First bikepacking trip

Questions and answers about routes.

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Callmedave
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First bikepacking trip

Post by Callmedave »

Hello,

I'm new here and looking for advice on a route to take for my first bikepacking trip. In my mind, I imagine a 1 to 2 night trip with my son who is 14. I plan to go in the warmer weather so April/May time and ride a pretty trail with some stunning scenery. We will camp in a 2 person tent and cook or stop off at pubs/shops. I have a Genesis Croix De Fer TI and he has a CX bike. We live in Essex so would probably use public transport/ride to get to the start of the route and home. I guess the route could be circular or one way, it doesn't matter if there is available public transport. I don't want the route to be too tough as I don't want to put my son off and it will be our first trip so lots to learn.

What would recommend?

Many thanks,

Dave
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psling
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Re: First bikepacking trip

Post by psling »

If you're looking to stay fairly local I'd be thinking a trip into Suffolk maybe. Hopefully someone more local will be able to give some route advice. There's a bit of info here: https://www.visitsuffolk.com/blog/cycli ... ffolk.aspx. It may not be the mountains or wilderness but it's a beautiful and scenic county.
We go out into the hills to lose ourselves, not to get lost. You are only lost if you need to be somewhere else and if you really need to be somewhere else then you're probably in the wrong place to begin with.
ssnowman
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Re: First bikepacking trip

Post by ssnowman »

Whereabouts in Essex are you? How far do you want to ride? How much off-road?

I've done quite a few rides into Essex from NW London and might be able to make some suggestions. I wouldn't have thought it necessary to take public transport.
May satan walk with you
Callmedave
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Re: First bikepacking trip

Post by Callmedave »

Thanks for your help. Suffolk looks lovely. I don't mind if we have to travel a bit first, adds to the adventure. Although there is something to be said about just riding from the front door too.

Think I would prefer the majority to be off-road.

I'm in Billericay which is near to Chelmsford.
ssnowman
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Re: First bikepacking trip

Post by ssnowman »

Callmedave wrote: Thu Nov 19, 2020 1:47 pm Thanks for your help. Suffolk looks lovely. I don't mind if we have to travel a bit first, adds to the adventure. Although there is something to be said about just riding from the front door too.

Think I would prefer the majority to be off-road.

I'm in Billericay which is near to Chelmsford.
Based where you are, I would suggest using National cycle network routes and add in a detour or two. Your neck of the woods is well served with the network.
May satan walk with you
Callmedave
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Re: First bikepacking trip

Post by Callmedave »

Thank you, yes I thought about plotting a route and incorporating the flitch way. Staying near to home is probably a good shout for the first trip. Noddy question - how do I find where to camp? Should I just look for campsites in Essex and book in for the night?
ssnowman
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Re: First bikepacking trip

Post by ssnowman »

Callmedave wrote: Thu Nov 19, 2020 2:36 pm Noddy question - how do I find where to camp? Should I just look for campsites in Essex and book in for the night?
It all depends whether you are comfortable with wild/stealth camping. On my first trips with my sons, I just did short overnighters in the Chilterns and stealth camped at places that I was aware of from previous rides.
May satan walk with you
pistonbroke
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Re: First bikepacking trip

Post by pistonbroke »

I'm in Billericay
Seems you chose the wrong forum name then :grin:
https://youtu.be/0jrkWygIqt0
Callmedave
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Re: First bikepacking trip

Post by Callmedave »

Haha - I could have gone with Gavin from Gavin and Stacey too
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Chicken Legs
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Re: First bikepacking trip

Post by Chicken Legs »

Hi Dave,

I live North of Chelmsford and have several routes that would do the job.

If you pm me your email I will send you the gpx files for the routes.

Andy
"What is man but the sum of his memories"
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RIP
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Re: First bikepacking trip

Post by RIP »

Reading with interest. While waiting for my porridge to brew I dug out these threads which contain some excellent tips.

viewtopic.php?t=18057

viewtopic.php?t=18193

Have a great time! I wish I'd biked/bivvied more with my own kids :sad: .
"My God, Ponsonby, I'm two-thirds of the way to the grave and what have I done?" - RIP

The sign outside the asylum is the wrong way round.....

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Callmedave
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Re: First bikepacking trip

Post by Callmedave »

Thanks for the offer for the gpx's (have msged you) and for the forum threads. Great reading the tips!
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Borderer
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Re: First bikepacking trip

Post by Borderer »

There's quite a lot of routes that would fit the bill on our website, though they are not really local to you. I have been riding with my son since he was 11. If we are allowed by then, a great route to start with is Velodysee (see the European trips section).

https://www.weirdosonbikes.com/
Callmedave
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Re: First bikepacking trip

Post by Callmedave »

Love the trips on your blog, very inspiring. He would love the idea of going abroad and riding. Think I'll start with something closer to home for our first trip.
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