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On this page you will see the comments of C2Cers on their trips and this site. You can send yours here and we will be happy to add them in.
Our congratulations go to Gareth Price who contacted us with an account of his team's epic achievement - from Sunderland to Workington and back again - 23 hours, 37 minutes all in one go!
I arrived back from Africa in late February having climbed Kilimanjaro and after had a week or so back at work, was greeted by a flat and empty feeling that I was unable to lift for myself. I talked with Lucy, one of our spin instructors at the gym and she noticed my mood, asked if I felt like I needed another challenge to focus on?
That was the answer, we decided to ride the coast to coast, but in one go. Discussing the distances involved, she threw me a curve ball notion and taunted me with the idea of going both ways, in one continuous ride. It took about 5 seconds to agree and right away, my smile was back on. I knew of at least one other person that would rise to the challenge and we had the makings of a team.
My good friend, with whom I'd climbed Kili, agreed to support us with as a driver and so, we were good to go. Dates agreed, training commenced.
Saturday 12th July, The Smugglers pub, Sunderland sea front, we set off across to Workington. We'd been joined by a fourth team member that had got involved with less than a month to go. Just seven days earlier was the first time we'd met as a foursome! It was a cold morning, dry and grey, but finally with photos taken, we were on our way.
Westbound, the stiff head on breeze was much evident, damp roads and cold feet. After an hour so, the craic was beginning to warm up, we are starting to have fun. My own long distance effort of 85 miles a few weeks before in and around Milton Keynes and even up onto the downs and environs, had done nothing to quash my concerns over never having cycled this kind of distance before, this was even more compounded as we encountered the steep inclines on the various hills leading toward Hartside café.
Hot coffee and a superb bacon ciabatta in Allenheads helped ease us into high spirits and enjoying the adventure more than I could possibly have imagined, the team, driver Bill Wright, riders Tim Huxtable, Lucy Tustin, Neil Charnock and myself, Gareth Price were proving to be a tight group.
Alston, Hartside and on we went, it was brilliant, the miles and ascents just slipped by, not quite effortlessly, but gradually we made our way across to Workington, where we sat on the pier wall, eating pie and chips at 6:30pm on that cool, but dry evening.
7pm, we were heading out of Workington, having decided to head back across the A66, though Cockermouth, Keswick, Penrith, Barnards Castle, Bishop Auckland, Spennymoor and penultimatley through the picturesque city of Durham and the famous castle.
Finally, albeit slowly and quietly, Sunderland and the finish point, we dumped our bikes against the wall above the beach, none of which had even had a puncture, and down to the waters edge, 5:50am Sunday, elation, the most amazing sense of achievement, C2C2C, DONE!!
At the start of their journey: Tim Huxtable, Lucy Tustin, Gareth Price, Neil Charnock
Team member Neil Charnock adds:
The coast to coast ride is an awesome challenge. Hillier than our team expected! The views are breathtaking though, and the feeling when you get to the opposite coastline from the start is unbelievable. Our team then turned straight round and did the return leg. The journey back was better for me. Less hilly (maybe it was just the fact we were riding in the dark that meant I couldn't physically see the hills which made it easier!) The final finish line was an emotional crossing. You discover a lot about yourself and your team mates on a ride like that. We did both ways in under 24 hours. It's not hit home yet, in terms of what we've achieved, but it will! I'd reccomend anyone after a real challenge to do this ride, and if you really want to push yourself, why not do as we did and go coast to coast to coast (within 24 hrs if you're really wanting a challenge)?! I'm not touching my bike for at least a week after that!!!
on the beach at the finish: Neil, Lucy, Tim, Gareth
John Turnock and 21 companions rode the C2C June 6th-8th 2008. He writes:
22 of us booked into the Boot and Shoe for evening meal on the 6th June meal was excellent and made to feel welcome. For the evening we had 10 in Stafford House and 12 in Brathen, Stafford House was excxcellent fully recommend with some fantastic views-although you may need a torch getting back.
We are hoping once we get all the money in the amount raised for Macmillan and PSC charities will exceed £13k and should break your record.
Ian Wright, and fellow air ambulance fundraisers from the Midlands, Gordon Blane, Andrew Bowler, John Dickins, Julian Emslie, Mike Foden, Paul McKie, Steve Redshaw, Rob Shaw, Martin Thirlaway, Sam Thirlaway, contacted us to say:
Firstly let us congratulate you on the fantastic C2C website! It has proved to be a superb source of information and inspiration for our adventure last weekend. We have spent many lunchtimes reading contributors advice and suggestions.
Our group of 11 did the ride to raise money for the Warwickshire & Northamptonshire Air Ambulance after they saved my son’s life two years ago – he suffered a heart attack at school aged 6. You can check out our fund raising page at www.justgiving.com/jackwrightcoast2coastchallenge 2008.
The reason for this correspondence is to make you aware of the awful night we had staying at the Bonny Moor Hen Public House in Stanhope on Saturday. Given that it is listed on your site, you may want to reconsider its inclusion after my comments!
We arrived around 7pm after a challenging day riding through some atrocious weather, heavy winds and driving rain. Soaked through we were all in need of a shower and dry clothing. The landlord was very welcoming to his credit, but did explain that they had a live band performing that night and that we would need to eat in our rooms. We understood this and had been told previously that this would be going on when we booked. However, tables were laid out and immediately food was brought up – no choice and whilst we were still trying to get showered and changed! Needless to say several of the meals had to be micro-waved to heat them up. As promised the band stopped promptly at 11.30pm and we were able to get some sleep….. until 1.30am when the drums started up again!!! The noise woke all of our group up and we all found it difficult to get back to sleep – not ideal after two days riding. We had booked breakfast for 8am so we could get going to the finish, some of our group had travelled as far as from London so we didn’t want to be too late finishing. No smell of breakfast when we walked downstairs, the landlady appeared dazed from the night before and suggested that she would now make a start!
Without going on, we felt like that they weren’t prepared for us to be there and that we were a nuisance to them. After offering to dry our wet clothes for us they were handed back on Sunday morning as wet as when they were handed in! The breakfast was 45 minutes late and the worst I have ever eaten! When we challenged the landlord about the early morning drumming he categorically denied that it was anyone from the pub! 11 of us, one of him, taking our money!!!
In all it was a horrible place. The bathrooms were in a poor state of repair, no soap provided and towels the size of face cloths. The food was dreadful and the landlord’s attitude when challenged was far from welcoming. The listing on your site says it has recently changed hands and been refurbished. There was a fire at the castle opposite when we stayed.
I know you can only go on the information you are given and in no way blame the site for misleading us but I would strongly advise that you remove it until it improves. The last night should have been a memorable one for us and it certainly was, but not for the right reasons!
I hope this feedback is constructive.
We loved the ride and thoroughly enjoyed the other places we stayed taken from your listings.
Amy Arnold writes:
I've just finished a four day C2C adventure and had a fantastic time! But, I just wanted to let you know about The Mill Inn in Mungrisdale because I think people should be aware that there could be problems..
It has recently been taken over and when I booked it a couple of months ago the people who ran it were really helpful and promised secure shelter for bikes and a pack-up for the following day for a couple of pounds. We arrived and were told to leave our bikes outside and they would be put away later when the shed wasn't being used by the kitchen staff. This was fine and we ate then went to bed worn out. At 10.40pm my friend woke up only to look out of the window and see them still out in the rain and the sheds were all locked up. She had to get up and go down and ask one of the bar staff for the keys to put them away. A bit annoying as our saddles were soaked!
In the morning we asked for our pack-ups before we left and were handed a bag with thin white bread and cheese sandwiches and a bag of crisps, a mars bar and a glass bottle of fizzy water (not ideal on a bike). For this we were charged £5 each! We had been told it would be ciabatta bread and fruit!
This on top of the fact that our room stank of drains, this wasn't a good start! The other accommodation (Bridge View, Garrigall and Bee Cottage, Consett) was fantastic, really friendly and helpful people.
Your site is great and was really helpful to us, I'm planning to write up our adventure and post it soon!
The Crown at Kirkoswald announced the sad news that it will shortly cease to trade. This is a shame because Jeff, the owner, contacted us to get the village on the C2C map. So anyone planning their trip should look elsewhere for accommodation. There are two other places in this charming village, including the Fetherston Arms.
Mark Porter
Editor
C2C-Guide
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accommodation
