[Closed] C2C Whitehaven to Tynemouth ish...

I did it over two days in April, two of the lads I was doing it with were planning to do it in a day but changed their mind when we got into Alston (my stop) and ended up stopping over with us, I imagine the climb up Hartside was a factor.

For me a one day trip would be possible in the middle of summer but two was sensible.

Did it over two days a few years back. Nice steady ride. Most depressing part was having to ride back to Newcastle from Tynemouth as that's where the car was parked. TBH the last 1/4 from Consett just reminded me of my commute to Sheffield. Other than that really liked it.

I did a slightly shorter version in one day, basically followed the standard route to Alston but then just stayed on the road to Hexham, means you miss out a killer climb from Stanhope. Total distance is 126 miles and 8000 ft climbing and took me about 8 hours. It's actually not too difficult, I think the key is to just pick a nice day with a favourable tail wind, also lots of jelly babies and flapjacks

I've done it a few times as I live in Newcastle.

message me if you have any specifics. I didn't do the official route as I felt I could improve on it. Bits of this might not be possible now, didn't a section of the lakes part get wiped out in a flood a year or so ago?

https://www.strava.com/activities/63624632

Off road or on road? The off road route is fine on a CX bike (gravel bikes weren't a thing in 2013).

The lakes bit could be more interesting but in a day you pretty much need to take a direct route and blast through. If you had more time there are nicer ways.

I carried the second half of Hartside as it was unrideable. This is the bit from the top down to where it last crosses the road. On more recent attempts I've joined the road for the last bit because walking through boggy moorland is no fun.

Some of the moorland stuff is closed during shooting season so don't leave your trip too late.

The official route to Tynemouth is not that great. So from parkhead cafe I followed it down and mixed it up a bit to hit the Tyne and follow that to the coast. This might not all be dirt but it is traffic free. Once you get to the cafe you are home free - it's a long gentle downhill to the river (old railway line) then flat.

There are loads of cafe options. You don't need to carry much provided you plan your stops.

Ride it West to East to get a favorable wind. It's bleak in bad weather.Don't do it in strong winds or really wet conditions, it'll just be unpleasant.

Cheers Jonba! It’s a road ride I’m planning on doing and looking at next summer really.

I did Workington to Seaham last year which works out at about 110 miles, completed in under 7 hours with a decent tailwind all the way.

If you're starting early you can just ride on the a66 as far as Keswick or Penrith. Not the most inspiring riding but fast and easy and not much traffic around at that time.

The Hartside Café is currently closed after a fire but there's a bakery at Melmerby at the bottom of Hartside and a garage and other facilities at Alston.

Tynemouth is a great place to finish but yeah, the last 12 miles or so aren't that inspiring. There are plans to extend the Tyne riverside path further east from the ferry terminal which will improve things a bit though.

I've done it twice in 2 days, stopping over in Alston. 1 day is doable but could be hard in bad conditions - and sometimes the wind does blow easterly!

@jonba I've been looking at the offroad version and tried to see a way through the lakes that was a bit less full on - which route is CX bike friendly? Thanks!

I’ve done Annan to Newton Aycliffe a few times, via Longtown, Brampton, Alston, Bishop Auckland. Alston area is pretty hilly, but nothing a good fit rider can’t manage.
Id say for C2C you’ll enjoy it more over 2 days.
Be prepared, there are bits where it’s a few miles between shops.