Recommend a C2C - Hadrian's wall? A.N. Other

[themightyw]

Hi folks

A friend and I are planning to do a C2C this year later in the summer. It will be the first significant ride he's done, but we genuinely want it to be a fun, varied and relaxing ride rather than an A-B race. We plan to spend most of the day cycling and breaking a sweat, but have more than enough leeway as we go to explore the places we trundle through. I'm guessing it will take us 2.5 days or so given the pace we're likely to take.

Definitely a 'bikes plus a bit of a beer' ride - most of the day in the saddle, but not killing ourselves and finding some nice places for dinner in the evenings. We'll take the tents, but probably decamp to local pubs and restaurants for some nosh in the evenings.

Any suggestions? He's in London, I'm in Scotland so we were considering the Hadrian's Wall ride. Anyone done that? Comments on the route and the merits of the places you pass through?

Link to Hadrian's Wall site

 

[vernon]

The Hadrian's route is the flattest of them all. I recall only one significant climb.

C2C is nice with enough pubs and eating places to keep you happy. Ditto for above.

W2W - Walney to Wear is more challenging but does go past the highest pub in England at Tan Hill. It also goes through some rough bits of County Durham which are not scenic.

For a first crossing I'd recommend Hadrian.s cycle route followed by W2W. They are both less busy than C2C.

 

[themightyw]

Thanks for the advice!