Cycling UK Forum

and the odd hostel (if you can find one).

I tried last night for three Sunday rides in December which are starting in range of two Pembrokeshire hostels.
All "fully booked" both hostels, dorms, rooms and camping.
This isnt a sudden influx of individual tourists.

On my joggle, I mostly booked singe bed b&b, I got into a routine of washing cycling gear, shower, eat, organise food and clothes for following day, then switch off and rest. In the hostel ,I felt I did not have the room to spread out and organise myself, I felt guilty using the loo in the night incase I disturbed anyone, keeping most of my stuff packed I was never quite sure if I had forgotten anything I needed for the next day, the people there spent most of the time messing with phones, the big advantages were the price, and that it was the only place I could find for the night .

meic wrote:

and the odd hostel (if you can find one).

I tried last night for three Sunday rides in December which are starting in range of two Pembrokeshire hostels.
All "fully booked" both hostels, dorms, rooms and camping.
This isnt a sudden influx of individual tourists.

Great. So what is it? A policy to rent out whole hostels if they can?

Way back when, I stayed in a few hostels and had a not-great experience with other guests in the dorm making noises in the night and so on. I'd rather not do that again. I'd prefer guesthouses or B&Bs despite sometimes uneasy interactions with the hosts - hopefully, it's very unlikely that they come into your room!

The last few years, I've stayed in some hostels but as part of a cycling group that has booked whole small dorms. That's been OK and I don't think there was any feeling you can't spread your gear out or get up in the dead of night if needed - at least three snored, so we all knew to take earplugs if we need them!

I simply cannot share rooms, even when on some of the longer rides a room is required and it is suggested we share rooms to cut the cost. After a few years in RAF barracks in the early days I decided I'd had enough of that.

So, it's a bivvy for me even though that's not the most comfortable but I have backpacked enough in the Sierras to get used to it. But I do accept that hiking in the dry mountains is a lot different than in wet climates where rising and packing wet gear is not going to be the most pleasant way to spend a few days. I might go for B&B's - preferably farm houses - or cheaper hotels. If I'm going to be going to bed late and rising early I don't see the value of spending much money for a bed, but the loo and shower would be nice.

Maybe campgrounds?

Some (most? /all?) hostels do exclusive bookings particularly in the winter months. Ideal for groups over a weekend & better earner for the hostel.

I don't suppose Travellodge will be too anxious to compete for facilities in Upper Ennerdale? admittedly Black Sail Hut isn't the most cycle friendly location unless you don't mind going back the way you came (or you are an ardent roughstuffer/"bikepacker", depending on your vintage).

Black Sail is doubtless winterized and cannae be opened without a lot of work

Stayed at Coniston Coppermines for Christmas once, +1

Sometimes I think nearly everything has changed about the YHA, back then: young people, own steam, unbooked, cheap, simple
Now old people, car parks, expensive

I am a YHA life member, GBP 50 about 35 years ago

horizon wrote:

puffin wrote: I was too old for YHA's

Or too well off.

Retired school teacher??? Really???

puffin wrote:

horizon wrote:

puffin wrote: I was too old for YHA's

Or too well off.

Retired school teacher??? Really???

There's a small single room at Hark to Bounty for £35 per night. That's a really good rate (and includes breakfast) but even that over three nights would leave you about £60.00 poorer compared to a hostel. Yes, people stay in YHAs because they are cheap. Yes, there are other facilities but whether they make up for having to share a dorm is a moot point. So yes, well enough off for a B and B.