to give advice on this without knowing the individuals concerned.. I've completed the C2C a few times with one friend at a time and once as part of a group..the latter being the hardest by far.. Not in the riding,but in choosing a date that suits everyone and hoping that they at least put some miles in,if only to get them used to being in the saddle a few hours..Also trying to control the riding pace... Taking it easy the first day makes the last day a lot easier.. Our lot decided to race it to keswick and suffered the rest of the way...Its also worth noting that you are prob going at the most popular time of the year and that a lot of cyclists will be riding the C2C..so places to stay will be getting booked up....

 

[Brains]

As others have said, cash up front, suggest you hit them now before xmas whlst the idea is still fresh and they are keen

As for their ability and fitness, not your problem, give them the advice but don't get involved in organising weekly training

We did the C2c a few years back and met several total beginner groups - they were all suffering by day 3 but as far as we know all completed the task.

Timing. We are both fairly experienced cyclists, only taking B&B luggage, and we did nights in Whitehaven, Keswick, Langwarthby, Allenheads, Sunderland, so it took us four full days and 5 nights + half a day to get back to the start by train. I would not have wanted to do it any faster, it's a hilly route.

 

[carolonabike]

Thanks everyone, there's some really helpful advice here. Because it's the bosses idea I'm hoping the company will stump up at least some of the cost of the trip.

I've got a few volunteers for support, a couple of the partners and folks who don't want to actually cycle the route so I think we're ok there. We're based in Sunderland which makes the trip a whole lot easier cos when we finish we're virtually home already. I think as cnb says one of the most difficult things is goint to be choosing a date. We're a small firm (9 of us in the office) so we can't just all disappear. We're probably going to travel over Friday evening, start Saturday, finish Monday pm.

I'm currently organising the Christmas party but as soon as that's out of the way I'll get cracking!

I think from March I'll suggest a few group outings, starting with 10 miles and building up. Whether anyone takes me up on it is a different matter. You can take a horse to water and all that.....

Worst case scenario, my sister and I will do it by ourselves. That would be nice actually............

Cheers everyone

 

[cnb]

Hi..I'm from Sunderland..It does make it easier thinking that you are riding home...Although once we hit coxgreen it would have been quicker for me to head for my house than finish at seaburn... Hope it goes well for you.. its a good route...Let us know how it goes..

 

[carolonabike]

Yes me too, but having gone all that way you just have to go right to the end don't you?

I'm sure I'll be asking more questions on a regular basis , just as well everyone seems so friendly and patient.

 

[MontyVeda]

Make sure they have low enough gears - lots of hills getting over the Penines. ...

Make sure they learn to use their gears too on the warm up rides... there's a lot of part time riders who think it's all about pushing hard on the pedals rather than letting the gears do the work

 

[carolonabike]

I don't think pushing hard on the pedals will be an issue for some of them, to do that you have to have some strength in your legs. I suspect there will be a lot of getting off and pushing though. With some whinging thrown in for good measure .

 

[Spinney]

I don't think pushing hard on the pedals will be an issue for some of them, to do that you have to have some strength in your legs. I suspect there will be a lot of getting off and pushing though. With some whinging thrown in for good measure .

As long as your legs are strong enough to stay far enough ahead so you can't hear!!

 

[carolonabike]

 

[Danny]

Oh, I forgot to say, yes, we're probably going to opt for MacMillan Cancer Support, it seems appropriate.

If you haven't done so already, you should contact MacMillan who I am sure can send you a fundraising pack with sponsorship forms, and tips on how to go about raising money and getting publicity for your ride.

 

[theloafer]

hi carol
this might be helpfull to you... http://c2c.freeforums.org/ did it this july with my g/f her first mini trip and she is still my g/f lol its a great route

larry

 

[carolonabike]

Thanks Danny, will do.

Loafer, that site is a mine of information. Thanks very much.

Cheers guys.

 

[sadjack]

Make it public!! Advertise the fact as far and wide as you can as soon as you can. I did a charity ride this year and was nervous about whether I could do it in the time allowed. I found that by telling people I was more determined to do the ride as to bail out would have been too emabarassing

I ended up doing a load of trainming rides and loosing weight. I was as pleased as punch to finish the ride in time.

So my advice would be to tell as many people as possible, asking for sponsorship early and naming those that are doing it with you so that they will have difficulty pulling out

I did the C2C in April/May this year and had a great time, enjoy!