Non-Cyclist Cycling the UK Coastline

Cycle-touring, Expeditions, Adventures, Major cycle routes NOT LeJoG (see other special board)
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RevDonkBonkers
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Joined: 4 May 2021, 9:14pm

Non-Cyclist Cycling the UK Coastline

Post by RevDonkBonkers »

I have decided to cycle around the UK coastline next year, probably starting around early April and not on any timescale. I plan to take it fairly easy, I envisage it taking around six months or so. I plan to camp for most of it with the occasional night in a B & B or hotel for a spot of luxury.

I’ve never really cycled more than about 20 miles before and have very little cycling experience so I have a few basic questions I wondered if some of you might be able to help with:
  • What kind of bike should I get? Should I look for a particular brand/type?
  • Any suggestions of how much storage space in need and how I should configure that? Ie front/rear panniers, handlebar bag, etc
  • Any suggestions for a decent tent?
  • Any must packs that I should make sure I take with my that I might not otherwise think of?
Essentially I am after any advice from you more experienced cyclists. Any help gratefully received!

Thank you
Last edited by RevDonkBonkers on 5 May 2021, 10:12am, edited 1 time in total.
ClappedOut
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Re: Non-Cyclist Cycling the UK Coastline

Post by ClappedOut »

Never done it and experience zero, however it would seem wise to train and be able to reliably do xxx miles a day wet or dry without getting stuck half way and marooned.
Touring bike and a Rohloff hub gears if money no object a nice titanium one recently in sales section for £1400

Looking forward to your progress
Psamathe
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Re: Non-Cyclist Cycling the UK Coastline

Post by Psamathe »

One aspect impacting bike is budgets. 6 months cycling/camping/occasional B&Bs will cost. Is your camping gear up to 6 months or will some need replacing? Any luxuries that might add to costs e.g. lightweight camp chair (remembering it's 6 months). Accessories for bike e.g. locks, lights add to costs. GPS, maps, tech? I'd recommend looking at costs in the broadest way to seem what sort of amount you'd be looking to spend on a bike.

When I go on tour I depart with 2 back panniers and 2 front panniers (Ortlieb roller ones) all up 20 Kg without water. That probably increases a bit trough a couple of months on the road and it's for France/EU (better weather than UK). And my cooking stuff is minimal - stove mainly for coffee and emergencies as most meals eating out (or outside a boulangerie). I've normally used a 2 person tent for just myself - away for longer a tiny space could be a bit limiting, particularly as you will likely be stuck in the tent through some bad weather days. I regard good panniers as important as everything getting wet when caught in heavy rain would be a nightmare.

Ian
Thehairs1970
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Re: Non-Cyclist Cycling the UK Coastline

Post by Thehairs1970 »

The best bike for the trip is the bike you have. However, if you are investing in kit, give us an idea of your budget for kit.
keyboardmonkey
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Location: Yorkshire

Re: Non-Cyclist Cycling the UK Coastline

Post by keyboardmonkey »

May or may not be useful, but there’s a bloke doing a ride around the coast right now. Link in Twitter (you don’t need to be logged in):

https://mobile.twitter.com/AuntieMongo/ ... 2201060353

Also on Facebook and Instagram: @expeditionjosh for both.

Maybe slip him a few quid if he provides useful info?

You could start by giving an idea of your budget.
Last edited by keyboardmonkey on 5 May 2021, 6:09am, edited 1 time in total.
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Tigerbiten
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Re: Non-Cyclist Cycling the UK Coastline

Post by Tigerbiten »

I've done it.
Doing around around 50 miles a day and 1 or 2 days off a week, it took me just over 5 months and I covered just over 5,500 miles.
So setting off in April and taking 6 months sounds about right.

Ideally you'd want to get your bike and kit together towards the end of this summer so you can try a short shake down tour before the weather get bad in winter.
Then spend to winter getting/keeping fit before setting out when the weather gets better.

I started around Wash area (King's Lynn) as that let me do around 700 miles before I hit the silly steep hills around the edge of Devon and Cornwall.
You will need silly low gears for the edge of Devon and Cornwall if you don't want to walk up most hills around there.

Cost wise while camping, I'd recon on around £25 per day if I set off on tour next year.
I could do it cheaper but I do like an all day breakfast and/or fish and chips where possible.

Luck .......... :D
thirdcrank
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Re: Non-Cyclist Cycling the UK Coastline

Post by thirdcrank »

We did have somebody on here who did this. His ride was interrupted by the death of his father and IIRC he spent possibly several months sorting out all his father's affairs. Subsequently, I think he had some trouble getting back into the swing.

My own advice would be that cycle touring is not for everybody, so make sure it's for you before setting off. If you are in reasonable health, physical fitness won't be a problem: you'll be A1 by the end of the first week, but you need to be sure you can cope with the little voice in your ear asking why you are doing this, and why you plan to continue for months. If you can do that, you can ride anywhere.

Make sure you can carry out minor repairs and maintenance.

Whatever your bike budget, money spent on strong wheels is well-spent.
=================================================================
I've had a quick search but I can't find the account I mentioned.
iandusud
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Re: Non-Cyclist Cycling the UK Coastline

Post by iandusud »

As others have said you need to establish a budget. Make sure you have a bike with very low gears and suitable for carrying loads. Strong wheels (this is the most likely weak spot of a bike used for loaded touring but it shouldn't/needn't be). As for your fitness, as long as you are in reasonable health just start doing regular riding to develop the right muscle systems before you set off. You'll get really fit in no time on a ride like that. You will find all sorts of useful information about bikes and equipment here:
https://www.cyclingabout.com/
thirdcrank
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Re: Non-Cyclist Cycling the UK Coastline

Post by thirdcrank »

Just to explain the wheels: Except for specialist builders who would prepare a bike to your specification, off-the-peg bikes are sold at price points, which are largely decided by the more prominent components such as the gears. Other stuff is more often where the economies may be made. Spokes are spokes to the casual observer, but wheels with good quality components built-up by an expert will be considerably more reliable. Even with top-notch wheels, it's a good idea if you know how to replace spokes if you are off to remote(ish) places.

Another thing to bear in mind - IMO - is that you sound as though you will be replacing experience with advice. That's ok and after a few weeks you will be pretty experienced yourself, but there's then a risk you may rue some of your choices. You don't want to spend the greater part of this big ride thinking "If only..."
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Audax67
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Re: Non-Cyclist Cycling the UK Coastline

Post by Audax67 »

RevDonkBonkers wrote: 4 May 2021, 9:16pm I have decided to cycle around the UK coastline next year...
What a great idea!

OK, you've got a year to gain oomph and experience. I would suggest not going straight out and buying a long-distance bike and all the gear. If you have a fully-functional bike already, start building distance with increasingly long rides, and try to get an idea of what might make the experience more pleasant, both from your own observations and by reading what others have found. Seek out a series of tea-shops at increasing distances from home and use them for refuelling/reward stations.

At the same time, keep an eye on what the market has to offer in the way of long-distance touring bikes, and gradually build a picture of what you'll need. I'd aim to buy the final bike a few months before departure, so that you can fine-tune it and add extras as needed.

You'll have lots of questions, but we'll always be here.

Have fun!
Have we got time for another cuppa?
Vorpal
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Re: Non-Cyclist Cycling the UK Coastline

Post by Vorpal »

Do you have a bike? If not, can you borrow one?

The best thing to do, is start cycling, little & often and building your way up to longer distances is best, if you can. Short trips that you would normally take by other modes of transport, try to take by bike. Popping out to the shops to get some bread & a paper, or a couple of things for dinner? Cycle. Taking a package to the post office? Cycle. Obviously, you may not be able to do this every time, but it can contribute significantly to being comfortable on the bike for longer distances.

You have plenty of time to sort out the bike you will be using, and if you get some miles in first, you will have a better idea what you want & need.
“In some ways, it is easier to be a dissident, for then one is without responsibility.”
― Nelson Mandela, Long Walk to Freedom
RevDonkBonkers
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Re: Non-Cyclist Cycling the UK Coastline

Post by RevDonkBonkers »

Thank you everyone for your advice and help so far, much appreciated.

Just to expand on my original post and answer some questions you have asked:

BUDGET
Well I have £25k in savings, but I don't want to spend all of that obviously! One of my inspirations to do this was reading Alastair Humphries books who spent four years cycling around the world and spent £7k.

I also have a source of passive income that currently brings me around £600 a month, and hopefully will have increased by around £100 to £200 by the time I leave next year.

EQUIPMENT
The only bike I have is one I bought for about £150 ten years ago that I use to do the five-mile round trip to the train station near me occassionally so I will be buying pretty much everything. I don't mind spending out a decent amount of money on the important stuff (ie bike, tent, etc, etc)

MY EXPERIENCE
Whilst I have no real experience of cycling, I played football to a reasonable standard until I retired three years ago at the age of 39. I've kept myself fit and run ultramarathons, most recently running 52 miles non-stop. I know cycling is a different type of fitness but I have no qualms about that side of things, and as someone else said I can start off slowly and build up.

Just thinking about it a new cycle trail opened in my town a couple of years ago and I cycled to the start of that, cycled the trail and then back home, which was about 20 miles - that is probably the furthest I have cycled, but it felt fine.

I also spent two years travelling around the world ten years ago and it was the best time of my life - the freedom to do what I wanted when I wanted.

I randomly found the Expedition Josh page on FB last week actually so am following that and finding it suitably inspiring.

I really appreciate everyone taking the time to read and comment - thank you again.
thirdcrank
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Re: Non-Cyclist Cycling the UK Coastline

Post by thirdcrank »

Something you would learn about yourself by "getting some miles in" would be what I've referred to as cruising speed. ie In normal conditions the speed you can keep up without quickly tiring. On tour, speed for its own sake is irrelevant, but you do need to have some broad idea of your capabilities for planning your daily schedule. One question for even the most experienced riders involves whether to takes your chances finding somewhere suitable at the end of a day's ride or booking, which may mean you have time in hand or struggle to get there. I don't think there's a best answer to that; it's what the individual is most comfortable with, but knowing your own abilities helps plan. Obviously, all sorts of things can interfere with plans, but knowing your own abilities helps with making realistic revisions.
HarryD
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Re: Non-Cyclist Cycling the UK Coastline

Post by HarryD »

FWW my advice would be to keep it as simple as possible. The only luxury you require is what you will be sitting on for months, what your feet go in and what is between your hands and the handlebars. Apart from puncture repairs I'd leave all that 'what if' kit behind. Depending where you start you won't be far from bike and outdoor shops if you find you need something. But most times you'll find a workaround

Bike. A hybrid or mountain bike fitted with fatter road tyres. Both should be robust enough with low enough gears

Panniers. Never needed more than the two at the back. Tent goes on the top of the rack as it'll most likely be wet a lot of the time. Never had any issues with balance

Camping. Consider a lightweight single person tent from the likes of Terra Nova or Vango. You should be able to put up and take down solo in all weathers including high winds. You're only going to sleep in it after all and if you are warm and dry what more do you want. Most will have enough space for indoor cooking. I've shared a Terra Nova Photon for many weeks touring Norway. A good sleeping mat is essential and a 2/3 season bag should be warm enough. An MSR pocket rocket stove with one pan should be enough for simple meals. Aluminium foil makes a good lid

As Thirdcrank say you'll be experienced after a week or two so get on with it
Vorpal
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Re: Non-Cyclist Cycling the UK Coastline

Post by Vorpal »

One of the advantages of buying a trekking or touring bike is that they are made to carry luggage. A MTB, especially an older steel frame mountain bike can make a reasonable touring bike, but I would look for longer chain stays to avoid kicking the panniers, or setting them far enough back to change the handling of the bike. The same goes for hybrids.

As for a tent, I prefer to carry a two person tent, even solo because I like the room. I could cope with a solo tent for a few days, but I couldn't live in one for 6 months. The OP may feel the extra space is worth another lb or two.

There are a couple of good kit lists in the too good to lose. One of them is for months-long touring.

viewtopic.php?f=42&t=85590

The other is about reducing weight

viewtopic.php?f=16&t=48438
“In some ways, it is easier to be a dissident, for then one is without responsibility.”
― Nelson Mandela, Long Walk to Freedom
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