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Summary:
The UK’s most popular cycle challenge route. Starting on the West coast by the Irish sea, spend 4 days cycling through the majestic scenery of the Lake District and Pennines. Comfortable B&B’s and a luggage transfer service will help you to enjoy the ride. Finishing along the Tyne you’ll arrive at the North Sea. A truly epic ‘Coast to Coast’ adventure.
Distances: Total 137 miles (Daily 39, 32, 34, 32 miles).
Terrain: Significant number of hills. Total elevation approx 12000 feet in total. We head West to East to take advantage of prevailing winds.
Path/Road: Traffic free or quiet roads, with occasional hardpacked disused railway line. All bikes suitable.
Physical difficulty: Relative to our other rides, this is challenging. You will be on the bike for 4-5 hours each day. However spread out over the day it is achievable for most riders with experience. Discuss with me if you are unsure.
Duration: Thursday night to Monday afternoon.
Accommodation: Staying in quality B&B’s, in the towns of Whitehaven, Greystoke, Alston and Lanchester.
Cost: £340pp, based on 2 people sharing a twin room. Single rooms can be arranged on request, if available.
Travel:
Easiest option is to travel to the start at Whitehaven by train, and home by train from the finish at Tynemouth (Newcastle). Note that your bike would need to be booked onto the trains.
If driving, there is free parking on many roads around Whitehaven. There are also many council car parks offering parking for £20 for the duration.
To travel back from Tynemouth to Whitehaven to collect your car, it is £13 – £22 on the train, or a taxi van (that also transports bikes) can be arranged for the group if there is demand, for approx £40 pp.
Itinerary:
Thursday: Check in to the B&B and head to a nearby pub for meet, greet and socialise.
Friday: Tradition dictates that you dip your rear wheel in the sea here, then your front wheel in the sea at the finish. So we head down to the slipway for some photos!
The ride out of Whitehaven and into the Northern lakes is on a tarmaced railway path, with many sculptures alongside. Mountain and forest views emerge, and the wild adventure starts.
The hills start at Whinlatter, and you head into the Derwent valleys. After the climbs you are rewarded with steep twisty turns, and a flat few miles into Keswick. Keswick is the capital of the North Lakes and a good place for supplies. After a refuel, another old railway path (Mr Beeching’s closures had some benefit) and tiny lanes whisk you towards the overnight stop in Greystoke.
After checking in to the B&B, explore the village and enjoy dinner at a local establishment.
Saturday: Following a restful night it’s back on the bikes to get those legs turning again. You’ll reach the town of Penrith, where you can explore the attractive market square. It’s then time to head into the Pennines and face the infamous climb of Hartside. Not the steepest, but the 4 miles of switchbacks will reward all with incredible views across the Solway Firth towards Scotland. When recovered a lovely descent will deliver you to Alston, the overnight stop for day 2. Alston is the highest market settlement in England, and at over 20 miles to the nearest town is also very remote. There is a cobbled main street and many 17th century stone buildings, perfect for exploring.
Sunday: With legs strong after 2 days of riding we head through the valleys to the pretty town of Garrigill. Enjoy the pleasant village green before the climb up to Flinty Fell, the hardest climb on the route. Once you’re up, you’re up!
What goes up must come down, so an exhilarating descent into the old mining village of Nenthead follows.
Soon after we peak at the highest point on the route, Black Hill. As we enter Northumberland we reach the valley village of Allenheads, a popular cyclist’s stop for refreshments.
We continue through mining country, into County Durham, to the village of Rookhope. With more cyclist provisions present, you’ll never go hungry. Then it’s the final climb of the route, up Crawleyside Bank. Knowing you only have 40 miles of downhill left will spur you on! Stop at the old station building cafe to enjoy the last view, then begin the descent towards Consett.
We’ll leave the route and head to our stop for the night, in the picturesque working village of Lanchester. With lots of shops, restaurants and bars you’ll be sure of having an enjoyable evening.
Monday: A nice easy day to finish off! Downhill all the way, a lot of it traffic free. Reaching the Tyne, it’s a dramatic ride past the bridges of Newcastle. After the solitude of the Pennines, the bustle of the waterfront and the grand architecture is a dramatic contrast.
Reaching the sea it’s time for another photo as you dip your front wheel in the water. Have a drink of whatever you have to celebrate having ridden ‘Sea to Sea’!
Bike hire: We can arrange – £40 for the weekend.
Included:
4 nights accommodation. 4 breakfasts.
4 days fully guided cycling.
Basic tool kit carried to undertake minor repairs.
Accident insurance cover.
Trained first aider.
Refund policy: Contact us to cancel 2 weeks before event 100% refund, 1 week 50%, 2 days 25%, < 2 days 0%.