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C2C - Whitehaven to Tyne-and-wear
| batty | 29 Nov 02:40 |
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Joined: 29 Nov 2008 Posts: 2 Bike: | Hi All, I'm hoping with all of this cycling expertise in one area that there might be a few people who can give me some pointers on the C2C... Due to work/family committments/..etc.., I'm only able to get out a couple of times a week at the moment (probably 25/30 miles a week), but I'm looking to increase my sessions in after Xmas to start training up towards undertaking the C2C for charity over two days April/May next year. Does anyone have any advice on: > Training schedule (how many miles I should be training for) > Places to stay (good, bad and ugly) > Things to aviod (peaks, roads, peoples, ..etc..) > Things to take (spares, clothes, drinks, ..etc..) > ..etc.. Thanks in advance for any advice you can give me. Shawn |
DaveM 
| 14 Dec 08:13 |
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Joined: 29 Sep 2008 Posts: 1 Bike: My Profile | Our club did it in June 2008. We did the Reivers route out of Whitley Bay and then the C2C back. Broadly the C2C route was Whitehaven to Penrith, Penrith to Rookhope and then Rookhope to Whitley Bay. In 2 days it would be a very hard ride although one member of the club road back from Penrith to Whitley Bay in one go, 80 miles. It was still a lot but once over the moors outside of Rookhope then its literally down hill for the last 40 miles to Newcastle. I would say you need to build your training up to 50 or 60 miles, with plenty of hills, in a day and also be able to do it back to back. There are loads of places to stay and some very good route guides around. Just pray for good weather or at least dry weather. When we did it rained heavily but it is still one of the best rides I have done. I would go for 3 days and then you can at least have time to enjoy the beautiful scenery. |
| My Latest Route: Sep 2008 Rhigos Neath Valley | |
| batty | 21 Dec 16:41 |
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Joined: 29 Nov 2008 Posts: 2 Bike: | Thanks DaveM The advice about 3 days is very sensible and everything I'm reading tells me not to push too much beyond your fitness level - which I hope will be considerably better than today ;O) Did you have any specific training plan ? I've looked at the 12-week Century training plan and the 300-mile per month, but I don't know which one is best ? |
| bertie | 22 Jan 19:15 |
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Joined: 22 Jan 2009 Posts: 1 Bike: | Hi Shawn I did the C2C last May with my brother in 3 days. I cycle approx 25 miles a week, my brother (he's 42, I'm 41) hadn't cycled since the year before when we did Bristol to London via the Kennett & Avon canal. We averaged 50 miles a day, 2nd day is the hillest and most exhausting, so you're plan for 2 days will be busy with the first day ending half way in the hills. The last 20 odd miles are all basically downhill along old railway lines and cycle paths into Newcastle. Virtually the whole trip can be done on a road touring bike (I did it on my Orbit, my brother on his wifes bike with front suspension !). There is one section going up the incline plane (morning of day 3) so mid-day for your 2 day trip which is mainly off your bike and push it - its rough track. The official end is the signpost at Tynemouth, 10 miles on from Newcastle, so remember it's 10 miles back again if you've a train to catch from Newcastle - no trains allowed on the Metro system. (We stayed in Tynemouth, B&B called 42 if I remember rightly, pleasant place in the centre). With regards to training, I'm not seriously fit but found my 25 a week put me in good position, obviously the more your training the fitter you'll be for the hills - I only had to push the bike up one short steep hill that caught me out, all the long hills are very do'able. My brother who smokes 40 a day managed the trip, a bit wheezy and for him lots of pushing, but all do'able. Things to take - wet weather gear, snacks and drink. Most of the B&B's on the route will pack you a lunch given the notice - there's not too many shops to buy enroute in parts. We took spare tubes, repair kit and multi-tool. The route is very well sign-posted, we had the map from Sustrans in our barbags, great to have but you could do it by signpost alone their that good. |
| ahargrea | 23 Jun 10:59 |
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Joined: 23 Jun 2009 Posts: 1 Bike: | I have done the C2C twice, the first one was a real shock, the second one was shockingly easy. The key to it is to get plenty of miles in your legs for about a month before you do the ride. If you can't get out on a real bike or live somewhere with no hills (London), a spell on a static cycle in the gym is equally good. If you can pedal against a steady, stiff resistence in the gym for 30 minutes, 4 days per week you should be fully physically prepared for the hills. Mental prepareation is something else; On my first ride I dispared at the apparently never ending climbs but the second time I had a good idea of what to expect and that seemed to help me to keep going. Ride with as little as possible and try to do your ride between May and September so as to avoid the need for warm clothing. A light water proof is a good idea as there is a good chance of rain at anytime of the year. I found sports drinks to be useful and take a packed lunch from the B&B each day. Use vasaleen under your shorts to help prevent chafing and under no circumstances wear underpants - you'll be red-raw by Keswick. I did both of my rides in three days, once to Sunerland and once to Tynemouth. Be warned, the ride from Newcastle to Tynemouth is dull, dull, dull; just crappy cycle ways through housing estates. If I were to do the Tynemouth route again I would just call a halt in Newcastle and enjoy the night life, there isn't much to see in Tynemouth, not even a sign telling you that you have reached the end. I'm trying to pursuade a mate to join me in a two day attempt later this year (2009), we are going to call it our mid-life crisis. Best of luck with your ride. Don't forget to have a look around sometimes as this route goes through some stunning countryside. Above all, enjoy it. |
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txbnet
| 09 Jan 09:43 |
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 Joined: 29 Jun 2010 Posts: 149 Bike: My Profile | I agree with most of the above, three days is enjoyable, two days would be tough. One points that is wrong above, there is a finish sign, if you are following the blue signs into Tynemouth, its just past North Shields fish quay, as you cycle along a promenade and finih with a slight incline, the sign is on the right hand side and states C2C start/end and Coast & Castles also. It's a good spot for a final photo before hitting the bars of Tynemouth! "Cumberland Arms" is a good shout. |
| My Latest Route: Jan 2011 Whitley Bay to Bellingham | |
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txbnet
| 16 Jan 02:46 |
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Joined: 29 Jun 2010 Posts: 149 Bike: My Profile | Here's a picture of the "missing" finish sign at Tynemouth on the C2C http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=387729659653&set=a.387725219653.165708.694924653&pid=3736480&id=694924653 |
| My Latest Route: Jan 2011 Whitley Bay to Bellingham | |
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jimwoo25
| 16 Jan 06:51 |
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Joined: 02 Sep 2009 Posts: 50 Bike: My Profile | Hi Shawn, I did the C2C last year, and i cant tell you how good it was! There are always loads of people doing it and you're probably never far from another cyclist, so you will be in good company! I did it with two friends, but we did it over three days. If you have the flexibility. i would suggest three days instead of two. Other riders who have done it before will say two days is just no fun at all. 3 days is still a massive challenge but you have more time to enjoy the surroundings etc. Training wise, i was cycling to work and weekend rides, averaging about 100 miles a week. In fairness, that was quite excessive. You can't train for the hills you will encounter, but just stick to the main signposted route and you will have a great sense of achievment when you're done. The worst hill is Hartside, but perhaps buy a book as they give you route info etc. We had one with us and it was very handy. And don't do the old coach road, very bad! We stopped in Albany House hotel in Penrith and the Rookhope Inn (in Rookhope). If you stay in rookhope, which breaks the route up nicely, book in advance as its a village with about 20 buildings! Great local food though, very reccomended. Make sure you take spare inner tubes as the off road sections are very treachurous, energy drinks/bars/gels, and also a chain tool! My chain snapped halfway up a hill, luckily nearby another group who had one! Finally, make sure you don't go out on the beer the night before until three in the morning like we did, get a good night in! If you need anymore info on anything, i'd be more than happy to give you any info/advice you may need! Cheers Jim |
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