Cycling C2C Writing LINSEY M

Cycling C2C

The C2C is a cycling route which can be started on the West Coast of England with alternative start points at Workington or Whitehaven, Cumbria and finishing on the East Coast at Sunderland or Tynemouth. For more information check out www.c2c-guide.co.uk and other links below.

The idea of cycling the C2C came about while chatting to a friend who I knew was a keen cyclist. I wanted an adventure easy on the wallet and would physically challenge me. The nearest I had been to a bike in recent years was in spin class, in fact, I didn't even own a bike but I don't like to let the little details put me off doing things.

When we met to start the journey we realised neither of us had a map. Rees reassured me it would be ok, so we decided to wing it and rely on the sustrans signs and ask for directions. We hadn't booked accommodation either as we weren't sure how far we would get each day but we had a few numbers of B&B's.

We were not completely unprepared and took supplies (see below). If there was one thing I could have added to this list it would have been a pair of padded cycling shorts as by the end of the journey I had serious bum ache.

My checklist

• A bike - I managed to borrow one.

• Some warm clothes - A hooded top.

• A water bottle - Preferably full.

• A toothbrush - You have to keep them clean.

• Emergency cash and cashcard - For food, accomodation and a few whiskeys (after cycling of course!).

• Spare inner tube - Always best to have one.

• Puncture repair kit - You just never know when a puncture may occur.

• A Torch - or a bike light.

• A bike pump - this came in handy.

• Snacks - I took dried and fresh fuit and chocolate. Kendal mint cake (bought at the local Post office) came in handy and stopped me from passing out at one point.

• Here is the adventure in words and pictures. Enjoy, hopefully it will inspire the inner cyclist in you!

Go on 'get on ya bike'!

Old sheds in Workington

Mischief Workington

Dipping our bikes in the sea

Day one was spent travelling to Workington on the train. The journey from Carlisle to Workington is really scenic. I found the train ride calming and freeing, as real life dropped from the agenda and I could feel the adventure begin. Sounds romantic doesn't it? Fortunately I had Rees by my side eating a mini pork pie and a conversation about appropriate cycling attire to stop any coastline soul searching. We were keeping it real on this journey.

We cycled from Workington and made it to Keswick that evening. It didn't take us long to find a youth hostel and negotiate a good deal. As we weren't travelling at the height of summer booking a room last minute wasn't a problem. If you are cycling this route in busier periods then booking ahead would be a good option. Keswick is a popular tourist destination in the Lake District. I have added some links below as it is a beautiful place to explore.

Approximate miles cycled: 22 miles

Number of punctures: Me - 0, Rees - 1

Number of Jelly sweets consumed: Me - 5, Rees - 0

Day two began with a delicious YHA breakfast and watching the ducks swim in the river. It was then out of Keswick and onto Castlerigg stone circle which was a short ride up an incline. We spent a bit of time here taking in the views and admiring the stones. We cycled off to the joy of being met with a few much needed downhills and turned onto 'The Old Coach Road', an optional off road section of the C2C. We eventually made it out after several mishaps from finding a dead end at a quarry to almost losing my shoe to the mud.

We were glad to make it out alive and relieved to find a post office soon after, where we could get some snacks, I mean jelly sweets. The ones that can only be found in a old country village post offices. I indulged in a massive jelly spider and several giant strawberries. We made it to Renwick and realised we were going to struggle to get to the next village with a B&B before it got dark. After some indecision as to what the next move would be, we decided on risking cycling to Alston. This meant taking on Hartside summit. As we pedalled off I got a puncture almost immediately, they always happen at the most appropriate times don't they? As I was fixing it a car pulled up beside us. To cut a long story short, magic happened in Renwick. We were invited to stay overnight in the home of some wonderfully kind people and had stew (the best I have tasted to date). I haven't made this up, it actually happened and was quite unexpected and amazing.

Approximate miles cycled - 32

Number of punctures: Me - 1, Rees - 1

Number of Jelly sweets consumed: Me - 30 (at least), Rees - 20

Old Coach Road Adventure

Rolling hills, gorgeous views

Big puddles

Which way? C2C Sustrans signs

All the wellies

Pink skies

Day three began with a hearty breakfast, fixing punctures and being sent on our way with two four leaf clovers. No, this isn't made up either, told you it was magical, somewhere in Renwick lurks a field of them apparently. As we left Renwick the roads became leafy and narrow and Rees dropped out of sight in an instant. The steep inclines soon began; preparing me for what was to come, which was Hartside Summit. It was a tough climb but waiting at the top was a spectacular view and Hartside cafe where you can replenish your energy and sample their delicious scones (both cheese and sultana are tasty). We made it to Durham after a few glitches. We were getting used to daily mishaps by this point so my flat tyre near Stanhope and my backpack deattaching itself from my handlebars whilst going downhill didn't phase us.

Approximate miles cycled: 53

Number of punctures: Me - 1, Rees - 1

Number of jelly sweets consumed: Me - 10, Rees - A bag of Jelly babies

Day Four was short day in terms of cycling. We set off from Durham and ended our journey in Sunderland. We passed through little villages and made a pit stop at local shop for snacks. In one village which I don't recall the name of now, one of the C2C signs had been moved to point in the wrong direction. It seems some people get a kick out of moving them around. When in doubt check with a local (or your map, if you have one).

After cycling along a few off road tracks and back onto the road we made it to the sea. We kept with tradition by dipping our bikes (and ourselves) in the sea.

Approximate miles cycled: 13

Number of punctures: Me - 0, Rees - 0

Number of jelly sweets consumed: Me - 25 (at least), Rees - 20

Road Kill

More pink skies

Hartside Summit

Long winding roads

Dipping the bikes in the sea at the other end!

A brilliant cycling adventure was had!

I thoroughly enjoyed my first cycling adventure and look forward to having more. Since cycling the C2C I have become a cycling convert and try to pedal wherever I can. I find it a cheap and easy way to get some exercise.

If you are inspired to get on your bike but not sure about a C2C adventure I have linked some websites below with cycling initiatives that may be of interest. I found from doing the C2C that its great to explore your home country as well as far and wide.

Another thing I enjoyed about this journey was not having a map, after my initial reservations I really got into the swing of it and liked stopping to chat to locals along the way, this became part of the fun. I would take a map next time but keep it in my bag in case of emergency. I am now planning my next cycling trip but have no idea where it will be.

Highlights of the trip:

• Meeting squirrelman at the start of the journey.

• Rees and the way he said KES-WICK.

• Getting a great deal at the YHA.

• A Mini pub crawl in Keswick.

• Pink sky at night in Renwick.

• Magic tricks and jumping about at Castlerigg Druid Circle.

• Rees balancing a spoon on his nose with precision.

• Meeting Ken at the post office, borrowing his book for hostel ideas and his chat.

• Meeting B&S and them being so kind.

• Our impromptu invitation to stay overnight in Renwick.

• Kendal mintcake saving me from collapse.

• Old Post Offices and a great selection of jelly sweets.

• The Old Coach Road, it was an adventure in itself.

• Not having a map and speaking to so many people asking for directions.

Lowlights:

• Getting a puncture at the most inappropriate time.

• The soggy path on the 'Old Coach Road'.

• Nearly losing my shoe to the mud.

• Burning a hole in the bottom of my bag.

• Meeting the two Tims and losing them in an instant.

• My tyre collapse near Stanhope with no one around for miles.

• The sheep that looked like a pig, it was pretty scary looking.

Tips

Depending on the train service you are taking you sometimes have to book your bike on in advance. (Some train services have limited spaces for bikes and this could result in you having to wait for the next train).

• Purchase some padded cycling shorts.

• Make sure you have enough water to keep you going in between stops.

• Take a map, just in case.

Information on the C2C and cycling adventures.

Sustrans Sea to Sea book - www.sustransshop.co.uk

Cycling

C2C offroad sections - www.c2c-guide.co.uk/off-road-sections

Make smarter travel choices possible - www.sustrans.com

Supporting the future of cycling - www.bikehub.co.uk

Great resouce for all your cycling needs - www.britishcycling.org.uk

Get the most out of mountain biking - www.cycleguides.co.uk

Cycling campaign, Newcastle - newcycling.org