Читать книгу The C2C Cycle Route. The Coast to Coast bike ride онлайн

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Cyclists riding the C2C for the first time would be advised to start from Whitehaven (or nearby St Bees) and finish at Tynemouth. However, consider starting from Workington if you’d prefer less hill-climbing on the way to Keswick, and finishing at Sunderland (if you don’t mind missing Newcastle) if you’d prefer to avoid the somewhat tortuous final section to Tynemouth.

West coast

On the west coast, the routes from Whitehaven or Workington to Keswick are very different.

Whitehaven is the most popular start point for the C2C, leading directly to the Lake District, where it passes between Loweswater, Crummock Water, Bassenthwaite Lake and Derwent Water. There are two significant climbs to Kirkland and Whinlatter, but the reward is great downhill riding and wonderful views. But Whitehaven is not a perfect place to start. The route out of the town is well signposted, but probably the most unattractive part of the whole C2C.

St Bees provides an interesting link route to the C2C. This is the start of Wainwright’s sea-to-sea walking route. The place is much smaller and quieter than Whitehaven, just a few miles to the south – one stop away on the train with a good connecting route provided by Hadrian’s Cycleway (NCN Route 72). St Bees is a pleasant place to stay overnight before starting the C2C cycle route, which gives cyclists the opportunity to walk up to St Bees Head and dip their feet (or front tyre) in the Irish Sea. Starting at St Bees is recommended for those who don’t mind missing the official start of the route.