independent cycle touring around England/Wales/Scotland

tnjrocks

We are a couple of 50 plus Kiwis planning a cycling holiday for approx. 2 months in Britain. Any suggestions re: suitable bike rental co's, or are we better to buy, then attempt to sell before we return home?. Although we MTB around our gravel roads and fairly steep hills here in NZ and are fairly fit, we're newbies when it comes to touring/expedition cycling. Any suggestions re: pre trip reading, or tips generally would be gratefully devoured. Cheers T. & J.

jc4lab

Maybe bringing your own bike may be easier and cheaper than you think as its only a question of packing it as instructed by your airline..John O Groats to Lands Ends or vice versa is one of the the classic Uk tours Many threads on the subject.Hope you get many other suggestions

LittleB0b

A place to start for ideas might be the Sustrans National Cycle network - you don't have to follow slavisly - but they should give you plenty to think about


Coast and castles route (from nothumberland to Aberdeen)
C2C (from cumbria to newcastle - with bits of hardians wall)

Also

Through the western isles from tip to tip (apparently there is a way with the wind behind you)
Along the west and across the north of scotland (there aren't many parts of the world nice than this one) - this is the one i really want to do and luckliy for me a freind has offered to support us doing by drving our van with tents etc which should make it easier

MichaelW

Bike rental is not an option, you either bring your own or buy. The min price for a tourable bike is around £500
If you do intend to purchase a bike in UK, you dont have to do it in London. There are touring specialist shops around the country
eg
http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/ebwPNLq ... 155c018343

If you have good saddle and pedals, consider bringing them.

Join the Youth Hostel Association.
LE-JOG is the classic long distance ride but you can just make your own up and take in some of the towns and cities that LEJOG avoids.
You can also do sections by rail if you need to get around. Bikes on Trains is a fraught subject with byzantine rules. Generally, off-peak, 2 riders should be OK

jc4lab

Yha is great simply cos of their locations.Another Accomodation option is to use the Hostelbookers.com or Hostelworld .com.
These offer more than just dormitories and have private room & guesthouse & hotel options if you want them. They allow you to book a day or so ahead on line..

Sorry for another edit here as trains restrictions are mentioned above..Bikes on trains can be a.problem .Maybe this will be useful
http://www.atob.org.uk/Bike_Rail.html

PeeDee

Thr roads are much busier than you will be used to and can be dangerous, so avoid cycling on major roads (shown as red or green on UK maps). Pick a road using the smallest roads you can find (usually shown as yellow or white on maps). In the UK small roads = happy touring. With a bit of ingenuity you will be able to avoid the traffic completely.

If you are planning to visit the larger cities then either find traffic-free cycle paths (sustrans.org) or else use public transport. (Cycling is popular in some UK citie centres, but requires some know-how to be safe).

Stay at youth hostels. The accomodation is basic, but they always have bike storage and are well set up for cyclists.

Try getting out to the Scottish Islands, the further North and West you can go the better.

Taking your bike on trains is OK, but book plenty of time ahead.

For 2 months I would imagine buying/selling would be cheaper than hiring.

Enjoy!

andymiller

PeeDee wrote:

Thr roads are much busier than you will be used to and can be dangerous, so avoid cycling on major roads (shown as red or green on UK maps). Pick a road using the smallest roads you can find (usually shown as yellow or white on maps). In the UK small roads = happy touring. With a bit of ingenuity you will be able to avoid the traffic completely.

If you are planning to visit the larger cities then either find traffic-free cycle paths (sustrans.org) or else use public transport. (Cycling is popular in some UK citie centres, but requires some know-how to be safe).

Stay at youth hostels. The accomodation is basic, but they always have bike storage and are well set up for cyclists.

Try getting out to the Scottish Islands, the further North and West you can go the better.

Taking your bike on trains is OK, but book plenty of time ahead.

For 2 months I would imagine buying/selling would be cheaper than hiring.

Enjoy!

Good advice although I have to disagree with you about the further north and west. There is lovely countryside (and quiet roads) throughout the south, south east and east of England.

You can buy a good quality mountainbike that could be easily converted for touring from Decathlon.

PeeDee

There are indeed lovley roads in the south of England just as Mr Miller says.

I was really meaning the Scottish Islands get better the further out you go. The Outer Hebrides are just magnificent for a touring holiday, if you have the time to get there.

Hoopdriver

Don't forget Wales - the Lon Las Cymru bike trail is stunningly beautiful, if rather hilly. Roads very quiet, and the route well signposted. Highly recommended.

Land's End to John O'Groats also a great classic - do a bit of research and make up your own route, taking in the stuff you want to see.

And yes, Southeast England has some lovely lanes. The Scottish highlands are indeed wonderful, but there are fewer roads there and so what roads there are tend to be busy, especially in the summer holidays.

Good advice to bring your own saddle and pedals, and then buy a bike here. I'm not sure renting is feasible/possible for that length of time. St John Street Cycles in Somerset specializes in touring bikes and they are very helpful.

If you are new to touring, you'll need some kind of saddle bags/panniers - Ortlieb (German made) are excellent as are the old British classic Carradice bags. I have, and use both, a lot and over the years found I preferred the Carradice. Both are excellent, though.