Best 5 - 7 day continuous tour in Britain?

hum3z
hum3z Posts: 23
edited January 2010 in Tour & expedition
Hi

Im looking to do a 5 - 7 day bike ride in Britain in March and Im not really bothered about where I go as long as its nice and away from Birmingham and I can use my road bike. Maybe even Scotland?

I want to hop between hostels/ b + b's say doing 50 miles a day between each one. Im willing to drive somewhere leave my car there and return after the ride, you know what I mean?!? Going to a different place each night. Or maybe even get a train.

Basically, Im looking for a tried and tested route without having to pay for some kind of guided service. Im going to do it now Ive decided, just got to figure out where...I want like a different hostel to get to each day, book it all up and then just enjoy it...Seeing some of Britain along the way sort of thing.

i figured Id post here as you guys have helped me out before and its a hell of a tool to save me making the mistakes myself and doing the donkey work!

dave

Comments

  • geordieindevon
    geordieindevon Posts: 127
    Last summer my brother in law and I completed the West Country way from Bristol to Padstow. Only 250ish miles so may not be long enough for 5 -7 days, we did it infour and a half. However its a brilliant ride and the parts over exmoor and bodmin moor are stunning ( as well as being steep!) One of our days was from Taunton to Barnstaple ( 70 miles over Exmoor and took us all day)

    You could extend it as when you get to Padstow there is another route further into Cornwall. Or you could start in London and take route 4/5 to Bristol

    Have a look at the Sustrans website and download their national route network map for ideas. They also have a section on planned routes/tours which is helpful.

    All the best
  • geordieindevon
    geordieindevon Posts: 127
    sorry just re read your original post and you want to do 15-20 miles per day not 70!!!!

    I would still recommend the WCW and you could do part of it up to the mileage you want to achieve. Also in parts its very flat ie somerset levels.

    Its also well signposted and there is plenty of good accommodation on route as well as excellent pubs/cafes :D

    cheers
  • hum3z
    hum3z Posts: 23
    Hi Ive upped it to 50 now because 15 - 20 is far too little :) my error

    Ill look into it...

    dave
  • geordieindevon
    geordieindevon Posts: 127
    In that case the WCW would be a good option.

    Check out this website as an additional guide:
    http://www.westcountryway.co.uk/
  • Tail end Charlie
    Tail end Charlie Posts: 352
    Lon Las Cymru and use the train to and from each end.
    Anywhere could well be cold in March though. Although it could be warm aswell !!

    Or train to and from Carlisle and cross over the country using the Reivers Way and Coast and Castles Sustrans routes.
  • hum3z
    hum3z Posts: 23
    there's some great ideas guys. Ill look into it today and let you know my thoughts.

    And if it's a bit chilly then Ill just have to cycle faster - right?!?
  • antfly
    antfly Posts: 3,276
    What about the Trans-Pennine coast to coast or you could do the ride along Hadrian`s Wall.
    Smarter than the average bear.
  • Tusher
    Tusher Posts: 2,762
    Train or car to Oban, ferry to Barra and then the Outer Hebrides. Empty roads, plenty of B&Bs and hotels, rough camping aplenty, and a good camp site in Benbecula. Miles and miles of empty beaches as well.

    http://www.cyclehebrides.com

    http://www.calmac.co.uk for ferries

    Enjoy.
  • pneumatic
    pneumatic Posts: 1,989
    Tusher wrote:
    Train or car to Oban, ferry to Barra and then the Outer Hebrides. Empty roads, plenty of B&Bs and hotels, rough camping aplenty, and a good camp site in Benbecula. Miles and miles of empty beaches as well.

    http://www.cyclehebrides.com

    http://www.calmac.co.uk for ferries

    Enjoy.

    I've done this and it is braw, but I'd worry a bit about the weather in March.

    A closer alternative would be to take the train to Carlisle or Lockerbie and do Dumfries and Galloway and maybe even a circuit of Arran (ferry to and from Ardrossan, train to Glasgow and home). D&G is beautiful countriside and the circuit of Arran is a very satisfying day ride of 56 miles or so.

    Fast and Bulbous
    Peregrinations
    Eddingtons: 80 (Metric); 60 (Imperial)
  • lloyd_bower
    lloyd_bower Posts: 664
    Tusher wrote:
    Train or car to Oban, ferry to Barra and then the Outer Hebrides. Empty roads, plenty of B&Bs and hotels, rough camping aplenty, and a good camp site in Benbecula. Miles and miles of empty beaches as well.

    http://www.cyclehebrides.com

    http://www.calmac.co.uk for ferries

    Enjoy.

    Cracking idea, I'd extend it up to Tarbert on Harris and then back via Skye, taking a ferry at the other side to Mallaig, down the Western Coast to Archmurchen Peninsular and another ferry to Tobermory on Mull, before riding short eastern coast of Mull to take a ferry back to Oban.
  • peter_andrew
    peter_andrew Posts: 373
    http://www.hostel-scotland.co.uk/

    Click on map on left for regions.
    Plenty of options. Fantastic locations
    Some of the hostels are actually hotels and you can pay extra for an odd night of comfort.

    Peter

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