Bikepacking across UK

[Alpinum]

Our plans for this summer have changed. Instead of hiking the PCT, my girlfriend and I are planning to ride from Ashford (Eurostar thing) to the Shetlands, followed by some distance hiking where the grizzlies live.

I've worked out a rough route on and off roads in a rather direct way but would like to collect some ideas. I know about the EWE route, but that doesn't really comply. We have a months time, making visits to Wales or zig zaging up the mainland difficult.

These are our 'checkpoints':
Ashford, Stevenage, Glossop, Outer Hebrides, Ullapool, Thurso, Orkneys and Shetlands. We're used to riding technical terrain and prefer going off-road, but aren't that stupid to not realise that a fair amount of tarmac will be involved.

Where would you ride? Any ideas for some long stretches of tracks?
Is it legal to ride the Cumbria Way (walking route)? What about the Dales Way?

I'm happy to get any kind of advice.
Cheers
Gian

[whitestone]

There's a cycling Cumbrian Way, I think there was a thread on here (or maybe singletrackworld) about it not long ago.

The Dales Way is footpath but there's a decent network of bridleways many of which are all-weather (well not under snow!) and don't require too much road work to link up.

[ianfitz]

Have you seen write up of off-road le-jog? Seems like the route often taken is...

"A ride of 1,201 miles, ascending over 130,000 feet and enjoying along the way the delights of:

The Camel Trail, Bodmin Moor, The Tarka Trail, Exmoor, Dunkery Beacon, The Quantocks, Cheddar Gorge, The Mendips, Avon Gorge, The Black Mountains, Radnor Forest, Wenlock Edge, Ironbridge, The Way for the Millennium, Tissington Trail, Cut Gate, The Pennine Bridleway, Leeds-Liverpool Canal, Cam High Road, Lady Anne Clifford’s Highway, The Maiden Way, Craik Forest, Black Law, The Trossachs, The West Highland Way, The Great Glen, Gleann Mor and the wilds of Northern Scotland…"

[Alpinum]

There's a cycling Cumbrian Way, I think there was a thread on here (or maybe singletrackworld) about it not long ago.

The Dales Way is footpath but there's a decent network of bridleways many of which are all-weather (well not under snow!) and don't require too much road work to link up.

Cheers. Footpath means no-go with bikes? I know south of Hadrians wall rights of way are a bit complex and that the Pennine Way is a no-go in many places. If I lay out a route with many footpaths I guess I'll just have to be ready to re-route in certain cases...?

The cycling Cumbria Way just seems too boring a route to go through the Lakes. We'd like to ride some proper single tracks. The Lakeland 200 would be fun (we're very accustomed to HAB), so I'll be keeping an eye on that for passing through the Lakes from Kendal to the border.

Have you seen write up of off-road le-jog? Seems like the route often taken is...

No, but I definately will look for it.
Many thanks for that

[whitestone]

A right of way designated as a footpath restricts its use to pedestrians only though some footpaths may be permissive bridleways. Best find a route that uses bridleways

Scotland has different access laws to the rest of the UK and there is no distinction between footpaths and bridleways.

[Wotsits]

Some sections of the Cumbrian Way footpath have a lot of stiles on them, it's a pain to repeatedly lift an unloaded bike over. A loaded bike could cause a serious sense of humour failure..

[ianfitz]

There's a cycling Cumbrian Way, I think there was a thread on here (or maybe singletrackworld) about it not long ago.

The Dales Way is footpath but there's a decent network of bridleways many of which are all-weather (well not under snow!) and don't require too much road work to link up.

Cheers. Footpath means no-go with bikes? I know south of Hadrians wall rights of way are a bit complex and that the Pennine Way is a no-go in many places. If I lay out a route with many footpaths I guess I'll just have to be ready to re-route in certain cases...?

The cycling Cumbria Way just seems too boring a route to go through the Lakes. We'd like to ride some proper single tracks. The Lakeland 200 would be fun (we're very accustomed to HAB), so I'll be keeping an eye on that for passing through the Lakes from Kendal to the border.

Have you seen write up of off-road le-jog? Seems like the route often taken is...

No, but I definately will look for it.
Many thanks for that

I had a couple of bookmarks on my work computer. both these links have some good info...

http://www.users.waitrose.com/~ianclare ... inbike.htm

http://www.mtbbritain.co.uk/lands_end_j ... _only.html

A trip I'd like to do one day. would make a fairly brutal ITT

[JohnClimber]

As well as the Tissington Trail you can link it to the enjoyable Monsal Trail thrn through Buxton, cross country to the southern end of Manchesters extensive canal network.
Then onto the Pennine Bridleway

[Blackhound]

Stevenage to Glossop. From Stevenage you can head West and pick up NCN 6which includes quiet lanes, canals and a few off road bits. I have followed from Market Harborough to Derby. You can follow NCN 6 to Sheffield and from there the Trans Pennine route to Glossop. From Derby there is an ol;d railway line leading out towards that with is the Derby to Berwick Route (NCN68) which you can ride to Glossop. You could pick up either the PBW N of Glossop or stick with NCN68. If you go up the PBW to the Northern end you can tack Eastwards to pick up NCN68 to Hexham or Bellingham and then ride the Sandstone Trail to Berwick.
This may be to far East for you though . From Berwick you can follow NCN1 or look at the Capital Trail for a couple of ways into Edinburgh. Loads of options of course.

Maybe have a think about your routing and ask further when you have absorbed all the above. I have ridden a lot of off road between Market Harbough and Berwick on various trails and live in Derby so most of my rides start or finish there.

[Alpinum]

Grand.
Exactly what I was hoping for. Sounds like some really good inputs. I'll have a close look at those suggestions

We plan to ride through the Dales after leaving Glossop and Greenfield. Then through the Lakes. So yeah, we're sticking to the west.

Once we leave good ol England, we'll planning to visit the Outer Hebrides, as it's a part of Scotland we've not yet visited. So instead of Pentland Hills it'll be Galloway Forest Park.
We'll be heading for the ferry for Kintyre. Scotland is fairly clear to us. Springbank, Ardbeg, Bruichladdich, Glenmorangie, Old Pulteney and my favourite, Highland Park :geek

[Alpinum]

NCN 6 and 68 are just about perfect. We'll definitely use them to link up some techy stuff, once up north. In such cases I'm happy to just follow the signs. They seem well marked.

[danielgroves]

Once we leave good ol England, we'll planning to visit the Outer Hebrides

You're in for a right treat when you get there: https://danielgroves.net/adventures-pho ... /11/JOGLE/

Hebrides start about half way down.

[ianfitz]

If you are heading up the west coast of up north (Scotland) there's a great,mainly non technical off road route from Campbell town to Inverness. It's only finished as far as glen coe currently but is very scenic coastal, flattish riding.

It's one of the ncn routes and goes past a mountaineering hut I've access to at ballachulish.

If you rode that rather than the whw it would put you in easy reach of kinlochleven and the last section of the whw to Fort William. Head up the great glen and join up with the htr route. Head north to contin and then garve then get on to 'the road to Ullapool' which is 90km of uninterrupted off-road, glen-tastic estate road riding (actually there is a couple of km of Tarmac to past the chapel at croik) technically easy but very remote by uk standards - you'll probably not see anyone all day. Brings you out at Ullapool in plenty of time for the best fish and chips you've ever eaten and ferries.


If you want some seriously remote and technical riding on proper mountains then have a look at fisherfield. Not to be taken lightly! It hosts the most remote munros in the country. This section is on the htr route but is ridden the other way.

Either way will get you to Ullapool via an amazing journey.

[ScotRoutes]

If you are heading up the west coast of up north (Scotland) there's a great,mainly non technical off road route from Campbell town to Inverness.

Actually, it's mainly on-road and the section south of the Crinan Canal is likely to stay that way.

[ianfitz]

The section from loch entive north has a lot of traffic free off road section though. It's maybe not Scotland's best Mtb riding but I really enjoyed the coastal aspect and views. It seemed a good contrast to the glens and mountains.

Much easier riding if you want to eat up some miles (and avoid over burdened German tourists. Aka the WHW in summer)

*personally I'd take advice from scotroutes as he lives and rides there and I only visit (not as much as I'd like!)

This thread has got me thinking about an end to end trip. I've always wanted to do it. Wondering if I can get one if the kids keen to do it in a few more years... Would make a good summer holiday!

[Alpinum]

Thanks for the inspiration Daniel. That'll give me some ideas for the isles.

Ianfitz, we're not planning to stay on the mainland going through to Ullapool, but to take the ferry down south, probably from Ardrossan to Kintyre after passing through Galloway. Then on to Islay and Jura. From there to Oban for the ferry to the Outer Hebrides.

We've ridden many lovely places in Scotland (Ross and Cromarty, Sutherland, Cairngorms and around Ft. Bill) and I rode the inaugural HTR. Actually Fisherfield was my absolute favourite and probably the only stage where I really charged and felt the flow for hours.

Those parts aren't really in question (this time...)


But once back on the mainland at Ullapool (it'll be the 4th time ) we'll probably head towards Oykel Bridge, Rosehall, Glen Cassley, Loch a'Ghriama, Bealach nam Meirleach, Strath More, Moine Path, Tongue and Thurso as my girlfriend is a knitting addict and needs to see Shetland and both of us are Highland Park addicts, so the Orkney are on the list too.
Ben Armine and Loch Choire Forest look tempting, but that area needs more research. I can imagine some very solid HAB going on out there...
I guess I should invite Alan G if we head in that direction.

So glad I asked. That NCN 6 made planning much easier. Really wasn't sure what to pick from Stevenage. Now I do . From Buxton to Ardrossan I feel quite sorted, but of course still happy for any advice, be it a favourite Lakes trail or so.
From Stevenage it's only 1-2 h west to reach the number 6. It'd be great to shoot up to Buxton and visit some towns on the way. Speed will drop early enough once it gets hillier.

[Alpinum]

The section from loch entive north has a lot of traffic free off road section though. It's maybe not Scotland's best Mtb riding but I really enjoyed the coastal aspect and views. It seemed a good contrast to the glens and mountains.

Much easier riding if you want to eat up some miles (and avoid over burdened German tourists. Aka the WHW in summer)

*personally I'd take advice from scotroutes as he lives and rides there and I only visit (not as much as I'd like!)

This thread has got me thinking about an end to end trip. I've always wanted to do it. Wondering if I can get one if the kids keen to do it in a few more years... Would make a good summer holiday!

Funny you mention the German tourists. I had a laugh a day before the HTR (rode to Kingshouse from Pitlochry and had a long break there).

It's something I've been wanting to do for years as well. Glad we've found/taking the time to do it.

[Alpinum]

Britain's so diversified, welcoming, beautiful and much more. Just wanted to say.
But yes... up north is where I still like it most.

Stunning offroad in the Pennines and even the Hebrides will be followed tomorrow by some bogs between Ullapool and Scrabster. We skipped the Lakes to have more time for Hebrides, Orkneys and Shetland, but so far the route has been great. We feel very very lucky. Week three of five.

Probably will bore you with proper photos once back home. Here some from our mobiles;

https://www.dropbox.com/s/yc5i2yuaid39o ... 5.jpg?dl=0
photo taken by my girlfriend. Self coming down Mam Tor into Hope Valley (Edale). Saw loads of grouse.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/lono5rp5qpbm3 ... 6.jpg?dl=0
My girlfriend riding some beaches on South Uist. Saw loads of seals

Cheers

[gairym]

Self coming down Mam Tor into Hope Valley (Edale). Saw loads of grouse

One of my favourite places to ride in the world. Not been back for years but I try and get back every now and then as it's a little bit special (and real).

You up for something more local (to us) once back?

Will email you.....

[FLV]

You were in my home town and didnt look me up for ride

Still lingering on me being too smelly perhaps

[Alpinum]

You were in my home town and didnt look me up for ride

Still lingering on me being too smelly perhaps

Sorry mate. I really should have contacted you. Edale and some ups and downs, a rough track down to Ladybower. Then cut gate, some boggy bits to a paved road straight after crossing Woodhead road and then down offroad into Longdale. Surely would have been more fun with you...

It was Gareth that stank. Really. It was only him I smelled in Dornie. Sorry to disappoint you (again).

I'll be back in Glossop sooner or later with a more precise schedule.

[Alpinum]

Self coming down Mam Tor into Hope Valley (Edale). Saw loads of grouse

One of my favourite places to ride in the world. Not been back for years but I try and get back every now and then as it's a little bit special (and real).

You up for something more local (to us) once back?

Will email you.....

I've been there with my uncle hiking as a teenager. It does feel like a second home. Coming down Mam was magic. Light was beautiful as heavy clouds where low and it being evening the sun even lower.
I'll only be back home for about two weeks, then off to Canada and Alaska till October... but we'll stay in touch. Maybe for a fat bike ride in the first snow