Via Beata

[Gwylan]

Fell over this route.

Want to do something to celebrate a good cycling chum who has moved on.
Probably on my own and quietly.
I know it's a walking route. But it is possible to cycle from St Davids to Lowestoft.
Any experience of the route?
Hints.

Intend to do it during Lent 25. From that you might gather my motives.

 

[ColinJ]

Perhaps @sevenfourate can help?

 

[Psamathe]

I have seen some personal blogs from people who have ridden it or rather ridden a close approximation.

Certainly some of the Via Beta official route is not possible to cycle ie on footpaths even an off-road cyclist wouldn't want to do (I've walked some small sections). But as the route is a Pilgrim Route based on passing through 25+ specific sites I can see not reason why there shouldn't be a cycle route version. Be good if somebody came-up with a semi-official route. Even better if CUK didn't as they only seem interested in Gravel-off road routes these days and for many, over that sort of distance really best for a route of wider appeal eg. including family groups, recumbents maybe with 3 wheels, etc.

I'm sort of thinking about it for next summer as I seem to be getting too familiar with France, Germany, Belgium & Netherlands and looking for something different. But what's discouraging me is camping in the UK and the Caravan memberships, etc. Although I've limited experience camping in UK it seems less well suited to cyclists staying 1 night and moving on (something France & NL seem to manage very well). So also thinking about European R1 route.

Ian

 

[Ming the Merciless]

But it is possible to cycle from St Davids to Lowestoft.

Yes can be done, though you’ll need to plan a route as per your preferences, daily distances etc.

 

[geocycle]

I’d start with cycle.travel and entering the start and end points then add stops at places of interest. You can keep it close to the walking route if you want and adjust the amount of off-road. Then just divide it into 50-70 mile chunks for overnights.

 

[Gwylan]

I have seen some personal blogs from people who have ridden it or rather ridden a close approximation.

Certainly some of the Via Beta official route is not possible to cycle ie on footpaths even an off-road cyclist wouldn't want to do (I've walked some small sections). But as the route is a Pilgrim Route based on passing through 25+ specific sites I can see not reason why there shouldn't be a cycle route version. Be good if somebody came-up with a semi-official route. Even better if CUK didn't as they only seem interested in Gravel-off road routes these days and for many, over that sort of distance really best for a route of wider appeal eg. including family groups, recumbents maybe with 3 wheels, etc.

I'm sort of thinking about it for next summer as I seem to be getting too familiar with France, Germany, Belgium & Netherlands and looking for something different. But what's discouraging me is camping in the UK and the Caravan memberships, etc. Although I've limited experience camping in UK it seems less well suited to cyclists staying 1 night and moving on (something France & NL seem to manage very well). So also thinking about European R1 route.

Ian

Interesting.
I'm really looking at the Pilgrimage aspect.

I suppose you could run Komoot in the background and save each day. Then it's easy to share the files.

Having lived in N Europe and being a quick boat ride away I've done a fair bit.

Yes, camping in England is not as simple. I thought I'm past the bivvying stage and kipping on the ground. But simple, reasonably priced accomodation is in short supply.
Would rather not have to carry all the stuff related to camping.
But dropping £100 a night for B&B and a pub meal is not in my plan or budget. Doesn't quite fit the idea of a pilgrimage.

Anyway, it's just a plan at the moment

 

[Psamathe]

I’d start with cycle.travel and entering the start and end points then add stops at places of interest. You can keep it close to the walking route if you want and adjust the amount of off-road. Then just divide it into 50-70 mile chunks for overnights.

I suppose you could run Komoot in the background and save each day. Then it's easy to share the files.

As Geocycle says, use cycle.travel and make it a public route and add a write-up and see if it "gains traction". Best if somebody rides the route first. Create the route, ride it and I suspect/guess the Via Beta site owners would happily add it as an option on their site provided it goes through all the identified way stations.

Then ask Richard to add it to the "Routes Library" menus he has on cycle.travel (few pics, write-up, overview) ... sorted.

Ian

 

[Psamathe]

nb a "route" does not have to follow a single route option eg Eurovelo 6 in places branches into multiple different routes. Even CUK's Rebellion Way has already developed different route options probably because off-road/gravel is a more niche preference/more limited (there are parts of Rebellion Way I wouldn't cycle with any sort of load on the bike).

Ian