Background
The Coast to Coast, or C2C as it is better known, is the most popular and widely known long distance cycle route in the UK, completed by thousands of people each year. The longest option runs for around 140 miles (225 km) across the northern edge of the Lake District, across the Eden Valley and across the beautifully bleak Northern Pennines before dropping down to the post-industrial landscape of the North-East. There are optional starting points (Whitehaven or Workington) and a choice of end point (Tynemouth or Sunderland).
The route uses a mix of specially constructed cycle paths, off-road tracks
and minor roads, only occasionally straying onto short sections of main road
where necessary. Although undoubtedly a challenge, containing several serious
climbs, it can be completed by those with little experience of cycling. How long
you allow yourself depends on experience, fitness and choice of route. Although
some ultra-fit enthusiasts aim to do the whole route in less than 24 hours, the
vast majority of C2Cers are holidaying and usually take between three and seven
days.
Why so popular? The C2C was the brainchild of cycling charity Sustrans, the UK's leading sustainable transport charity, which has promoted the C2C as a 'flagship' long distance route and it has undoubtedly tapped a demand for long distance cycle holidays. Some first-rate support facilities have developed around the route. This desire to escape the traffic on two wheels is surely a reaction against the road congestion that has become one of the logistical and health problems of our age. Many previous non-cyclists have successfully attempted this challenging route and have become more regular cyclists.
The C2C also takes in fantastic scenery. The mountains of the Lake District yield to the subtler but equally beautiful Eden Valley, around Penrith. A very stiff climb up Hartside onto the rolling Pennines provides a further contrast. Settlements are relatively few hereabouts and winter weather can be the most extreme on the whole route. Former leading mining settlements such as Allenheads provide opportunities for sleep and refreshment whilst the landscape also bears reminders of the defunct lead mining industry in the form of old shafts, flues and numerous other constructions. Although the north-east is known perhaps too much for unemployment as a result of heavy industrial decline, it has splendid visitor attractions and remarkable architecture, for example in Newcastle city centre
The Wearmouth and Tyne bridges, in Sunderland and Newcastle respectively, and the Gateshead Millenium Bridge, are fittingly dramatic heralds to the two finishing points. It's hardly surprising then, that after negotiating two of the country's main mountain ranges and at least one major city, and linking the Irish and North Seas in the process, that a real sense of achievement in completing this epic journey is just about inevitable!
My Journey...
So, we had decided to choose the route between Whitehaven and Tynemouth. Around 140 miles (225 km) stood between the two towns and us completing the challenge. We planned to take this on over two days with pre-booked accomodation at Nenthead on the way.
After a long drive to the North-West of England the day before, we arrived in
Whitehaven at the Waverley Hotel in the early part of the evening. We parked the
car outside the hotel and then set about getting our belongings and bikes
inside. Our first impression of Whitehaven was not good - many characters of a
questionable nature seemed to be lurking everywhere and the town was soon
adopted the nickname of "Shitehaven".
Once settled in our rooms, it was time for a visit to the hotel bar where we would decide on last minute decisions over 4 or 5 pints of beer. Although this was a cycling holiday, some of us had decided that it was going to be a boozy trip too. Hmmmm, how would long distance cycling and boozing mix? Click on the links below to see.....