Equipment and training

Well it's all very well saying "Oh I am going to go and do the coast 2 coast challenge next week", because it's nearly but not quite that simple to do.
Apart from sorting out transportation and accommodation, you need to be relatively fit and have adequate equipment, this mainly consisting of a bike, a mountain bike at that!!
As for myself and Dave who are quite fit anyway what with cycling or running on the go, at the time Steve, Dan and John where away studying. So for like most people who would use the term "a student" meaning a person who parties and drinks all the time, they needed to curb their habits slightly. As they had bikes to hand they went out to get some hardy miles in to their legs, and in the last two or three weeks and to boost team spirit we were able to get a few rides in as a group.
So in a short word on training, do think about it before you go as with most challenges. Seek advice from friends and relatives or read about training techniques in books from a library or from magazines articles as if there isn't enough out there to choose from.

Apart for your well being you need an adequate bike. Hence the use of a mountain bike. Its advantages being usually more gears (twenty one at least!), a sturdier frame and forks, unless you are using some sort of suspension set up, and fatter tyres which has better traction for the gnarly off-road down hill parts. Also like yourself the bike needs to be fit as well, meaning it is in proper working order. Make sure it is serviced. If you are in doubt take it to a bike shop for a service where they can fit and replace any worn parts, unless like ourselves you have the necessary tools and know how to do bike maintenance. Of course you could always start to learn with the aid of a book, go on give it a go!
It is also advisable to take spares with you on the ride as we did. Between the five of us we carried the following:

Add to that the tools and other useful necessities:

This was all carried between us and stored in saddle bags.

As well as been fairly fit and having back up equipment, there would be times when we wouldn't be close to civilization, i.e. shops. So as well as taking a little money, a plastic card with a healthy credit limit wouldn't go astray either, we would carry two bottles of fluid each and couple of energy bars packed with much needed nutrients, along with the odd banana and not forgetting some chocolate.
Water is okay as a good fluid intake, but it is nice to have a flavour in the fluids as with energy bars. I used Boots own brand of energy powders (and energy bars) which you add to water. They are reasonably priced and they work, as do the slightly more expensive brands like High Five, Power Bar to name a couple which provide a range of different flavours, but it is up to you at the end of the day what you prefer.

Another important factor is clothing. As I am a keen cyclist and walker I have the necessary kit that needs to be worn. The list below shows you the sought of stuff you need to wear (not all at once) and perhaps have to carry with you on the ride. It is worth pointing out that we were lucky to have someone to transport our stuff around so didn't need to carry as much on our backs, but for those of you wishing to do it all on your own will need a suitable backpack and pack clothing accordingly.

Altougth there were no serious injuries on our trip I suggest you do wear a helmet. There were times I didn't wear mine as some of the days were quite warm but on the majority of the off-road sections and especially on down hill areas my helmet was on my head. This is also a personal preference.

To The Homepage

To Day One