The C2C And Northern Cycle Routes Forum

sent you e-mail, lets know.

Another bit of info on this route. Despite the huge roadworks in Edinburgh for the new tramway system, it's still possible to follow the route. Carry on down The Mound weaving thru the temporary barriers and head for the big stone building at the bottom - the National Art Gallery. There is a pedestrian crossing open there over Princes Street, then it's easy to get up Hanover Street and onto George Street. Edinburgh is a city blessed with lots of well-surfaced/signposted cyclepaths.

I am doing this route in a week's time from Newcastle to Markinch with my five year old son on a tag-along. We will also be loaded up with camping stuff. I saw your tip about little bottles for shampoo etc. from Boots. I've also heard many times about the bad signage at Blyth. Any other tips? My biggest worry is the day from Innerleithen to Edinburgh loaded up with stuff (and that my son will talk for an entire week about star wars without stopping!).

as for blyth, i was at asda in blyth last week and was talking to a guy doing the c&c and he was asking me the way north, of course i gave him a rough idea and watched him go complete opposite direction!have you had a look on bikley? zoom in on hybrid ,it gives you an idea,take a look at link http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Co ... tles-NCN-1

zlethbri wrote:I am doing this route in a week's time from Newcastle to Markinch.

Good for you zleth. Actually, Blyth wasn't all that bad as there was only one bit where the sign was a bit ambiguous. I also worried a bit about the climb from Innerleithen, but in the end it wasn't all that bad despite quite a strong NorthEasterly headwind whistling down the glens. Just kept in a comfortably low gear and plodded on. With those wee legs zooming around behind you as well, you'll be able to sit back and take things easy! Be sure to get a meal in The Whistlestop cafe in Innerleithen; very nice grub and reasonable prices. Dalkeith might tax you for signage and the route thru the middle of this town can be very busy, so I'd refer to your map. Even though I know the area well - and where I was going - I was surprised at the lack of clear signs. From the outskirts of Edinburgh - from around Musselburgh really, you are on miles of really good paved cyclepaths which are well signposted all the way in to the city centre. Gad, if I was allowed out to play again I'd do it both ways! Enjoy yourselves.

Thanks for the help and advice. I'll post again to let you know how we got on!

Well my son and I are in Markinch. We didn't make the whole route but we covered 160 miles and had a lot of fun. We started in Newcastle and covered the 35-40 miles days I had planned to Lindisfarne. I then decided not to do the leg along the Tweed and into the hills as the tag-along sometimes got a bit of a wobble going down hill and I didn't think the long run into Edinburgh would be safe with a fully laden bike and tag-along and one set of brakes! (Right move as a Dutch couple told us they got up to 55kph on that stretch.) Instead we took some time out and watched the seals in Berwick-upon-Tweed harbour before catching the train to Edinburgh. We had a nice afternoon in Edinburgh and then set off this morning for Markinch. However once we were over the Forth Bridge, we were too close to Grandma's house and there just wasn't enough interest on the route to keep my five year old son's heart in it. When a thunder storm started around Aberdour the Grandparent's came with their car and bike rack to take us the rest of way!

The highlights for us were Bamburgh castle, eating breakfast on a deserted beach in our PJs at the beachcomber campsite and cycling over the Forth Bridge. I'll post a few pics when we are back home.