Cycling round the edge

[ukdodger]

Has anyone ever cycled all around the UK coast? I'd be interested to know the overall mileage, the route they took and any helpful comments and advice. Thanks

[Big T]

Yes, Peter Madern did it. here's his website:

http://petermaddern.weebly.com/

Also, another thread on the subject:

viewtopic.php?f=16&t=53181&p=444171&hilit=maddern#p444171

[robgul]

There is a book about a bloke who did this ... Nick Sanders (sponsored by Vimto!) ... the book's in two parts ... his recce ride and then when he did it at speed. IIRC it was about 5,500 miles altogether.

Rob

[PW]

More than once.
I met a chap called Nick Hand who was doing it in 2009. Website http://www.slowcoast.co.uk (if it's still up 2 1/2 years later).

PS, there was a full page pic of him on a Brooks ad in the magazine about that time. Same bike.

[Mick F]

I looked into the idea some time back.
viewtopic.php?f=16&t=44664
My question was which way to do it!
I gave up on the idea - not because of the mileage, but the TIME it would take.

Update on my planing.
I've spent a couple of hours(!) on BikeRouteToaster and plotted a first stab at the route - ACW - and although the total mileage came out where I expected, I wasn't ready for the amount of days required!
47 days, 3,893 miles, visiting all of major headlands, including Angelsey and Skye because they have bridges (but no other island, not even IOW) and doesn't include any days off.
Average 80 miles a day.
Can I convince Mrs Mick F that I an be away for 7 weeks or more?
Maybe I have to split this tour into three or four easily consumed morsels.

As I say, I gave up on the idea.

[marooned]

Read Slow Coast Home by Josie Dew

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Slow-Coast-Home-around-England/dp/0751531642

[sloop]

Read Slow Coast Home by Josie Dew

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Slow-Coast-Home-around-England/dp/0751531642

But only if you have to. One of the few books I've been unable to finish.
It was downhill after her first two books IMHO.

[ukdodger]

I looked into the idea some time back.
viewtopic.php?f=16&t=44664
My question was which way to do it!
I gave up on the idea - not because of the mileage, but the TIME it would take.

Update on my planing.
I've spent a couple of hours(!) on BikeRouteToaster and plotted a first stab at the route - ACW - and although the total mileage came out where I expected, I wasn't ready for the amount of days required!
47 days, 3,893 miles, visiting all of major headlands, including Angelsey and Skye because they have bridges (but no other island, not even IOW) and doesn't include any days off.
Average 80 miles a day.
Can I convince Mrs Mick F that I an be away for 7 weeks or more?
Maybe I have to split this tour into three or four easily consumed morsels.

As I say, I gave up on the idea.

Well that's one benefit of being divorced. If I do it I'll go Clockwise. It's the most chance of getting favourable winds.

[ukdodger]

Read Slow Coast Home by Josie Dew

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Slow-Coast-Home-around-England/dp/0751531642

But only if you have to. One of the few books I've been unable to finish.
It was downhill after her first two books IMHO.

Yeah right. It's well down the popularity list on Amazon.

[Cunobelin]

Depends also how stricty you want to observe the coast!

I have done the English borders and coast by bike, but not strictly as I have deviated where there was something more interesting inland!

[ukdodger]

Depends also how stricty you want to observe the coast!

I have done the English borders and coast by bike, but not strictly as I have deviated where there was something more interesting inland!

Yes that's right. It'll have to be a trade off. If I do it I'll study the route hard. I would guess it's hilly ride too being a coastal one.

[Big T]

Depends also how stricty you want to observe the coast!

I have done the English borders and coast by bike, but not strictly as I have deviated where there was something more interesting inland!

Yes that's right. It'll have to be a trade off. If I do it I'll study the route hard. I would guess it's hilly ride too being a coastal one.

Only in Devon and Cornwall. Pretty flat along the south and east coast.

[robgul]

Read Slow Coast Home by Josie Dew

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Slow-Coast-Home-around-England/dp/0751531642

But only if you have to. One of the few books I've been unable to finish.
It was downhill after her first two books IMHO.

Yeah right. It's well down the popularity list on Amazon.

... and the one about the journey on the ship was .... in a word, poor.

Rob

[ukdodger]

Depends also how stricty you want to observe the coast!

I have done the English borders and coast by bike, but not strictly as I have deviated where there was something more interesting inland!

Yes that's right. It'll have to be a trade off. If I do it I'll study the route hard. I would guess it's hilly ride too being a coastal one.

Only in Devon and Cornwall. Pretty flat along the south and east coast.

That's encouraging. Have you done it?

[Big T]

That's what Peter Maddern said in his blog, if you read it. I've cycled much of the East coast and it's pretty flat. I've also cycled on or near the coast in Dorset, Hampshire, East and West Sussex and Kent, and whilst there are a few hills (Lulworth/Eastbourne/Dover) it's certainly nothing compared to Devon and Cornwall.