Our favourite coast to coast cycle routes

Coast to coast rides can be the best adventure you ever embark on and a fantastic way to explore our nation. The UK has many well-known coast to coast routes, with Land’s End to John O’Groats being the big one. But there are also lots of shorter more manageable routes. For anyone who fancies cycling coast to coast, here we take a look at some of the more popular routes and give you some top tips to set you off on the right road!

Picking a route

There are a number of valuable resources to help you plan your trip. CTC: The National Cycling Charity, Sustrans, and BikeMap all have brilliant tools to personalise your route and connect with a community of riders. Make sure your map includes bike shops locations for when you need repairs.

But which Coast to coast ride should you pick?

LEJOG: Land’s End-John O’Groats (950-1200 miles)

This is the big one! Covering 3 countries and all kinds of terrain, LEJOG is the definition of challenge! Curse all the Gods for the Cornish hills, marvel at the Severn Bridge, wave to Wales, pass the Peak and Lake District, and brutally murder mosquitoes by stunning loch shores: it all makes for a trip of a lifetime that you will never forget!

C2C: Sea to Sea Cycle Route (140 miles)

This is the official Coast to Coast route which opened in 1994. It runs from Whitehaven on the west coast of Cumbria to Sunderland on the northeast coast of Tyne and Wear, crossing the Lake District and the Pennines. This is the UK’s most popular long distance cycling route, and it can be completed by a wide range of cyclists, including families, despite offering some serious challenges.

Way of the Roses: Morecambe Bay-Bridlington Bay (170miles)

This fairly new route which runs from Morcambe Bay to Bridlington is known as the Way of the Roses. As you huff and puff up over Yorkshire’s Dales just remember what goes up must go down! You’ll soon hit rollercoaster speeds on the descent, and then it is flat roads all the way to the heritage coast. Some of the awesome attractions en route Lancaster Castle, Fountains Abbey, and York Minster. The war may have ended years ago but Yorkshire and Lancaster are still fighting to impress you!

Ilfracombe-Plymouth (103 miles)

Not too challenging but certainly fun, the Ilfracombe to Plymouth route is fantastic for families and hill-phobics! Following old railway lines and the Tarka Trail, this route is relatively flat by Devon standards. You can glide past wooded river valleys, coastal cliffs, beautiful beaches, and rugged moors to see the wild beauty of Devon from the safety of a well-marked route.

Planning your ride

Let your secret obsessive compulsive self run wild when planning a coast to coast ride. Make lists, plot maps, build training schedules, service your bike, book campsites in advance, and plan transport. Sounds stressful? Make it fun by involving friends or family in the planning to discover the most interesting routes and attractions on the way.

Just remember to choose a route that matches your fitness (we all want to be Mark Cavendish but be realistic!), wear protective gear, and follow the Highway Code. So eat, drink, peddle, be merry, and stay safe!