King Alfreds Way

[272BHP]

Anyone tempted?

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2020/aug/...

[ukbabz]

That could be interesting! I've ridden the top part of it (ridgeway) and it's nice on a MTB.

[yellowjack]

Tempted?

Abso-bloody-lutely I'm tempted! It sounds ace. I might have to break it into chunks and separate it out into several rides though.

Mind you, I'll probably fail to get organised enough to try it. I'll dream grand dreams, but they usually come to nothing. But I'll leave this here... https://www.cyclinguk.org/king-alfreds-way ...as a reminder for myself just in case I sort my life out and feel inspired!

Trying to crack it in 24 hours would be awesome, or if not 24 hours a single ride at least. But sadly I'm not fast enough a rider to contemplate that.

I'm going to dig into the route a bit, when I'm more awake. I'm pretty certain I'll use some of the route at some point. It will. at the very least, be useful for claiming a goodly number of VeloViewer tiles!

[S100HP]

Yep. Aiming to give it a go next year. Reckon 3 days will do it. 2 would be a push I think. Looks brilliant. Wonder how muddy sections will be?

[lufbramatt]

Looks interesting- thanks for the link. Have sent it to our club WhatsApp as a suggestion for a weekend away next year

[CoolC]

S100HP said:

Yep. Aiming to give it a go next year. Reckon 3 days will do it. 2 would be a push I think. Looks brilliant. Wonder how muddy sections will be?

Group of us are looking to do it next year too. As you say, two long days or three more comfortable days. Bivvying under the stars at night, carrying all our kit. Looking forward to it already.

[V6todayEVmanana]

Wow, I like riding but never been camping before, this could be ideal or a nightmare

If anyone has done some thing like this please share a blog.

[Vlad the Imp]

I rode the section from Reading out to where the Ridgeway crosses the A34 yesterday as part of a circuit of Reading yesterday. Really nice ride, some good views and only a few walkers.

Planning to do the section from Winchester to Swindon with a mate next Sunday as that looks like the most interesting bit. I’m not sure about bikepacking so will get the train to Winchester and back from Swindon.

[firemunki]

Plan to next year, 3 nice days should do it I reckon. Looks mostly good enough trails that a gravel bike would eat it up. Plus I don't fancy the 350km on a heavy full sus!

The biggest stumbling block is getting to the starting point and having somewhere safe to leave my van. I can't see myself getting the train with bike and bags. I hate trains with my bike!

[ukbabz]

If you're thinking of starting in wantage, there's plenty of on street parking and it's a fairly quiet market town. I'll take a look at the council car parks too to see if any limits next time I'm there

[vivofford]

That looks amazing. The route goes past my house as well so I really don't have an excuse....

[lufbramatt]

Be interesting to see what stops/accommodation people work out as being bike-friendly on the way to save having to take a tent. Got an uncle that lives in Liphook so that might make a good place to start+finish.

I've just ordered a CX bike and my Dad has just taken delivery of a new gravel bike so looking forward to doing this. Probably aim to do it in 2 days to minimise the amount of stuff we have to carry. anyone know how much elevation on the route?

[Sway]

Really, really tempted.

I'm in Chichester, so I think in theory I could get the South Downs Way to then link up to it, do the loop and back...

If anyone has suggestions for places to plan bivvy stops (ideally with a level of comfort regarding having a nice Ti gravel bike around...) I'd greatly appreciate it!

[PurpleTurtle]

I heard about this on the radio last week, definitely up for it. Living in Reading it is quite literally on my dooorstep and I have mates at various places en route where I could go an overnight bunk up!

LEJOG is on my bucketlist but other than a couple of London to Brightons I've never done any really serious distance cycling and having a heart condition (which I feel fine with - I had a minor heart attack and needed a stent) my wife would be happier with me doing this rather than something as big as LEJOG.

Have just pinged it over to a mate to start making plans!

[louiebaby]

Lots of info here:

https://www.cyclinguk.org/king-alfreds-way

Looks like a great thing to do with my boys in a few years when they can tackle 50-60 mile days!

[S100HP]

Does anyone know how muddy any of the sections are likely to be?

[gifdy]

I'm based in Winchester so any questions about local area, let me know.

[ukbabz]

S100HP said:

Does anyone know how muddy any of the sections are likely to be?

The ridgeway between Goring and Wantage is usually fine. A few segments get a bit waterlogged but not horrific mud in winter. This time of year and they're pretty fast.

[Vlad the Imp]

S100HP said:

Does anyone know how muddy any of the sections are likely to be?

I had a go at the Winchester to Swindon section on Sunday. On the whole it was pretty good, at least 50% is off road and quite a lot of that is single track. There are some cracking gravel roads on Salisbury plain too. It was mainly dry but if the weather turns wet I think some of the climbs on chalk could be a bit tricky.

Unfortunately we got caught in a bit of a rainstorm in the middle of Salisbury plain just after Orcheston. The track had been churned by 4x4s and the mud was bad enough to stop the wheels turning on my gravel bike. Even more unfortunately it got into the rear mech, stopped the chain and drove the mech into the back wheel. I ended up riding the next 40km with only 2 gears on the front mech which was hard going.

In summary, it’s generally ok if the weather is dry, but if it’s been raining or it’s the middle of winter then best avoided unless you’re on a mountain bike with mud tyres.