Join me on an epic solo bikepacking adventure across England as I attempt the legendary Sea to Sea (C2C) Coast to Coast cycle route from Whitehaven to Sunderland during one of the hottest UK heatwaves on record.
With temperatures soaring on the hottest day of the year, I set out with no fixed daily mileage, no hotel bookings and only one goal: enjoy the journey and find a wild camp along the way. But as the heat intensifies, will I make it all the way to Sunderland?
This bikepacking trip takes in some of the most stunning scenery in the Lake District, the North Pennines and Northern England, including:
✅ Whitehaven
✅ Whinlatter Forest
✅ Loweswater
✅ Braithwaite
✅ Keswick
✅ Threlkeld
✅ Penrith
✅ Hartside Pass
✅ Garrigill
✅ Sunderland
The Sea to Sea (C2C) is one of the UK’s most famous long-distance cycling routes, crossing the country from the Irish Sea to the North Sea. With breathtaking climbs, remote roads, incredible views and record-breaking temperatures, this became one of my toughest bikepacking adventures yet.
Will the heatwave beat me, or will I reach Sunderland?
Bikepacking & Wild Camping Gear Used
• Alpkit Hunka Bivvy Bag
• Thermarest NeoAir Sleeping Mat
• Gram Counter Ground Sheet
• Alpkit Rig 3.5 Tarp
• Topeak Backloader & Frontloader Bags
• Alpkit Stingray Frame Bag
• Cube Reaction GTC Race Hardtail MTB
• Alpkit Kraku Stove
• Alpkit Titanium Mug
• Fidlock Water Bottles
• Alpkit Pipedream 200 Sleeping Bag
• Trekology Pillow
• Flextail Zero Pump
📍 Route: Whitehaven to Sunderland
🚴 Solo Bikepacking Adventure
⛺ Wild Camping
🌡️ UK Heatwave Cycling Challenge
🏕️ Bikepacking UK
🚵 MTB Touring & Adventure Cycling
#bikepacking #C2C #CoastToCoast #wildcamping #BikepackingUK #cyclingadventure #mtbadventure #SeaToSea #lakedistrict #NorthPennines #biketouring #heatwave #cycletouring #adventurecycling #sunderland #whitehaven #keswick #penrith
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/roger-gabalda/consequences
License code: OHLVCMINRJTYGUSA
https://uppbeat.io/t/simon-folwar/the-climber
License code: LHP1S3YNLAZBDKFK
https://uppbeat.io/t/zimpzon/terrain
License code: SGQBH10LEDWUQKOC
https://uppbeat.io/t/the-lakes/gold
License code: BVQLT5RFDVUCPTGH
https://uppbeat.io/t/simon-folwar/moving-ahead
License code: GBN7JIIQSHZLZICI
14 Comments
Excellent video Lee .
Amazing video; it must have been really hard work riding in that heat. Thanks for the ride, Lee
Firstly you made the right decision Lee health before video you can always come back to do it again and you know two nice camp sites to stop at and also take the road option 😂 really enjoyed this i drove up that pass on my way back from a camp in the lakes its bloody up hill for miles so no wonder you were done in great effort Lee next time you will smash it ps my bike just cost me £325 to get fixed new gears, cogs & chain ect atvb Jimmy 😎😎👍🏼👍🏼🚴♀️🚴♀️
Hi lea I live in Spain and the way I deal with over heating is too pure water over my head it works for me
You definitely made the best decision, and learned your bodies limits in those circumstances. Those are some really steep and long climbs, I'm sure you'll complete it in reasonable temperatures.
Did the C2C a couple of weeks ago with my lad. Took wrong turn at Kirkland and rode most of the way back to Whitehaven on the first day. All part of the fun. It was lashing down which was my excuse. Have done Garagill about 5 times and it’s tough in any weather. You did the sensible thing for sure, no point making yourself ill.
Awesome video mate as always. Definitely the right call with the hot weather, I'm sure you'll smash it when its a bit cooler mate.
Class ride that, the hartside cafe is a big miss and that climb up from garrigill is naughty enough without the heat. Glad you called it before you got into real trouble, we have to make the most of the weather when the sun comes out but that heat can be dangerous. Always enjoy your videos take it easy look forward to the next one
Loved the video! If it was easy you wouldn’t be proud of the effort and the video wouldn’t as enjoyable for us to watch. But nothing is worth risking your life. Although I believe in doing hard things, you’ll set out again and next time will be better and done safely.
Well done that looked punishing to be fair and these Temps we’ve been getting it was a very wise call. Stay safe.
Good call on stopping when you did better to be around to do it another day but fantastic video so far lee some stunning scenery I'll look forward to seeing the completion when you do it better safe than sorry mate.😊😊
You live to fight another day Lee. So pleased you didnt push on and risk your health or even worse blacking out with heat exhaustion whilst on the roads. Look forward to the rematch, my moneys on you next time.
Unlucky Lee ,savage conditions as those hills are spicy enough on a cool day I’m sure you will smash it when you try again my tip for next time would be to try and get over hartside on your 1st day as there are enough big hard climbs on day 2 without hitting that 1st thing 👍🏼
Nice Video Pal Very Nice 👍 Am Injoy Watching it With Popcorn Cheers Pal 😊