Guidebook to cycling the Sustrans Coast to Coast Cycle Route across the north of England, from Whitehaven or Workington to Newcastle or Sunderland, passing through the northern Lake District, the Pennines and County Durham. The 140 mile route is presented in 3 stages, with alternative start and finish stages, and is suitable for all bikes.

Seasons

Best from April to October, but possible out of season.

Centres

Whitehaven, Workington, Loweswater, Lorton, Keswick, Threlkeld, Mungrisdale, Greystoke, Penrith, Renwick, Garrigill, Nenthead, Allenheads, Rookhope, Consett, Sunderland, Gateshead, Tynemouth. Alston on an alternative route.

Difficulty

The C2C is a challenging and rewarding ride with plenty of ups and downs - particularly in the route's outstanding middle section - that is nonetheless well within the capabilities of most cyclists. A 3-day itinerary will be the perfect trip for many regular road cyclists riding around 45 miles per day. A number of alternative off-road options are included, while both more leisurely and more challenging itineraries are also described.

Must See

The original and classic C2C route from Whitehaven or Workington to Tynemouth or Sunderland. Crosses the Lake District National Park and the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Includes famous rewarding climbs over Whinlatter, Hartside Top and Black Hill.
ISBN
9781786311184
Availability
Published
Published
16 Mar 2023
Edition
First
Pages
128
Size
17.20 x 11.60 x .65cm
Weight
160g
Overview

This guidebook details the 137 mile sea-to-sea / C2C cycle route. This much loved short cycle tour across northern England takes you from Whitehaven or Workington on the west coast to Tynemouth or Sunderland on the east across 3 days. The ride is suitable for all bike types (including e-bikes) with detailed on and off road alternatives routes given.

The guide contains easy-to-use route descriptions accompanied by 1:100,000 maps and useful gradient profiles. Facilities are given for each stage of the ride and a useful accommodation guide is included in the appendices.

The ride weaves through the Lake District National Park, northern Pennines and County Durham, providing a balance of challenge and reward as you climb through the mountain passes of Whinlatter, Hartside Top and Black Hill. This cycle tour is a 'must have' on on any cycle tourers ticklist.

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Rachel Crolla

Rachel Crolla is an outdoors all-rounder who loves hiking, biking, scrambling and climbing. Rachel is an outdoors writer and photographer who is also trained as a journalist and teacher. She has hiked and climbed across the UK, Europe and the USA. In 2007 Rachel became the first woman to reach the summit of every country in Europe, and co-wrote the Cicerone guide book Europe’s High Points soon afterwards. She is passionate about enthusing the next generation of hikers and cyclists with a love of the outdoors.

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Carl McKeating

Carl McKeating is from Yorkshire. He is the co-author with Rachel Crolla of the books, Europe’s High Points and Walking in the Auvergne published by Cicerone. A rock climbing and mountaineering enthusiast, in addition to ascending all of Europe’s national high points, in 2010 he completed a long-standing ambition to climb all the routes in Ken Wilson’s Classic Rock which he followed with a three-month climbing and mountaineering tour of America. A qualified English teacher, in 2014 Carl started work on a doctorate about Mont Blanc in British Culture.

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