In his own words Derek Wybrow recounts his W2W trip

Saturday 24th June 2006
A 4am start from Harpenden, Herts, we comfortably reached St Mary’s Car Park, Sunderland, where we were to leave our transport for two nights. This is a wonderfully safe car park to leave a vehicle, and the staff are amazingly helpful, offering us the use of their restroom and toilets so that we could change into our gear.

We had arranged to meet a minibus, from Darras Minibuses, to take us to Walney Island, and were dropped off to begin our journey at 1.30pm.

Our group consisted of me, Derek, my son, Andy, my nephew, Kevin and an old friend of mine, John. Our ages ranged from 30 - 63years. We had decided to set a similar pattern as we had planned for the C2C, two years before, 40 miles the first afternoon, a middle day of 60 – 65 covering the Pennines, and a final day of 55 – 60 miles.

Leaving Walney, it was cold and grey with a head wind, but we made good time through some beautiful countryside, and the inevitable long climbs, to reach our first nights stop at The Station Inn, Oxenholme. The Inn is directly on the route, and can be highly recommended.(41 miles)

Sunday 25th June2006
We left in similar conditions to the first day, the myth of Tan Hill preying on our minds. This was forgotten as the hills came in “waves.”

The first part travels through many narrow country lanes with tall hedges at this time of the year, and I cannot stress too highly that extreme caution should be taken as it is nigh impossible to spot oncoming traffic. Having read Ken Goddard’s report, we obviously met the same farmer and received the same lecture.

We stopped for lunch at Kirby Stephen, and were feeling cold and tired at this point. Extra clothing was donned and we set off into the unknown! The only thing I knew of Tan Hill was, that it was reputedly 5 miles long, but the climbing starts well before that, the hill at Oxenthwaite, (78 – 79 mileposts) being a particular problem to myself. Shortly afterwards you make a right turn at a sign that simply states “Tan Hill 7 miles”.

As we climbed we cycled up into cloud and drizzle, which turned to rain, and the head wind strengthened. It was a strange experience cycling this part of the route, as you were unable to tell what was coming up in the way of gradients due to the mist. It is not a constant climb, but appeared to be broken up into what was a series of plateaus, but what with the thick mist, Curlews circling close above our heads, we forgot about tiredness and became inspired by the desolateness, and what we all agreed afterwards was an almost a surreal experience.


T he gradients did not stop after the Tan hill Inn, but continued spasmodically until we reached the turn off at mile 87, which takes you onto a rough and potholed farmers track towards Bowes.

The rain continued to fall as we approached Barnard Castle, with one or two further stings in the tail before we reached a fast level section taking us to our second night stop at the Old Well Inn, Barnard Castle.

Again our hosts made us very welcome and we spent a pleasant night drying out. A long soak in the bath eating a Mars bar I had forgotten was in my pack, was the second highlight of the day. (62 miles)

Monday 26th June 2006 – After replacing a brake shoe, mudguard repairs, and a general lubrication, we set off, opting for the northern route. There is one long climb and a further short climb. This one, at mile122, I can only describe as a brick wall. However it is very short by W2W standards and can be easily walked if so inclined. (No pun intended!)

The forest trail is worth the effort. The rest of the journey was fairly straightforward with some very good off road sections. Durham was very busy and well signposted apart from one section where the sign was perched on a bridge above our heads!

Again, as Ken Goddard notes in his report, whilst on one of the off road sections a sign appears proclaiming” STEEP HILL.” Ignore at your peril! It was one of those “beam me up Scotty “moments, as I careered down loose gravel, completely out of control. Sunderland was reached without incident, & as we made our way down to the sea front, the sun appeared for the first time in three days. We made our way back to the car park, where we were again offered changing and washing facilities & given mugs of coffee whilst we loaded our cycles. (53 miles)

Reflections - All four of us had tackled the C2C previously, and found this route it’s equal in effort required and rewarding beautiful countryside. I may have gone on a bit about the hills encountered but that is what these routes are about, and a high level of fitness, and a good bike with a full range of gears, all working, is essential.

Of course the route can be broken up into smaller sections, with perhaps more time for some sightseeing, and you have to take your hat off to those who do it in two sections or less.

All together a very fine route, well signed, but do not forget to take the excellent map.

Derek Wybrow
27th June 2006