The C2C And Northern Cycle Routes Forum

Hi all

I'm just about to leave the Midlands with a group of about 13 other riders, mostly non cyclists - for a charity C2C. Weather looks great (not!!).

I'll post a link to the photos once we've finished on Sunday!

Cheers

Si

hi

how did c2c go?

any advice? i too am from the midlands going complete the c2c on 23rd jun!

hi

how did c2c go?

any advice? i too am from the midlands going complete the c2c on 23rd jun!

Hi all

Here is a bit of a trip report (I posted on my local MTB forum). I'm a regular MTB'er - and went out with a great group of people who aren't cyclists, although had trained for it. Hopefully it'll give you an idea....

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Well.... what a weekend! I agreed some months back to take part in a C2C (Sea to Sea) to raise money for a charity . I umm'd and ahh'd about what bike to take before deciding on my geared MTB - with slicks, and not my singlespeed MTB. Looking back now, what a stoopid idea that would have been!

A group of 16 cyclists and 2 support drivers (1 in a minibus, 1 with a car and monster trailer for the bikes) left Burton on Friday at 11:00 and headed for Whitehaven. It rained nearly all the way there.... and t'other side of Shap there was snow on the top of the hills.....

We landed at Whitehaven around 17:00 - and proceeded to get the bikes ready. During the unpack, I fitted my light (just in case - I'm told it was dark by the time they got to Whinlatter last year!) - and my likkle Garmin GPS was on the top of the bag. It jumped out... and bounced along the quayside... and plopped into the water. It was only about 2' deep - but there was no way down to it - other than a small swim. Decision wasn't tough - photos taken for a claim on the house insurance....

So, we left... following an old railway track with a view to cover 34 miles, one big climb (Whinlatter) and finish in Keswick. I started with a group of the fitter guys.... soon found myself at the front (none of them were cyclists - well, you know what I mean.... enthusiasts). I stopped with another guy after about 10 miles at the support car -and within 5 mins, 3 of our group came flying by. Now, I 'aint competitive really (cough) but I finished my sarnie and chased them down - which only meant I finished at the end point 20 minutes before the rest - which was nice as the rain had stopped and it was a beautiful evening.

Time is about 21:00 before we realise one of the party is missing - and it soon becomes apparent that he has trouble reading and following simple signs. We missed dinner at the pub in Patterdale (nearest YHA with room), had chips in Keswick, bothered the Police, got to the YHA for 23:30....... and only then did the missing idiot get in touch with the Police and at 02:00 he was returned to the YHA.... He didn't ride the next day claiming a bad leg...

So, Satdee, 06:30.... the big day.... 70 miles, 4 big climbs (meaning climbs from approx 100m up to 500m numerous times). It was wee'ing down and blowing very hard, East to West. Meant we had a headwind all day. I had already been introduced as the resident expert for mechanicals - so ended up tweaking gears and stuff - by which time everyone had gone. I rode gently..... catching most pretty quickly - and soon came upon 2 of our groups about to start an off road section (the signs were dodgy). After about 30 minutes, I'd ridden off in front... and then come back and explained where we were and where we should be (you could see the village of Threlkeld other side of the A66). We were on a tough off road section called the Old Coach Road (keep an eye on the signs as at one point, with Keswick behind you, straight on is Keswick and right is the old coach road - which we chose as we didn't want to go back to Keswick!), in howling wind and rain. I suggested an escape route... which we did... and finally got back on route (I had slicks on and it was very interesting!). When we met the minibus, another one retired (71 yr old... fit but very wet and cold). From here, I left them and rode the next 60 miles on my own. The climbs were tough - because of the wind... and even coming down from Hartside (580m) I had to peddle down just to keep going. I was worried about some of the others - as they were not cyclists... and would no doubt be struggling. I had little battery life or reception so just kept the phone for emergencies. I did call the support vehicles when I was 3 miles from the end of what I thought was that days cycling.... to be told that they were 30 miles behind me, and strung out over 10 miles! I though 'bugger it' - had had no support all day as I'd been off in front (I'm not complaining)... so I rode another 5 miles (steep hills.....) and got to the YHA in Edmundbuyers at 17:45 - with no supplies. I had a 'sink' wash... and as my clothes had dried out, put them back on and went to bed (the rain had stopped at about 13:00 - but the wind hadn't - but it did dry you out!). They arrived at the YHA at 21:00 - and had finished 14 miles behind me (and 2 big hills!).

Sundee..... last day, up at 05:15, no sleep to talk of, 8 blokes in a dorm... more wind and rain..... . Off went the mini-bus and dropped off the guys with most energy at their end point from Satdee (Allenhead)... and 3 of the more tired ones at the top of the two outstanding hills (Parkhead - it was flat'ish' to Sunderland from here). I decided to ride from the YHA - as although I knew it was a stuff hill (which in the end took me nearly an hour to climb - 5 miles), I was going to finish so early, I didn't want to risk sitting in Sunderland on my own in the rain for 4 hours! I took a full change of clothes in my camelbak and some wet wipes! The ride was ok - but the rain made one of the railway trails very dirty - so facefull of mud/dogshit/coal dust. I stopped with 5 miles to go.... found a 'wildlife resort' cafe - washed my face..... starting craving a full cooked.... only to find out they only served cake and panini's.

I finished the ride a bit annoyed as the last few miles of the C2C trail was very 'contrived' - with lots of little downs and ups for no reason - and when I got to the Stadium of Light (some girls sports ground or summat), some scrotes had nicked/moved signs - so I road the direct route to the 'unsigned' end of the C2C route. Got there about 11:45, found some bogs, washed, changed, found pub, ate steak and ale pie..... chilled...... happy (ish). Rest turned up between 14:00 & 15:00.

Overall, I reckon about 16 hours in the saddle, probably 150 miles, couldn't estimate the ascent (you know why).

Would consider it again but VERY weather dependant. Would consider 24 hour challenge, but never in the conditions I did it in. If I had been going out with my regular lot I WOULD have bottled it.... but had £800 riding on it in sponsorship.

So, there you go. Got some photos here - but it doesn't do it justice...

nice one, looking forward to it hope the weather is good and the wind is in the normal direction

did you use a map or just follow the markers? i've got the new sustrans guide but might get a map to go with it.

spanspoon wrote:nice one, looking forward to it hope the weather is good and the wind is in the normal direction

did you use a map or just follow the markers? i've got the new sustrans guide but might get a map to go with it.

I had a map - but the markers were fine - except the 3 way split just outside Keswick (go straight on.... following the sign back towards Keswick or you'll be heading towards the old coach road). Dodgy around the Stadium of light too - but other members of our team were ok - so must have just been me!