Hi,
Haven't done it yet but it looks interesting, see web site

http://www.reivers-guide.co.uk/index.htm

It starts in Tynemouth and finishes in whitehaven being east to west, the opposite to the C2C, could be a round trip incorporating both rides. Whilst the ride is longer at 171 miles the website quotes that it's not quite so hilly although weather permitting the wind may be in your face.
Anybody done both rides that could offer a comparision.

Another possible ride for me for next year is the Devon c2c from Ilfracombe to Plymouth, Sustrans also do their usual fold out map for this route.


Roll on summer,


Martyn.......

yea basically you go Tynemouth, to WH, WH back to North East!

310 miles in total

Hi fastmart, I did the the Reiver's Cycle Route in June 1999 on cheap steel mtb and was camping too. It is a cracking route and 51 miles longer than the C2C. It is more exposed and accommodation is sparse, one of the reason's why I camped. There is plenty of scope for some RnR between Falstone and Kielder, or you can go on road via Liddlesdale.

Although it is not hard route, there is some area's where you feel a bit isolated. I remember on the second day and this was in June, that me and my mate cycled from Pontleland to Bellingham and the weather was changing. From Little Swinburn to Bellingham about 10 miles, it was like a winter's day, anything from Thunder and Lightning, Hailstones. The last mile in Bellingham was the worst torrential rain I've ever known in my whole life. We made to to Leaplish Water Camp-site, never go there again. We were plagued by masses of Midgies, luckly I had Insect Repellant on. My girlfriend and mate never bothered and suffered for it. The tent section rock hard ground and my mate nearly had his bike pinched.

The Reiver's is one route you must do, some beautiful countryside and at one point you pop into Scotland along Kerhopeburn.

One tip is take some good waterproof's and plenty of food, due to lack of shops en-route.

This is one route I've been considering for next year ride combined with The Hadrian's Wall, the other one planned is a combined C2C and W2W.

so you recommend the reivers mate?

sounds as though its best to do it as a group... if i can easily do the c2 in three days, what do you think its easy for the reivers?

I'll just pull up a chair and join the chitchat if that's ok.Agree with agileman's comments about the Reivers being a little isolated. Think you need to be a bit more self sufficient on this one than the C2C.i.e. taking more food and buying food/drinks at every opportunity. I did the reivers/c2c loop last summer(2006) and enjoyed both routes.IMO if you can do C2C easily in 3 days, you should be able to do the REivers in 3 also.I was on a bit of a mission when I did my ride and managed it all in 3 days total with camping gear. Having said that I had a few days off the bike to recover afterwards.Riding a touring bike I found the reivers route alot rougher than the c2c, with more farm tracks and very rough trails with no obvious road alternatives. It's not a critisism, just something to bare in mind when choosing which bike/ wheel/tyres to use.At Keilder, just before you cross the dam there's a toilet block, nice and clean and hygenic.It's a handy place for a quick wash and to fill your water bottles for free before you start the forrest section.

Do you think the Reiver's is the one ride that sort's the Boys from the Men

Well, me and my mate were discussing the LEJOG the other day and would like to plan one for 2009, he's done it already and I have'nt yet But I would be up for the challedge. Are we talking about 12 months to plan the ride.

that great..

least theres one thats completed it and has a little knowledge of it. depending on who ya beleive the mileage its anyway from 874 - 1110.

Definately need to think about planning asap, and as i've only got a cheap mtb - which i would use to train on, i'd be looking at a loan of a one for the event, as i dont cycle enough to buy a brand new one (plus i aint got the money atm). Working together, it'll be piss to organise!

Use http://c2c.freeforums.org/viewtopic.php?t=74 to ask question, answer questions, give advice or ask anything else.

I've done, and enjoyed, lots of (modified) Sustrans routes including C2C, W2Whitby-Scarborough, Pennine cycleway north, Lochs and Glens Carlisle to Inverness ..... So, this year I'm planning a 4 day route at Easter broadly along the Reivers Route. I'm going from Lancaster-Eskdale (west lakes)-Hesket Newmarket (via Whitehaven and start of Reivers)- Kielder -Newcastle and return by train.

Anyone got any tips on the Reivers section? One specific question is that I'm undecided as to whether to head straight to Newcastle station from Ponteland or go to Tynemouth for the ritual of reaching the coast and then back into town. What is the state of signed route through the urban area? After some unsavoury moments on the C2C heading into Sunderland a couple of years ago, I usually now avoid urban paths and use the main roads in unfamiliar towns.