Not yet done, but is't something that's been on the cards for some time now.
Since doing the SDW last year, and not doing any big rides this year, I felt that there should be a special challenge for next year!
Since doing the SDW last year, and not doing any big rides this year, I felt that there should be a special challenge for next year!
This year I've been getting into the concept of 'bivvying' - basically being a gypsy on a bike... Apparently it lacks all the appeal of camping ("you're in something 'worse' than a tent" I've been told), but having never been a boy scout before, I suppose I'm reliving my absent scouting days?
Here's the set-up I used on my old bike (steel DMR SS):
Here's the set-up I used on my old bike (steel DMR SS):
And here's the beginnings of the rig I plan to use for bigger, bolder adventures (On-one scandal SS, not the isla bike!):
The frame bag is a home made jobbie (with a 'how to' write up that bound to appear on here at some point), and I'm in the process of making a seat pack and bar mount system too...
Anyhow, back to the [planned] ride...
The Wessex Way is hailed as being " a ride of epic statistics - the longest off-road, coast-to-coast ride in England,comprising a week's trail-blazing that traverses the breadth of the ancient kingdom to which it is dedicated."
It is 250 miles from start to finish, so clearly this isn't going the be a 'one day' bimble.... A bit of head scratching and reflection on realistic cycling capabilities has drawn the conclusion that a three day attempt should be on the cards - this still means over 80 off road miles per day, with the latter half of the ride being the rather hilly South Downs Way (it's pretty rare to contemplate a ride where the second half is the SDW!).
Anyhow, back to the [planned] ride...
The Wessex Way is hailed as being " a ride of epic statistics - the longest off-road, coast-to-coast ride in England,comprising a week's trail-blazing that traverses the breadth of the ancient kingdom to which it is dedicated."
It is 250 miles from start to finish, so clearly this isn't going the be a 'one day' bimble.... A bit of head scratching and reflection on realistic cycling capabilities has drawn the conclusion that a three day attempt should be on the cards - this still means over 80 off road miles per day, with the latter half of the ride being the rather hilly South Downs Way (it's pretty rare to contemplate a ride where the second half is the SDW!).
Having read a recent review on SingletrackWorld, I managed to get the 'gpx file to use with MemoryMap and now have the whole thing nicely plotted out, ready to transfer across to the Garmin 'when the time comes'.
Here's the route in more detail - I wanted to get it up in 1:50000 but it's too big to pot up in a realistic number if images!
Here's the route in more detail - I wanted to get it up in 1:50000 but it's too big to pot up in a realistic number if images!
So....at the moment I've got the route plotted out and am in the process of deciding where the overnight stops will be (did I mention there's be no hotels of B+Bs? This will be a completely self supported effort!), as well as finalising the bike so that I can carry enough gumph in order to really make this a painful and heavy experience...
I'll keep these pages updated with significant training rides and gear selection.
I have a feeling there'll be a few jaunts up and down the SDW, fully loaded, in order to prepare for this!
I've sort of pencilled in sometime in June 2014 to get this done and dusted - hopefully this'll give me plenty of time to prepare and panic.....
I'll keep these pages updated with significant training rides and gear selection.
I have a feeling there'll be a few jaunts up and down the SDW, fully loaded, in order to prepare for this!
I've sort of pencilled in sometime in June 2014 to get this done and dusted - hopefully this'll give me plenty of time to prepare and panic.....