The GB Divide

Hi all,

I’m thinking about riding the GB Divide route.

There’s a route on bikepacking.com

Has anyone ridden this route?
Any tips?

Also depending on the dates, I’m thinking about the end of summer, perhaps people might want to join me for some of it.

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Also on my todo list for ages now.

I've just cancelled my Italy trip so I might also be looking for something to do later in the year. Was talking about the Pictish Trail to the missus yesterday coz I want to see more of Scotland and she's not been to Edinburgh.

I've seen a few different routes (1966km to 2126km)
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/36620105

https://www.komoot.com/tour/440862674
https://bikepacking.com/routes/gb-divide/

Yes . I think the bikepacking.com one is basically an off road LeJog.
Perhaps the other is a more correct ‘divide’ there’s chat in the comments about it.

I'm in Scotland I'd be happy to join you for a bit.

🙌

I could maybe join for the Bristol/Bath bit

This video is worth a watch (although more for the photography than any route advice) and also the stoic attitude of our American protagonist who starts his ride quite early in the year and has only 6 dry days in 5 weeks.... https://bikepacking.com/plog/bikepacking-across-the-uk-gb-divide-video/

@el_presidente
thanks, I just watched it. It did make me laugh, all the grey skies and rain. Although being from Devon I'm quite accustomed to it.

I've just been told that I have a family holiday to attend on the 14th - 15th September in Settle, Yorkshire, which is right in the middle of the route. So I'm thinking about starting in Scotland at the beginning of September.
This also works with some friends in Devon who might join me for the end of the route if it's later than mid Sept.

Cool, that'd be fun.

I’ve read online that I might get more headwinds if I do the route north to south.
That might make me change my plans and start in Cornwall.

Prevailing winds are from the SW, yeah, but that's an average, not a definite.

Yes that’s what’s got me thinking.

I just saw that this starts today.
GB Divide Race

I rode this route a couple of years ago during GBDuro, happy to answer any questions if you have them. It's a fantastic route!

I think it makes sense to do it south to north if you can, as the southern bit is definitely the hardest, and then you get to really enjoy Scotland. It feels like the route gets progressively more beautiful that way. I also really loved the Wales part.

More specifically, I think some of the climbs are better to approach from the south too. For example the Corrieyairack pass near Loch Ness, the southern part contains loose gravel hairpin turns, which are better to climb than to descent.

Thank you.
At the moment I’m struggling to find the right time to do it. Life is getting in the way. I’m definitely keen to do it tail end of this summer though.

I had the tracker open and thought "I don't know any of these riders" then a mate messaged me yesterday and pointed out Steve was on our 24hr team at Brands Hatch and is riding. He's suffered in the heat yesterday though so I'm hoping he's recovered a bit overnight and can continue.