Which long-distance cycle route?
Online Catalogue | Long-distance cycle route maps & guides: C2C, Reivers etc | Which long-distance cycle route?
Notes on some of the long-distance routes
(Note: more information on the Blog: bikerideblog.blog.com)
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The C2C / Sea to Sea
This is the iconic long-distance route, normally done in 3-4 days. Some testing hills and beautiful scenery.
But to start with the C2C, or to start slightly easier - maybe the Devon Coast to Coast? And what to do after the C2C; the Reivers always used to the main choice, but now there are lots of options.
These are our thoughts.
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Hadrian's Cycleway
Probably the second most popular coast-to-coast route. Starts in Tynemouth along the same route as the C2C, but then keeps to the Tyne Valley to cross the Pennines. Fewer climbs than the C2C or the Reivers Route. A personal opinion: it’s a really good route, but it seems a shame that Hadrian’s Cycleway doesn’t run alongside Hadrian’s Wall. If it were me, I’d use the B-road close to the wall for at least part of the way. The B-road is shown on the same map. |
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The Reivers Route
Originally known as “The Return C2C”, the Reivers Route starts at Tynemouth (the northern end of the C2C) and heads north west to the forests surrounding the Kielder Reservoir, then back south west via moorland roads and into Carlisle. It skirts the northern end of the Lake District at the back of Skiddaw, runs through Cockermouth to the coast at Workington, then down the coast to finish in Whitehaven. It’s wilder country than the C2C, and a longer route, but with fewer big climbs. |
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Walney to Wear
Probably the least cycled of the routes linking the Cumbrian coast and the North East, but an extremely good route. Starts near Barrow-in-Furness in south Cumbria, skirts the Lake District and snakes through the Pennines to finish at Sunderland. |
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Way of the Roses
Brand new route. I've not done it, but it looks very good, starting on the Lancashire coast, and finishing on the Yorkshire coast, taking in Lancaster, the Dales and York along the way. |
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Trans-Pennine Trail
Starting on the Lancashire coast at Southport, heading into Liverpool on marked cycleways, then east into Manchester and on into Yorkshire. |
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Devon Coast to Coast
This is a 102 mile route from either Ilfracombe or Bude on the north coast of Devon to Plymouth on the south coast. It is a wonderful route taking in coasts, estuaries and beaches, plus The Granite Way on the flank of Dartmoor, the Plym Valley Trail and the famous Tarka Trail. Easier than the real C2C, but still with some climbs - it's not flat! If you're not sure about the real C2C as a challenge, maybe do this one first?
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Land's End to John O'Groats
There is no single route for this. There are three guide books offering a variety of routes, from country lanes to fast A-roads but no signposts along the way. It’s a big challenge, however fit you are and whatever type of route you want to follow. Good luck!
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Online Catalogue | Long-distance cycle route maps & guides: C2C, Reivers etc | Which long-distance cycle route?
