Over the past few years, I’ve ridden every single Cycling UK bikepacking route. All nine of them.
That’s 2,164 miles (3,483 km) of riding across the UK, from chalk hills and coastal paths to remote mountain trails and wild Scottish landscapes.
In this video I rank every Cycling UK bikepacking route from my least favourite to my number one, breaking down what each route is really like to ride, who it’s best suited for, what bike works best, and what you need to know before setting off.
If you’re trying to decide which Cycling UK bikepacking route to ride this year, this should help you choose the right one for you.
To watch the full adventures head over to the main channel @KeepSmilingAdventures
Head over to https://www.keepsmilingadventures.com/ to download routes and find out more.
Support the channel by becoming a member
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPQeFqyxTu9g1IMBlVvG9jg/join
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If you enjoy the content on this channel and would like to help the adventures continue then head over to my buymeacoffee page where you can buy me a pasty if you like 😀 https://www.buymeacoffee.com/KSmileadventure
The gear i am currently using
The tent – https://youtu.be/n9GKHSf805E
Framebag – https://youtu.be/6LM3UJKDOEk
Seatpost bag – https://youtu.be/W1E_iWY6Ajo
Jones Handlebars – https://youtu.be/dhPBSdRros8
Gravel bike – https://youtu.be/Gnd_4LgTyrg
plus bike mtb – https://youtu.be/COTUOzLPbGk
gps device – https://youtu.be/BWeMmx62A9M
mtb shoes – https://youtu.be/OYVEnfXwT0k
All the gear from GNT – https://youtu.be/e5oKSoPoMk0
Vest bag – https://youtu.be/01nzgd-t550
Ortleib bar roll https://youtu.be/Uk9fLgS1ioo
Dynamo setup – https://youtu.be/SL7MhjB6Lp0
Questions answered – https://youtu.be/u1q9AEs9flE
Gb divide bike/gear- https://youtu.be/epcZ81wqFCo
17 Comments
Im glad you have bikepacked these,i dont have to now,i get knackered just watching you!
Hi josh looking to do the North downs way , or the badger divide , which in your view is suitable for a reasonably fit 72 year old , thanks
why don't you go to ireland
All (except one) in the South of England or Wales.
Cheers for this video, great advice as always!
I took up bikepacking because of your channel, and I’ve done 4 of these routes and some others. KAW, hard, North Downs Way, flew past, Cantii way loads of train stations so I used it for day trips. Rebellion Way, never been to Norfolk, loved the route. So a few more to do…perhaps the GNT I will have to wait for when I come back in a future life ! Getting a bit old now. Thanks Josh.
Superb work Josh! Thought folk might appreciate an index to your reviews:
1/9 King Alfred's Way 01:24
2/9 Rebellion Way 05:30
3/9 West Kernow Way 08:39
4/9 Cantii Way 11:51
5/9 North Downs Way 16:13
6/9 Traws Eryri 19:05
7/9 Royal Chilterns Way 22:08
8/9 Great North Trail 25:10
9/9 Marcher Castles Way 29:31
Thanks for the video josh you inspired me to go bikepacking
Very sporting of you! Look forward to seeing more routes.
Thanks for the summary.
I fancy both the Marcher castles way and the Chiltern way.
I would always choose my hard tail mountain bike over a gravel bike for this type of ride.
Whereas , the gravel bike was ideal for the Rebellion way, and the Wolf way.
You working with them for a proper JOGLE route?
Comprehensive breakdown
Thank you
Excellent! Very comprehensive. Totally authorative. Every ranking position justified, all aspects of each route described and commented on, great footage of each of the routes, suggested best bike type to do the route on, and clear guidance on who should consider doing the route. SUPERB. And thank you. 🙏
Great description for each of these rides, thanks 😊
Great video! I’ve done three of these and planning on doing the Royal Chilterns Way at the end of April. Got to agree – Marcher Castles is unexpectedly brutal but one of my favourite ever trips.
Did I miss The Wolf Way ?