King Alfred Way

Thinking of doing this and looking at the itineries here

https://www.roughrideguide.co.uk/King-Alfred-Way-accommodation-guide

Is the 5 day 75km/day relatively leisurely? I don't have much of an understanding of the terrain or any experience riding off road. Would probably be on either a croix de fer with 38s or a rigid 29er with 2.2 racing ray/ralph.

Go w/ MTB W/ 2.2. You will have a much better time of it. At no point was I thinking 'damn I wish I had 38c tyres and drop bars' More - 'When I get home every bike is getting suspension' sort of ride

5 days is nice and easy. But do it at your own pace if you can - just ride and see what happens. Things change - you may meet people who you wanna hang out w/ who are going slower than you or making nice de-tours etc.

Hoping to do this soon, 29er/SS/FF/big tires. Was thinking 4 days would be enough. Luckily it runs right past my door so I can get a full day's ride in straight away.

I'm taking the 5 day approach in a couple of weeks' time. I'm going on a rigid 26er with 2.1s and my mate will be on a Triban on 38s. I'll second what Thrasher said, go for the 29er. Mate and I did a recce ride on the South Downs Way a couple of weeks ago as neither of us are familiar with that type of terrain and he was not a happy camper, even I was wishing I had something a little more comfy!

Apologies for slow response...I did it over three days wild camping and had no problems. Usual story of not putting up tent until dusk and packing down at dawn. One of the advantages of the route is it's largely aware from towns so being discrete isn't hard although this does mean that there aren't regular pub stops/stores to resupply

Anyone been up on the Ridgeway recently? I'm hoping to ride it end to end next weekend so would like to know how well it's draining and how much of a bogfest to expect.

Fingers crossed for a let up in the rain next week

this is a few days ago

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XEp-wLQ-niI

I was up there this morning. Mostly OK, lots of big puddles that can be avoided and the sloppiest bits have an alternative dry-ish line that's been walked/ridden in well enough.

EDIT: I was on a hardtail 29er

I'm setting off from Winchester next Thursday and reeeeaaaallly hoping I can avoid #shitfromabutt sections...

thanks @freezing77 and @Gregory. Sounds manageable so long as I leave the mudguards at home!

Did it leisurely over 5 days Thursday to Monday just gone, coming off-route a little at end of day for accommodation (Inns/B&Bs), could not have been luckier with the weather!

Day 1: Winchester > Market Lavington, 80k
Day 2: Market Lavington to Wantage, 75k
Day 3: Wantage to Frensham, 110k
Day 4: Frensham to South Harting, 50k
Day 5: South Harting to Winchester, 50k

Very little in the way of mud apart from a few tree-lined byways that didn't get a chance to dry out, notably around Reading. The route is fantastic, the Ridgeway section from Ogbourne St George down to Streatley a particular highlight along with the sections on the Shipwrights Way. Some of the sandy sections either side of Farnham are a proper slog though.

Pics in no particular order...

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Looks perfect.

Did you stay in B&B’s each night?

Yep, I'd never done a multi-day bike trip and my mate had never ridden more than 50kms (on the road) in a single day before so we tried to make it as easy as possible for ourselves! Best breakfast award goes to The Greyhound Inn in Letcombe Regis, just outside Wantage.

Yeah, I’m starting to plan something similar with a group of very mixed ability. If it’s not too much hassle I’d interested to hear where you stayed and would recommend.

Market Lavington, The Green Dragon - Comfy rooms, lady that runs it is unfortunately retiring in a couple of weeks but she was grand. Nice garden at the back, great pub food and breakfast was superb as well... baked duck eggs with mushrooms and spinach! Highly recommend. Great descent off the route to get there, if you don't fancy the climb back to the route you can follow the B3098 towards Chirton and you'll be back on route in no time.

Letcombe Regis, The Greyhound Inn - Cosy rooms, best food of the trip but on the pricier end, definitely more at the restaurant end of things but couldn't fault the quality. Breakfast as I mentioned was great, perfect for fuelling up ahead of a long day. Word of caution, you have to come off the Ridgeway and there's no dodging the climb back up... We came down Gramps Hill and then back up Court Hill Road which seemed marginally easier.

Frensham, Frensham Pond Hotel - Room fine but a bit shit, really. Wouldn't recommend. My mate called it 'a bit Groupon' and I think that nails the description. Breakfast was a bit wank as well. Couple of good things close by though, The Barley Mow in Tilford is next to a wonderful green and has a pizza oven, there's also the CraftBrews taproom nearby which I highly recommend making a stop at.

South Harting, The White Hart - Nice rooms, great food but also on the pricier side of things. Lovely beer garden which catches the setting sun. Continental breakfast included was pretty decent as well.

We'd booked most of this about 7-8 weeks ago, I haven't looked but I imagine as restrictions have eased prices may have increased a fair bit. Any other questions just shout/drop me a PM.

Argh, this goes past my back garden, and every time I walk the dog I see folks riding it... I really need to just get on with it!

You’re a star, thanks so much for that.

@ElGonzo This looks mint! Glad the tool roll is holding up well!

Gravel or MTB for Winch- Reading sections currently, hive mind?

MTB gets my vote. Comfier and you can have more fun on the rutted descents.

Cheers, front bag issues have forced the decision in either case.

.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9iho97xMmcs

Weird, seems to be looking for sponsorship from Travel Lodge at one point when they're in 'Swinton'.