Last year myself, Dave and my mate, Steve did the C2C in two days and came back via the Reivers Unfortunately it rained most of the time so we were left wondering what it would be like doing the ride in good weather. Consequently, at the end of May we tried again and discovered that, whatever the weather, it's still bloody hard! Here are some observations which may help anyone who is planning to do the ride.

click here to view Steve and Dave's 2005 trip journal


It is a three day ride if you want to enjoy it properly. We set off from Whitehaven at midday having driven up from Liverpool and didn't arrive at our first stop at Little Salkeld until just before 7 o'clock which gave us very little time to relax.

The same happened on the second day (78 miles over some very big hills) when, despite setting off at 9.00, we didn't reach Sunderland until 6.00.


Tynemouth is a better finish than Sunderland (only our opinion). After the Waskerley Way the cycle paths were largely shale rather than tarmac to Sunderland whereas the surface was better going to Tynemouth. In addition it was much more pleasant by the river in Newcastle - gangs of youths in Sunderland, while no problem, were a little intimidating and the river front was otherwise deserted.

You can save a really tough climb out of Lorton by ignoring the C2C signs and joining the B5292 further on. This makes the Whinlatter pass lots easier.

We hated the cycle path out of Keswick because it was very bumpy. Next year (!) we'll take the Castlerigg Stone Circle route and rejoin the main route et Threlkeld.

We also hated the gated road to Mungrisdale because of the stop/start all the time. We took the alternative route last year from Mungrisdale and it was great but the trip down from Mungrisdale to the A66 was also very enjoyable this year.

However, the other side of the A66 from Guardhouse to Troutbeck on minor roads looks an interesting possibility, provided you can get across the A66.

Great café in Greystoke just when we were flagging - and right on the route.

Last year we took the main road to Melmerby for an overnight and then up Hartside,. This year we stayed on the official route which was very hard but much more enjoyable.

The road from Allenheads to Rookhope, after the climb, is as pleasant a downhill as you can get and in my view even better than the one down to Alston because there is no traffic and the surface is better.

We avoided the unnecessary climb out of Rookhope (the bit where it branches left up a cliff) and stayed on the lower road to Eastgate and left to Stanhope on the A689. This was great and not very busy at all.


Crawleyside is still the worst climb of all. We both had different gear ratios this year (with mine in the hill's favour) but both got up to the cattle grid without too much heartache.

Compare the triumphant wave of Steve on the photo this year with the one where he is slumped over the handlebars last year.



The café at the top of the Waskerley Way is great as is the ride down to Consett.

All in all a fantastic route. We came back partly on Wear to Walney (as far as Durham - not great) and then cut across to join the Hadrian's Way route - highly recommended.