Cycling UK Forum

I've done a similar route a couple of years back stopping at Camping and Caravan club sites as their campsites are cheap when bikepacking.
First day after Lincoln, I'd aim for the C&CC site site at Woodhall Spa, about 50 miles.
Day 2. Woodhall Spa to Fleet Hargate. Leave Woodhall Spa on the NCR1 and follow it until after the bridge over the river Welland. Now follow the coast road around to Sutton Bridge. Then through Long Sutton to Fleet Hargate. Delph Bank campsite is on your left as you enter the village. About 54 miles.
Day 3. Fleet Hargate to C&CC site in the Sandringham estate. Follow the 1 most of the way. It's a short day of around 40 miles but you should/will be able to look around Sandringham house in the afternoon or the next day if you take one off .......
Day 4. Sandringham to Cromer. I followed the 1 until it turned south, then I followed the 30 to Cromer. The campsites at Cromer are on the west of the town so you coming in from the right side. Take your pick. About 50 miles.

I then followed the coast around to the C&CC site at Kessingland. Around 50 miles.
Then I turned inland to the C&CC site east of Thetford Forest. Another 50 miles.
From there it's about 50 miles to Cambridge and a train home for you. C&CC site is to the south of the town.

Or do it the other way around with the train ride first.

I stopped around 70 nights in the main C&CC sites but I also stopped around 50 nights at other sites / wild camped.
At the time I wasn't using rechargeable batteries, but i do now.

The Kindle does not require power to maintain a page of text, allowing you to read for up to a month on a single charge, with wireless off and a half hour of reading per day

When you use a Kindle for around 6-8 hours a day, you'll find that it really needs charging every 2-3 days.
Even at £1 a go, I was looking at ~£40 just to keep the Kindle charged on tour and thats not including the cost of new batteries, as keeping the Kindle and batteries charged off the mains was to much of a hassle.

Hence going solar this year.
I found even in Iceland that the PowerMonkey solar panel would charge the Kindle/batteries in direct sunlight.
But I was lucky this year with a lot of sun. In 17 weeks I only had about 1 weeks worth of rain. Unlike last year when in 17 weeks I only had about 1 week dry.

Next year I'll go a mix of dynamo and solar.
It may be more expensive in the short term but it's a lot less hassle.

Lost count of the times I have cycled around Norfolk and Suffolk usually on my way to or back from Mildenhall Rally. I have never bothered checking up on campsites as at any time you will not be more than about 8 miles from a campsite. When you have done enough for the day ask a local where the nearest one is.
Here are some I like:
Carlton Park at Saxmundham, run by a charity.
C&CC site at Kessingland, you can lie in bed and hear the lions roaring in the zoo next door.
In fact all the club sites in the area are of their normal high standard and have bikepacker rates.
Outney Manor at Bungay, receptionist will offer chairs for cycle campers.
Manor Farm near Cromer, a long trip from reception to the camping field which is then a short walk into Cromer.
Kings Lynn Caravan and Camping at North Runcton near Kings Lynn, nice quiet site.
Reedham Ferry campsite, quiet site by river, nice lane up to village pub if you fancy an evening stroll.
Causeway Cottage at Potter Heigham, just west of bridge, site run by an Australian guy who will negotiate on price.

At sometime or other I have stayed at all of these and have found them to be good.

I have lots of micro-adventures, mostly over a weekend period and often before a larger tour as a shakedown and reminder of what works and what doesn't. I prefer to stay at campsite because I work hard on the bike and need a shower afterwards (and I am partial to a beer and a pub meal).

I went to the Isle of Wight the other weekend at 2 days notice, straight after work on Friday afternoon, across on the ferry from Southampton and along a cycle track I never knew existed, to Newport and on to the C&CC site in Sandown. Back on Sunday after glorious weather and an excellent weekend!

Now that I only have time for one main tour (2 weeks) and one minor tour (up to a week) micro-tours and micro-adventures are the way to go!

Just did the IOW using the Caravaning & Camping club 15% discount, which for two people + two bikes was £30.60 return. Furthermore, their main campsite at Adgestone, just outside Sandown, is excellent - it is also on the round the island cycle route and the very good Sandown to Newport cycle track.

You do need to book beforehand over the phone quoting the C&CC discount number shown on the link below and collect your tickets at the departure port + proof of your C&CC membership; we went form Gunwharf @ Portsmouth to Fishbourne but the discount will apply to any Wightlink route. Whilst you do need to specify a boat time, as a foot passenger + a bike (which goes free) they are very relaxed in practice.

https://book.wightlink.co.uk/Affiliates ... =125122012

bulldozer wrote:Not sure what less than 10 pounds is, but am I the only one that thinks that anything more than 5 pounds is an insane price for one person in a small tent?

About £8 for "non-member backpacker" rate, usually. If you join the C&CC it's about £1.50 cheaper, but membership is fairly expensive so it's not really worthwhile for a solo cycle camper.
If you want to pay less than £5, it's usually a farmer's field with a tap in the corner.

Hi,
Been Planning a JOGLE with my brother-in-law and sister-in-law for May - June time. Thinking of using 3 weeks to complete a route largely plagiarized from this Blog:
http://end2endbike.wordpress.com/daily-blog/#

We will be travelling unsupported and camping all the way, only using B&Bs if we HAVE to to dry out etc. It is only now I realise quite how much planning goes into things like this!
Please if you could all scrutinize my route and camp sites below and let me know what you think. Travelling fully loaded one consideration I have that the route designers didn't is I cant really easily be lifting my bike over gates/obstacles etc - so if you know any of the off-road routes I have chosen are a little narrow or have locked gates (open-able ones are fine) then that info would be very useful!! Also I will be on a cyclocross bike with probably 28c tyres.

Day 1 - 40miles - Fly to Wick, Put bikes together by 1pm, Cycle to JOG and onto Thurso - Camp @ Thurso. http://www.bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=487901
Day 2 - 75miles - Thurso to Lairg. Camp @ Dun Roamin Caravan Park http://www.bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=487902
Day 3 - 58miles - Lairg to Inverness. Camp @ Bunchcrew Caravan Park http://www.bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=487903
Day 4 - 65miles - Inverness to Fort William. Camp @ Glen Nevis Campsite. http://www.bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=487904
Day 5 - Climb Ben Nevis with Son (coming up for 2 days)
Day 6 - Rest Day @ Glen Nevis
Day 7 - 44miles - Fort William to Oban. Camp @ Glen Sonas CS. http://www.bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=487905
Day 8 - 64miles - Oban to Arran. Camp @ Lochranza Caravan and Camping Site. http://www.bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=487907
Day 9 - 54miles - Arran to Ayr. Camp @ Garton CS. http://www.bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=487908
Day 10 - 71miles - Ayr to Annan. Camp @ West Moss Side CS. http://www.bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=487910
Day 11 - 65miles - Annan to Windermere. Camp @ Low Wray National Trust Campsite. http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=488032
Day 12 - Rest Day @ Windermere.
Day 13 - 65miles - Windermere to Preston. Camp @ Radcliff farm CS. http://www.bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=487913
Day 14 - 57miles - Preston to Middlewich. Camp @ Brook House Farm CS. http://www.bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=487914
Day 15 - 59miles - Middlewhich to Shifnall. Camp @ Sutton House CS. http://www.bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=487915
Day 16 - 65miles - Shifnall to Newent. Camp @ In Laws Family. http://www.bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=487916
Day 17 - Rest Day @ Newent - Wife and Kids visiting.
Day 18 - 68miles - Newent to Bradford on Avon. Camp @ Church Farm Caravan and Camping Site. http://www.bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=487919
Day 19 - 63miles - Bradford on Avon to Taunton. Camp @ Tanpits Cider Farm Caravan and Camping Park http://www.bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=487920
Day 20 - 54miles - Taunton to Dartmoor. Camp @ Barley Meadow C&CC Club Site. http://www.bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=487921
Day 21 - 63miles - Dartmoor to Eden Project. Camp @ Acorn Camping and Glamping Site. http://www.bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=487922
Day 22 - 64miles - Eden Project to Lands End. THE END! http://www.bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=487923

Spend the next 2 days in a caravan holidaying with wife and kids - "catching up" etc.

That's the plan anyway!

Entire Route in one here: http://www.bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=487900


Jules.

Smudge - I am not yet at a stage where I will be brave enough to wild camp - may be next year!! And yes lack of electricity on a campsite is a good barometer of how nice it will be. And now I will go and join the C&CC, what a good tip.

Mary

Devon and Cornwall is a bit more tricky than other parts of the country because of the tourism trade and the popularity of camping and caravanning in a region blessed with better weather than other parts of the country. The holiday resort sites are also trying to compete and want the sort of customer who is staying for the week or longer and preferably a family of four, a result of which they often quote prices of two adults and a tent etc. without breaking down prices further for 'back-packer' type rates. This is compounded in peak season by the fact sites are often full and have to turn away customers who haven't booked.

As mentioned above - the C&CC sites are excellent for cyclists who count as back-packers and are never refused a space because of the C&CC's origins and heritage; the facilities are standardised as are their costs which tend to be about £8 - £9 for non-members. There are also plenty of other small sites that are more suitable and I've found that a phone call beforehand explaining you are a cyclist with a one-man tent and asking what the rate is for that...often brings a negotiated price. I phoned the site at Polzeath earlier this year and the owner quoted the usual price to me and immediately followed by saying 'but that's no use to you (£20)' and offered me the fee of £7.00 (low season - March).

Both the sites on the vicinity of Oakhampton are good as is the one above mentioned at Wadebridge. There is a site about 4 miles in-land from Land's End, but I would really recommend the site at Marazion - again, a phone call beforehand negotiated a good rate and free use of their small swimming pool - and it's just a short walk into the town where you can enjoy a cold beer in view of St Michael's Mount

Yes, it was an excellent site - the Boroughbridge Camping and Caravan Club site, just south east of Ripon. We did our own, but faster version of Way of the Roses from Morecambe to Bridlington (before going up to Newcastle, across to Maryport, through the Lakes and down to Manchester) and that was about half way.

The good thing about C&CC sites is that they will always take in backpackers and this was a busy bank holiday weekend. The first site on the WOR route was already full when I pre-phoned, but this site has its own quiet area set aside for back packers! It was very busy as well, but we managed to get washing machine and tumble dryer access and then only a short walk into town for food and the pub! That was Sun 3rd June and singularly the most unpleasant summer day I've ever cycled in!

I'm day on 45 of my tour around parts of the UK, with another 80 odd days to go.
I never book ahead as after about week 4 my daily mileage mileage could have increased by 50% as I get fitter.
I workout a rough idea as to where I'll stop in 4-6 day blocks, but as I'm rarely on-line on tour I do carry the C&CC book as it helps to find sites along the way.

I did a similar lenght trip last year and only got turned away once, but that worked out better in the long run as the next site was only ~5 miles down the road.

The trouble with kids on campsites is that they are mini-adults, they like challenges and you could equate the situation with riding along a long straight road or descending a tricky twisty hill, one is a bore, the other exciting and challenging. The kids often don't play in the middle of the field, they play in and out of the tents typically wanting to get the adults to come and join them. It's irritating to have footballs keep crashing into your tent, but a bike is a whole different matter, a child plus bike could easily weigh 30-40kg and that will do serious damage and could injure an unsuspecting occupant.

So it's an 'elf an safety issue in the end, if the child is competent to ride around the field at speed, then it's OK to go out on the road where nobody will complain about 10-20mph.

BTW if you think the C&CC are strict just check out the 'park terms' on this site

http://www.tyddynllwyn.com/

A group of us 50+ cycling hell-raisers wanted somewhere to stop for the night and found we didn't qualify because we were a 'single sex group' - see prices page

jan19 wrote:But I don't think their sites are family friendly, even though they call themselves the "Friendly Club". It doesn't bother me whether there are children on a site or not but I find a growing intolerant attitude towards them as demonstrated by that original letter in the magazine.

Jan

I agree. Lots of quite well-off campers (or should that be caravanners?) in their fifties and sixties want peace and quiet above all. I don't have a problem with that - the problem is with campsites, including C&CC) who cheerfully maintain that everyone will get along just fine - they won't.

jan19 wrote:and increasingly being aware of tutting and moaning when a ball bounces near a caravan, or children running around laughing and shouting results in dirty looks from caravanners/motorhome owners sitting outside their unit.

We used to get the same with our caravan and even had people next to us do the ignore nose in the air bit because of children playing and making a noise. MrsE could quieten our son but struggled with me and sometimes stopped me going out to play. Most embarrassing when you hear "Can Keith come out to play" and the reply is "No he has been naughty".
So I plead guilty to making a noise and winding up some of the blue rinse brigade.

horizon wrote: In the middle are campsites where the owners struggle to keep noise levels down and there is, as jan19 describes, an uncomfortable co-existence. My hope is that campsite owners recognise that families need a large dollop of tolerance and space to have fun and that caravan owners in their fifties need an adults only space of their own.

You are basically describing what the C&CC used to be. For as long as I can remember there has been letters and complaints about some children.
It is unfortunate that the few are spoiling things for the many. For most of the year the club as a business relies on the older folk to stay in business, and unfortunately more of them do seem to be not renewing their membership.

I have no idea of the solution.

I'm going to put in a word of support for GeoffL. We've camped over the years ... and years... with and without the children.

I would suggest to jan19 that she chooses her campsites much more carefully*. There are now campsites that are definitely family and child friendly - lots of rope swings and campfires and are justifiably popular. At the other end are plenty of adults only campsites. In the middle are campsites where the owners struggle to keep noise levels down and there is, as jan19 describes, an uncomfortable co-existence. My hope is that campsite owners recognise that families need a large dollop of tolerance and space to have fun and that caravan owners in their fifties need an adults only space of their own. The bicycle issue is only a symptom of this difference in needs. Camping isn't what it was - it's much more defined and fragmented and campsites need to keep up with this. The C&CC sites that I have seen are usually big enough to define different areas for families and the more "mature" campers.

PS How about more car free zones for a start .

* I mean to her own advantage i.e. campsites that really welcome kids and their (inevitable) noise, bikes and ball games.