The C2C Guide - the definitive resource centre for the Sea to Sea cycle route

advice centre archived pages 2004

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Life on the C2C Guide wouldn't be the same without Doug on the Tynes regular and helpful submissions, below is Dougs first Advice Centre entry for 2004:
Dougs Hadrians Cycleway website has details of the improvement works taking place along HCW / C2C in Tyneside during the coming year - work on the Quayside has already started and the rest is due to start over the next few months, use the link below to find out up to date information and diversion details whilst work is in progress.
www.cycle-routes.org/hadrianscycleway/general/advice.html

Not so much advice but a damned good idea to do your bit on the NCN:
Sunday 21 March 2004 - Sustrans Rangers event - North Tyneside
A clean up day is being organised on Hadrian's Cycleway NCN 72 (C2C)
C2C Mile 131.5 - at Hadrian Road down the bank alongside Willington Viaduct and across the Gut to Western Road. This is being organised by the local Sustrans HCW Ranger Group.
Details: Doug Ridgway - Sustrans Liaison Ranger for Hadrian's Cycleway (Tynemouth to Ovingham)
Tel: 0191 4554500
Email: doug.ridgway (at) blueyonder.co.uk remember to change the (at) for @

Meet from 9.30am - look for the SUSTRANS Banner

Part of NCN 14 is CLOSED in Gateshead between the Swing Bridge and Team Street Roundabout
posted: 02/02/04
It will be closed for up to six (6) months for construction of a new bus only link road to your favorite shopping place The Metro Centre. A signed detour is in place - it is quite lengthy - involving a climb up the side of the Tyne gorge, through Gateshead and rejoin NCN 14 near the Millennium Bridge. The good news is that whilst all this is going on Neil Frier and his team are building a new riverside section of the C2C to provide a high quality replacement to the existing road side route.

Doug Ridgway (Sustrans Liasion Ranger for that area) suggests that the best C2C option is to use north bank route as per Sustrans map from Scotswood Bridge.

Clive Greenwood from Sunderland Council has been in touch to advise of a minor diversion in Sunderland:

I wish to inform any C2C cyclists of a slight amendment to the C2C in the Sunderland area over the next 6 months. Starting 12th April 2004 and lasting up to 6 months, there will be a slight detour of route between Colima Avenue (Castletown) and the eastern end of Timber Beach Road. Work involves borehole drilling and improvements to the river edge. The C2C route will be diverted onto Colima Avenue and Timber Beach Road, and will actually save cyclists a couple of minutes.

Accommodation Recommendation from Steve King
I and several colleagues have recently completed the C2C. It was my first time and I have to say it was a great experience. This was further enhanced by the warm welcome and splendid food we received at the Old Vicarage. I would heartily recommend this stop over to anyone completing the C2C. At first glance £9.50 for the evening meal might seem like a lot, but if our experience is anything to go by, then you will be hard pushed to eat a better value meal anywhere. Together with very comfortable accommodation& the addition of a hearty breakfast, it was the perfect way to prepare for our final day.

Thanks go to both Pauline and Colin Lomas for making our brief stay so enjoyable.

A word of advice from Matt Griffiths regarding accommodation at Nenthead
'A team of cyclists finished the C2C yesterday (26/09/04). Our final night was spent in Nenthead and half of our party were unfortunate to stay in Cherry Tree Cottage B&B. DO NOT stay here! It is included in the C2C guide book and is described as "English Tourist Board rated and locally approved". Dirty bedding, inedible breakfast and a rude landlady sadly soured what was an otherwise brilliant experience'

Route alteration in Newcastle from Doug on the Tyne
The cycleway between Western Road (C2C mile 132.0) and Howdon Lane (C2C mile 132.5) has been changed due to a new housing development. This is partly off road then along Armstrong Road - a quiet back street - to rejoin existing route at the Howdon Lane Millennium Milepost.
Click here to see amended guide notes for this section from Dougs excellent HCW website

and Doug also has a route update for the Newcastle section
Road works are affecting the route along Scotswood Road in Newcastle. This will last up to 18 mths. There are problems with contractors equipment blocking the shared use paths on each side of road - at present it is best to use the signed route along north-side between Rbt and traffic Lights.

This problem affects the C2C between miles 123.3 to 123.6. There is no alternative detour possible and south bank route on NCN 14 still SHUT and won't reopen before Jan 2005 - 3 mths behind schedule.