Preparation

General Advice

First, its good idea to buy the official route guide from Sustrans because without it we can't guarantee you won't get lost. There was a new map published in 2008 which supersedes all previous versions.

Make sure that you are physically prepared for the C&C by doing some training rides prior to attempting the route. You don't have to be Superman to complete it, but, you do need to know that you can manage more than 10 miles on a bike before collapsing in a heap! The C&C is suitable for cyclists of all abilities but should be cut into manageable chunks depending on your ability, fitness and inclination. Most people tackle the route over 4 days but lots of people take longer and find that this gives them more time to enjoy the route and surroundings. Those cyclist's who are planning to camp along the route should bear in mind that the extra weight of the camping gear will slow them down considerably and this should be taken into account when planning your ride times.

The route should ideally be tackled South to North to take advantage of the prevailing winds. The route can be ridden on most types of bike as long as they are mechanically sound, but, obviously. People have cycled the route on many weird and wonderful types of bikes but the old adage about horses for courses still rings true. Advance booking of your accommodation is desirable, if not essential. Some sections of the route involve riding through exposed, isolated, upland areas so be prepared. Check the weather forecast, take adequate foul weather clothing (i.e. waterproof NOT showerproof and preferably breathable).

You will need to carry all your personal belongings, clothing, tools etc. either in some panniers or in a rucksack. If you have friends or family in a support vehicle please ask them to stick to the main roads where possible in order to keep the traffic on Route 1 to a minimum. Some sections require short rides on busy roads so be careful and remember it is not all traffic free.

Be certain of your level of fitness, or at least be prepared to cut the route into smaller stages as certain sections of the route, such as the long haul over the Moorfoots before descending into the outskirts of Edinburgh, can be quite demanding. Use this guide, browse the Sustrans map, plan ahead and try to set yourself a realistic daily mileage target.

Do not underestimate the amount of liquid you will need to carry, the norm should be two bottles in the morning and two in the afternoon but a lot more if it's hot. If you plan to ride road sections late in the day then take some lights with you. It is a good idea to take a bike lock, whether going into shops etc for food/drink or just visiting somewhere of interest along the route.

You will find that your bike handling skills quickly improve during the ride, hills that were near impossible at the start of the ride will seem a lot easier at the end and you will very quickly learn how to pick the best line between the doggy deposits!






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