The C2C And Northern Cycle Routes Forum

hi,

im planning to do C2C in august including several of the optional off road sections.

im tempted to take my light, intelligent, full sus el santo as preference for the off road but think on balance my marin bobcat hardtail is prob a more sensible choice. any thoughts?

tyre wise, i already have panaracer ctx kevlar 150 essentially road tyres, schwalbe nobby nics 2.25, schwalbe racing ralphs 2.1, wtb velociraptor 2.1

although i have all these it doesnt mean i know much about them. the ralphs and the panaracers were on the bikes when i bought them but no good for the muddy winter trails i was doing hence the chunkys.


my thoughts are to take the ralphs and use them if the weather is dry but im less sure what to use if its wet and muddy?
i realise i need chunky for the offroad with good central tread for road sections but am unsure whether any of these fit the mark?

Sorry I don't know anything about any of them tyres but the route is probably more than 95% tarmac so I would think the best suited to road use.

really?? hope my map arrives soon so i can check it out in good time then. i envisaged lots of off road stuff

I've done the C2C 7 times and thinking much of it is on 70% on-road and 30% on traffic-free tracks. I've some nice tyres called Schwalbe Marathron Cross 26x1.75, these are ideal for both on/off road, although the Ralphs will be fine. I've used the Marathron Cross in the winter months and have coped very well, these are also excellent for tarmac and minor off-road tracks and bridle-way, which the C2C is mostly make up from.

The only sections I know, that maybe muddy and wet, after prolonged rain is Whinlatter Forest and the Waskerley Way. But there are alternative options to combat this, so no real worries.

To be honest, I would get some 26x1.75 for less drag. I can recommend the Schwalbe Marathron Cross 26x1.75 for this type of terrain or you could stick to Ralphs which would be more than ideal for peace of mind.

hmm not as challenging as i thought it was going to be then.

i think im inclined to use the kevlar panaracer 150s that ive got, take the ralphs and if i find im not coping put the ralphs on. as we have back up vehicle itll be easy to take them along. how does that sound?

i could buy 175s but dont really see i have much use for road tyres for a 26 so may as well use what ive got?

L8 starter wrote:hmm not as challenging as i thought it was going to be then.

i think im inclined to use the kevlar panaracer 150s that ive got, take the ralphs and if i find im not coping put the ralphs on. as we have back up vehicle itll be easy to take them along. how does that sound?

That's ideal with a back-up, then you have a choice to suit your needs. Best of luck in the ride.

A "challenge" coast to coast would be in line of "Wheelwright's" by Tim Woodcock, in which case, knobbly tyres are a must for that type of terrain. This coast to coast crosses the Lakeland Passes such as Black Sail and many bleak moorland, but a great mtb ride. I maybe doing it (again) in September with a bivvy tent.

See link. http://mbruk.co.uk/mbruk_CoastToCoast_details.htm

getting nearer the date and ive done my homework. when i first agreed to do this with a oad of others i thought we were doing the full off road route. i know better now!! ill have to come back another time for he off road route