COAST TO COAST SEPTEMBER 2007

We have just returned from an excellent trip which we wanted to share with other Spokes members.

We spent 3 days cycling the C2C route from Whitehaven to Tynemouth staying at bed and breakfast accommodation. There were four of us in the group-Tony and myself, my brother and his friend.

We travelled to Whitehaven by car driven by a friend.

We spent a night in Whitehaven at The Waverley Hotel-a traditional old basic seaside hotel –cost £30 per person. Whitehaven has a very attractive old harbour

Day 1. Whitehaven to Greystoke 49 miles.

We found the cycle route well marked-leaving Whitehaven along old railway line. Quite gentle to start with but hills got steeper as traveled into Lake District. Beautiful scenery around Loweswater. First really serious climb was up Whinlatter-we had to stop a few times but then descent into Keswick where we stopped for tea and cakes and to get C2C route card stamped. We then continued on to Greystoke where we stopped at excellent b/b called Brathen which was great value at £25 each.

Day 2. Greystoke to Allenheads 41 miles. This was a pretty tough day cycling across the Pennines, particularly with panniers on. From Greystoke to Penrith was OK but then followed several long climbs until we reached Hartside where fortunately there is a hilltop café. After a welcome descent there were several more peaks to cover before arriving at Allenheads in the heart of derelict lead mining country. We stayed at the Allenheads Inn which again was good value- £27 per person.

Day 3. Allenheads to Tynemouth. 52 miles.

Initially had more hills to climb but after a couple of hours reached Parkside after which it was all downhill to Consett We found an excellent café in Consett called Sam Wedges on the Durham Rd where you can take bikes into the café with you.We then carried on along the River Derwent and onto the Tyne at Gateshead. We then crossed the Millenium bridge into Newcastle and continued past old ship yards down the Tyne to Tynemouth. At Tynemouth we stayed in a lovely old Georgian guest house called Number 61 which was £27 each.

The next morning we were collected by car and driven back to Leicester.

All in all we had great fun-we met lots of other cyclists, saw some wonderful scenery in the Lakes and The Pennines. The route is well marked and almost entirely off road or on minor roads.The route offers a good challenge for a cyclist of reasonable fitness with a decent bike over a 3 day period-we cycled from about 9am to 6pm each day. It was good to have comfortable accommodation booked in advance and to relax over a nice meal and some Black Sheep Ale. Travelling in a group of 4 seemed to work well.

If anyone is thinking of doing the trip and wants more details please let me know.

LIZ SCARBOROUGH