Coast-to-coast mountain bike ride
Moderators: StephF, Tullio, Moderators
Coast-to-coast mountain bike ride
So I'm reading 10 reasons to do a coast-to-coast mountain bike ride in the bike radar email and it mentions the Rat-Race: The Crossing. Sounds great....but at £410, I think not. Well actually I'm thinking perhaps it's a challenge to consider for Clifton MTB'ers. Obviously some proper training required, but just wondered if anyone else would be interested in attempting it as our own separate weekend adventure?
-
- Posts: 96
- Joined: Tue Dec 21, 2010 6:45 pm
- Location: Riccall
Coast to coast
Me 2 (if girls are allowed) 

Well seems the idea has sparked quite a bit of interest, and girls definitely most welcome.
A very rough idea of route would be something like start at Whitehaven and ride out towards Penrith. Past Barnard Castle towards Northallerton then eventually end up in Scarborough. There's obviously some logistics to figure out - do we catch the train to our starting point perhaps? I think it would probably be best to get a few maps together and determine what all the options are. I presume hostels/B&B's would be best rather than going for the camping option.
The Rat Race C2C is spread over 3 days doing roughly 60 miles each day. I was thinking we may want to consider spreading the ride over 4 days with a target of 40-45 miles each day.
As for when to do it.... well I figured August Bank Holiday might be a suitable weekend to aim for. Perhaps starting the challenge on the Friday, so just one day off work required.
A very rough idea of route would be something like start at Whitehaven and ride out towards Penrith. Past Barnard Castle towards Northallerton then eventually end up in Scarborough. There's obviously some logistics to figure out - do we catch the train to our starting point perhaps? I think it would probably be best to get a few maps together and determine what all the options are. I presume hostels/B&B's would be best rather than going for the camping option.

The Rat Race C2C is spread over 3 days doing roughly 60 miles each day. I was thinking we may want to consider spreading the ride over 4 days with a target of 40-45 miles each day.
As for when to do it.... well I figured August Bank Holiday might be a suitable weekend to aim for. Perhaps starting the challenge on the Friday, so just one day off work required.
Well I've been studying the map a little closer, but not enough yet to track down bridleways and such like. However have come up with the following.
Rough outline of route:
Day 1 - Ravenglass -> Ambleside -> Windermere -> Kendal
Day 2 - Kendal -> Sedbergh -> Cowgills -> Askrigg -> Leyburn
Day 3 - Leyburn -> Northallerton -> Osmotherly -> Stokesley
Day 4 - Stokesley -> Danby -> Grosmont -> Robin Hood's Bay
Date: Fri 16th - Mon 19th August
Quite liking the idea of making it a camping trip to add to the fun and the challenge.
The logistics of getting to the start and getting home to be determined and advised in due course.
So does the route seem reasonable?
Is the date OK with everyone?
And does camping grab your fancy?
And answers on a postcard with regards to the logistics.....
Rough outline of route:
Day 1 - Ravenglass -> Ambleside -> Windermere -> Kendal
Day 2 - Kendal -> Sedbergh -> Cowgills -> Askrigg -> Leyburn
Day 3 - Leyburn -> Northallerton -> Osmotherly -> Stokesley
Day 4 - Stokesley -> Danby -> Grosmont -> Robin Hood's Bay
Date: Fri 16th - Mon 19th August
Quite liking the idea of making it a camping trip to add to the fun and the challenge.
The logistics of getting to the start and getting home to be determined and advised in due course.
So does the route seem reasonable?
Is the date OK with everyone?
And does camping grab your fancy?
And answers on a postcard with regards to the logistics.....

Hi All,
Thought in order to make this happen I'd suggest a little get together.
Tuesday 2nd July - Nags Head, Askham Bryan 8pm - meeting to discuss Coast to Coast trip - determine who is definitely interested, go through planned route, and get accommodation booked and training plan worked out.
Current plan is still to try for Bank Holiday weekend.
Let us know if you can't make the meeting but are still interested.
Thanks,
Jez
Thought in order to make this happen I'd suggest a little get together.
Tuesday 2nd July - Nags Head, Askham Bryan 8pm - meeting to discuss Coast to Coast trip - determine who is definitely interested, go through planned route, and get accommodation booked and training plan worked out.
Current plan is still to try for Bank Holiday weekend.
Let us know if you can't make the meeting but are still interested.
Thanks,
Jez