Bickpacking King Alfred's Way | Britain's BEST Bikepacking Route?

[@davinacaine3615]

I have completed this one. It took me 9 days and I took a year off between my day 5 and 6. I did have all my camping gear with me the first time but went for Air bnbs. Next year I will finish the South Downs Way 30 walked the first 30 miles from Winchester and ridden 46 from Eastbourne. The number of people that try and put me off because they are not out there taking in wonderful sights that our country has to offer. I loved this video because you didn’t sugar coat anything and weren’t afraid to talk about hike-a-biking

[@CycleXplorer]

Nice one. I think king Alfred's Way is a good one as it offers something for everyone. First timers, racers, people who want to take it all in. There are lots of other amazing bike packing routes out there. But not all of them can cater for all, be it terrain, remoteness or length. King Alfred's Way is sort of a gateway drug to other things! And with regards to hike-a-bike there's nothing wrong with that. It's actually an important skill for anyone considering doing some of the big bike packing routes or ultra races. Lots of hiking on something like the Atlas Mountain Race which I did earlier in the year. Nice to hear about your adventures, good luck for finishing the South Downs Way 😃

[@albert85b]

Enjoying this little tour of (part of) Britain in the most British of conditions.

[@CycleXplorer]

British conditions sums it up pretty well 😂 have you done King Alfred's Way?

[@stuartcaughlin2788]

That looked utterly grim, well done. Btw you've left your gopro at the bottom of Old Winchester Hill.

[@CycleXplorer]

Oh no I best go back and get it!

[@OscarMager]

Another brilliant video and awesome ride!

[@CycleXplorer]

Thank you for the kind words! King Alfred's Way is a nice route, more so in the dry 😂

[@thetraveltitan]

Oh wow mate. This seems like a super fun journey to do (and tough). Well done and keepnit going bud 🤩🥰

[@CycleXplorer]

Thank you! Good luck with your channel. Your videos look really good!

[@thetraveltitan]

@@CycleXplorer I really appreciate you ✌️ So glad your enjoying my uploads. Working on tomorrows upload. I wish you all the best my friend, take care 🙏🙌

[@HScutt-xk6ov]

Brilliant video,love watching your amazing cycling adventures.Fabulous scenery and even when conditions prevent us from seeing the views your commentary makes it really great watching!Look forward to the next one.

[@CycleXplorer]

Thank you. Maybe you could do king Alfred's way on your e-bike

[@huntos83]

You are a nutter voluntarily taking this on in that weather! Well done for getting it done 👍

[@CycleXplorer]

😂 it was slightly foolish, but I'd booked the day off work so it was give it a go or sit at home watching tele!

[@aarontest7152]

I was there last week in the glorious sun (till Fridays down pour). I took my time... lots to do on the way round (stonehenge, wood henge, Avebury stone circles, long barrows...). If you get the chance of riding do as it's great fun.

[@CycleXplorer]

Sounds like a good trip. I did King Alfred's Way a couple of years ago with my wife over 4 days. Had more time to visit places like Avebury but also eat in pubs etc. That's why I think this cycling route can offer something for everyone

[@robrfu7]

It is a great route..... in the dry!! Well done for sticking it out in those conditions

[@CycleXplorer]

I've now done it in both the dry and wet. I can confirm the dry conditions were much more enjoyable 😂 guess you've ridden king Alfred's Way then?

[@robrfu7]

@@CycleXplorer yeah did it over 4 days with all the camping kit a couple years ago. Would not have wanted to ride all that chalk in that weather!!

[@CycleXplorer]

@@robrfu7 nice, 4 days make for a good trip. I do enjoy camping out but not when I did it this time 😂

[@notkaty]

Your King Alfred built all the premier inns for the route joke gave me a proper laugh.

[@CycleXplorer]

Was great foresight from him or my mid ride delirium kicking in 🤪

[@TheMarkmoffat]

Wow, did this in July and thought it was hard enough , but those conditions look very tricky

[@CycleXplorer]

Yeah it was touch and go whether I'd do it but I'd booked the day off work so went for it. Ditched the bivy bag and stayed at the Premier Inn for a compromise. How may days did you do King Alfred's Way in?

[@djs5074]

Fantastic effort, I admire your perseverance.

[@CycleXplorer]

Thank you, had the day booked off so I thought I'd go for it and see how it goes rather than regret not trying! Have you ridden king Alfred's way?

[@djs5074]

@@CycleXplorer yes I was lucky enough to ride it in June 2023. It was bone dry slight NE wind and not too hot, perfect weather. A mate and I did it over 3 days starting in South Harting as that's close to where I live. We did about 80 miles a day. It is a worthy route given the right conditions. I'm enjoying your videos which are great for inspiration. Thanks.

[@CycleXplorer]

@@djs5074 sounds dreamy, riding (and sleeping out) in perfect conditions is the best. Shame it happens so rarely 😂 thanks for your kind words, glad it's inspired someone. Giving some thought to what events/route I may do next year when we'll have all that perfect weather 😉

[@lizzycampbell3665]

So inspiring I might have to try that route looks a good one 😊

[@CycleXplorer]

Thank you. I'm sure you'd love it 😊

[@lizzycampbell3665]

@@CycleXploreryes I probably will but in glorious sunshine hopefully. Not sure I would cope with that amount of rain

[@CycleXplorer]

@@lizzycampbell3665 king Alfred's Way in the sunshine sounds much better

[@LeeBritt-ss8fo]

Mate absolutely full credit too u and well done ! Another great video too

[@CycleXplorer]

Thank you. Perhaps add King Alfred's Way to your list? If you can do the South Downs Way you can do this one.

[@LeeBritt-ss8fo]

I didn’t no about this but yes it’s definitely a possibility for a 2 dayer next year, I’m doing the L2B off road tomorrow so looking forward to that

[@chrismoody8777]

Day 1 looked horrific! Good effort!!

[@CycleXplorer]

Yeah wasn't the nicest day out 😂 have you done King Alfred's Way?

[@chrismoody8777]

No, I need to sort out some gravel tyres and wheels and then I can do some gravel riding.

[@CycleXplorer]

@@chrismoody8777 wheelers trip 2025?

[@A_AAA232]

awesome ride in those conditions...the SDW always saps your energy especially when you do the section down from Butser to Winchester...I've been there counting down the mile's and gates from Cheesefoot head :) you did really well smashing the KAW in a couple of rainy days, it's a great route...nice one

[@CycleXplorer]

Thank you, sounds like you know King Alfred's Way and the South Downs Way well too. The last part did feel like it took a little while, especially the final few rolling fields up to Cheesefoot Head...

[@timmcdowell3097]

It’s been on the to do list for a while, great to see you on the case. 👊

[@CycleXplorer]

Thanks Waterman, maybe a trip next year! I expect the Rowe Dog would be keen

[@GardeningforBeginners]

Wonderful weather

[@CycleXplorer]

A Septembers delight! Maybe one for you on an e-bike 😉

[@rubikzcuberuss7404]

Conditions were not the best but well done 👏 I did it this anti clockwise from South Harting in a day about a month ago much nicer conditions manged 18h 30 min pretty sure I can do better on my full suspension as I found the gravel hard on the hands n butt.

[@CycleXplorer]

Wow that is a cracking time. I could be tempted by a one hit king Alfreds Way a go next year 🧐 In the ultra events I've done I've found a mountain bike to be equal to, if not quicker than a gravel bike. Purely for comfort so you can spend a lot long and push a tad harder before the pain kicks in 😂

[@baldybiking4171]

Well done a great effort - I live locally to Winchester and have done the SDW many times - it is not easy!

[@CycleXplorer]

Thank you, nice place to be for access to the South Downs Way. It is up their with my favourite routes

[@footballkid7570]

Looks great!

[@CycleXplorer]

Thank you!

[@johnnyloco11]

Ever thought about joining the dark side and waxing your chain? Its ideal for these sort of rides.

[@CycleXplorer]

I have looked into it, just not tired it. I'm not 100% sure it would last long enough for the really long stuff. Do you use it? I currently use the squirt lube so on king Alfred's way I could top it up easily (if sunny...) but the rain/puddles washed it off

[@Laura-dv6cb]

What a challenge! I may try this out this week at some point 😃 .

[@CycleXplorer]

Haha why not. You can add King Alfred's Way to your list of routes.

[@SophiaZapanta-e9e]

Yes lucky you very nice weather

[@CycleXplorer]

Haha tropical

[@lydiagould3090]

Nice route, shame about the weather! I’ve done it a couple of times as I live on the course. Decided to make a bypass for Reading which made it much better. Premier Inn👍

[@CycleXplorer]

@@lydiagould3090 the bit through Reading is the one part of king Alfred's Way which isn't really enjoyable. But it does give access to lots of amenities. If (probably when) I do it again I too may bypass the main centre. Can't beat a Premier Inn 😂

[@Lou-Lou.]

I did the KAW over three days in August, we had one morning of really horrible weather over the Ridgeway how you manged all that in the rain amazes me!!! CHAPEAU

[@CycleXplorer]

Hopefully the rest of the time was good? I can't say the ridgeway was particularly pleasant 😅 I've done King Alfred's Way before when the weather was good and it was a different experience 😂

[@Lou-Lou.]

@@CycleXplorer it was perfect apart from that we really really enjoyed it, seeing some of the climbs we did on your video but completly soaked really put into perspective how good we had it 😅

[@CycleXplorer]

@@Lou-Lou. glad you had a good time!

[@alrafer]

When did you ride this @CycleXplorer? We just finished our ride on Sept 22nd - weather was not as bad but tough ride on my "heavy gravel" indeed... Great video!!

[@CycleXplorer]

Thank you. I did it on the 6th and 7th of September. The weather was then quite a bit better but has gone downhill again... Some classic British Gravel 😂 How many days did you do it over? Are you going to try another bikepacking route having done the King Alfred's Way?

[@Forest_velo]

Fair play! Tom. Not sure how you carry on in those conditions!

[@CycleXplorer]

Maybe I'll take Forest Velo round it at some point. Perhaps mid January 😂

[@BazDee]

Another awesome video🎉 We're doing Winchester to Goring on the weekend. My heart sank when you said King Alfred's Waterway 😢😅. What's better for the conditions - clipped in winter boots or MTB flat soles? Never cycled on mossed up chalk 😂

[@CycleXplorer]

Thank you! Well the weather over the last week or so has been fantastic so it's probably dried lots of it out. It was the days of rain leading into it which really impacted on it. Probably ride what you feel most comfortable in, I kind of like my mtb shoes (spd) as they have good grip for walking also. Are you doing it over 2 days?

[@BazDee]

@@CycleXplorer We're doing Winchester to Devizes on Saturday, then Devizes to Goring on Sunday. Good point - think I'll stick to flats as chalk/moss are new to me. Looking forward to the adventure 🚴‍♂🚴‍♂

[@CycleXplorer]

@@BazDee have a great time. The chalk can be slippy but there are different levels of slipperiness to it. I'm sure you'll work it out and if it stays relatively dry it should be good!

[@SHates]

Might be more fun during the summer weather... oh wait 😂

[@CycleXplorer]

100% 😂 although this was 'fun' in its own special way. Have you done King Alfred's Way?

[@eddjcaine]

What bike are you using? Are those 650b wheels?

[@CycleXplorer]

Hi. It is a Trek Procaliber - a hardtail mountain bike. The wheels are 29 mtb ones. Was a good choice for a wet King Alfred's Way ride

[@eddjcaine]

@@CycleXplorer ah I see - so carbon fibre frame? I have a dual sport 2 which seems very similar but it’s a heavy aluminium bike. Would be a trial to go those distances I think

[@CycleXplorer]

@@eddjcaine the frame is carbon fibre, probably around 11kg for the whole bike so reasonably light. But you'd be surprised as weight over that distance doesn't have as big an impact as you'd think. If you're comfortable on the bike and it's reliable that's the main thing. You could always ride part of the route and see how it goes.

[@Laura-dv6cb]

What do they say when you turn up at a hotel cakes in mud ?

[@CycleXplorer]

They asked me if I wanted my water bottles filling up. Premier Inn don't really mind

[@paulmyers4335]

welldone you must have a Good vo2 max!

[@CycleXplorer]

Thank you. I'm not sure 🤔 I'm more suited to a longer endurance effort than anything super short/sharp. I did a VO2 max based workout on Tuesday and it wasn't very pleasant 😂

[@paulmyers4335]

@@CycleXplorer haha no they aren't. But at 58 the longer rides are a bit tougher for me !

[@MickMike7938]

I'm 8 minutes in and asking myself, how the hell are you going to get that bike into the hotel room with no questions asked!

[@CycleXplorer]

😂 the only question asked was 'would you like me to fill up your water bottles'. To which I said no thank you I'll just have a drink from the tap in the room.

[@zedddddful]

What tyres are you running on your mtb buddy are they barzos?

[@CycleXplorer]

I used double Mezcals which would be good on a dry King Alfred's Way! Brazos would be better on wet King Alfred's Way. I didn't change them as I've been trying to wear them out before I do but so far they've done Atlas Mountain Race, a couple of 500km UK events and a number of long distance rides. Very robust 😂

[@zedddddful]

@@CycleXplorer ah mezcals fair do's I just saw Vittoria on the tyre not the model I'm currently running maxxis high rollers and they are fairly quick but lose traction too easily on mud and wet grass.

[@CycleXplorer]

@@zedddddful mezcals good on gravel and in the dry. Not very good in mud and wet chalk 😂