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    A Zero-Cost MTB & Gravel Micro-adventure! 🚴‍♀️✨



    This is our zero-cost, low-impact MTB holiday, and a much-needed escape from screens, stress, and city life. We cooked our own meals, carried all our gear, and slept under the stars.

    No car. No hotel. No dining out. Just a mountain bike, a grave bike and the open trail — riding from our front door in the Forest of Dean to a remote bothy in the Welsh Black Mountains. You don’t need five stars when you’ve got a billion overhead.

    Thanks to Balfe’s Bikes for supporting me by providing a Garmin 840 Solar for navigation. If you’re looking for a bike computer or anything bike-related, check them out — they’ve got loads of options and great advice! Find them in-store in London, or online at www.balfesbikes.co.uk.

    What’s a Bothy?
    Bothies are simple, unlocked shelters dotted around the UK, maintained by volunteers and open to anyone. They’re wild, remote, and completely free — the perfect base for a no-budget adventure. Just remember, bothies are sacred little spaces. Leave no trace, and leave it better than you found it.

    In this video:
    – Doorstep-to-bothy MTB trip from the Forest of Dean to Grwyne Fawr Reservoir
    – Tips on how to start bikepacking and how to keep your costs down
    – Our honest experience switching off, slowing down, and choosing adventure over luxury

    Also thanks to Trek for supporting me with bikes. In this video I am riding the Trek Checkpoint. 🚴🏼‍♀️

    #BothyTrip #MTBadventure #NoBudgetHoliday #Bikepacking #GravelRide #Garmin840 #BalfesBikes #SustainableTravel #AnnaOnTheBike

    View 30 Comments

    30 Comments

    5. @UKWormy2024 on

      Great video. For me that is what mountain biking is all about, taking you to the great outdoors, even better if you can do it from your doorstep. Loving the exploration videos, keep it up please. 😁

    10. @Mrtallguy76 on

      Was that the suspension bridge by Biblins at the start of the ride ? Looks like an awesome trip, this and Blake’s bikepacking adventures make me want to have a go.

    18. @philsmeanderings7991 on

      Are you still a part of GMBN or branched out on your own ?
      Doesn't matter , just wondered .
      Good video , pleasant , interesting.
      Was born in the UK 6 or more decades ago , looking at the countryside and your temperatures , I sometimes wonder why they left.

    23. @AndyRides on

      Liked this. Had my first camping trip by bike last weekend. B&B'ed until now. You're right; it's too expensive. Camping for me now. I have also started to think about bothy's.

    24. @smrooke on

      I just used the wahoo element roam for my 1500 k ride in New Zealand it worked amazing zero Bluetooth connection issues main reason was the actual buttons touch screen on other devices (phone garmin don’t work well if at all when wet.

      Cool video thanks

    25. @emtb-explorer on

      Sometimes it's just great to explore a combination small villages, cycle routes then hitting the hills. Whilst I enjoy trail parks prefer big bike days out, never ridden gravel bikes but seem ideal for distance. Looks like you both had a great time out in Wales, enjoy doing same up in Scotland, thanks for sharing Anna! 😁

    26. @GuyKesTV on

      LOL, Finlay the wonder pug hates that bridge at 0.44. Sarah isn't much of a fan either. Lush video anyway duck. Doesn't look windy enough to be really fun though 🤣

    27. @rogercmerriman on

      I’m guessing no American Werewolves? Get folks camping on the Blorange namely the punchbowl which is a lovely spot though, like Keepers is much more Tourist than it had been but that’s mostly good to be honest!

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