Coast and Castles, any advice

[andymc]

Hi just signed up for this with a few friends, it is basically Edinburgh down to Newcastle, all via the NE coast line, it is 200 miles in 3 days, my bike is a Specialized Hybrid, nothing fancy but very reliable, is it worth me buying a gravel bike or at 10 weeks out have I left it too late?
thanks
Andy

[Scaleybrat]

I’ve done the C2C and Glasgow to Gretna bike routes on hybrids with no issues. I know some of the C&C route as parents live in Warkworth and I think a hybrid is more than capable. Maybe consider changing your tyres if you are running slicks and get something with a tread and maybe a wider profile if your bike will allow.
Good luck, I planned to ride from Broughty Castle to Warkworth Castle on the C&C route but never managed to organise it. Maybe I should get off the sofa and start planning it for this year.

[andymc]

thanks, we go out fairly regularly but need a goal

[loskie]

I did the John Muir Way on my 21 yr old Scott Atacama Comp hybrid last year. It was ideal for the job.

Edited by loskie on Thursday 7th April 07:21

[bristolbaron]

I did Whitehaven to Whitby on a Trek hybrid and it did everything it needed to. The only regret was not packing lighter!

[defblade]

Maybe add some bar ends just to be able to change hand position. Some people fit them inside the grips/shifters, to give a slightly more aero position for longer road rides (think tiny TT bars!).

[andymc]

i have the bar ends on already, is it a tough ride?

[take-good-care-of-the-forest-dewey]

andymc said:

Hi just signed up for this with a few friends, it is basically Edinburgh down to Newcastle, all via the NE coast line, it is 200 miles in 3 days, my bike is a Specialized Hybrid, nothing fancy but very reliable, is it worth me buying a gravel bike or at 10 weeks out have I left it too late?
thanks
Andy

I've done that via the sus-trans route on an mtb tandem with panniers and frame bags. Put 1" slick tyres on to help with the RR.

It was a brutal first day - long draggy climbs - but great fun.

Worst bit was the glass on the cycle paths in Newcastle.

You certainly won't need a new bike... Unless you want anew bike... Then you absolutely need a new bike.

[andymc]

take-good-care-of-the-forest-dewey said:

andymc said:

Hi just signed up for this with a few friends, it is basically Edinburgh down to Newcastle, all via the NE coast line, it is 200 miles in 3 days, my bike is a Specialized Hybrid, nothing fancy but very reliable, is it worth me buying a gravel bike or at 10 weeks out have I left it too late?
thanks
Andy

I've done that via the sus-trans route on an mtb tandem with panniers and frame bags. Put 1" slick tyres on to help with the RR.

It was a brutal first day - long draggy climbs - but great fun.

Worst bit was the glass on the cycle paths in Newcastle.

You certainly won't need a new bike... Unless you want anew bike... Then you absolutely need a new bike.

cheers all