New to cycle touring

[Dunlopdave]

Hi all
Me and a mate are going to cycle around the isle of whight next summer (before kids holidays)
We've not got full on tourers,but good hybrids with panniers front and rear as we want to do a few
Of the tracks and maybe camping rough.Anyone out there done anything similar,what kinds of probs
are we likely to encounter,dos'nt have to be I.o.W we've been all over UK on motorbike camping trips
so we're not stupid but not been camping on push bikes before

 

[stephenjubb]

I doubt you will be able to wild camp easily in the Isle of Wight. It is quite populated with no a lot of places to wild camp and be hidden.

In addition not sure of what the locals reaction would be if you were discovered wild camping as it is not strictly legal.

Usually even in England if you can wild camp where you bother no one and do not get seen it is usually feasible.

Trouble is in the south and particularly the IoW there are lots more people hence fewer opportunities.

Head to Scotland, you will have no problems camping.

To me it is the Holy Grail of UK for Bicycle Touring for camping, freedom, isolation, scenery, cheap, good people.......

Damn wish I could go now.

Plenty of info on the search page on camping and using hybrids.

 

[derrick]

The Isle of wight is not very big. done it twice now very pleasant, was a few years ago though.

 

[Brandane]

Head to Scotland, you will have no problems camping.

To me it is the Holy Grail of UK for Bicycle Touring for camping, freedom, isolation, scenery, cheap, good people.......

Damn wish I could go now.

Can't argue with the good people bit , but you forgot to mention cold, rain (lots of it), wind, and midges. As I type this the rain is hammering off the windows, much as it has done all year . Rather than the IoW I would be getting on the ferry at Portsmouth and heading across the channel. That is MY holy grail of cycling!

If you are new to cycle touring then have a read through the posts on here to pick up some general advice with regards to taking the absolute minimum of stuff with you to keep weight down, and make sure your bikes are well serviced for the trip. Good luck with it.

 

[the snail]

The IoW is a great place to cycle, but I'd be inclined to stay at a campsite and do day-rides. It's only 60-70 miles to ride around the coast, so I'd rather ride around without carrying luggage and having to set up camp every night.

 

[jonathanw]

+1 for Scotland

The touring up here is superb

 

[Dunlopdave]

+1 for Scotland

The touring up here is superb

Love Scotland mate my dad lived in wick for years after he retired I miss my trips up there at Christmas and in the summer

 

[derrick]

As long as you don't go tommorrow, weather don't look that good.
Hope every one up there is alright.

 

[jonathanw]

As long as you don't go tommorrow, weather don't look that good.
Hope every one up there is alright.

Too right

Weather here is bloody awful. Had 16" snow this week, which kept me off the bike mostly, now going fast but replaced by gale force wind and driving rain. I have spent the last 4 hours in darkness due to a power cut. Power now restored, and wind dropping. Roof is still on, thankfully

Had 45 min hard session on the turbo trainer tonight with head torch on...... Surreal.

You are right, stay away from here until spring!

 

[jonathanw]

Love Scotland mate my dad lived in wick for years after he retired I miss my trips up there at Christmas and in the summer

I'm on the Black Isle, but love cycling in Caithness......wind and rain permitting

Keep the quality of the touring a secret though..........Doh!!