C2c ride

[ghyyt65]

I am about to start planning a coast to coast ride for myself, family and work mates (some of whom have not ridden a bike for some time!) it will be around june/july time. I have never done one of these rides before and we are looking at doing it over two days!
I have found a c2c site and am checking it over for ideas.eg, where to stay, which course to take etc.
If any of you guys have done one of these rides before and can give some advice or tips it would be much appreciated, many thanks

 

[Frankenorange]

I supported a couple of guys who did the scottish C2C back in 2003. Started on Skye and straight across to wherever it was. I drove ahead to planned stops to give them food, do repairs, and all that jazz. 4 overnights if i remember rightly and we did it in the autumn before the weather was going to turn , but after midge season. These were two guys who were fit and mechanically minded.

From my experience it really is worth it if you can get a chase car/van especially if you are doing it with people who don't cycle much. They really will not appreciate it if you ask them to carry 20kgs of stuff on the bike and they can't be trusted to ration their food/drink properly. Even for medium effort you have got to keep everyone fed and watered, or things will go pear shaped. Hungry and tired people are no fun to be with and worse if you are also hungry and tired.
Regarding food you absolutely do not want everyone just jamming gels in as this can cause a lot of probs if they aren't burnt off as quickly as they go in and a body is not used to them. Stomach cramps, the sh!ts, and sleep problems are things you do not want in the group.

The planning that went into the trip was extensive and lots of plans for things not going to plan. Don't leave anything until the last minute like bookings, bike prep, bike fit, maps, etc and the two things really high on the list are weather and midges if it is the Scotland trip.
Don't skimp on anything and make sure you have battery chargers or battery packs and medical kit, spare clothes, and so on. Make sure everyone is NOT starting the trip with brand new and unworn clothing and footwear as it wont take long for blisters, chafing, saddle sores, niggly knees and backs to start delaying things.

It is all about preventing misery.

If someone does not want to play by these rules then you need to find a way of leaving them at home because they will become an anchor, or mess the trip up. If the route is all road, and not mostly offroad and remote like the Scottish C2C , or you are planning to take an age to do it, you can be a little more generous BUT a lot of the same rules apply.

That is all i can offer.

 

[Frankenorange]

I feel like i have just cancelled a holiday.

 

[Frankenorange]

or christmas.

 

[Guinessisgoodforyou]

I feel like i have just cancelled a holiday.

No, you have saved a holiday. I'm grumpy AF if I'm hungry. Fueling is very important and varies greatly from person to person.

 

[Frankenorange]

Coast 2 Coast Boot Camp Day 1

Morning session:

Remove rear wheel. Remove tyre and tube. Remove cassette and de-lace then remove bearings . Rebuild rear wheel and true. Fit tyre and cassette. This will be done blind folded and naked wearing a shock collar.

Lunch: Moss.

Afternoon Session:

If it comes to it you may have to eat part of yourself. This session will help you choose which limb is sacrificial.

Dinner: Bracken.

Evening session:

What will YOU do if you get lost? . This session will teach you how to build a sextant out of a tubular front rack using a basic tool kit and a rock.

 

[pebble]

Whitehaven to Tynemouth last weekend carrying all the kit - tent, sleeping bag, stove etc. Met one guy doing it in one day on a road bike

Two days will be hard if non cyclists especially if carrying all your kit and it spoils the ride - stay in accommodation.

1. Take midge spray and sun cream
2. Use road bike. I did it on a retro mountain bike which was slow going.
3. Turn left at Rookhope or you will end up at Stanhope which is hard going to cycle out of
4. Take a map not like me
5. Carrigill has a good bunkhouse about half way
6. Don’t ask the locals for directions- they take great pleasure in sending you the wrong way - added 20 miles to trip on both occasions
7. Hartside is long climb but Allenheads is also a long slog.
8. Do not get the last train back from Newcastle on a Saturday night - not fun being the only sober person on the train

 

[bikeworkshop]

Great advice from @Frankenorange and @pebble

I would add don't be afraid to cancel if the weather is awful.
I can only tolerate a certain amount of rain or aggressive headwind.

And plan it over 3 days, keeping the possibility of 2 if its all going well.
10 miles further than you are capable of can be very, very difficult.

The os maps app is brilliant.

You might be able to send your kit on ahead in an uber these days.

 

[db95]

Whitehaven to Tynemouth last weekend carrying all the kit - tent, sleeping bag, stove etc. Met one guy doing it in one day on a road bike

Two days will be hard if non cyclists especially if carrying all your kit and it spoils the ride - stay in accommodation.

1. Take midge spray and sun cream
2. Use road bike. I did it on a retro mountain bike which was slow going.
3. Turn left at Rookhope or you will end up at Stanhope which is hard going to cycle out of
4. Take a map not like me
5. Carrigill has a good bunkhouse about half way
6. Don’t ask the locals for directions- they take great pleasure in sending you the wrong way - added 20 miles to trip on both occasions
7. Hartside is long climb but Allenheads is also a long slog.
8. Do not get the last train back from Newcastle on a Saturday night - not fun being the only sober person on the train

Crawleyside?