Preparing for Coast to Coast Whitehaven to Newcastle

[Crankarm]

I'd say C2C is not possible in two days unless they are serious experienced cyclists. it would be 100 miles a day, and it's a bumpy 100 miles.

If these are normal run of the mill cyclists, then I'd be looking at four full cycling days and allow a bit of overtime, time off and return to base time.

I did it a few years back and we took five days including the return back on the train

We are talking about C2C in the UK not the USA are we? Easily do it in two days. I did it in 2 days with a mate about 10 years ago.

 

[Crankarm]

Sounds good and interesting.... Think we doing whitehaven, Keswick not sure I'm not in charge of the route. There is about 10 staff members at work doing it with me.

Peloton, you might even do it in a day if you start early and ride to Robin Hood's Bay.

 

[steveindenmark]

Chris, just a warning. Punctureless tyres do puncture, so dont be fooled.

I liked the video John. Tell me, are those tarps waterproof?

Steve

 

[Spinney]

Thank you. I'm looking at getting puncture less tyres?

It wasn't punctures I was thinking of so much, just possibly a little better grip on some of the loose stuff. And now I remember, there is a bit of off-road on the way out of Whitehaven as well, but I think it was mostly disused-railway-cinder-track type stuff, so should be no probs even on skinny tyres.

Whatever you go for, enjoy! I have to admit to having cheated and taken the A road up to Hartside - you still climb as high, but there are no really steep bits as there are on the 'proper' route. And there is an option near Alston - I think going through Alston is the easier, although we definitiely walked up the cobbled bit!
http://goo.gl/maps/KwImJ

 

[JohnClimber]

Tell me, are those tarps waterproof?

If pitched correctly, it doesn't rain too heavy all night and you don't pitch on soaked ground it works great.

There are several ways to pitch mine, here's one from last month when it was windy, note the posistion of the front wheel in both shots.

I use a Rab Sil tarp 1.
http://rab.uk.com/products/equipment/bivis-and-shelter/siltarp-1.html
But there are several sizes it you are willing to carry the extra weight.

 

[Chris Swift]

We are talking about C2C in the UK not the USA are we? Easily do it in two days. I did it in 2 days with a mate about 10 years ago.

Yes c2c in uk not USA mate

 

[Chris Swift]

It wasn't punctures I was thinking of so much, just possibly a little better grip on some of the loose stuff. And now I remember, there is a bit of off-road on the way out of Whitehaven as well, but I think it was mostly disused-railway-cinder-track type stuff, so should be no probs even on skinny tyres.

Whatever you go for, enjoy! I have to admit to having cheated and taken the A road up to Hartside - you still climb as high, but there are no really steep bits as there are on the 'proper' route. And there is an option near Alston - I think going through Alston is the easier, although we definitiely walked up the cobbled bit!
http://goo.gl/maps/KwImJ

Ummm I understand ill be taking 3 spare tyres and 6 spare tubs incase.

 

[Chris Swift]

If pitched correctly, it doesn't rain too heavy all night and you don't pitch on soaked ground it works great.

There are several ways to pitch mine, here's one from last month when it was windy, note the posistion of the front wheel in both shots.

I use a Rab Sil tarp 1.
http://rab.uk.com/products/equipment/bivis-and-shelter/siltarp-1.html
But there are several sizes it you are willing to carry the extra weight.

I'd prefure a tent.

 

[steveindenmark]

I would prefer a tent as well. Even if it was one of those cheap, light festival tents that you can bin. Better still is a B&B so you don't need any camping gear at all. More comfy and lighter.

Steve

 

[JohnClimber]

I'd prefure a tent.

Tents are for winter or heavy rain

 

[Keegs]

Hi Chris, I too am planning to do the whitehave to Newcastle route next year (in mid June) with some mates, and we are going to try and do it in 2 days. Our idea is to use one of the baggage carrier companies that transport your kit along the route for you. Think there are a few to choose from that run out of Whitehaven. www.Sherpavan.com being one option.
Be interested to see your route, we are going from Whitehaven through Keswick and Penrith up Hartside Pass and on to Alston on day one, then from Alston to Tynemouth on day 2. I think that is only abot 125 miles in total so should be do-able in 2 days, as long as we get some hill training in first.

 

[steveindenmark]

I think I will have a go at making one of those tarps, just for something to do.

I will let you know how I get on with it John. Maybe you can be my tester? It won't be waterproof though.

Steve

 

[Chris Swift]

Hi Chris, I too am planning to do the whitehave to Newcastle route next year (in mid June) with some mates, and we are going to try and do it in 2 days. Our idea is to use one of the baggage carrier companies that transport your kit along the route for you. Think there are a few to choose from that run out of Whitehaven. www.Sherpavan.com being one option.
Be interested to see your route, we are going from Whitehaven through Keswick and Penrith up Hartside Pass and on to Alston on day one, then from Alston to Tynemouth on day 2. I think that is only abot 125 miles in total so should be do-able in 2 days, as long as we get some hill training in first.

Hi mate we are doing it the 1st weekend of May half term Friday 23rd May, hope to get back home late on Sunday no work for a week then lol. Time to recover.

The chap who is sorting our route out I'm sure it's the same as your.

We r taking our baggage with us, either panniers or back packs.

We are using a company called peddle power to get use from Newcastle to whitehaven there is 12 of us and they charging 35 quid per person, we will have 2 minibuses at whitehaven which are works minibuses. It's cheaper than the 80 quid train ride per person. We carnt get anyone to drive minibuses across for us.

Soooo looking foward to it.

Yes hill climb practice needed!

 

[lowrider73]

The more, I see this thread, the more I want to do the C2C. Would be nice to do this route again, camping. Wishing, I had kept The North Face Solo 12, but I have the Mini Peak in it's place and I can stow the bike inside.

 

[Guidovdrm]

I did the C2C in 2009. I rode from Newcastle to Whithaven along Hadrian's Wall (3 days), and returned along the C2C (another 3 days).
Fwiw: here you can find the foto's of the trip : http://picasaweb.google.com/guidovdrm/HadrianWallCycleWayCoastToCoastCycleWay?feat=directlink
I wrote a story of it in a Belgian magazine (unfortunately for you guys it's in Dutch) : http://www.velotoeren.be/pdf/OpWeg2011-3-12-2xC2C.pdf
The toughest part was the stretch trough the Pennines. Long steep hills, and headwind all day long.