Michael Leighton has some advice for those finishing at Tynemouth and planning to use Metro:
The Metro to Newcastle does not take bikes. They say it is dangerous. Tried three metros but none would take us. Suggest Sunderland as finish or get picked up.
Doug on the Tyne offers the following:
You can only take folding bikes on the Metro which also applies to Metro trains from Sunderland - only able to use Network rail trains from Sunderland to Newcastle at about 1 / hour now. Bike policy clearly stated on ticket m/cs and they will / have prosecuted in the past for infringements.

Doug on the Tyne has news of a major diversion in Newcastle:
The diversion is in the Walker area of Newcastle and will run from November 2005 to April 2006
More details of the diversion can be found on-line courtesy of Doug on the Tyne at hsi Hadrians Cycleway website - www.cycle-routes.org/hadrianscycleway/general/advice.html

Robert Tanti has the followimg note of caution for C2C'ers re: Whitehaven Cyclepath:
at the Moor Row junction (approx milemarker 4) to the Egremont link route a sign for the Coast to Coast walk has been painted on the road - It is C arrow C and points towards Egremont. This may be a bit confusing to C2C'ers but IGNORE it!

Andrew Dunn completed the C2C in September 2005 and has this to offer:
Completed the C2C from Whitehaven to Tynemouth this week-end with a group of friends from Edingburgh, we had a fantastic time, even the weather was reasonably kind to us. We spread the ride over 3 days, spending the second night at Parkhead Station. (WOW!!)
I would strongly recommend anyone who is taking part in this ride to stop over night at Parkhead. With it being on the 100 mile point, at the top of a very steep bank, on the Waskerley way, its the perfect place to stop for either the night or refreshments.

It's ran by a great local couple Terry and Lorraine who have restored the building personally. We found the accommodation very good with food that was out of this world. Considering that from there to Tynemouth/Sunderland its down hill, you can allow yourself a drink or two if you are staying the night.

By far the best stop we had on route.

José Kirby offers this tip regarding the Overwater Restaurant, Nenthead:
Can't speak well enough of this fabulous restaurant. We stopped there for coffee after coming across the hill on our tandem and my mouth watered all afternoon thinking about the organic pork on the menu. We returned there in the evening, from Allenheads, where we were staying, and I was not disappointed, it was everything it should have been and better because of the welcome and atmosphere.  If you like good food, don't miss out here. more info

Duncan Limbert has this warning regarding the descent from Hartside

Ian Rae has the following warning for those travelling through Consett:
Having just completed the C2C on Sunday 30th July I thought it best to warn other fellow cyclists about our experiences in Consett. Having left Whitehaven on Friday staying at Greystoke that evening and then heading to Allenheads for Saturday evening my brother and I were tired but satisfied with our efforts. Bearing in mind that the prevailing Westerly wind wasn't prevailing and in fact had turned into a stiff Easterly with some driving rain to boot we didn't do so bad! We awoke Sunday to see some blue sky and pretty good weather all round so the last leg was looking welcoming !

All went well until we were just passing through Consett. We came across three youths blocking the C2C path with cones and roadwork's signs. Naively we thought they must be repairing the path or doing some other good deed! Wrong !! They proceeded to not let us pass, giving us abuse and generally being yobs. After trying to reason with them I threw the signs out of the way and my brother and I moved on. In the process of this I was hit by a sharp object they threw at me cutting my lip. This rather took the edge off my trip but being two blokes it didn't really bother us that much.

My advice is that you should be careful in or around Consett if there's only a couple of you and its probably more important that women be vigilant.

The worst thing is that if I had done what I felt like doing i.e. give them a good clip round the ear I'd probably be still in a police cell charged with GBH ! Bring back National Service !!

Rachel Hayes cycled the route in early July 2005 and has the following tips/info to share:

Myself and my other half just got back from doing the Whitehaven to Sunderland route over 3 days - gorgeous weather and a great experience, despite sunburn and a couple of broken spokes near the end

Wouldn't recommend the Waverley Hotel - the staff were friendly, but the hotel itself v. basic and our room stank of cigarette smoke - OK if you're a smoker, but annoying if not!

There's a tiny village shop/ post office (blink and you miss it) in High Lorton just before the long climb up to the Whinlatter Pass - they have cold drinks here but you have to ask for them, and I think it was probably the Coke and a Mars bar combo that got me up that hill!

We stopped at a tea room in Greystoke - now can't remember the name, but are on the route just as you exit the village. Anyway - they were very good - very welcoming to cyclists, have a friendly cat and do great milkshakes! Might have been called the C2C tea room, but can't remember exactly.
Dik says: The cafe mentioned is called the Greystoke Cycle Cafe and it does come highly recommended - more details can be found on the Greystoke Information page

4) The Norcroft Guesthouse in Penrith - we couldn't recommend this highly enough - very friendly, very comfortable, excellent breakfasts and right on the route just as you enter the town. Also do packed lunches for about £4.

Allenheads Inn - apparently under new ownership, and was also a brilliant place to stay - good food, good rooms and very friendly and helpful - our bikes were put away for us and got out the next morning, along with offers to fill water bottles.

We went through Consett and Stanley on the Sunday and found a lack of places to eat - ended up having lunch in the Asda at Stanley, which was a bit soul-destroying!

Those arriving in Sunderland looking for something to eat could try the Due Trattoria (I think) which is located at the top of the Sustrans stamping point in the Marina - Italian food which is OK, although we had to wait a fair while to get ours! Stunning views over the sea, though, and only 2 minutes from the finish.

We cycled from Sunderland to Newcastle station to get the train back south along the National Route 1 to South Sheilds, then inland to the Pedestrian Tunnel at Jarrow and them along the Tyne to Newcastle. If anyone else does this, the section from South Shields to the Pedestrian Tunnel (route 14) is not well marked at all at the moment - not sure if this is due to change. After the brillant signing of the rest of the C2C, this was disappointing and confusing, especially as the route is alongside busy roads and roundabouts. We had to ask the way twice, but most of the time just had to trust that the cycle paths would eventually get us to where we needed to be.

Route now fully open through Whinlatter Forest
The Whinlatter Forest diversion is now closed and the normal route is open again. I have been informed by the Forestry Centre that timber wagons are still operating in the area and a degree of caution is needed whilst the work is still under way.

Jim is doing the route this year and offers this snippet of advice re: travel
We are travelling Southampton/ Carlisle and Newcastle/Southampton on Virgin trains. Cheapest way of doing this is to book a return to Hexham, disembark at Carlisle etc., the approach may be valid for anyone travelling from the South of England on a train company servicing both stations meaning you can buy a return rather than 2 singles.

Doug Ridgway has let me know of a route closure on the Newcastle section NCN 14 of the C2C and details are below:

the section is closed due to contaminated land and will be shut for approx. 3 months until July.
A detour has been signed and is available to view online courtesy of Dougs excellent Cycle Gateshead website at www.cycle-routes.org/cycle-gateshead/general/advice.html#salt

Flood Damage on the C2C
The high winds and floods which affected many parts of the country in early January caused some problems along the C2C cycle route. Most sections of the route are now clear of fallen trees and debris and as I type this (11 Jan 05). Langwathby Bridge (mile marker 58) is now open to all traffic albeit with the western side down to one lane only.