The C2C is primarily ridded from West to East to take full advantage of both the prevailing winds and the fact that the uphill sections are shorter then the downhill ones. Be warned however that certain parts of the ride do require you to ride on busy roads, this must be taken into account when thinking about taking youngsters with you. Additionally certain parts include steep hill climbs, make sure you have some experience of hilly rides before attempting the route.

It is important to plan your ride on what you know you are capable of otherwise you will be in danger of not enjoying your trip.

Dik (compiler of the official site and veteran of many trips) has put together the following guide to assist in the planning of a trip :-

2 DAY TRIP
day one ...Whitehaven to Garrigill/Alston - approx. distance 76 miles
- two big climbs - Whinlatter and Hartside - rest of route flat to undulating
day two ...Garrigill/Alston to Sunderland - approx. distance 59 miles
- four big climbs in the first 18 miles before the route levels out for the last 40 miles

3 DAY TRIP
day one ... Whitehaven to Greystoke/Penrith - approx. distance 50 miles
- one big climb at Whinlatter rest of route reasonably undulating
day two ... Greystoke/Penrith to Allenheads/Rookhope - approx. distance 40 miles
- climbs up Hartside, out of Garrigill and Black Hill, tough day over hilly terrain
day three ... Allenheads/Rookhope to Sunderland - approx. distance 45 miles
- climb out of Allenheads and then Rookhope Incline (or Crawleyside if going via Stanhope) then its level or downhill all the way to the finish

4 DAY TRIP
day one ... Whitehaven to Mungrisdale - approx. distance 39 miles
- slightly undulating ride with the one climb at Whinlatter
day two ... Mungrisdale to Garrigill - approx. distance 37 miles
- big climb up to Hartside then downhill to Garrigill
day three ... Garrigill to Castleside/Consett - approx. distance 34 miles
- climbs out of Garrigill, Black Hill, Allenheads and Rookhope - the toughest day
day four ... Castleside/Consett to Sunderland - approx. distance 25 miles
- the last day and after yesterday a very easy one- level or downhill to Sunderland

5 DAY TRIP
day one ... Whitehaven to Keswick - approx. distance 30 miles
- one big climb at Whinlatter then downhill to Keswick
day two ... Keswick to Langwathby - approx. distance 28 miles
- slightly undulating day but apart from Fell Lane in Penrith nothing too serious
day three ... Langwathby to Allenheads - approx. distance 29 miles
- climbs up Hartside, Garrigill and Black Hill - a tough third day!
day four ... Allenheads to Consett - approx. distance 26 miles
- a climb out of Allenheads and also Rookhope ( or Crawleyside if going via Stanhope)
day five ... Consett to Sunderland - approx. distance 25 miles
- easy peasy, lemon squeezy - level or downhill all the way!


Listed below is an approx. mileage chart from Whitehaven to Sunderland

Whitehaven - start
Cleator Moor - 05
Lorton - 20
Keswick - 31
Greystoke - 48
Penrith - 55
Langwathby - 59
Hartside - 70
Garrigill - 77
Nenthead - 81
Allenheads - 89
Rookhope - 95
Consett - 111
Stanley - 119
Chester le St - 123
Sunderland - 133
Roker pier - 135

for information on maps click on the link below :-

Maps