The C2C And Northern Cycle Routes Forum

Volkswillow · Joined: 13 Jan 2008 Posts: 3

Can anyone link to a blog of a solo c2c ride?

I'm hoping to do C2C and possibly back again this summer. Inspired by Jose Dew books, and some of the experiences I've had when turning up to places unaccompanied, i'd really like to ride it all on my lonesome.
I'm pretty sure I'm not the first to do this, but i'm also pretty sure that my folks will have a fit (despite the fact that i'm almost old enough to have teenagers - which i think is a far more terrifying prospect!)

I don't think the actual cycling is going to be the problem, they're going to be worrying for me at night, and despite the fact that I've hated every minute of camping I've done in the past, I've got it into my head that I want to camp.
I know how to put up a tent and obviously plan to use campsites, rather than sleep where I land, but I'm a complete novice when it comes to "proper" camping. I've only ever been on guide camp once (as a trainee camp leader - which is worrying!), other than that It's been at car shows with my mates, which involved pizza and breakfast missions, rather than camping stoves and beans!

Any tips to make it safer, or make my folks/bloke worry less? Actually, any tips on camping in general would be good. Confused

agileman · Joined: 27 Sep 2007 Posts: 279

I've been camping now for a good number of years and you have to take the good with the bad. Nothing worst than getting wet and cold and having to put the tent up. Still it comes with experience and can be good fun and have a laugh. The cooking is fun, just keep it simple. You won't go hungry, even if it's cold beans and cold rice pudding Mad

The problem sometimes is water and with cycling, esp on hot days you need to keep topped up. On official campsites, it's not a problem. Only when you wild-camp. I carry the Camel-Bak bladder and just fill it when I can.

Getting to the main point of a Female camping alone, yes you have to admire Josie. She has been all over the world, lucky sod. Do you know of anyone who would accompany you, would your bloke join you. I know of package holidays who do Bed and Breakfast for groups, but can be costly with single room supplements. This is one of the reason why I like to do camping.

In a Man's world, he can cycle off without a care in the world. People would not bat a eyelid at that, I like to think Woman nowadays have more freedom than ever and rightly so.

I think your folks would worry a bit, it's natural for any parents to think the worst.

I know of Woman in my past cycling and walks over the years, that there were camping alone and loved it.

Why not try a week-end cycle camping trip and gain some experience and built up your confidence.

I think the campsites on the C2C are pretty good and friendly, you could always email the campsite proprietor for any advice about Female camping alone.

We all have a bit of fear in the back of mind's and when I'm camping, I'm always vigilante who is around me. But I never really had any problems.

I used to wild camp up on the North Yorkshire Moors and people would think I was mad to do such thing. But that's my problem and would still carry on doing it.

These links may interest you.
http://www.c2c-guide.co.uk/related_links.htm
http://searchwarp.com/swa74319.htm
http://www.articlecat.com/Article/The-Complete-Safety-Guide-For-Women-Camping-Alone/5179

fastmart · Joined: 09 Oct 2007 Posts: 18 Location: Sutton Coldfield

Hi,

Just do it and take the up and downs of the adventure as you go along, too much planning and preperation can stifle the journey.
Too many people these days lead boring lives and would love to just do something that little bit different but never quite get round to it,

Have fun,

Martyn.

Volkswillow · Joined: 13 Jan 2008 Posts: 3

agileman wrote:

I've been camping now for a good number of years and you have to take the good with the bad. Nothing worst than getting wet and cold and having to put the tent up. Still it comes with experience and can be good fun and have a laugh. The cooking is fun, just keep it simple. You won't go hungry, even if it's cold beans and cold rice pudding Mad

The problem sometimes is water and with cycling, esp on hot days you need to keep topped up. On official campsites, it's not a problem. Only when you wild-camp. I carry the Camel-Bak bladder and just fill it when I can.

Getting to the main point of a Female camping alone, yes you have to admire Josie. She has been all over the world, lucky sod. Do you know of anyone who would accompany you, would your bloke join you. I know of package holidays who do Bed and Breakfast for groups, but can be costly with single room supplements. This is one of the reason why I like to do camping.

In a Man's world, he can cycle off without a care in the world. People would not bat a eyelid at that, I like to think Woman nowadays have more freedom than ever and rightly so.

I think your folks would worry a bit, it's natural for any parents to think the worst.

I know of Woman in my past cycling and walks over the years, that there were camping alone and loved it.

Why not try a week-end cycle camping trip and gain some experience and built up your confidence.

I think the campsites on the C2C are pretty good and friendly, you could always email the campsite proprietor for any advice about Female camping alone.

We all have a bit of fear in the back of mind's and when I'm camping, I'm always vigilante who is around me. But I never really had any problems.

I used to wild camp up on the North Yorkshire Moors and people would think I was mad to do such thing. But that's my problem and would still carry on doing it.

These links may interest you.
http://www.c2c-guide.co.uk/related_links.htm
http://searchwarp.com/swa74319.htm
http://www.articlecat.com/Article/The-Complete-Safety-Guide-For-Women-Camping-Alone/5179

Thanks for the resposes. Those links are really helpful - two of them are the same article, but hey, there was some good advice in it!

I'm definitely going to try to do at least one trial weekend/overnighter. I've ridden a bike fully laden before, but not to camp, so it should be interesting! I might get someone to come with on the trial rides - But I definitely don't want anyone with me on the real thing. (People agree to do these things when they haven't been on a bike for years, put in 7 miles training the week before, and spend the day crying because they've got cramp, and they wonder why I want to leave them behind.)

I also like the tips about emailing the campsite owner beforehand, about being a lone female. I thought about also taking a two-man tent, rather than a single berth, and making sure my bike is away from the tent when I sleep (since there's only ONE of it!)

I'd love to keep the planning and preparation to a minimum, but I don't feel confident enough to just go. Training will be necessary - I've never ridden hills like the pennines before, and I do feel the need to book into any places where I'll be staying, - I want to do this in summer, and I'm expecting places to be busy; I don't want to be riding around a strange place at midnight looking for a place to camp!
I think my way of 'planning' things would be considered a minimum anyway! Laughing

Volkswillow · Joined: 13 Jan 2008 Posts: 3

Actually, I have one more question (at least)

Short of all out rebellion (I'm too old for that now!) How is it possible to persuade worrying relatives that if they let you go off cycle touring, you won't come back in a bodybag, having been eaten by a bear, stabbed to death by a psychopath, shot, raped, burned alive, and all the other things that inevitably happen to all lone females the second they step out of the door with the intention of going further than the end of the street?

And could someone explain to these same worrying relatives why "you can't just go for a little ride round the village it has to be hundreds and hundreds of miles". The explanation that i've seen the village hundreds and hundreds of times wasn't quite what they were looking for.