3 days of cycling - suggestions?

3 days of cycling - suggestions?

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graham@reading

Original Poster:

26,553 posts

226 months

Tuesday 22nd August 2006
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After thinking about getting away from Reading for this weekend due to the festival, it occurred to me I could simply get on the bike and bugger off somewhere for a few days.

I initially thought of starting from here and planning to reach a different place each day with B&Bs but I could get on the train and start from somewhere else, within reason.

So to that end, has anyone got any suggestions for areas in the south that could sustain 3 days of cycling? Not sure what mileage per day we're talking about - I'm a lot fitter than I was but I'm certainly no Lance Armstrong, plus my bike's a GT Avalanche 3 so not the ideal road bike. I'm not averse to using bridlepaths, following canals etc though.

Or any input at all really.

graham@reading

Original Poster:

26,553 posts

226 months

Tuesday 22nd August 2006
quotequote all
Ta. Should have added that driving anywhere is a nono. No bike rack.

graham@reading

Original Poster:

26,553 posts

226 months

Tuesday 22nd August 2006
quotequote all
Bit far at this stage really (Brecons that is)

I'm thinking maybe do 3 separate day trips now. Saves cash on the B&B front.

Kennet & Avon as far as I can get for one day then train it back (seeing as the train lines follow the canal more or less)
Ridgeway for another (can get to Streatley easily enough from Reading)
South Downs from Winchester (ditto)

Edited by graham@reading on Tuesday 22 August 16:37

graham@reading

Original Poster:

26,553 posts

226 months

Wednesday 23rd August 2006
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Nothing's set in stone yet Gonna pore over some maps tomorrow thumbup

graham@reading

Original Poster:

26,553 posts

226 months

Saturday 26th August 2006
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Only got as far as Hungerford today, which isn't bad considering I only started cycling 3 months ago and I've been without for the last 3 weeks. 31 miles all in.

I made 2 fatal flaws.

1) I didn't have any breakfast. As a smoker I was always limited by my CV - I've never actually experienced "proper" fatigue until today. By 12 I was struggling so had to dive into my lucosade stuff that I was keeping back to mix with water for my main bottle. (I quit the tabs over a year and a half ago)

2) I had a slightly liquid lunch at Kintbury Puts you right off your stride, does that Just to give non-locals an idea, Hungerford is just 4 miles further on. Saw the station from the towpath and thought "sod it, I'm going home" hehe Was only 2 pints as well. And 3 packets of crisps (food stopped 15 minutes before I got there).

So more planning required next time.

My arse is absolutely killing me now too - and yes, because of the saddle rolleyes

I didn't know Dunsfold's Wings & Wheels show was on tomorrow so I'm going to that instead of doing a second day cycling. I might get back in the saddle on Monday and explore the Ridgeway though.

It was a bit optimistic really wasn't it