Coast to Coast England ... SUPPORTED..

[landsurfer]

I have an opportunity to sample a coast to coast supported ride.
I have always camped on long tours, carrying all I needed to camp and cycle, totally self contained.
And alone.
BUT ..
Suddenly, without warning .... I have the finance to pay for a supported coast to coast ... b&b , hotels, meals, baggage transfers etc.
A one off chance to see how the other half live.
I'm going for the coast to coast as the LEJOG / JOGLE thing is just too much time away from our Julie.
And I've done it .. it rained !!!
Can you recommend a route and a company that's worth throwing my pot of money at ?

[robgul]

If you're used to solo touring then I think you'll probably find the organised packages a bit tame - and have lots of time in the afternoons when you have reached the overnight stop early.

First real cycle trip I did was the Coast to Coast - as a package deal you describe with Holiday Lakeland (not sure if they still exist) - the deal was good, the service was excellent, accommodation etc was good - BUT the days, even for me as a newbie on hybrid, were way too short - getting to the overnight stop by 1430, having stopped and had lunch was pointless.

Just my 2p.

Rob

[Paulatic]

Whilst staying at the Wayfarers hostel in Penrith I've witnessed baggage drops and uplifts. Sorry I can't recall their name but apparently it's a very efficient and well used service.
A bag I moved out the way one morning was so heavy I could barely lift it. There was no way a bike could carry it. Amazed what some people need for a few days away.

[Dean]

Sherpa Vans are based in Richmond and have a good rep. Never used them personally, mind.

https://www.sherpavan.com/trails/sea_to_sea.asp

[Heathbrook]

Don't know too much about them but we are looking at these people
http://www.c2chasslefree.co.uk
They have a number of packages
We are thinking of doing it over two days

[TonyR]

A bag I moved out the way one morning was so heavy I could barely lift it. There was no way a bike could carry it. Amazed what some people need for a few days away.

I did the C2C & Reivers a few years ago with the CTC. I had a small rucksac but one rider had four panniers and a rack bag. He couldn't get up the first hill so we ended up with his panniers distributed amongst the rest of us. He still struggled on the hills even then.

[Paulatic]

Looking on the Wayfarers web site I see they will arrange transfers.
http://wayfarershostel.com/facilities/b ... transfers/
I don't apologise for plugging this place as it really is a great stop. Where else on Tripadvisor will you find 106 out of 106 reviews as excellent?

[pwa]

A few years back I did the Way of the Roses route with my wife and kids, and it is mostly very enjoyable and scenic. If it has a flaw it is the easternmost section after the Wolds, which is easy but a bit dull. The best bits are in the Pennines. I would avoid any routes that end in built up industrial areas since they are blatantly designed to bring about regeneration to run-down areas, rather than providing the best route. I'd look to finish in somewhere like Whitby.

[RickH]

How big a Coast to Coast?

I did Lowestoft to St David's route with Bike Adventures a few years ago (2012) - 450 miles over 8 days of cycling. *Edited to add direct link to trip.*

I camped when I did it, but I don't think that is an option any more. Some of the group were in hotel/B&B accommodation on that trip. I've done several Bike Adventures trips & like the organisation - you get a route (I think you can get a GPS route now) and there is a "Sweeper" at the back on a bike as well as the support vehicle on call for major mechanicals, etc. You can ride by yourself or ride in a group it is up to you & you can vary that from day to day. I even went "off-piste" a couple of times (having told those in charge) - I wanted to visit the airfield in Norfolk where my Mum was based when in the WAAF during WW2 & visit a friend south of Worcester later in the trip.

Some photos from that trip are on Flickr.

A friend did a trip with another company (I don't know who) & they were expected to ride in pre-arranged groups. Not my cup of tea!

Hope that helps

Rick.

[tyreon]

PWA is right. Please,don't end these routes in some deprived post industrial visual horror. It some councillor's plot. Some routes snake thru deadly eyesores. I pity the areas,but they're not my idea of a break. Conversely,I can and do like cycling(slowly)around some post industrial areas and would love to cycle thru around Detroit or now Flint(America)for the carnage that is post capitalism. It's unseemly and wrong,but you just want to take in what carnage has been unleashed on these society's. It would also be nice to cycle around the new multi millionaire mansions of whatever. Trouble is,most of the building and interiors are hidden behind high walls and security gates.

[tojjer]

Don't know too much about them but we are looking at these people
http://www.c2chasslefree.co.uk
They have a number of packages
We are thinking of doing it over two days

We used them in 2014. We were well looked after and brekkie was good at the farm. Drop you at Whitehaven and pick you up from Newcastle when finished. Good pub just up the road from the farm for evening meals. You do have to put up with bunk beds in converted milking sheds