End to End- - Camping

[fifer]

Am planning to do the End to End late April/early May. Would appreciate feedback from anyone who has camped along the way rather than B & B or YH's. In hindsight, was the extra weight worth it? Any difficulty finding campsites?

[AJPITFC]

We camped and just once had trouble finding a site.

To be honest, I would B&B it next time, although it does cost more, the time you save is worth 10-15 miles per day.

You also get a hot bath, good breakfast, under cover storage for the all important bike and a nice comfy bed to sleep in.

[Pete]

Not done the e2e, but did take in the top part of it on an Aberdeen to Thurso tour last summer, cycle camping.

Is it worth it? Well, it depends what you're after. We both actively like camping, so from that point of view it was very good.

B&B is logistically easier and means you're carrying less, but aside from costing more the main factor is are you out for a cycle-caping trip, or just a cycling trip? If the latter you'll get better cycling without the extra luggage and more comfortable beds and nightly access to hot baths.

We did bail out into B&Bs when listed sites had shut and we couldn't be bothered finding a wild site. It is always an option if things make the camping look like a no-fun option for the odd night.

Pete.

[lejog45]

Did the trip last year and enjoyed the flexibility of camping. Couldn't find the site at Launceston on Day 1 and had to be careful crossing Glasgow.

Otherwise all OK. Light weight non bulky bags and we split the two man tent between the two of us. Didn't cook except for coffee. (Plenty of places to eat out.)

You need to have a rough idea of where you want to spend the night and start looking from 10 - 15 miles out.

The bike was getting wet enough during the day, keeping it dry at night not so much of an issue. (Put a plastic bag over the saddle if you're bothered.)

Most sites now have good toilets and laundry facilities. Biggest problem was whether to take the panniers off or not. In the end I just removed the waterproof liners.

I'll camp if I do the trip again and have just spent £14.99 on a 1.5kg one man from Argos for a "West to East" this summer.

Lejog 45

[Editor]

Did this camping 10 years ago using the Camping Sites in Britain guide (Link House) and only had one difficulty due to date of opening incorrect. Would now phone ahead using mobile! B&B restricted by late start each day and need to be pre-booked unless you can have unlimited overnight costs to take on double rooms. My load (excl cooking gear) came to 45lbs for winter going - March into April!

[fifer]

Thanks to all for these interesting and helpful comments. Am hoping to do the E to E in late April/early May and tending to favour B&Bs but will make final decision nearer the time.

Thanks again

Len

[Pinky]

I am cycle camping down the Danube this year but I am already outline planning my cycle camping trip round ( anticlockwise ) the Nother Sea Cycle Route.
I have already decided that on arrival in J o'G I shall veer off the NSCR and cycle down to Lands End. And I shall camp all the way ( as I did last year on my pilgrimage to Santiago)
To be honest you have to enjoy camping since it is an integral part of your trip but I have camped all my life and last year was my first long distance cycle camp ( at 66/7 yrs old) and it was fun ( well most of the time!)
Time is not of an essence!

Trevor A Panther
In South Yorkshire

[Timmy]

Len,
I'll be e2e in the other direction (north to south) at the same time. I'm not taking conventional route due to visiting friends all along the route. Eventual mileage is likely to be somewhere in region of 1050 miles over 3 weeks. That said the mileage may be further as i'll be dragging my heels through the highlands to coincide with dates i can stay with friends and to visit this part of the country to which i have never visited.
I expect to be rolling into Land's End on Sunday of Mayday weekend (1st May). I'll look out for you!

Tim
http://www.watchingthewheels.co.uk (site to be uploaded by end of March 2005)

[fifer]

Tim

Likewise, I'll look out for you; I plan to start on 25 April so should be in the Highlands around 7-10 May. Good luck - hope you don't have too many head winds.

Len

[Timmy]

Fifer,
I'll be in Taunton on the 27th April and Torquay on the 28th April - slightly off the suggested route, but i want to take full advantage of locations of friends/family.

Maybe our paths will cross!!

Tim

[Timmy]

Fifer - i'm gonna be delayed. I broke my hand whilst on a training ride on Saturday. Gutted!
Tim

[fifer]

Timmy

Sorry to hear of your mishap; sounds like a sore one! Hopefully you'll be back on your bike in a fewv weeks.

Regards

len

[richard m]

I camped (mostly) End to End last July and hugely enjoyed it but you'd need to be warmer than I was at this time of year! I've just completed webbifying my record of the trip, at

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/richard.d. ... /index.htm

which I hope might be of use to others. Have a good ride, all of you.