Retrobike Touring.

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This is quite long, apologies in advance!

Finding myself with a couple of days at the end of the week free and mindful of the fact that I need to get some miles in I put the word out to a couple of friends that I had another 48 hour ride in mind, one was free and a rough plan was hatched. Due to the mind-blowing price of train tickets we opted to leave at a ‘Super off peak’ time and departed Victoria at about a quarter to ten for the large village of Bearsted in Kent. I’d picked this station purely because it was far enough out of London to help us avoid the built up, less pleasant riding and because it was just under £25 for an open return. Having procured a couple of maps for the areas we were touring and done some Google maps research I had a fair idea of the plan, and we did a little more plotting on the train and decided to see how we were doing as we went, however carrying everything with you allows a certain degree of freedom............


r.

what a great read ! was it really as flat as ypur pics indicate ? id like to see pics of the bikes next time please

 

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Slipped across to the IoM for a few days of the TT this year and a £60 Kona Smoke frame I built up with leftover parts. Long, stable and not worth nicking (I hope). About 35 miles straight run from mine in Manchester to Liverpool Pier Head, then a few rides across the island trying to dodge the wannabe racers to get to good viewing areas - probably less than 200 miles all in. The weather was amazing and the island is a treat to ride around - worth going when quieter than TT fortnight, I'm sure. Didn't pack light - took an older, roomier and heavier tent, with a Chinese-copy bed and lots of trimmings, as it was five nights on a Douglas rugby field after all. The lil folding chair is a game-changer - I take it everywhere now. Expensive but worth it.

more gear than a family of four would take :shock: how do you charge your mobile ?

 

[shedobits]

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Two great rides there, can't get back to the UK this summer but planning for next May thanks to these.

 

[mrkawasaki]

Used an Anker PowerCore II 10000 - easily lasted the 5 days, even playing music thro a speaker as I ride (don’t get on with headphones). I use the 80 to 20% method to eke out battery life, as I use Viewranger to track and map in real time too.

 

[Rod_Saetan]

More pictures of kit and stopping points please! It all adds to the pleasure of reading.

I tried to take a few more pictures this time and kept my bag in my top tube bag after lugging my compact digital camera round the first time without taking a single picture! Kit list for these shorter sojourns is:

Rab Storm bivvy
Mountain Equipment Xero 350 sleeping bag (too warm!)
Thermarest NeoAir XLite mat
MSR Pocket rocket
MSR cooking pot and bowl
Titanium mug and Spork
Small battery charger
Merino beanie
Rab waterproof lightweight jacket (pillow!)
A few plasters, Ibuprofen, sun cream, chamois cream
Frame fit pump
Two tubes
Ritchey mini tool
Zip tie with a key
Money/cards
Spare socks
Some coffee
Ortlieb 2 litre water bag
Soreen malt loaf
OS maps
Orange pen

was it really as flat as ypur pics indicate ? id like to see pics of the bikes next time please

Yup. Some hills in the first few/last few miles and you have to climb a little to get onto the cliffs but there was very little elevation overall. Bike is the same as pictured earlier in the thread for the previous trip but now dustier! Building up a Mercian this week with mudguards and more carrying capacity, should get out on that before we head to Scotland too.

 

[Joe_Rides]

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@mrkawasaki - Great looking set-up. The bike / tyre combo look like it would go anywhere. Which route did you take to Liverpool from Manchester? canal path?

I picked up a new tent Saturday - Berghaus Peak 3.1 - £63.

https://www.millets.co.uk/tents-camping ... -tent.html

Also found a 1/2 season Eurohike sleeping bag at a car boot for £3. Should be lighter & less bulky than the one I was going to take, although I'm sure not as warm. Don't worry it's being thoroughly disinfected / washed before I use it!

Borrowed an Alpkit Brukit stove from a friend. Nice bit of kit: https://www.alpkit.com/products/brukit

Other than working out how to tether all the stuff to my bike I think I have everything now. Going to try my first ever 1-nighter next weekend all being well.

Joe

 

[BikerB]

What handlebars are they ?

 

[roadking]

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Great images and motivational (!). A friend and I are off touring the deserted roads and pretty villages of Holderness in the next week or two.

Trying to decide what bicycle to use.

Rk.

 

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@ e. Which route did you take to Liverpool from Manchester? canal path?



Joe

great idea !

 

[Joe_Rides]

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First tour – Ride Report

21st / 22nd July 2018

Bolton – Bentham

Having intended to ease my way in to cycle touring, my original intention was to get the train to Clitheroe and make the 25 – 30 mile journey to Bentham from there, however as usual Northern FAIL let me down so a “full fat” ride was required. I was a little daunted having never ridden with fully laden panniers before (or ridden 50 miles before!), but doesn’t god love a trier?!

Left around 0830, straight up the A666 to Blackburn and onto the leeds / Liverpool canal. I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror and realised I should probably have had a bigger breakfast.




The towpath is pretty rough and my elbows were starting to ache already. The Thwaites brewery came into view putting my mind on the prize at the end of the day.



Once off the canal nr Rishton I made a convoluted beeline for Whalley over a huge hill I could have avoided if I bothered learning how to read maps properly. It was peaceful though and the descent was refreshing. I’ve never been to Whalley before (it’s only 20 miles away) and was really impressed by the historic architecture. Will be visiting again with the missus for a posh coffee and a wander.
Up through Clitheroe and into Grindleton where I reached a milestone, so with the time being around 11.45 I stopped to make my very first mid-ride brew and get stuck in to cheese & marmite sandwiches, a flake and an apple.




Next I climbed some big hills view nice views of Pendle Hill etc, got a bit lost (bridleway wasn’t as the map suggested) and ended up at a trig point before dropping down to Gisburn forest hub where I have previously visited many times for the MTB trails. Past the Stocks reservoir which looked like it needed stocking up and up more big hills. The hedges here are full of raspberries so I took full advantage.