Great North Trail

[gloryhallelujahAl]

Am starting to do sections of the GNT - anyone else done it?
https://www.cyclinguk.org/route/great-n ... cape-wrath

[Bearbonesnorm]

I'm in the early planning stages.

[ScotRoutes]

I'm sure that, between us, BB will have done all of that trail.

[restlessshawn]

It passes within a couple of miles of my house south of Selkirk in the Ettrick Valley and within a few feet of my office in Hermiston Gate, Edinburgh. Might have to get the train in one day in the summer and ride home with a bivi

Cape Wrath is on my list but not sure if I wouldn't just rather walk up there.

[gloryhallelujahAl]

I'm in the early planning stages.

Just started recce-ing sections and making plans myself. Am doing middleton top to Hebden bridge (the first section) weekend 14th Feb

[thenorthwind]

I'm sure that, between us, BB will have done all of that trail.

I can account for at least Alston to Hawick, plus a few other sections.

If I'm not mistaken, their's a BB jersey on show in the route guide (in the link), page 63 (I was trying to figure out why the route diverts around Lambley Viaduct, since I thought you could ride across it - I certainly have in the past).

[Chew]

Am doing middleton top to Hebden bridge (the first section) weekend 14th Feb

Theres a much more interesting route between Diggle and Hebden if the ground is dry/frozen if you're interested?

[GirlBikeVan]

I fancy having a go at this next year. What planning do you do? I mean, I understand planning around places to sleep, get food and charge technology. My thinking was you can't really plan more than 3 days ahead on a trip like this. I was thinking i'd take a leisurely 3 weeks :)

[Bearbonesnorm]

I fancy having a go at this next year. What planning do you do? I mean, I understand planning around places to sleep, get food and charge technology. My thinking was you can't really plan more than 3 days ahead on a trip like this. I was thinking i'd take a leisurely 3 weeks :)

Planning would really be more about logistics of getting to the start and returning from the finish. I personally wouldn't plan any aspect of the actual ride, like where to sleep, eat, etc.

[ScotRoutes]

It really depends on when you are doing it and what accommodation you fancy. In some places you'll have little choice of the B&Bs/hostels etc and may need to book in advance. That commits you to a schedule. Bikepacking and carry all your kit gives you some flexibility.

Lots of folk do LEJOG ad hoc, booking ahead a couple of nights only, as that gives some flexibility for schedule amendments.

"Charging your technology" certainly shouldn't be a driving factor. Minimise use and maximise on-board charging either via a dynamo, power bank or selecting devices that run off AA batteries.

[ScotRoutes]

I personally wouldn't plan any aspect of the actual ride, like where to sleep, eat, etc.

Been said before, but some of us just ain't wired that want Stu. My anxiety prevents me from that type of freedom. I need to know where all the shops/cafes etc are, their opening times etc. Currently planning another Hebridean Way and I have the first couple of days mapped out in some detail, with a rough idea for the rest (and that's a place I know pretty well ).

[Bearbonesnorm]

Been said before, but some of us just ain't wired that way Stu

Sorry Colin, I suppose what I should say is - as little planning as you're willing to accept. Obviously everyone is different in this regard but as you say yourself, minimising it where possible will usually open up your options.

[whitestone]

I think it was Greg May (of this parish) who noted something along the lines of: "You can plan the first day to the nth degree then it all goes out of the window".

I'd make notes of cafés, pubs, shops and their distance along the route along with opening times, especially for the more remote areas. Possibly find some just off route as well just in case. After that just go with the flow and use your current speed, condition and weather conditions to figure out when/if you'll get to that shop when it's open.

As for charging electronics. Figure out your usage and what's important then go from there. I don't do the whole social media tripe so my phone is usually in airplane mode unless I'm actually making a call. I wrote this blog piece a couple of years ago - http://bobwightman.blogspot.com/2018/08 ... onics.html - I reckoned that even at fairly low speeds (<12kmh) I could keep everything I needed charged.

[ScotRoutes]

I don't do the whole social media tripe

And yet, here you are

[frogatthefarriers]

I don't do the whole social media tripe

And yet, here you are

Nah! This ain't social media - this is a common interest forum. Social media is an information-gathering-for-marketing-to separate-you-from-your-money engine.

[Dave Barter]

I don't do the whole social media tripe

And yet, here you are

Nah! This ain't social media - this is a common interest forum. Social media is an information-gathering-for-marketing-to separate-you-from-your-money engine.

I’ve bought stoves, poles, T-shirts and event entries from Stu Zuckerburg-Wright after he suckered me in

[GirlBikeVan]

It really depends on when you are doing it and what accommodation you fancy. In some places you'll have little choice of the B&Bs/hostels etc and may need to book in advance. That commits you to a schedule. Bikepacking and carry all your kit gives you some flexibility.

Lots of folk do LEJOG ad hoc, booking ahead a couple of nights only, as that gives some flexibility for schedule amendments.

"Charging your technology" certainly shouldn't be a driving factor. Minimise use and maximise on-board charging either via a dynamo, power bank or selecting devices that run off AA batteries.

I was thinking more night lights. I'm super hardcore me and want to ride into the night!!

Not really but I feel less under pressure to get anywhere if I have a charged night light.

[BreninBeener]

I really like my dynamo hub. I use it to charge my front light during the day.
However for a longer trip i would like a dynamo front light that could power night time riding, and then charge a powerbank during the day.
Hope this helps

[Lazarus]

The sinewave Beacon* is the only light i know that will do that and its over £400 to buy

It also runs off a power bank that you can charge whilst using- this was the main reason i got it.
IME A dynamo light and technical trails is not a great mix - there you are travelling along to a tricky section then you brake and there you are entering a technical section with 1/3 of the light you just had - its an interesting experience

Exposure joystick and a MTB battery kit will give 15-50 hours of light depending on lumens being used - I am sure it could be managed over three weeks to last the duration.
Power the options are
1) Dynamo
2) AA batteries and replace
3) Hotels /B & B and recharge

* I feel like i have become a brand ambassador for them over the weekend