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United Kingdom

C2C - Coast to Coast (5 Days Cycling)

Self-Guided Family Bike Tour

Grade

1
2
3
4
5

Duration

6 days

Prices from

$1,150 P.P.
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This ‘must-do’ cycling holiday is a wonderful way to see the varied and beautiful landscapes of northern England, following the well-signed National Cycle Network route from the Irish Sea in the West to the North Sea in the East, cycling along quiet country lanes, cycleways and paths.
Leaving the Irish Sea behind, you head into the solitude and space of the Lake District, Cumbria and the North Pennines. This popular route and firm Skedaddle favourite, is not without its challenges, taking in Hartside Pass, where at a respectable 580m above sea level you can stop and, on a clear day, admire spectacular views across the Lake District, the Solway Firth and into Southern Scotland. The long descent into Alston which follows has to be one of the many highlights of the ride!
You can choose to spend the first night in either Newcastle or Penrith before we transfer you early the next morning to Whitehaven and the start of your ride which ends approximately 150 miles later in Tynemouth. Time for those all important celebratory photos! We will meet you in Tynemouth then transfer you back to Newcastle or Penrith for your onward journey home. 
Please make sure that you let us know whether you prefer to arrive into Newcastle or Penrith at the time of booking!
This self-guided trip is for a minimum of 2 people and accommodation, transfers, luggage transfers and emergency back up are all included. With access to the Skedaddle App you'll be able to navigate the route with ease. Nothing could be simpler! 
You can also do this route over three or four days of cycling, or if you are looking for an even more challenging trip with longer daily distances, talk to us about our two day version.
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Highlights

  • UK’s favourite long distance cycle route
  • Dramatic English landscapes
  • Cycle friendly route
  • Stress-free cycling complimented with an abundance of pubs and cafes en route
  • Bike friendly B&Bs offering mouth-watering breakfasts
  • Suitable for adults and older children

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Itinerary

Day 1
Arrival into Newcastle or Penrith
Non Cycling Day

Getting to Newcastle or Penrith is easy. If you are planning to arrive by air, there is an airport at Newcastle with direct services to Newcastle Central train station. For those arriving by car, you will be able to leave your vehicle at your accommodation (supplement payable), or if the train is your preferred transport mode, you can either take a taxi from the station to your accommodation or it is just a short 10-15 minute walk away.

Please make sure that you let us know whether you prefer to arrive into Newcastle or Penrith at the time of booking.

Day 2
Whitehaven to Threlkeld
37 Miles / 60 Kms Approx.
  • Meals: Breakfast
  • Ascent: 1100 Metres Approx.

After an early breakfast, you will be met by our Skedaddle representative at your accommodation in either Newcastle or Penrith and they’ll provide you with your rental bikes (if renting) and your map and chat you through how to use the Skedaddle App. They will then transfer you to Whitehaven to begin your journey.

Whitehaven Harbour marks the start of your ride and it’s only a few pedals before you leave the somewhat industrial Cumbrian coast and reach some of the prettiest countryside in the UK. Initially following the Cumbrian Cycle Network, you will follow the route of a disused mineral railway to Kirkland. From here you follow quiet country lanes along an undulating route via Loweswater and Low Lorton to Whinlatter Pass.

From here an excellent descent takes you through Braithwaite and Portinscale on the banks of the River Derwent to Keswick. Keswick is in a picturesque setting between the dramatic peak of Skiddaw and the lovely Derwentwater. This is a bustling town and the main centre for the Northern Lake District. Leaving Keswick you follow another railway line, this time alongside the River Greta. You will quickly pass near the sacred Castlerigg Stone Circle; a Bronze Age meeting place, to your overnight accommodation in Threlkeld. The views here are wonderful. To the northwest stands Blencathra (868 metres) and to the southeast Great Dodd (856 metres) towers above Deepdale.

Day 3
Threlkeld to Edenhall
24 Miles / 39 Kms Approx.
  • Meals: Breakfast
  • Ascent: 600 Metres Approx.

The route is now one of quiet traffic free country lanes through hillsides dotted with small farms. Next place of interest is Greystoke Castle on which the legend of Tarzan is based. Shortly afterwards you will arrive at your accommodation in Edenhall.

Day 4
Edenhall to Alston
18 Miles / 29 Kms Approx.
  • Meals: Breakfast
  • Ascent: 650 Metres Approx.

From Edenhall you continue on to Langwathby. From here the route gets a little harder as you reach Hartside Pass (580 metres). Take a moment to enjoy the spectacular views before you set off again! The day ends with a long and exhilarating descent into Alston which will be home for the evening.

Day 5
Alston to Edmundbyers
27 Miles / 43 Kms Approx.
  • Meals: Breakfast
  • Ascent: 900 Metres Approx.

Today you will encounter the hilliest and highest points of our trip. From Alston it’s a short, but tough climb up and over into the old lead mining village of Nenthead. Climbing again you will reach the highest point on the route, Black Hill (609 metres).

After crossing Killhope top, you reach Allenheads. Not only boasting that it’s the highest village in England, it’s also home to one of the quirkiest pubs – The Allenheads Inn. Containing rooms full of bric-a-brac and nick-nacks it’s a challenge to negotiate your way to the bar…never mind from it! Just a few more miles before we get to Rookhope.

From Rookhope we skirt the contours of Stanhope Common on quiet lanes and continue along to Stanhope, where we climb the steep Crawleyside Bank before descending to our accommodation in Edmundbyers.

Day 6
Edmundbyers to Tynemouth
43 Miles / 69 Kms Approx.
  • Meals: Breakfast
  • Ascent: 700 Metres Approx.

This morning you will have the last big climb of the trip up to Parkhead where you join the Waskerley Way, which is a traffic free trail that takes in the rugged, expansive scenery of the North Pennines, and contours pre-dominantly downhill towards the once thriving steel town of Consett. The route follows a pleasant green route leading over numerous bridges and old railway viaducts and affording great views of the countryside. On reaching Gateshead and the impressive Baltic Arts Centre you cross the Blinking Eye Millennium Bridge over the River Tyne into Newcastle. The Cycle Hub is situated on your right just after this and is the perfect place for a well earned cuppa and a slice of delicious homemade cake. It’s dedicated to the cyclist and also the home of Saddle Skedaddle and we’d love you to come and say hello. Not far to the end now as you head into the heart of the shipbuilding area of the Tyne. On passing Wallsend, keep an eye out for Segedunum Roman Fort Museum – why not add a little Roman history to your C2C experience? Continuing along close to the river we soon reach the Fish Quays of North Shields, where you’ll find a bustling little harbour and the finest fish and chips in the North-East! We are now at the very mouth of the Tyne and a few more pedal turns lead to your final destination, Tynemouth.

Congratulations – you’ve just Skedaddled the Coast to Coast!

We’ll meet you in Tynemouth and load your bikes up for the return trip to Newcastle or Penrith.

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The Cycling

Terrain

This holiday uses part of the National Cycle Network operated by Sustrans, a charity devoted to promoting the use of sustainable transport. The route follows quiet country lanes, cycleways and paths including sections on old railway lines with gravel or cinder surface.

With a mix of tarmac and some hardpacked gravel surfaces, the ride can be completed on almost any type of bike. The first few miles leaving Whitehaven has some unavoidable hardpacked gravel sections along an old railway line. This section is suitable for road bikes when ridden with a little extra care. The majority of the route between Stanhope and Newcastle also has gravel surfaces, which can be ridden on a road bike with touring tyres fitted, however there is a tarmac alternative to the standard route if preferred. Most roadies tackling the route in 2 or 3 days prefer this option.

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Family Cycling Grade

1
2
3
4
5
Grade 3 : Moderate

Distances generally of between 20-45 miles / 32-72 kms per day

For those energetic families that exercise frequently

May include some steeper, cheeky climbs

Possibly sections of varying terrain (eg. forest tracks, gravel paths etc)

Our grading guidelines have been carefully created based on our many years of cycling experience, as well as customer feedback from our trips. Of course, if you're still struggling to figure out where you fit on the scale, do feel free to give us a quick call and we'll be more than happy to help!

For more information about our grading system click here.

Is this suitable for you?

Although you may not cycle everyday, you do keep yourself relatively fit and maybe you and the kids enjoy an afternoon out on your bikes at the weekend. Your preference is perhaps for flatter terrain but you‘re all up for tackling some hills, and the occasional steep climb if you can take it at your own pace. For those happy to tackle some ups and downs, and possibly some sections of varying terrain (eg. forest tracks, gravel paths etc) we’d recommend our grade 3 trips. We’d generally expect those on a Grade 3 trip to have a decent level of physical fitness and be comfortable with some longer days in the saddle.

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Dates & Prices

Daily departures available from April to the end of September, call us about October.

2023 $1150 per person

Kid’s Discounts

For children below the age of 18 who are travelling with 2 full-paying passengers, we are able to offer a 25% discount off the basic holiday cost.

If you‘re happy sharing a family room, once we’ve received your booking we will check what rooms are available and we may be able to offer (up to) an additional 25% discount for the children (subject to availability).

Choose your date
Start Date
End Date
Duration
Price p.p.
Start Date
Return Date
--/--/----
Duration
6 days
Price
$1,150.00

Whats Included Tick

A) Accommodation (shared twin rooms)

B) Meals as per the itinerary (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)

C) Access to the Skedaddle App for holiday information and navigation

D) A printed map

E) GPX files available upon request

F) Luggage transfer service

G) Local Skedaddle representative

H) Emergency tool kit, pump etc. (if renting your bike from Skedaddle)

What's not Included Cross

A) Personal clothing and equipment

B) Travel insurance

C) Bar bills, telephone calls, souvenirs, etc.

D) Bike & helmet rental (available if required)

E) Travel or flight costs and charges for travelling with your bike (if applicable)

F) Single room option (may be available if required)

G) Entrance fees to cultural or historical sites and visitor centres

H) Other optional activities

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The Essentials

Travel Options

Your destination is either Newcastle or Penrith and there are a few travel options.

If travelling by train and Penrith is your destination, we would recommend that you arrive into Penrith station and depart from Newcastle, which will avoid long transfers. For Newcastle you need to arrive and depart from Newcastle Central. At the end of the trip we will meet you and transfer you to your car or Newcastle train station as appropriate. Please do not book any return trains prior to 17.30.

The closest airport to Penrith is Manchester, from where you can catch a direct train. Newcastle has an airport, although transatlantic options are limited and most routes will come via London.

Please contact us for more detailed information on the specific schedules that we recommend for your holiday and please check with us before booking your travel so that we can ensure it fits with the trip schedule.

Accommodation

In the UK we use small, good quality family friendly B&B accommodation or small hotels and Inns. Our trips are operated on a twin share basis with some accommodation providing large family rooms (subject to availability).

Bike Hire

If you would like to rent a bike we have both hybrid and electric bikes (for adults only) available.

The adult hybrid bikes are generally Giant Roam (male frame) or Liv Rove (female frame) with a wide gear range suitable for the route and terrain, semi-slick tyres, hydraulic disc brakes and a relaxed riding position.

Our electric bikes are generally Giant E+ pedal assist bikes with batteries suitable for the daily distances on this holiday and hydraulic disc brakes. E-bikes come with step through frames as standard but some cross bar frames may be available if preferred. Please let us know if you have a preference.

A rack and two panniers, a handlebar phone mount and one bottle cage are provided with all our adult rental bikes, along with an emergency repair kit in a seat-post bag containing a puncture repair kit, a multitool, a spare innertube and a bike pump. A bike lock will also be provided (one between two bikes).

We are also able to provide helmets. If you’d like one to be provided, please request this at the time of booking.

You are welcome to bring along your own saddle, or own pedals if renting a hybrid bike, but please let us know if advance if you plan to do so.

We also have a number of trailers / bikes suitable for children including:

  • Baby and child seats (12mths to 5 years – 25kg max)
  • Child Trailers (12mths to 5 years)
  • Tag-along (4 years to 9 years)
  • Childrens’ bikes – 20inch / 24 inch wheels (7 to 11 years)

Please note – if you are renting a child seat – these are fitted onto the rear rack and so panniers won’t be provided on the adult bike.

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