Steve Robson’s Coast to Coast Run 2024

As soon as I heard about the 2024 C2C event I knew I wanted to do it with my recently acquired MiniMotor.

The run, organised by the NACC, is east to west from Crimdon Beach, near Hartlepool, to Whitehaven, a distance of around 140 miles, with an overnight stop at Alston.

The practicalities of getting there and back, a 500 mile round trip from North Hertfordshire, was a significant problem thankfully solved by Clive Gant agreeing to drive support (what a star!).

In the week running up to the event I loaded up the MiniMotor with a minimalist set of tools I thought I might need, and wet weather gear, and took it for a shakedown run. Apart from the carb intake vibrating a bit loose, all was well. Even better, as the weekend drew near the forecast improved so much that I unloaded the waterproofs and packed sunglasses and sun cream instead.

Day 1 dawned grey with the odd spot of rain in the air, but once at the start the weather was already improving. After signing in on the dot at 9am, and collecting my 'NACC Coast to Coast' emblazened hi-viz, I was eager to make a quick getaway to get a head start on everyone else in the knowledge I would probably be the slowest bike/rider combination there.

I set off on my self-imposed schedule at 9:30, and the adventure began..

I'd already decided to keep the speed down in the 'sweet spot' which for me is 15-20 mph, to aid reliability, as any faster just seems to create more noise and vibration rather than speed. Having heard tales of cyclemotors managing vast distances I was disappointed to find mine running quite badly after the 2nd roundabout, only 2 miles from the start. I fiddled with the mixture to no avail, not really knowing the problem or the solution. I decide not to stop and incur delay, so just started pedalling to assist, and it did seem to run ok after a while. The miles steadily ticked by and approaching an hour into the ride I decided it was time to pull over to take my first photo, mindful of the need to capture memories of the trip. By now, the weather was glorious sunshine, and I'd been passed by many of my fellow C2C riders.

Soon after, at 18 miles, I was relieved to reach the first stop at the Wheatsheaf pub in Chilton. I checked the bike over, mainly to check the carb intake wasn't vibrating loose again, and was horrified to find that the drive roller had began to unwind itself off the crankshaft. Luckily it hadn't unwound completely. I hadn't packed a socket for this eventuality but thankfully Ian Massie came to the rescue with a plug spanner that I could use to re-tighten it (I use an adjustable spanner for my spark plug as it's useful for other jobs, but I've now learnt my lesson and will carry one in future). By now time was getting on, so it was a quick pit stop in the Wheatsheaf and I continued on my way at about 11:30.

The weather and scenery were just perfect. I stopped regularly to take photos (and an opportunity to check the drive roller). Things were going well, and I made it to Middleton In Teesdale (47 miles) at around 1:45, where I found most of my fellow C2C riders outside the Fish and Chip shop. I met up with Clive for lunch and, as it was hot, we decided to go to the cafe around the corner instead for something a bit lighter. However, I was persuaded by the dessert fridge to order the caramel apple pie as well as my quiche. It was delicious, but not very light. Clive was more restrained.

At this point, having been cycling in the sun most of the day so far, I decided it was probably a good idea to actually apply some of the sun cream I'd diligently packed.

It was now around 2:30. Suitably refreshed and now protected from the sun, I set off on the final 22 mile leg to the overnight stop at Alston, England's highest market town, with renewed optimism. I made it about 20 mins before the next mechanical issue.. going downhill I suddenly heard nasty noises, so immediately stopped the engine and quickly pulled to a stop. Fearing some terminal issue I was relieved to find it was just the front mudguard mount had broke where it attaches to the brakes. Clive appeared almost immediately and jumped out in Tour de France mechanic style to help, and a few tie wraps later I was on my way again.

The route instructions accurately described this last section to Alston as 'a long steady climb' and 'few signs but you could always ask a sheep for directions'. It was remote, and beautiful. Wonderful. My photos don't do it justice.

I made it to Alston around 4:30, and headed for the hub museum, our destination for day 1. The museum looked really interesting, but was closing so I had no time to look around. Anyway, by now, the hotel and a shower were equally appealing. The organisers had thought of everything and had arranged a nice buffet meal for everyone, so we had a pleasant evening amongst like-minded folk, well watered and fed.

Day 2 dawned wet with drizzle before breakfast, but by the time I set off from the hub museum at around 9:45 it was dry. I was warned the route started immediately with a climb of about 5 miles to the top of Hartside pass so I settled into a pace I could maintain, with a little help from the engine just over tickover, as any attempt at opening the throttle would cause the roller to slip with the road still so damp. However, even with the damp road, I felt the engine was helping make the effort less than it would've been riding a normal bike.

At the top of Hartside pass the cloud base was low, but there was still a bit of a view. I had a quick stop, then set off at around 10:30 with the engine off, as it was now downhill for the next 5 miles. I love this aspect of the MiniMotor, with a simple lever on the handlebars allowing the engine to be disengaged and back to bike mode, engine off silence. At the bottom of the hill, still with a little momentum, I re-engaged and restarted the engine.

I was pleasantly surprised that the engine seemed very happy indeed, running smoothly and pulling better than ever, as if repaying my effort so far. I'd made no adjustments to the carb, same fuel, so I pondered over Clive's previous remarks about the ignition likely causing a misfire.

By 11:30, now 19 miles in, the weather and scenery was again wonderful with Lakeland hills in the distance, so I pulled over to take a photo. Given the great engine performance so far today, it was unexpected when it wouldn't re-start after numerous attempts on the following downhill stretch, and I was forced to stop and investigate. After checking the jet and spark plug, the issue finally dawned on me as the ignition lead was stuck to the exhaust, melted. It must have moved and come into contact with the exhaust, and melted through when I stopped. I realised it was now shorting on the exhaust, so I carefully pushed the cable off the exhaust trying to ensure it stayed in one piece, hoping the inner would still be ok. I set off, and after an agonising delay it eventually fired back into life. Yippee.

The ride and scenery continued to be wonderful, made all the better by the engine still running well and minimising my effort. I made it to the planned lunch stop at the Sun Inn at Bassenthwaite, at 43 miles, just before 1:30. After a drink and a very healthy lunch (cake, thanks Alison) I set off without delay thinking I might need to keep some time in hand in case of, ahem, more mechanicals..

Can the scenery get any better? Yes it can! This next section of the ride was just bliss. The engine was running smoothly, pulling really well, and life was as good as it gets. The pictures will give a flavour, but won't do it justice. Of course, it had to come to an end, so at 63 miles, about 10 miles from the finish, the engine spluttered and died. I knew instantly I'd run out of fuel, checked it, yep.

I now considered my options. I thought I was close enough to cycle to the finish, and as the fuel tap is at the back of the tank I knew I could probably cycle without too much effort on the flat and downhill sections, then re-start and use the engine to assist on the uphill sections (ahem, I may have run out of fuel and done this once before - as a get home technique it worked really well). I tried calling Clive, but just as I did Ron Paterson rolled up behind me on his New Hudson and offered me some fuel, which was very gratefully received. I'd been stopped for only a few minutes.

We then rode off together with Ron staying with me to the end, finishing in Whitehaven at just before 4pm. I'd made it!

For that last 10 miles after the re-fuel the engine ran really poorly again, but I put that down to maybe picking up some bits from the tank. Perhaps there's some more subtle reason, and to his credit Ron patiently tried to explain the effects on engine carburation of the 30:1 fuel he donated vs my 20:1 mix, but I was just pleased to get to the end and ready for an ice cream. Sorry Ron, not the best student that day.

To round it off, the NACC gave 2 prizes at the end. One for the oldest combined age of rider and bike, to Ron. And one for the most difficulties overcome to complete the run, to me.

A great weekend. Thanks to David Quainton and the NACC for such a well organised event, and above all to Clive as I couldn't have done it without his help. Cheers mate.

Steve Robson 2024

Click HERE  for pictures of the event.