First proper ITT route

[ootini]

Hey all,

So far I've been making up local routes and heading out n doing my thing, which is both good and bad. Good, I know roughly where I am. Bad, the routes aren't particularly well planned, ie. too much road, ridiculous ascents etc. I was wondering if anyone could give me a nudge towards a "proper" route, that would be a good beginners route, the HT550 for example is not a good idea. I was looking at the TransCambrian, it seems like a doable beginner ride, so to speak. But, does anyone have any other suggestions?

Info you may need:
I'm not great at climbing, still working on my fitness, but I'm not adverse to getting off and walking if need be. I'm also, obviously, no mountain junkie, if it's a flat ish route, then great.
Can manage about 40 miles a day I think.
Something local-ish (within a few hours drive of North Wales) would be nice.

[Single Speed George]

have a look at the Sand Stone way ... haven't done it yet but looks a good weekend route only like 120 miles, has a map available from the web site and a few route options on the way for easy or hard sections... i think im gona do it this weekend or next weekend so can tell you what it was like then ... http://www.sandstoneway.co.uk/


ooo this isnt an oficial sst as its less than 100 miles and i just randomly did it on Saturday aftrnoon - Sunday morning about 65 miles , took me 20 hours with a few hours kip but it was a nice route and would make a good weekend loop if you are doing 40 miles a day ... https://www.strava.com/activities/359320941 can grab u a gpx if y are interested ...

[Bearbonesnorm]

Given your location, TCW would be a pretty good bet. If you rode it as was intended over 3 days, you shouldn't find it too difficult but it'll give you a really good introduction.

[ootini]

Cheers folks, I thought the TCW would be about the best bet. The SSWay looks really nice too!

With regards to the TCW, given that I've never done it before, and will probably be solo (can't see the Mrs doing multiday trips just yet), is the route relatively easy to follow? I'll obviously have the GPX loaded up, and will probably be using a dedicated GPS as opposed to phone. But is the route itself always on a trail so to speak, as opposed to being an abstract route across a featureless field in places? My main concern would simply be getting lost given that I'd be a good distance from home etc.

[Bearbonesnorm]

With regards to the TCW, given that I've never done it before, and will probably be solo (can't see the Mrs doing multiday trips just yet), is the route relatively easy to follow? I'll obviously have the GPX loaded up, and will probably be using a dedicated GPS as opposed to phone. But is the route itself always on a trail so to speak, as opposed to being an abstract route across a featureless field in places? My main concern would simply be getting lost given that I'd be a good distance from home etc.

Yes and no but most of the route is generally visable on the ground. A proper gps would be a good idea and don't argue with it as the route might not always be the most obvious option. While not impossible to get lost, it's difficult to get really lost

[ootini]

With regards to the TCW, given that I've never done it before, and will probably be solo (can't see the Mrs doing multiday trips just yet), is the route relatively easy to follow? I'll obviously have the GPX loaded up, and will probably be using a dedicated GPS as opposed to phone. But is the route itself always on a trail so to speak, as opposed to being an abstract route across a featureless field in places? My main concern would simply be getting lost given that I'd be a good distance from home etc.

Yes and no but most of the route is generally visable on the ground. A proper gps would be a good idea and don't argue with it as the route might not always be the most obvious option. While not impossible to get lost, it's difficult to get really lost

Cheers

I had some "issues" with using my phone as my only GPS system last weekend. Basically "BackCountryNavigator" was faultless, but the compass on my phone went haywire and would either keep spinning the map or wouldn't move at all. Then the GPS basically locked itself on once we'd arrived so was constantly draining the battery. The phone lasted about 16 hours before the battery gave up completely. I'm thinking something a bit more basic, but built for the job would be better, probably an Etrex or Dakota 20, not decided yet.

[whitestone]

ooo this isnt an oficial sst as its less than 100 miles and i just randomly did it on Saturday aftrnoon - Sunday morning about 65 miles , took me 20 hours with a few hours kip but it was a nice route and would make a good weekend loop if you are doing 40 miles a day ... https://www.strava.com/activities/359320941 can grab u a gpx if y are interested ...

Looks quite a nice loop that, my wife's looking at doing an ITT and that might be a suitable training ride since it's not far from us. Maybe use a couple of bridleways around Sedbergh to reduce the road miles (though I suspect you were looking at a loop rather than an aesthetic route). In fact the Dales is nicely suited to such rides and being a loop reduces the logistics in getting back to the start or even curtailing it should things go pear-shaped.

I think there's something to be said for sub 100 mile "trails" as a stepping stone to the full blown ITTs, at 100Km it seems about right. You get the opportunity to see how your setup will handle and to fine tune your systems but there isn't that huge mileage weighing on your mind.

[Single Speed George]

I think there's something to be said for sub 100 mile "trails" as a stepping stone to the full blown ITTs, at 100Km it seems about right. You get the opportunity to see how your setup will handle and to fine tune your systems but there isn't that huge mileage weighing on your mind.

yea well i just did this as i was board on Saturday afternoon and do allot of training rides from ingleton as live in kendal and the lakes is too busy at this time of year haha got back to clapham in time for a late breakfast whitch is allways nice
as . wanted to try out a new diet (no cooking) and hadent taken enough savory things so was feeling rough and try my new seat bag attachment this worked better than the diet luckely haha
. , yea you can get up cautly on bridleway in stead of road i didn't as i use to live there and know the bridleway is horrible and falling in to the rivver and the other bridelway i use to ride like 2 times a week as part of my XC training and just couldn't be bothered haha but it is doable with slightly more off road haha...

[Single Speed George]

a few piks of that mini loop in case you were interested :



ooo look tussoks ...

this was deep

ok bivi spot


decent to haws

[ootini]

@George: Is that an AlpKit Airlok tapered you're using as a seatpack there?

This is a really nice little site for anyone interested in the TCW: http://www.transcambrian.co.uk/

[Single Speed George]

yea it is works really well taped on like that , got some of those Velcro cable ties to attach it to the seat post then 3 straps coming up to the saddle and the dry bag roll round the saddle

[ctznsmith]

I reckon the TCW is a good place to start. Here's my experience of it from last year which was my first longer bikepacking trip.

http://punkrockbikeclub.com/2014/04/tcw/

It's fairly easy to navigate although a couple of turns aren't obvious.

[Ian]

The only bit of the TCW where the GPX is noticeably "off" is the track on the ground is through Hafod where you climb up the bridleway (SN 774729) to the spooky orange house in the wood (Bwlchgwalter). Just stick to the obvious stoned track and ignore the GPX line.

Oh, and the bridleway is now diverted around the north of Stonehouse at SN 753723. Approaching from the west, stop at the bridleway marker before the farm yard. You'll know when you've gone to far as the dogs will start barking. From east it's more obvious as you come up from the footbridge.