The C2C And Northern Cycle Routes Forum

I'll be doing the Coasts and Castles (the wrong way) in a few weeks' time, and I'm trying to decide which tyres would be most appropriate.

The official map shows which sections of the route are on- or off-road, but doesn't indicate what the surface is like.

If it's all tarmac or something else solid then I'll put my slicks on and have a smooth, easy ride; but if it gets loose then I'll be wanting my knobblies or semi-slicks.

Can anybody provide more information?

from what i saw 2 years ago some bits were a hard surface with large( 2 inches ) granity bits, id be usin semi slicks, not full blown knobbly`s.

I did it on 1.5 inch marathons including all the offroad sections. It was dry ans some sections could be muddy if wet but you do have alternatives. I'd agree with the semi-slicks.

Thanks, both of you.

The semi-slicks are already on the bike I'm taking, so that makes my life much easier.

I did the journey from Sunderland to Aberdeen (see detailed writeup) using 700 x 38 "sports hybrid" during the first week of June. The only rough section I found was between Johnshaven and Gourdon. This was a track of sorts but comprised of a kind of very uneven conglomerate so it shook the bike up (and my tooth fillings!) quite a bit. I deliberately took my Saracen hybrid rather that my Dawes Super Galaxy as I thought some bits would be too rough for the latter. It has Conti Top Touring on 27 x 1.25 inch and quite frankly, it would have coped perfectly well. The only other rough-ish bit I found was between Beal and Beachcomber House but again, this would have been fine for the Dawes. I was also pleasantly surprised at how little glass there was on cyclepaths, even in places like Newcastle and Edinburgh. First week of June would have been ideal for you as I had a constant NE headwind! Hope you'll give us details/photos of your trip and enjoy yourself!