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

 

[Gwylan]

Well I stressed Komoot and built a route through the various points listed. That used the listed Way Stations approx. About 800 km, probably more in reality.

Mostly based on that a plan is emerging.

Really minimalist kit, just essentials - a while since I did that.
Rely on Amazon overnight if I cannot find LBS for spares. Deal with punctures.

Try for average 70 km per day, looks like 12 days, budget 15. Not a problem.

Bivvy when possible, B&B if necessary and minimalist kit, diet whatever I can buy en route.
Must have means to make a brew.

Last time I did something like this was sailing a very small boat around the UK.
My chum sailed part of that trip with me.

Should I do it solo or invite chums?

Personally I don't like people getting sponsored to do something they want to. Do I want to faff about with sponsors? Alzheimer's springs (?) to mind

Wondering if anyone has tried using these mail boxes that are popping up to forward clean kit and so on?
The real challenges are do I go solo and to battery or not?

 

[geocycle]

Only you know how you feel riding solo. I prefer it as I have complete freedom to stop and start when I want at my own pace, and a complete contrast to the rest of life. But it is nice to share adventure as well. I find I meet people along the way and at overnight stops or ask friends to intersect with your route.

Given you are viewing this as a pilgrimage then using it as a way to publicise a related cause might be worthwhile?

 

[Gwylan]

Only you know how you feel riding solo. I prefer it as I have complete freedom to stop and start when I want at my own pace, and a complete contrast to the rest of life. But it is nice to share adventure as well. I find I meet people along the way and at overnight stops or ask friends to intersect with your route.

Think a decision will emerge.
Have to get it past the management first. But they have a trip for early April. Then of course there's April showers.

 

[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.

Think I've found the bike.
Giant Expedition Travel, near me.
Not sure of the age, but looks OK.
Reasonable price.

Anyone got experience of this? Especially best gearing for old codger touring.
Welsh bit looks challenging.

 

[Gwylan]

A jolly update.

I'm still up to do it. Decided to do it on my own. Less problems and I know myself.
Sounds arrogant but I don't really need to have to support someone else whilst dealing with myself.
Hardly consistent with the idea of doing an act of penance, reflection and meditation.

Anyway, I now have a route and plan, along with some stops lined up.
Looking at struggling from St Davids through Wales and into the Borders.
Then I've promised myself it will get easier.
Cannot really predict the weather, but prepare for the worst and take the good things when they happen.

Going to take my regular bike. Stick with what you know drives that. I know the bike and how to fix things on the road.
B&B it and scrounge on friends. Travel very light, clean underwear, a toothbrush and my lightweight credit card.

Can knock off 60+ km a day. Except bits of Wales look like double figures might be a bit of a challenge.
I am nearly 80 - so I offer that as some justification

Anyway, planning continues.....