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Prologue

First challenge was a text message from SAS late Saturday evening cancelling our 8 AM flight the morning after. The four of us subsequently got rebooked to three different flights on three separate days, which would’ve made the trip impossible by losing 2,5 days of our 7 planned days of riding. We managed to make some changes and finally got all four of us to Manchester a good day after what was planned, but at least we got there. Not wanting to make changes to the carefully planned route, we figured we’d have enough time to make it in six days instead of seven. First day would be short because of the flight to Manchester, and the last because we had to make it to London in time to pack our bikes. So the four days in between would be long, but hopefully manageable.

Day 1: Manchester Airport – Chester
67 km / 470 m

With the fragmented team finally back together, we based at Holiday Inn by the airport and assembled our bikes after a crap meal at the hotel. With all bikes ready and boxes safely delivered for recycling we set off VERY carefully on what to us is the wrong side of the road. After looking back and forth nineteen times in the first roundabout we felt like we got the hang of it and immediately rode into a dead end next to the airport. Subsequently, we rode a few kilometers on some horribly trafficy roads, questioning our whole mission. But we persevered.

Quickly enough, the route led us into beautiful and quiet roads and we started enjoying ourselves more confidently. Hedges started appearing more frequently and suddenly we did a hard left and went through a gate. We found ourselves – to our surprise – in a huge park. Reading up after returning home, it was Tatton Park, which includes a 2000 acre deer park. We saw a bunch of animals and it was the first of many highlights to come.

Onwards we found a place to have dinner and a beer called The Leigh Arms. Maybe it was the stoke of finally being on the road, but the meal was amazing. Wished to have stayed for more beers, but we were only halfway to our intended campsite. So with bellies fully charged we chugged on and got to Chester where we camped at a farm.

https://www.strava.com/activities/9382795856

Dialed!

Been home for a couple of days after what ended up as a great trip, even with the one day lost thanks for the shitty airline.

Going to post a proper report once we get photos developed, but in the meantime I want to give a big shoutout to @platypus for hosting us in London. We skipped going downtown and had takeaway all together in his garden and some bottles of wine. Perfect way end to the trip.

Also big thanks to Paradise Cycles for excellent service packing our dirty bikes and working overtime on a Saturday with big smiles only. Very cool shop!

Thanks! We’ll head for 40 Maltby st later tonight if anyone wants to say hi.

Made it!

Day 6 - https://strava.app.link/Op3kjFkMgBb

Great service at Paradise and bikes are being boxed atm.

We always get a bunch of rain on the last day, so we expected nothing less today :)

Day 5 - https://strava.app.link/HeBexSV8fBb

Big one.

Day 4: https://strava.app.link/ujUc6OQUdBb

Really enjoyed passing over Black Mountain.

Pardon the lack of updates. Really enjoying Wales. Long days but we’re a bit ahead of plan. Will finish Wales tomorrow and spend the final two days to reach London.

Our Airbnb in London got cancelled on us a couple of days ago, but @platypus is hooking us up 🙏

Day 2: https://strava.app.link/uASetJkfcBb
Day 3: https://strava.app.link/i94MIBmfcBb

Here’s a few snaps. I’ll do a more detailed log with pictures when we’re back.

Appreciate it! I think we’ll be fine, but should have a beer anyway :)

First day done after a late start. Wow, you guys really dig hedges!

Some really nice sections, good food and found a site to pitch our tents and take a shower.

Queen stage tomorrow.

https://strava.app.link/9dFsUz8S8Ab

Let’s go!

So they spread us out over three days, but we manage to change the last one. So now HP and Rune are flying out and will arrive in Manchester tonight. I'll be there tomorrow before lunch and Sveinung a couple of hours later.

If everything goes well now we've lost one full day, which I guess is better than losing out on the whole trip. Three of four now have transfer flights, so hopefully the bikes will make it.

Looking into the route now. Either we stick to the plan and do harder days or we try to cut the distance a bit.

If we do the Usk version (https://www.strava.com/routes/3110114989377265304) without mods, the days should be something like this:

Monday 75 (75km 400m)
Tuesday 182 (107km 1950m)
Wednesday 277 (95km 1760m)
Thursday 400 (123km 1360m)
Friday 520 (120km 1190m)
Saturday 636 (116km 460m)

Then we need to get going quite early the final day so we'll make it to Paradise in time.

Our flight just got cancelled. We were supposed to fly out 8 AM tomorrow.

Okay guys, please agree on up north or Castle Combe :)

Got in the valley from @owl and keeping the Usk route as a spare in case we want the fastest route. Then we've changed to further north away from the M4 according to @t.o. :)

https://www.strava.com/routes/3071381481736825630

Now I just need to pack.

Bothies! That's genious. I think the first one you posted is perfect for the second night. Thanks!

Just a couple of days left!

I've modified the route a bit to include some of the recommendations here. We'll ride out from the airport and follow the @sifriday route. Also included the Gospel Pass in @C4r1s fashion. Will see if we drop by Bristol or just keep at it towards Wootton Bassett.

Here is the Strava route: https://www.strava.com/routes/3071381481736825630

If you wanted to have a look at the GPX, @platypus, here's a link for that: https://www.strava.com/routes/3071381481736825630

Still time to modify, but from what I've been checking at street view, this is going to be pretty awesome.

Will try to keep the thread updated in case anyone wants to tag along for a ride.

Yep. Plastic sheet insert in the bag and two velcro tabs on the outside to keep it from bouncing.

Had a go at some fabrication for out upcoming trip. Pretty happy with how it came out, and the Wit Slingers rando bag is of course on point.

Thanks! Happy with the new setup. Allows me to have less in the seat pack (not pictured). Sorted the hardware and mounted the fork racks to have a quick shake-down last night. It feels great.

Just a few days left!

Yes, all sorted now. Thanks!

You tell me! We will definitely arrive thirsty :)

The rack hustle continued last night, and it's pretty much finished.

Good shouts. SBC didn't deal with boxes, but shop looks sick so we'll try to stop by anyway. Paradise could help, so great to have that sorted.

In other news, I'm trying to make a rack for my new Wit Slingers rando bag in time for the trip.

Tbc tonight as ghetto hulsroad will blow holes in everything with the mig and start all over again.

Cool, thanks. We'll try to sort it with a bikeshop. Looks like we'll be staying in Shoreditch, but not 100%.

Hey! Actually the latter: We fly to Manchester, so will ditch boxes and assemble bikes there, then end up in London before we fly home from Heathrow.