Newbie Needs Advice

[DJMace]

Hi All,

I will be cycling the "NuTLe" next week (27/07 to 10/08). Newcastle upon Tyne to Land's End.

I plan on cycling it over 10 days. Here is a link to my course https://cycle.travel/map/journey/785765

The website has suggested where to stop. I was planning on doing roughly 100k per day and was hoping to stay in hostels along the way. I was planning on booking the first 2 nights' hostel and then booking the rest on the way, depending on how I am doing with the distance/hills/energy each day.

I wanted to see if anyone had advice on the route, places to see or avoid (I wanted to stick to roads and not off-road). If there were a nice national trust or an exceptional cafe or place to visit, I wanted to enjoy the journey/experience.
Secondly, if I were to get any advice to change the route, how do I do this on cycle.travel/map ?

Kit wise:
2 bibs + 2 cycle tops
1 pair of shorts for the evening, 1 t-shirt for the evening
Phone, headphones, powerbank
Multi tool, spare inner tube, pump

Any advice I have missed?

The reason I am doing this cycle ride, is because I am 3 months into a really rough divorce and not having access to my kids. I wanted a challenge and to stretch myself. So felt this would be a great challenge.
I am fairly fit, I run 4 times per week, cycle 50-80k on a weekend, however have never done anything like this at all, so felt it was a challenge but manageable.

FYI - I am riding a Boardman AVD 8.9 - Strava https://www.strava.com/athletes/89439767

Thanks
Andrew

[Jdsk]

Welcome, and I hope that it goes well.

There's an excellent support thread for cycle.travel:
viewtopic.php?t=128273

What device will you be using?

Jonathan

[Jdsk]

Kit wise:
2 bibs + 2 cycle tops
1 pair of shorts for the evening, 1 t-shirt for the evening
Phone, headphones, powerbank
Multi tool, spare inner tube, pump

What will you have for protection against rain and cold?

I'd add puncture repair stuff and lights and back-up lights and some cable ties.

And a medical kit.

What's your plan in case anything happens to the bike beyond what you can fix with those? You'll have a 'phone, and presumably some credit cards or similar. I find it helpful to have decided in advance what I'll do if I can't fix something myself.

Jonathan

[DJMace]

Welcome, and I hope that it goes well.

There's an excellent support thread for cycle.travel:
viewtopic.php?t=128273

What device will you be using?

Jonathan

I was just going to use my iphone, with a phone holder. Download the GPX and load to Kamoot.

This page is really helpful, thanks!!

[DJMace]

Kit wise:
2 bibs + 2 cycle tops
1 pair of shorts for the evening, 1 t-shirt for the evening
Phone, headphones, powerbank
Multi tool, spare inner tube, pump

What will you have for protection against rain and cold?

I'd add puncture repair stuff and lights and back-up lights and some cable ties.

And a medical kit.

What's your plan in case anything happens to the bike beyond what you can fix with those? You'll have a 'phone, and presumably some credit cards or similar. I find it helpful to have decided in advance what I'll do if I can't fix something myself.

Jonathan

Hey Jonathan, yes, I forgot to list that I was going to take 1 rain jacket.

It's in August, obviously I am being optimistic about having good weather.

First aid kit is a good idea, I will pack some plasters and maybe cream.

If anything goes wrong, further than a puncture, I will take it to a bike shop for repair.

Thanks
Andrew

[Jdsk]

First aid kit is a good idea, I will pack some plasters and maybe cream.

"What 1st Aid Do You Take On Tour":
viewtopic.php?t=150880

Jonathan

[Norman H]

Welcome to the Forum. A good idea to ask for comments on your route but, considering you’re starting next week, it doesn’t allow much time to make any alterations.

I’ve had a quick look at the southern end and it seems to me that, in an effort to avoid main roads, it’s both overlong and excessively hilly. I will post some suggestions when I’ve had a chance to study in more detail

[gbnz]

I wanted to see if anyone had advice on the route,

Unless you've a particular desire to "cycle from Newcastle Upon Tyne" (I.e. cycling over the Tyne Bridge), personally I'd definitely take a train between Newcastle & Durham, preferably a train down to Darlington

It's perfectly possible to cycle N-u-Tyne to Durham City, becomes even easier South of Durham City. But whilst the centre of Newcastle Upon Tyne is worth seeing, as is Durham City, it is a land of decrepit, cheap 1880's housing, the pre fabs of the 1950's, the shining, once new, now decayed "1950, New Towns", the dual carriageways, with modern housing estates dotted around. Durham County becomes far more scenic as soon as the South/North route is moved 10-15-20 miles to the West, though far harder terrain (Nb. Much of the North East is fairly grim, tidied up since the 80's, but an unfortunate contrast to the stunning landscapes of the Midlands)

Personally I'd always skip the county, take a train to Darlington, which gives immediate access into a scenic, historic landscape and settlements, rather than the grey, post industrial North East. Have occasionally utilised super cheap tickets to Durham City when heading North, saving cash by doing the next 40 miles in a post industrial landscape, but wouldn't do it via choice.

Darlington provides quick, short routes out of town, an ever increasing scenic route, within a mile of leaving town. Have always found that super cheap fares to Darlington on a hi speed train are available, whilst taking a train even an extra 15 miles down the line, can double the ticket price

[Paulatic]

Your 1st day. I would just go straight along B6275 to Piercebridge > Albrough St John> Melsonby > Richmond. Good luck getting across the A66 somedays it can be a long wait.

[MrsHJ]

For the iPhone case you mentioned a quad lock is very good.

https://www.quadlockcase.co.uk/collections/shop-cycle

I find the phone difficult to see sometimes due to excess sun (less of an issue in the uk) so I’ve just added a beeline to my handlebars.

It all sounds fun, (apart from the divorce, sorry)- make sure you get your train booked for the route back (presumably you live in or around Newcastle). It’ll be cross country as I’m sure you know or maybe a combo of GWR and cross country and bike spaces are a bit limited. I’ve never had any trouble booking my spots by the way but I tend to do it a while in advance. Premier inn/travelodge options are probably the way to go for your later bookings but it’ll pan out unless you want to be next to a Cornish beach in the middle of the school holidays.

[Norman H]

I’ve had a quick look at the southern end and it seems to me that, in an effort to avoid main roads, it’s both overlong and excessively hilly. I will post some suggestions when I’ve had a chance to study in more detail

Further to the above:
Your route from Gloucester looks OK; I’ve cycled most of it. I’ve also cycled the A38 and it’s not too bad and would be more direct, but not I think particularly enjoyable. I think you’re right to avoid it. Incidentally the short section of A38 south of Frampton on Severn can be avoided by using the cycle path alongside the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal. The surface is good and you can rejoin your route by using the Cambridge Arm swing bridge or the one about ½ mile further on at Slimbridge. The Black Shed Cafe at Slimbridge is good for refreshments. There are also two tea rooms in Berkley.

From Yatton I would use the Strawberry line to Winscombe. It’s off-road but the surface is good apart from a short section at Sandford, around Thatcher’s Cider Farm, that’s easily avoided. Just continue straight on through the village.

From Winscombe your route beyond Bridgwater over the Quantock Hills to Wiveliscombe and onwards through Devon involves much climbing. Staying further south, closer to the M5 corridor, will be much flatter. Here’s an alternative that goes via Taunton:

Once through the gap in the Mendips between Loxton and Webbington do not cross the M5 but instead turn left towards Cross. Turn right at Cross, signpost Wear, and head south on a minor road to the A38. Briefly join the A38 and almost immediately turn right and continue south to Wedmore, Westhay, Shapwick and Pedmore. At Pedmore join the A361 and follow it through Greinton and Otherly. My preference is to leave the A361 just before it crosses the M5 and joins the A38. Turn right here and head to Creech St Michael and follow Route 3 alongside the Bridgwater and Taunton Canal into the centre of Taunton. The alternatives to the canal towpath are to cross the M5 and meander through the backstreets of Taunton or follow the A361/A38 into the town centre. Personally I’m not a fan of the A38.

From Taunton town centre follow Route 3 out through Hillfarrance to Nynehead, and then head south to Wellington. Continue on from Wellington through Sampford Moor and Nicholashayne to Culmstock. From Culmstock follow the B3440/ B3181 along the Culm valley through Uffculme, Willand and Cullompton to Hele. Cross the M5 at Hele and head just south of Silverton to Thorveton where you can pick up Rob's Passage to Crediton. (Search this forum for “Rob’s Passage”)

From Crediton you should head to Okehampton. Most End-to-Enders favour the A377/A3072 via Copplestone and Bow but my preference would be on minor roads via Yeoford and Hittisleigh to Whiddon Down. Go over the A30 at a large roundabout and follow the A382 past Whiddon Down Services uphill to a roundabout. Take the 2nd exit, signpost South Zeal and Sticklepath. This is the old A30, follow it all the way to Okehampton. It becomes the B3620 on the outskirts of Okehapton and will take you through the town. Beyond Okehampton at a point just before the B3260 crosses the A30 Dual carriageway turn right onto a minor road that will take you in a short while to a junction with the A386. Turn Left onto the A386 to Sourton Down. Cross beneath the A30 and turn immediately right to rejoin the old A30, Signpost Bridestowe.. The old A30 will take you, via Bridestowe, Lewdown and Lifton, all the way to Launceston.

Leave Launceston on the minor road through Tregadillet. At the roundabout beyond Tregadillet take the A395, second exit, signpost Wadebridge. The A395 can be followed all the way to just beyond Davidstowe where it joins the A39 to Camelford. A more pleasant option, on quieter roads, is to leave the A39 after about 1½ miles at the first turning on the left, signpost Trenault. Go through Trenault, cross the valley to Polyphant and pick up the minor road that runs across the moor, roughly parallel to the A395, and takes you past Davidstowe Airfield before joining the A39. The A39 will take you through Camelford to Wadebridge and beyond to join your route at St Columb Major. A nicer alternative is to join the A39 for a short distance and then turn right on the B3314 through Slaughterbridge and Delabole to St Minver. From St Minver head for Pityme and Rock and use the ferry across the Camel Estuary to Padstow. From Padstow follow Route 32 to St Columb Major.

My knowledge of Cornwall beyond St Colomb Major is somewhat out of date, in particular regarding the recent major dual carriageway upgrades to the A30. I understand that certain of the minor roads in the area are presently not fully open for traffic. Perhaps someone with more recent knowledge could advise.

[eileithyia]

welcome. I would go for 3x bibs and 3 x short sleeve tops, a long sleeve that can double for evening wear along with a t-shirt and lightweight trousers, maybe a pair of those zip off type, plus some undies... 3 is optimal in my mind for washing/drying, wash top and shorts each night in shower, 1= on, 1= wet from overnight washing 1= dry pair...
1st aid kit is a good idea, plasters, antiseptic cream, wipes and anti-midge stuff.
multi tool, quick link for chain (make sure it's the right size), p repair kit plus a couple of spare inner tubes.
Pre ride prep, check all cables and tyres, replace and start with new ones ... it's what i've done before a big ride.

Remember if using hostels you will need a towel and toiletries.

[Cowsham]

Head torch -- essential for fixing stuff in the dark or just getting around ( I'd be camping so even more essential ) and it can be used for a spare bike lamp if something happens one of yours on the bike ( most have a flash mode )