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T.D.K. Travel
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Tel:- 01388 ~ 818284
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1 - 16 seat vehicles
We are fast becoming the number one choice
for transporting passengers, Luggage & bike's to the start or from
the finish of the C2C & W2W..
Transporting from 1 - 32 cyclist's at any
given time with bikes & luggage to the start of the C2C at
Whitehaven or the W2W at Walney Island also most other cycle routes
around the northern half of the UK from the lakes in the West to
Tynemouth in the East..
This year we are also offering a
baggage/luggage transfer service across the Pennines, but on
occasions when we are already over Whitehaven area dropping
cyclist's off calling into your hotel & transferring your luggage
from the western side of the Pennines making it a cost effective way
for us on the return journey & a less expensive way for cyclist's to
transfer there luggage..
we have available vehicles from 4 & 6 seat
cars to 8 & 16 seat busses
so for a very competitive quote contact us
Tel:- 01388 81 82 84
mobile:- 07909 630577 (Karl
transport manager)
c2c w2w coast to coast Walney Island
Whitehaven Workington Keswick Penrith Sunderland pier Tynemouth
priory point Hartlepool Newcastle
The Sea to Sea (C2C) cycle route was
developed by Sustrans in partnership with various Local Authorities,
Groundwork West Cumbria, North Pennines Tourism Partnership, Forest
Enterprise and the Lake District National Park amongst others. The
route was opened in 1994 running from Whitehaven on the west coast
of Cumbria to the North East coast at Sunderland and has an average
of between 12,000 and 15,000 cyclists completing the route every
year.
The C2C
starts in the former coal mining and industrial lands of West
Cumbria, travels through the stunning scenery of the northern Lake
District and heading into Keswick before passing through Penrith and
the Eden Valley with its lush valleys and sandstone villages. It
then starts the climb up to Hartside and onto the unspoilt Northern
Pennines - the roof of England. There then follows an undulating
ride as the C2C meanders through old lead mining villages, such as
Nenthead and Rookhope, and down into the Durham Dales before
entering the old steel town of Consett. From here it's an easy ride
through one of Britain's old industrial heartlands to the North Sea
and Sunderland. There is also the option of starting at Workington
and/or finishing at Tynemouth.
The route is made up of approximately....
 Main
Roads - mainly short sections thru urban areas - 4%
Minor
Roads - quiet, country roads - 50%
Cyclepaths/Off
Road - disused railway lines etc - 46%
The route
is best ridden from West to East to take advantage of the prevailing
winds (supposedly!) from the West as well as having the gradients in
your favour i.e. short uphills and long downhills! Tradition
dictates that you start the ride by dipping your back wheel in the
Irish Sea and only ends when your front wheel gets a dip in the
North Sea at the finish.
At 140
miles long the C2C, which is part of the much larger National Cycle
Network of over 5000 miles, is Britain's most popular long distance
cycle route and is based on minor roads, disused railway lines,
off-road tracks and specially constructed cycle paths. The route
(especially the purpose built cycle paths) is designed for the whole
range of cyclists from families to club riders and doesn't favour
either 'roadies' or 'off-roaders'. Along the route where there are
off-road sections you have the option of taking the surfaced
alternative. Although still a challenge with some seriously hard
climbs - the highest point being over 2000 feet - the C2C is still
completed every year by thousands of recreational cyclists as well
as the more committed bikers. For the more ambitious cyclist, the
C2C can easily be combined with the Reivers route to produce the
stunning 310-mile Reivers/C2C round trip. Visit the website for more
info on the Reivers.
Sustrans
operates an accreditation scheme for those who wish to record their
journey, by completing a stamped card at points along the route you
can apply for a commemorative t-shirt (details are with the official
route map from Sustrans).
In 1995
Sustrans work with the route was recognised by the British Airways
sponsored 'Tourism for Tomorrow' when they won the global award for
the C2C cycle route. In 1998 the C2C became the first U.K.
destination to win the Smithsonian Environment Award, this was
awarded to honour a project that has made " a lasting contribution
to protecting the environment". In 1999 the C2C won a Silver Medal
in the Green Transport Category at the England for Excellence awards
organised by the English Tourism Council. Sustrans in partnership
with others have developed sculpture trails along the C2C, these
have been recognised by winning the British Gas 'Working for Cities'
and Independent/Gulbenkian 'Travelling Hopefully' awards. The
sculptures also make an interesting diversion to the task in hand
and make for some bizarre photographic opportunities!
For more
information on the various weird and wonderful artworks along the
C2C route visit the artworks page.
I have
gathered together a list of accommodation providers along the length
of the C2C and hopefully this will help The C2C Guide website become
a one-stop shop for all of your C2C trip planning and preparation by
enabling you to firstly read about the route and its variations,
then help you to plan your ride and finally pre-book all of your
accommodation needs in advance of your trip thus making your trip
easier and more enjoyable.
Please
support this site and mention The C2C Guide web-site when booking
your accommodation
Please try to
book accommodation in advance and give as much notice as possible if
you have to cancel the booking so the room can be re-let otherwise
your deposit may be forfeited. Also if you are going to be late
arriving at your accommodation it is always a good idea to ring and
let the proprietor know so they can keep your room open for you.
Remember to double check all details with the establishment as this
guide cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies or omissions
nor for any loss arising as a result.
None of
the accommodation establishments have been vetted or inspected by
The C2C Guide although I have stayed in a few of them but they
should all be geared up for cyclists with facilities such as secure
cycle storage etc. and an acceptance that sometimes we arrive muddy,
very cold and very wet! To date I have only
had to remove two establishment from the accommodation listings due
to persistent complaints (regarding cleanliness, showers not
working, unhelpfulness and even an exploding cooker!) but if you
encounter any problems regarding any of the places listed within the
site then let me know and I will look into it.
The C2C has a good mix of 'off' and 'on road'
sections and has, I think, got the balance about right to suit most
cyclists. For the experienced off-roader there is nothing on the C2C
to worry about and even for the majority of other cyclists there is
nothing you won't be able to manage provided you take it sensibly
and accept your bikes and your own limitations. Order your route map
from Sustrans, consider the following points and plan your route
(off or on-road) to suit your fitness, your bikes capabilities and
your own personal expectations of what you want from the C2C.
Whatever you decide to do don't completely rule out the off road
bits as these can be massive fun and that is, after all, what you
are doing the C2C for.
Wythop Woods - mile markers 16 to 17
The off road section here starts with an easy ride on a farm track
running through fields before entering the forest section proper.
The track here is quite rutted in places and can get very slippery
after rain but is still rideable with care. However the whole of the
downhill section should be treated with extreme caution as it is
very steep, tricky and part way down there is a sharp right hand
turn which if you don't make leads to a very nasty tumble down the
side of the forest.
Further down you cross a forest track (go straight on; on no account
should you turn right and follow the track for 2 miles as I did in
2000 -sorry again Lou!) and then carry on downhill on an excellent
piece of singletrack which eventually levels out to meet the road
route into Braithwaite.
This is one of the most technical off-road sections on the whole of
the C2C and I can guarantee that MTB'ers will love it, however for
the more sedate/road/younger cyclists amongst you great care should
be taken when riding this section, perhaps even seriously consider
starting at Whitehaven if you are riding non MTB's or fully laden
with panniers etc. If you have a road/touring bike and still wish to
start from Workington then The C2C Guide suggests you look at
turning left at milemarker 14 and go via Routenbeck joining the busy
A66 (there is a wide 'gutter' for you to ride in) and then rejoin
the route proper just after milemarker 17.
Whinlatter Forest - mile markers 23 to 26
The off-road route down Whinlatter is a brilliant, fast descent
through the forest with occasional glimpses of Bassenthwaite Lake
far below and is suitable for all bikes except those with the
skinniest tyres. The first section is taken just after the long pull
up from Lorton and is 1.3 miles long on the right hand side of the
road, this is an undulating, well graded forest track which leads
you to a short stretch on the road before pulling into the visitor
centre and the start of the downhill stretch which twists and turns
to Thornthwaite. Parts of this bit are steep and it is all too easy
to pick up speed only to be confronted by a looming corner which you
cannot make. Enjoy the descent but respect it, a fall here could
leave you with a very nasty 'gravel rash' or worse!
The Old Coach Road - mile markers approx. 34 to 38
This off-road section is not suitable for road bikes. Starting just
after the descent from Castlerigg Stone Circle, the Old Coach Road
is a high, exposed and technical section which is very demanding on
both bike and rider requiring stamina, perseverance and the right
equipment. This section can be inhospitable in bad weather so come
prepared with adequate foul weather clothing, that said though on a
a fair day it is a tremendous route to take with stunning views and
a wonderful sense of isolation and adventure.
The track itself is very rocky and loose in places and has a
tendency to 'puddle up' after rain on the upper flatter level. There
is a long steep pull up prior to reaching the top level which is
very hard work, most cyclists will have to bite the bullet and get
off and walk their bikes up although it is rideable all the way if
you are a hardened off-roader adept at rocks and very loose stones!
At the top of the climb the track levels out and you are rewarded
with a brilliant ride of 3 miles over quiet moorland with absolutely
stunning views - on a clear day!
Hartside - milemarkers 64 to 70
The off-road route up to Hartside summit is without doubt the
hardest on the C2C, it is very steep in places and sometimes
virtually un-ridable. After rain sections of the track can be very
wet and boggy underfoot and even after a spell of fair weather the
terrain can remain wet for a long time. Mountain Bikes are your best
bet for tackling this section although I have heard of people riding
(and pushing!) hybrids up here!
Split into
3 sections, the first is 1.5 miles long and is a quite well surfaced
track from '5 road ends' to 'Selah Bridge' with a couple of short
but steep hills. This section doesn't suffer from 'bogginess' but
can still have rivers of water running down the track when it has
been raining.
The second section is over and up the side of the moor and is in
places practically impossible to cycle and is also by far the
wettest terrain. This is the place you will almost certainly have to
get off your bike and push. Beware also that there is an old 'Pack
Horse Bridge' half way along this part that has no sides or
handrails and you should dismount and walk over this, it has been
the scene of a couple of accidents resulting in severe injuries over
the past few years.
The third section is a short, rocky track up to the summit cafe
which bypasses the final bend in the road, it is rideable but will
also leave you out of breath! Most folk will be off their bike at
the Milenium Milepost - bow theres a challenge for you!
The general consensus of cycling off-road to Hartside is that it
gives you a tremendous sense of achievement but leaves you somewhat
K-Factored!
Garrigill - mile marker 77 approx
This is a very short but very steep and stony
off-road section leading out of Garrigill to join the B6277. This is
a killer, the most I have managed is 50 yards of the hill and even
then I nearly killed myself doing it. My advice is save your energy,
pick up your bike and walk it! One consolation though is the water
splash just before the climb, it is brilliant fun - especially in
hot weather!
Priorsdale and Nenthead - mile marker 78 to 80 approx
The off-road alternative route to Nenthead
starts with a steep track out of Garrigill then a short road ride to
Priorsdale (beware the hidden ford lurking at the foot of the hill
just before the road runs out).
The track over Priorsdale is an easy off-road ride mainly on a well
surfaced track which should pose no problems for most cyclists. The
route then travels through the old mine workings and into Nenthead
on a rocky and sometimes steep descent. Caution should be exercised
on the descent as it is very easy to build up speed and a crash here
will hurt!
If you ride a suspension bike then you can blast all the way down
but for us 'rigid' riders things can get a bit bumpy. This section
can be great fun as long as you treat it with respect.
Road/Touring/Pannier laden bikes would probably be better taking the
road route into Nenthead.
Nenthead (off road alt. to the road) - mile marker 79
I remember once setting off to ride this out
of curiosity until I got into conversation with a local. He told me
that it is really bad and even the local sheep don't bother using
it. Needless to say I took the road route but further reports
suggest it may not be that bad, I have been informed that it is a
bit of a push but there are some seriously fit people who have
ridden it all. If you intend riding this section then a mountain
bike will be needed to give you half a chance.
Rookhope Incline - mile marker 92 to 99
The Incline is the last big hill of the route
and most people will do well to ride all of it without stopping, I
have managed it twice and that was a few years ago when the track
was smoother and I was a bit younger!
The surface now is rough on the Incline with loose stones and
protruding rocks making it difficult to get a decent rhythm going.
The first 200 yards are very steep followed by a slight leveling out
then the long, gradual pull up but once you reach the top (and
sometimes it feels as if you never will) the views looking back over
Rookhope are stunning and an excellent section of off-roading awaits
you.
From the top of the Incline to the start of the Waskerly Way the
route is a mixture of track, very narrow rutted sections and a
highly amusing part with deceptively deep puddles and lots of
sliding in the mud. Great fun, particularly if you rode it on slicks
like me!
All in all this is possibly the best off-road section of the C2C, in
parts technical, in parts challenging but all the while hugely
enjoyable. A mountain bike with knobbly tyres will be advisable on
this section. The road route travels through Rookhope and into
Stanhope for those preferring to give the incline a miss!
N.B. This section is closed at times
during the shooting season, notices will be posted and the
alternative route must be used!
Routes into Sunderland and Newcastle
Both of these routes heading into the
respective finish points use disused railway tracks and can be
called technically off-road although there is no limitation as to
which type of bike you use as the tracks are well graded and firm.
Both routes have something to offer and the choice is entirely yours
as to which you take. Firstly, for me at least, the Sunderland
finish is the traditional finish point (ie Whitehaven to Sunderland)
but the route into Newcastle via the delightful, wooded Derwent Walk
is more scenic and secondly wins again due to the lack of control
barriers which are a pain to navigate on the Sunderland section.
However the route into Sunderland is also quite a scenic ride along
a disused railway track with the added bonus of passing lots of
weird and wonderful artworks (don't miss the Beamish Cows!) The
route into Sunderland was changed in 2001 to omit the horrible
Pallion section and now ends up passing by the magnificent Stadium
of Light football ground before finishing by riding through the
marina and onto the beach at Roker.
If you have used and would like to recommend an organised holiday
firm me the details and I will place on this page.
Tyne Bridge Bike Hire - -
tel: 0191 2772441 mob: 0793 2767814
All year round bike and accessory hire, maps, transport for up to 8
cyclists and 20 bikes, luggage transfers etc. They can meet you,
greet you, pick you up and drop you off wherever you require. They
also offer unused seats on pre-booked trips at bargain prices – see
website for details.
Cycle Transport North East
- - We are a licenced tour operator based in Newcastle upon Tyne. We
can arrange transport of cycles, cyclists and their luggage to most
destinations.
Adventure Cycling - - tel:
07736816700
Penrith based firm who offer guided or self guided cycle trips on
the C2C, Pennine Cycleway North and the Lake District. Full range of
services available.
The Bike Bus - - tel: 01207 237424 - fax: 01207 233233
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A taxi & coach operator based in Stanley, County Durham who offer a
service to transport any number of passengers from 1 to 53 cyclists,
bicycles, & luggage along any part of the C2C route. They also offer
a rescue service, where by will collect a member of a party who is
injured, or who have a problem with their bicycle.
Coast to Coast Holidays - - tel: 01642-489173
Cleveland based arranged cycling and walking holidays as well acting
purely as transport and/luggage carriers
XploreBritain.com - - tel: 01740 650900
specialists in cycling and walking holidays - both guided and
self-guided.
Rough Tracks - - 07000 560 749 Wiltshire based
TDK Travel - - Tel:- 01388
818284 Durham based e-mail:
Primarily a transport option. You make your own accommodation
arrangments and etc. then contact TDK to tell them where you want
picked up from! Travel to the start or from the finish in comfort
and safety in a modern fleet of vehicles with a company fast proving
a hit with C2C'ers.
Holiday Lakeland - - 016973 71871 Cumbria based.
Discovery
Travel - - 01904 766564 York based.
Cycling Adventure Tours - -
020 7835 0288 London based.
Tyne Valley Holidays - 0191
284 7534 Newcastle based firm which will also act purely as a back
up and/or transport if you wish to make your own B&B arrangements.
CycleActive - - tel: 01768 840 400 Penrith based
For a carefully planned holiday with a real personal touch, check
out CycleActive's C2C trips. The company runs fixed departures
throughout the year, so it's a great way to meet up with others and
have a sociable trip. Their office is actually en-route, so they
know the trails well, and have extra loops planned out for mountain
bikers who want to do more off-road along the way. All trips include
accommodation, bag transfers, and bringing you back from the finish.
They even provide showers, tea and freshly baked cakes at the end,
before you head home!
Glaramara Guest House -
tel:017687 73216/75255 mob: 07711 763 019 fax : 017687 73216
them for more information. Keswick based, offering accommodation,
cycling activity weekends, cycle hire and also back-up transport
available if required. The owners are keen cyclists (OTC trained and
fully qualified Mountain Bike Leader) and know lots of good rides in
the area.
A new route for 2002 is the Cumbria Cycle Way, a two day ride from
Ulverston to Carlisle (72 miles) through the heart of the Lake
District, for more details on the ride visit their website at
Sherpa Van Project - tel:
020 8569 4101 -
Daily door to door baggage transport between hotels, B&Bs and
campsites. The Sherpa Van can carry your baggage for you everyday
between April and October, so that you can enjoy the trail without a
heavy pack or panniers. The charges are £74 for daily baggage
transfers plus return transport for you and your bike back to the
start of the trail, or £39 for baggage movements only. The price is
the same whether you take 5 or 7 days to complete the trail.
The Sherpa Van can also help you plan your journey, simply decide
how far you want to ride each day and the level of a accommodation
you require, then leave the rest to us. Our prices for booking
accommodation start from £12 per person.
Saddle Skedaddle - - tel:
0191 2651110
Located near the end of the C2C, we offer friendly guided, and
self-guided holidays on the C2C route. We specialise in the personal
touch and are famed for our legendary Skedaddle picnics (guided
only)! Accommodation in friendly B&B's and family run hotels, bag
transfers, professional and friendly guides are the order of the
day!
We can tailor trips to suit your needs, just give us a call at
Skedaddle HQ! We also offer holidays on the Hadrian's Cycleway,
Pennine North and South, and Northumberland Coast and Castles.
2 Wheel Treks - Ridge
House, 44 Summerlands, Cranleigh, Surrey GU6 7BP - tel: 01483 27
1212
Guided and Self Guided cycle trips throughout many parts of Britain
- including the C2C
Getting to the start
To get to Workington or Whitehaven via the
railway will mean you more than likely having to use the West Coast
mainline service to Carlisle. The policy here is that bikes will be
carried but spaces must be reserved. However the number of bikes the
train will take will not be known until you ring and make your
booking, which must be done at least 24 hr's in advance of your
travel.
To get to
Whitehaven or Workington from Carlisle means you using the regional
railway. The trains on this route will carry only 2 bikes but spaces
are non-reservable. There is no charge to take your bikes on this
section.
Returning home
Providing you don't wish to travel back on
the Reivers route and make a round trip of it read on.
To get
back to the start of the route at Workington or Whitehaven means you
either cycling from Sunderland to Newcastle station or getting the
local train to Newcastle and then taking the Newcastle to Carlisle
route. On this service the policy is only 2 cycles per train on
off-peak services (all other services ring and check beforehand) and
all bikes must be reserved but the cost is nothing. From Carlisle
take the regional line as detailed above to Workington or
Whitehaven.
To
travel home using the East Coast line the same applies, only 2 bikes
on off-peak services, spaces must be reserved.
The Metro (local train service) to Newcastle does not take
bikes. So those finishing at Tynemouth should take this into account
when planning their homeward journey.
As I have mentioned it is a good idea
to ring and check times etc. out with the relevant company but one
tip which might work with regards to bike space is to talk ever so
nicely to the train guard and he/she might turn a blind eye to more
than 2 bikes being loaded depending on the space available. It is
generally acknowledged that there is a certain amount of discretion
which can be applied so be nice to the nice people on the train!
Rail Information Line
for general enquiries: 08457 484950
Northern Rail
Carlisle to Whitehaven: 0845 6001159
Arriva Trains Northern
Newcastle/Carlisle &
Sunderland/Newcastle: 0870 6023322
you may also want to check out website for
comprehensive information on taking your bike on a train as well as
one of the following sites to get online travel info at the website
You might
also want to look at this page written by a cyclist who has taken
his bike by train many times
Workington and Whitehaven are easily reached by road, the easiest
option being from Penrith (M6 Jct.40) and then follow the A66
westwards bypassing Keswick and Cockermouth on the way.
If you are travelling by car then most landladies will let you
park your car with them for a few days but please check first. If
not then contact one of the following firms for details of secure
parking.
Whitehaven -
Preston Street Garage Tel 01946
63263.
Only 500 meters from start of the c2c, Offering cycle hire, repairs,
accessories and cycle sales. Comprehensive Motor Trade insurance
covering secure car parking for those of you travelling by car and
in need of somewhere to store it, they have linked up with Tyne
Valley Holidays to offer a complete package of baggage transfer,
hire cycle collection and transport back from the finish if
required.
Whitehaven - - Jim Hewitson
tel: 01946 692178
Park directly on the Workington to Whitehaven cycleway. This also a
Sustrans Stamping Station
Workington - Mr. J.M.Perkins
tel 01900 604997. Secure car parking
Newcastle -
Hadrian Lodge Hotel - - Tel:
0191 2627733
I have been informed that you can leave your car in the hotels car
park. If you stay at the Hotel the night before there is no charge
for leaving the car there - (otherwise £2.00 per day) but make sure
you leave the car registration or you risk getting clamped -
apparently it's very strictly controlled, so no leaving it to
chance.
Sunderland -
St. Mary's Car Park -
Sunderland tel:0191 553 2785
St Mary's is an award winning facility for both safety and design
and has an impressive 100% safety record and offers both long and
short term parking. Used and recommended by C2C'ers.
Alternatively why not
consider one of the travel companies listed on the page or on the
page accessible via the drop down menu box on the home page page
(some of whom will transport you back to the start point -for a
small re-numeration of course!) and let someone else have the
hassle of luggage transfers, accommodation booking and the like,
leaving you free to concentrate on riding your bike.
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