Retrobike Touring.

[warpedboy2]

I decided I wanted to try bikepacking last year, but it. took me until spring this year to buy all the kit I need. So far I've done 5 trips, and loved every single one. I am neuro-spicy, and find it magical waking up from a wild camp, and knowing all I have to do is ride my bike, eat, manage my water, and find somewhere to camp that evening. My mind is clear, and I can (almost) feel "normal"!
I like to take my time and not rush, so stop to take in the views and smell the flowers along the way. I enjoy that people ask where you've been and where you are going to.

If anybody is interested, I filmed my trips on my phone, although I am no Spielberg! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKFC9GHHewu8eGcbwS2_FIA

 

[Iwasgoodonce]

I still haven’t been! Work and weather have conspired against me. I have done a few warm up rides more to see how riding with a trailer is than serious preparation. Today was another warm up:



Before I set off and then another a good bit into rural Staffordshire:



I don’t plan on using the rack other than for a mat. I will have small front Limpet panniers. The trailer can swallow a lot of stuff so I’ll have to make sure I don’t over pack. It’ll be heavy enough as some bits of my kit are heavier than modern equivalents. A brass pressure stove for example. I’ll be doing my tour in early September once the schools have gone back.

 

[highlandsflyer]

Weight is definitely less of a bind with a trailer, but the real beauty is being able to leave it for lightweight day touring. Nice setup!

 

[bikeworkshop]

I was towing our yak up into the pyrenees, we stopped to camp with some situpandbeg riding Dutch guys... who offered us cigars and a choice of wine, served in proper wine glasses, produced from their voluminous panniers.
I believe they had also brought cutlery and crockery

 

[The History Man]

Just booked four nights at Contin, Strathpepper camp site. Not cycling but motorcycle touring. six and a half hours and 340 miles from here I leave in the mornng. Applecross loop one day, skye another. Is it nice invergordon way? Or any other suggestions appreciated. Not bothered about the NC500 thing just pootling around for a few days.......

 

[highlandsflyer]

Biking roads better to the west. Both physically and traffic wise. Belting weather for it.

 

[Joe_Rides]

I was well overdue a short bike camping trip, the last time being 2018. A lot has happened since then, namely 2 children, but I’ve been gradually gathering better kit since my first foray, and was itching to try it all out. This time I hoped to do 2 x nights to give me a better feeling of nomadicity, however (spoiler alert), I was rained off on day 2. I suppose I should have expected that having entered Cumbria.

Like many on here, I had a choice of bikes to take. I really wanted to take my newest project, a Dawes “One down”, which is like a 26” expedition jobby. Alas, it’s a bit small for me, and I didn’t have a long enough stem (at the time) to increase the reach as required.

The most logical choice of bike would have been the 700c bona fide touring bike I now use to commute. However the route I planned on taking wouldn’t have been kind to the skinny 32c tyres, and the toe overlap isn’t pleasant on bridleways.

So, it was my trusty old Cannondale M400 to the rescue.

My route was Clitheroe to Warton (near Carnforth) via the infamous (?) Hornby track, straight through the Bowland Fells. I then took some wrong turns and ended up riding all the way to Morecambe, then up the coast to my camping destination.

Next day, after packing up, I headed into Silverdale and through to Arnside. However, the rain was thick and showed no sign of clearing. So, after a couple of pints and waiting around, I just got the train back from Arnside to Bolton.

Despite not being exactly as planned, I really enjoyed it.








Joe

 

[Rod_Saetan]

Despite not being exactly as planned, I really enjoyed it.

Cycle-tourist’s mantra.

 

[Joe_Rides]

Anyone got plans of touring this year?

I'm hoping to catch a few day's away, if time / life permits. Really fancy the "Lon Cambria" route (see link below), however a friend mentioned that him and some other mates are thinking about riding a C2C route (Way of the Roses), so I would be up for that if it comes to fruition.

https://cycle.travel/route/lon_cambria

https://cycle.travel/route/way_of_the_roses

 

[Rod_Saetan]

https://cycle.travel/route/lon_cambria

This looks good!

Setting off for a few days and a couple of nights in the Peaks in July, not sure which bike to take as there is a small amount of off road, I may use the Dave Lloyd hybrid as it is probably the easiest to ride off road, though the tyres will limit just how much it manages.