Roger Burston's account of their Easter 2007 Ride

Myself and friend - Steve Beach - cycled the HCW starting on Monday April 2nd and finishing on Wednesday, April 4th.

We were both impressed with the route - planning of, signs etc - and by the accompanying map that was really useful.We used bed and breakfast accommodation and carried our luggage in panniers, necessitating a few walks up steep hills such as the one out of Greenhead village. I ride an old Dawes Super Galaxy and Steve used his road bike with pannier attachment. The weather was generally kind apart from the headwinds on the second day.
We drove up from Nottingham on Sunday April 1st with bikes in the car. Car was left at first b and b for our trip. The first b and b was really good - to be recommended to anyone doing the ride. This was Muncaster Country Guest House run by the Stringers, just above Ravenglass village - really friendly, obliging and certainly getting us off to a good start with a fine breakfast.

We had to use the main road as far as Drigg due to rail repairs near Ravenglass. The section past Sellafield was slow due to having to push bikes through the sand on the path.
Dougs Comments - this section has since been improved with the path widened and resurfaced.
We lost the path near Flimby but eventually picked it up again and signs seemed to be missing where we rode around the edge of a golf course.
Dougs coments - this section will remain unsigned until it is officially completed.
My bike computer read 54 miles at the end of the first day.
 

Nith View Guest House was again a suitable stop in Silloth and the owner, Gary, suggested a better route out of the village for the Tuesday morning to avoid heavy traffic. The rest of the morning was a heads down into the wind until we could rest in Carlisle. Again impressive was the fact that the route passes through one or two towns such as Workington and Carlisle but for much of the time you are barely aware that you are riding through urban areas. After Carlisle the route is hillier but the views are better. Greenhead village was where we stayed for Tuesday night at the old YHA now owned and run by the pub. Again very welcoming and helpful. Another 54 miles covered.

Wednesday was a great day of cycling. Cold and frosty at first but very sunny and NO WIND! One or two steep climbs but then long downhill sections and a great route on minor roads/old railway lines and often against the river Tyne.

The run into Newcastle is also impressive.
The last section from Newcastle to Tynemouth where we finished was generally clear although broken glass needs to be avoided and we lost the path signs need one of the ferry companies (DFDS I think) for some time.
Dougs comment - the missing signs have been replaced.

68 miles covered including some retracing of path back to our accommodation.

Thursday involved an early rise and a fast cycle into Newcastle station. Bikes onto train (Northern Rail) and back to Ravenglass via Carlisle - should have been £20.70 - bikes free - but our conductor had technical troubles and overcharged us.

Our overall impression is very positive so thank you to all those involved in planning the route and setting it up. We were happy tackling it in three days using the sections as on the map but we were made aware that there are companies out there who will carry luggage between stops and arrange transport at the finish. If we were to do it again we would review the things we carried in our panniers to see if our loads could have been lightened. We only had one puncture each. Steve's was on the newly resurfaced Wylam Waggonway and mine remains a mystery.

The end in sight at Tynemouth
 
Hope these comments are useful to anyone thinking of tackling the ride.
We are wondering which ride to do next.
 
Roger Burston