Like many riders, I suspect, a coast to coast, or C2C, across the north of England, is one of those rides that I’ve always wanted to do and just never got around to. Too much faff perhaps, starting and finishing in two places miles apart. Moving to Sheffield, slap bang in the centre of England, from London, several years ago got me thinking more about it, particularly as something that might be doable in a single day. At the right time of year, with a prevailing wind, the right ride partner and no clangers from our rail network, and you know what? It just might be.
The plan I concocted was to travel by train from Sheffield to Morecambe at the crack of dawn, ride east to Scarborough then get the train home. It wouldn’t be a classic C2C route, but one tailored to my particular need of cramming much into a short time. With 204km and 2,150m elevation ahead of me, it was clearly a two-person job. Flicking through my Rolodex of ride buddies I picked out young Chris Moores: strong, fast and
