I did the Rievers Route and c2c back to back a couple of years ago. The Rievers is slightly longer but, in my opinion, is more enjoyable than the c2c. You also have, if time allows, the opportunity to ride the lake shore round at Kielder. On the c2c, I stayed in a very good b&b in Braithwaite, at the eastern foot of the Whinlatter Pass, good pub in the village too but a bit pricey.
One of the highlights of the Rievers is the pub in Hesleth Newmarket with it's own brewery
They've been doing quite a lot of work on the Waskerley Way and the rougher parts are now much improved. If you wish, you can cut out the Crawleyside incline by taking the off road route up the track from Rookhope. The first bit is quite steep and you'll have to push but it's not too long. There is another very rough bit leading to the Park Head station but you can loop around on the road to avoid that.