Hi All, - I'm organising a three day C2C trip for the 1st May next year. In an ideal world, I want to hire transport and a driver for our return trip from Sunderland to Keswick, (probably for five people), so we can just throw our bikes on the back and get chaffuered home. I've had a quick look around some of the links on the site but wanted to ask: has anyone ever done something similar, would they recommend a particular company, and how much did they end up paying ?.

Thanks,

Paul

Hi Paul

As you will find the likes of Stanley Taxi/Bike Bus will charge about £35-£45per head, and for a 2 hour ride with a bike is a lot!.. (min of £180 of group of 5)

Tbh, and this is what I've did the past 2 years, is get a friend or family member to act as your support driver for the actual route who can then take up back home! OK, that only takes care of 3 (if you have a cycle carrier), then you get another friend to drive to Sunderland just to pick you up, making sure they have a bike rack for the remaining bikes.

Keswick to Sunderland return is roughly 240miles + the same and a little more for the support driver. You could easily save on your 180£ if you did it this way.

Cheers Disco- many thanks for the advice.

I might get a quote from Stanley's, just out of interest. To be honest; anything cheaper per head than the train is a plus as it's always such a hassle with the state of the rail network at the moment.

The best option would be to turn around and ride back - but I don't think all the participants would fancy that idea !.

What type of transport does Stanley's provide, do you know ?. Say for five adults - do they simply rack the bikes on the back of a minibus and you're away ?.

I'm also looking into hired transport from Keswick - the taxis companies here offer good deals to and from Newcastle airport for the tourists. The only sticking point at the moment might be transporting the bikes themselves.

Stanley Taxis - http://www.stanleytaxis.co.uk/

They use a proper 16 seater vehicle with proper trailer attached, although they do own/use smaller buses/vehicles but I do not know costs etc.

As i say, see if you can get a couple bike carriers and stick them onto a car or 2. bobs ya uncles sisters cousins mother etc etc!

The rail option is probably the cheapest, but as you say, it takes an age!

just for your information regarding transport for cyclists.We can provide transport for around £35.00 per person .Kind regards Peter.

Are you riding from East to West? Living in Keswick i thought you would do West to East. Let me know when your thinkin of doing it, and i'll dig you out some prices/ideas

we have just booked to be transfered from stockton to whitehaven.
the cheapest was a company in redcar called Coasttocoast at £35 each from door to door.
they where fully booked but recommended tyne valley holidays who charge £40 per person fron door to door.
this is more expensive than the train but as my husband has to work that day and my sons to go to school/college it has worked out better.

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suziec
please help
http://www.justgiving.com/johncaldicott

Based in Newcastle, I can provide transport for a maximum of 7 people and bikes for approximately £150. Supply me with your travel details and I will cost it up.