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C2C Cycle Challenge 2010 | In aid of RNLI

C2C Cycle Challenge

Sunderland

The C2C Challenge visits sunny Sunderland, and so should you. Here are our top tips on where to go and what to do.

For future reference, there are some fine cycle routes around the surprisingly leafy city of Sunderland. Great green lungs penetrate to its very centre and there is some handsome architecture and a beautiful winding stretch of river. For more details visit: www.sunderland.gov.uk/cycling/

End of the ride

The last leg of the route is scenic as it follows the north bank of the Wear, skirting Washington and passing the Stadium of Light. This route opened in 2000 and is reasonably easy to follow. The end is at the Marina at Roker, a grand spot to finish. Tradition has it that you dip your wheel in the briny - just as you did at the start.

The River Wear

The River Wear in Sunderland is estuarial, much of it protected for wildlife species and habitat including salt marsh. In the summer it is possible to spot salmon, as well as feeding kittiwakes, common terns, cormorants and herons.

Much of the riverside is unrecognisable compared to just 20 years ago when it was dominated by collieries, engineering works and dozens of shipyards. The C2C heads eastwards under the Leamside railway line, which crosses the River Wear via the Victoria Viaduct, so named because it was completed on the day of Queen Victoria's coronation in 1838. The elegant design is based upon a Roman viaduct at Alacantra in Spain.

Places to eat and drink

There are a number of public houses near the C2C finishing point. The Harbour View, The New Derby, The Cliff, The Queen Vic, the bar of the Roker Hotel and a few others are all within walking distance.

The Smugglers, on the promenade at Roker Beach, was voted the top music venue in Sunderland and they have live music most days of the week. Bar meals are available at most of these pubs.

There are also a number of excellent Italians in Little Italy on the promenade and Santini's and Gabrielle's by the Mariott.

For snacks, try the Bungalow Café on the cliff top at Roker. It is a well-known landmark, an old-fashioned cafe in a tiny bungalow. Next to it is the famous signpost, marked:"To Beach" (pointing towards the beach),"To Village" (pointing into Roker),"To Bungalow"(pointing to the café),and"To Germany"(pointing out to sea).

Eating and drinking

Seaburn

Shagorika: traditional Indian, reliable feast.
Priti Raj: contempory Indian, highly rated.

Deptford

(over the Queen Alexandra Bridge)

KING'S ARMS, 1 Beech St, Hanover Place, SR4 6BU.
(off Trimdon St behind the B&) This is worth the diversion as it's one of the best beer pubs in the North East. It's a ten minute walk from the city centre and is close to the university. Regulars include Timothy Taylor Landlord plus a wide choice of guest beers. There are nine handpumps. Camra pub of the year 2005, 2006 and regional North East winner. Lots of wood panelling, a small snug and lots of pictures of old Sunderland.
0191 567 9804.

SALTGRASS, Hanover Place, SR4 6BY.
Quite why two of Sunderland's best ale houses happen to be tucked behind B&Q just south of the Alexandra Bridge is a mystery that will resolve itself after a pint or two of the many guest beers. Old fashioned and friendly. Beamed ceilings, lots of old pictures. Popular for Sunday lunch.
0191 565 7229.

Roker Pier

Trattoria Due: At the Marina.
Roker Hotel Tavistock: Thai and Italian.
Throwing Stones: Top quality food at the Glass Centre.

THE PROMENADE, Queen's Parade, SR6 8DA
Serves Caledonian, Deuchars and Tetley. Seafront pub with excellent views. Serves good pub grub and upstairs there are four single rooms and three twins.
0191 529 2226.

HARBOUR VIEW, Benedict Rd, SR6 0NL
Good range of beers very well kept. As the pub's name suggests, it has commanding views over the marina and harbour and is a short distance from Roker beach. Specialises in microbreweries from near and far and there's a quiz night Tuesdays and live music on Thursdays.
0191 567 1402.

Cycle Shops

Cycle World, 222 High Street West, Sunderland, SR1 1TZ

0191 5658188 or 5141974
www.cycleworldshop.co.uk

Peter Darke Cycles,1/2 John Street, Sunderland, SR1 1DX
0191 5108155
www.darkecycles.com

Halfords Bike Hut, Unit 3, Trimdon Street, Sunderland, SR4 6DW
0191 5140843
www.halfords.comwww.halfords.com

Visitor attractions

Riverside Sculpture Trail

Between the Wearmouth Bridge and the Marina, the promenade offers a connected trail of specially commissioned artworks in metal and stone that refer back to the city's history and heritage.

Washington Wildfowl & Wetland Centre

Pattinson, Washington NE38 8LE.
This recreated wetland provides a stop over wintering habitat for migratory waterbirds after their passage over the North Sea and the Wetland Discovery Centre offers both a window on the wide range of wildlife and a programme of art exhibitions.
0191 416 5454 www.wwt.org.uk

Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens

Burdon Road, Sunderland SR1 1PP.
Sunderland's museum is hugely popular with visitors of all ages and offers a range of fascinating multimedia installations to tell the city's story from its early foundations to the present day and one of the galleries boasts an extensive collection of paintings by LS Lowry.
0191 553 2323
www.twmuseums.org.uk

Stadium of Light

SR5 1SU.
Magnificent 48,000-seater stadium built on the site of Wearmouth Colliery that closed in 1994. Well worth a visit, tours are available. Alongside is the brand new Olympic standard 50 metre swimming pool, the only one of its kind between Leeds and Edinburgh.
0191 551 5055
www.safc.com

The Sunderland Empire

High Street West, Sunderland SR1 3EX.
Opened in 1907, is the North East's largest theatre and a splendid example of Edwardian architecture. Following a £4.5 million refurbishment the Empire now boasts 21st Century facilities and is the only theatre between Manchester and Edinburgh capable of staging large West End productions.
0870 602 1130
www.getlive.co.uk/sunderland

National Glass Centre

Liberty Way, Sunderland SR6 0GL.
Housed in an innovative glass-roofed building on the north bank of the Wear, the National Glass Centre is a fascinating experience and visitors can explore the full history of glass making in the UK and see cuttingedge examples of the contemporary glass maker's art.
0191 515 5555
www.nationalglasscentre.com

Opposite stadium

Park that was the end point of the first steam locomotive railway in the world, the Hetton Colliery Railway, 11 miles from Hetton-le-Hole to coal staithes at the River Wear from 1822. The staithes were used until the late 60's.

Wearmouth Bridge

Built in 1796 and seen as a catalyst for the growth of Sunderland. The previous bridge was at Chester-le-Street. There was a pedestrian toll until 1846, and for vehicles until 1885. The adjacent railway bridge opened in 1879 and carries both Metro and conventional rail.

Marine Activities Centre

North Dock, Roker, Sunderland SR6 0PW
The marina at Roker is Sunderland's main focus for all types of water-based sports and leisure activities and boasts an Italian restaurant with panoramic sea views. It's also near your C2C finishing line.
0191 514 1847 86

City Centre

Across the Wearmouth Bridge stands Sunderland City Centre, incorporating great places to eat, drink and shop and includes bike shops, the Central Railway Station and venues well worth a visit:

St Peter's Church

East of the Wearmouth Bridge, alongside the C2C and the University is St Peter's church, home to the Venerable Bede until he moved to St Paul's in Jarrow. There is now a walkway and cycleway linking the two, and you may spot the small blue signs for it along the rest of the route.

Sunniside & Sunniside Gardens

A large area of public open space in the eastern part of the city centre. The surrounding area is emerging as a cultural quarter with new bars and restaurants and over 100 listed buildings.

Roker Beach and Pier

With its distinctive red and white granite lighthouse, Roker beach provides a wonderful seaside playground and is an ideal place for water sports, with the Marine Activities Centre and other facilities close by.