Northern England/Scotland bike & raft

*This is one of many trips that didn't get posted when I all but abandoned this blog back in 2015. It's now 2019 and I'm adding in that missing content in a more photo-based blog post, this trip was from 2015*

After the disappointment of abandoning the CDT, with a fractured foot, I was looking for a trip that could be done while the healing process continued. Hiking trips were still not possible but my doctor said I would be ok to cycle in stiff cycling shoes. Great, but I'm not sure he had a 2600km cycle tour in mind! 

Revelate Bike Bags Review

For years the normal way to carry luggage on a cycling tour has been panniers mounted to a rack. That would normally consist of 4 panniers and 2 racks and actually it’s a very good way to carry an average sized touring load. The load is carried low down, around axle height, and can be spread between the panniers so bike balance is not affected. Capacity can be around 70 ltr which is enough for even the most comfort loving tourist. The problem for me with this system is that I rarely carry enough gear, or supplies, to need 4 panniers.  I soon ditched the front 2, and its rack, and carried everything in the rear panniers. I still have ample space but now all that weight is concentrated on the rear of the bike. That can make the front feel very loose, and light, when cycling off-road or on unsealed surfaces. Surely there is a better way of carrying lightweight loads?

Thorn Raven fully loaded with Revelate Designs Bags

Never Ending Power

One of the great things about cycle touring is that it's much easier to go for long periods without any planned stops than it is with hiking. Sure, you can carry 2 weeks of food in your pack but the one thing you will likely run out of long before food is power! Most of us are heavily reliant on gadgets nowadays, be that with smartphones, cameras, tablets or whatever. Even if you are willing to carry heavy additional battery packs, or unreliable solar chargers, you will eventually have to hook-up to a power-point. This isn't so with a bike, get the right kit and you will never have to worry about power again. The only problem is it can get very expensive.

Tasmania Bike & Hike

In less than two weeks I will be over in Tasmania for my next adventure. This will be a cycling tour of the main and surrounding Islands with a number of short hikes thrown in. 

Scottish cycle tour finished!

Yesterday I arrived in Perth after finishing my short tour by bike down the spine of Scotland. I've uploaded some photos to my Social Hiking page. Weather was overall very wet and windy but I still had a great time. Dropped the bike off and picked up my hiking gear for the Coast & Moor (probably minus the moor!) hike starting Tuesday. Between then I have Phil Turners wedding to attend and a quick stopover in North Yorkshire.

An update...

After a prolonged period of panic that everything might not come together in time to allow me to do anything outdoors this year, and which possibly might have even interfered with my planned PCT thru-hike next year, and beyond, things and have settled down nicely in Tramplite’s world. My original plan had been to rent the house out while away travelling but for various reasons, including talking to others that have done something similar, it was clear that selling would be the best option. Like many places the UK property market isn’t great and a similar house over the road that has been for sale for over 2 years didn’t do much for my confidence. However, amazingly I had 2 excellent offers in the first week of sale! 4 weeks later everything is either in long-term storage or has been sold and I can now relax... Just got to sit out my final couple of months in the office but on 14^th Sept I shall go to work for the last time for a while, perhaps ever…

This means I can now fully commit to this years hike. The Coast and Moor route was chosen because it uses an established trail for most of the hike and is very easy to resupply. It was the simple choice that required absolutely no planning and if I was needed back in Scotland at short notice then I could leave the trail for a few days or even abandon without much regret. Because everything has come together quicker than expected it was tempting to take on something more challenging, but with Phil Turners wedding at the end of September and other commitments early next year I shall continue with what will be an excellent UK hike. Train tickets have been booked, along with a hotel for the first night, and I shall setoff  from Poole Harbour on the 25 September finishing in Plymouth sometime in early November.