Cycling UK Forum

I was in a state of "which way should I vote?"

Having read this thread I am now leaning very much to voting "No"

As others have said, should we not get our house in order before committing ourselves ?

Whatever the result of this ballot, it has been undermined in my eyes.

I am appalled at the number of people killed that are reported and this ladies tragic death is truly upsetting. I feel let down by the courts in this country and the message they are sending out.

Not only should a death be fully and professionally investigated, that investigation should be transparent so that people can see and understand the result. Too often I feel we are left NOT understanding how a life can be taken and the only penalty is £200.

The CTC describes itself as "The UK's National Cyclist's Organisation"

Can we not as a body do more to bring these awful events to the public awareness and campaign for tougher sentences?

+1 for Lon Cambria. The area around Rhayader and the Elan Valley is wonderful. You could even detour to Llandrindod Wells and visit the National Cycle Museum

Cant take the credit for this, it was taken by one of my ride buddies. Its the Lon Las Ogwen looking up towards the Ogwen Valley and taken last Sunday 22nd August.

Isn't it a shame that the rail part of any journey can be the hardest? I have only put my touring bike on a train once in recent years and the experience (Arriva Trains) was not good.

In my youth I used to travel all the time with my bike by train, putting it into the guard van. That's another shame, the demise of the guards van. But it made travelling so much easier.

If we are to use our cars less bikes and trains should be encouraged.

Having hi-jacked my own thread I'm off to grumble about the good old days elsewhere

OK, thanks.

Thanks Gearoidmuar

Especially about "Cycling from Dublin to Galway would be BORING."

I will look at your route suggestions, nothing better than a personal recommend from someone that has been there. Whats it like getting bikes on trains there? There maybe 3 of us, do they have restrictions on numbers?

I am thinking of touring Ireland next spring. My easiest crossing would be from Holyhead.

First thoughts are to just cycle straight across to the west coast and back but never having been there before I dont know if thats a good idea

I would like to visit the west coast and I will have 7 - 10 days for the trip. Is this doable?

Any suggestions on route, camp sites and places to visit most welcome.

Thanks in advance

I did this route in May this year with friends. The first night we camped in Bellingham, there is a camping and caravan club site there and also a farm nearer the village centre, sorry cannot remember its name. Lots of B&B too but did not use one so cant comment.

Second night was spent at Sandysike House, Walton, Brampton. 016977 2330, you can B&B, use a bunkhouse or camp on their lawn. Owners could not do enough for us and even fixed up an evening meal and wine at short notice as we were late arriving. Reasonable rates too.

Third night was at Denton House, Hesket Newmarket and a camp site around the corner (One B&B'd and I camped). The owners of Denton House were brilliant and even though we were there at a bank holiday and only one of us staying with them offered to drive us to the next town for dinner as they thought the local pub would be full. By the time we got there they had organised a table at the local pub for us! It has its own brewery as mentioned above.

Cant recommend both the above B&B's highly enough. The pub at Hesketh Newmarket is a must visit, good food and local beer.

Tony

Well the trip has been and gone and I had a great time.

Thanks to manybikes for his camping suggestions. For anyone else out there planning to do this here is where we stayed as a starting point of reference.

1. Seacote Caravan Park, St Bees, Whitehaven. Clean and tidy, short walk to St Bees.
2. Gill Head Farm, Troutbeck. Camping and B&B. Great pub about a mile away. Cannot recommend the Camping and B&B at the farm highly enough, really welcoming.
3. Tyne Willows Camp Site, Alston. Mainly caravans, small number of tent pitches. Great real ale pub in town.
4. Marlbourough Hotel B&B, Whitley Bay. Treated ourselves to a bed at the halfway point!
5. Small farm site near the centre of Bellingham. There is also a camping and caravanning site there.
6. Sandysike House, Walton. Camped on their lawn! They also do B&B and a bunkhouse. Owners very helpful and rustled up a dinner for us as we arrived late. Made very welcome.
7. Greenhill Farm and Denton House, Hesket Newmarket. The camping field at the farm is a bit basic, toilets an experience! The owners let you use their own showers. The owners of Denton House were really very helpful. One of us stayed there and they could not do enough to help us with food and organising a table at the local pub, The Old Crown, which has its own brewery. Highly recommended.

A great trip, brilliant views of wonderful countryside. Met some really nice people.

Hope the above might help someone. If I can help with more detail drop me a pm.

SatMap - http://www.satmap.com/

OS mapping, rechargeable batteries which can be replaced as needed by AA ones.

Brilliant.

Downside?

PRICE

Cost about £300 plus maps.

A friend bought one and I am really jealous that my Garmin Legend does not have all the features, but then again it was less than half the price.

Thanks Manybikes.

I have pm'd you

Thanks Rapidfire72 and Manybikes.

You confirm that camp sites might be difficult in places. Guess I'll have to pamper myself with a B&B or 2

Regards

Thanks Vernon. Of course you are right. A few phone calls to Tourist Info Centres will not go amiss as well.

I was hoping that others here on the forum had camped along these routes and may have some recommendations.

Regards

Thanks both for your replies. I know the camping web site and I have the Sustrans Maps. From those two it seems that camping along parts of the Reivers Way will be a bit of a challenge unless I wild camp

B&B is always an option though.

Regards