Planning to do the WheelWright's next year, barring the Eskdale section. although I've done the WheelWright's a few years ago. I loved it, apart from rain. This is the ultimate ride of them all, if you want excitement, then this is the one to do.

Recommended. http://homepages.tesco.net/~c2c/index.htm

Hi there,

Where can I find the route map and any more information? My googling skills are obviously not very well honed.

m

The link is http://mbruk.co.uk/ You can order the guide thru a good bookshop with ISBN 1 902891 00 7

The route starts St.Bees, Ennerdale, Black Sail Pass, Wasdale Head, Burnmoor Tarn, Eskdale.

Duddon Valley, Walna Scar Road, Coniston, Elterwater, Ambleside. Trout Beck Valley, Garburn Pass, Longsleddale, Mosedale, Swindale, Shap.

Crosby Ravensworth, Bank Moor, Maisongill, Whygill Head, Soulby, Kirkby Stephen.

Rookby, Tan Hill, Keld, Ivelet, Reeth.

Grindon, Marrick, Marske, Richmond, Brompton on Swale, Danby Wiske, Brompton, Osmotherley.

Scugdale Hall, Chop Gate, Urra Moor, Burton Howe, Baysdale Moor, Westerdale, Rosedale Head, Trough House, Great Fryup Dale, Glaisdale.

Egton Bridge, Grosmont, York Cross, Louven Howe, Fylingdales Moor, Robin Hood's Bay.

There is however a detour which avoids the Cumbrian Mountains. Instead of heading to Ennerdale from St. Bees, you stay on the C2C path to Threlkeld, then over the Old Coach Road, Dockray, Matterdale End, Pooley Bridge, Askham Fell, Bampton, Shap.

This section is prefered for a swiftness rather than handbagging over the Black Sail Pass bit. But on the another hand, the latter is the exciting bit and rewards for the awesome views are to be had.

I must stress this route is not to be taken lightly and it is a tough cookie. Good mountain bike skills and navigation skills are a must, that is with a OS map and compass. The GPS is a good back-up and handy for grid reference on a misty featureless moor.

The satisfaction of reaching the bar in the Bay Hotel, Robin Hood's Bay is out of this world. also mingling with the Coast to Coast walkers. The day-trippers look at you, as if you are from another planet.

The C2C is a good training run for this one. If anyone does the Eskdale section, best of luck, you will need it. I did it in really bad weather back in June 1998. Pure grit is needed. I was in Ennerdale last May and the sun shone for me, great stuff. See my photo here.

Wow!

I remember Black Sail pass as a young walker. Not sure there'll be much cycling going up there - and coming down the other side sounds terryfyingly brilliant.

Which leads to a question of lightness. I normally camp when touring. I can't see getting up being possible, or down being enjoyable with a rack and panniers full of camping gear.

Maybe I'll just take the credit card and Hostel it. I can;t imagine there being a shortage of accommodation.

m

I think camping the route would be a challenge with the extra weight, although I knew of someone who used a bivi-bag, using pubs and cafes for meals and drink.

I would prefer hostelling or bb to cycle on this form of terrain, because there would be some walking in places to do.

There is a good source of hostels or bb on the WheelWrights.

Hostels located at:
Ennerdale.
Black Sail.
Wasdale Head. (Wastwater)
Eskdale.
Coniston(2).
Elterwater.
Grasmere (2).
Ambleside.
Windermere.
Kirkby Stephen.
Grindon.
Osmotherley
Boggle Hole or Whitby.

On detour route Cockermouth, Keswick and Patterdale.
Plenty of BB @ St. Bees, Shap, Glaisdale and Grosmont.

If you were to do the route in July/August, it's recommended to book in advance. Most of the Wheelwright does run longside the Coast to Coast walk and is a very popular walk, that 1000's do it in the summer. Believe me!

Hope this info helps.

You probably heard a Hell o' the North Bike Ride, well this is MK2

Has anyone done the lakeland loop? I've just noticed it on the link to mbruk.co.uk and it sounds good. I quite fancy giving it a go, it says that it's easy but I know the area and can't imagine it being that easy, especially with it all being off road.

You may find this link of interest. http://home2.btconnect.com/alasdair.arthur/web/lakes.htm

It does seem to be a decent off-road route, can't seeing being easy. High Street would be ok. Black Sail Pass is a sting in the tail.

Thanks for that agileman.

Interesting journal link - thanks.

I have rode the section from Troutbeck and over High Street a few times (in my younger and fitter youth!) and it is indeed a relatively easy trip after the pull up to Thornthwaite Beacon. After High Street the trip from the Cockpit down to Howtown is a blast but then the rest of the route along the side of Ullswater to Patterdale is horrific.

I can't help feeling though that surely the second day should omit Dockray to the Old Coach Road and instead head up to Greenside Mines, Keppel Cove (all rideable) and up the zig-zags (a carry of bike required until latter stages) then part ride and part carry onto the summit of Helvellyn (memories of crowds parting to let the mad cyclist thru and even a small round of applause come to mind from circa 1988) before an about turn and a fantastic ride along the Dodds before dropping down onto the Old Coach Road. Alternatively omit Helvellyn and just traverse the Dodds onto the OCR.

This would make it a far harder day but in my mind (thru rose tinted specs) definitly worth it!

A link for denny http://easywebshop.co.uk/bristolmtb/mtb_report_c2c_05_95.htm
http://homepages.tesco.net/~c2c/index.htm