Day 1 Bikepacking the South Downs and Surrey Hills

[@TheObjectiveRob]

Brilliant video Darren. Really looking forward to seeing the rest of the adventure.

[@DarrenPhillips]

Thanks Rob, I promise that I do explain the little black box, but you’ll have to keep watching to find out when! 😜

[@mrgingermanfishing5405]

great video darren slowly getting around to watching them all 👍👍

[@DarrenPhillips]

Thanks Scott!

[@SteveBrill]

Really impressed with this one Darren. Your production continues to get slicker, good choice of music, enjoyed the 360 footage and I love the ‘dangle mug’. 😊 Look forward to episode 2. 👍

[@DarrenPhillips]

That means a lot Steve, as I put a lot of hours into producing this series. Thank you as always for your support.

[@CDEG72]

Enjoyed that, inspiring me to get the bike out again 👍

[@DarrenPhillips]

Thanks Carlo, you’d have loved some of the trails I found on the South Downs.

[@DuckRideDuck]

Looks great, look forward to the rest of the episodes 👍🏻👍🏻

[@DarrenPhillips]

Thanks James, I really hope you enjoy the series.

[@drewbyscoobywho]

Really looking forward to this series! Great start 👍

[@DarrenPhillips]

Thanks Drew, the next video will be on Wednesday. I’m biased, but I think they just keep getting better as the series goes on. I had a great week, challenging and rewarding, but very enjoyable. I’m looking forward to my next adventure already.

[@gregthomas5663]

Love it Darren. Looking forward to day 2

[@DarrenPhillips]

Thanks Greg, you’ll only have to wait until tomorrow! I’m very happy with all the videos in the series.

[@terrynunn4643]

Good to see you enjoying yourself, great video as always.

[@DarrenPhillips]

Thank you! Put me on any new roads exploring and I’m in my element!

[@theDevPanda]

Love the format and the looks like you really enjoyed your first day.

[@DarrenPhillips]

Thanks Chris, I’ve worked quite hard on these videos. So that means a lot.

[@markoverall2950]

Great video Darren

[@DarrenPhillips]

Thanks Mark, I’m very happy with how the series has come out, so I’m excited for everyone to see the next few videos.

[@Teifilass]

Love the intro. I was trying to wait till you had finished then binge watch, but by day six i couldn’t wait. Out if interest what size frame is your trek I also suffer from short legs 🤣 but I’m sure I wouldn’t get those frame bags on my Trek or the rear one as my saddle is set so low. Loving day one so far, coffee and day two next 😁. Starting to get inspired having had 3 weeks off through lack of mojo.

[@DarrenPhillips]

Thanks Michelle! My frame is 52cm, and the Small bag fits perfectly. You can buy a custom bag by measuring your own frame. Either through Restrap, or there are cheaper ones on Etsy, that they specifically make for you. Some have better designs. But by the time I decided I was going, to getting what I needed. I didn’t have enough time to but a custom one. I’m glad you like the intro! As it’s on all this series!! 😂

[@Teifilass]

@@DarrenPhillips ahh thanks Darren my frame is a 42 😬 Im on day four now still love the intro 😂. I definitely want to get out again now why do your vlogs always do that it’s a brilliant. Right back to day 4

[@DarrenPhillips]

Thanks Michelle, I’m glad they help. Enjoy your next ride!

[@deansbeans2782]

Nice video! I hope restrap have you on commission, they owe you for all that publicity!!

[@DarrenPhillips]

Sadly not, all my own hard earned money paid for everything. I have been through a lot of bike bags and the zips usually end up breaking. So I went for a Restrap top tube bag and they offer a lifetime guarantee. So that drew me in to their stuff. Thank you

[@YuMiGOfun]

You’re come a long way on your cycling. A great inspiration for others like me 🙃 Can’t wait for the next 7ish days 👍🏼

[@DarrenPhillips]

Thanks Wayne, I hope you enjoy the series. It’s been a real mission to edit and produce the videos to be the best that I can make them. But I’ve loved every minute of it. As it stands, I still have two to make.

[@YuMiGOfun]

@@DarrenPhillips when I read you IG comment I thought you were done editing🤦🏼‍♂️ You didn’t have any trouble keeping the gear charged up?

[@DarrenPhillips]

@@YuMiGOfun I wish! I’ve done six of eight so far. I’ve literally going to work at 5am, home by 2pm, editing until 11pm form Monday through Saturday. Sorting out the video clips and finding multiple songs takes a while. It took me three hours to find the intro music!! No, my battery pack/power and charged everything up for 4 days. But it was quite heavy. So it worked pretty well, charging my Wahoo, Insta360 camera, phone and watch. Although I don’t bother charging my watch after the first couple of days.

[@petesmith7239]

Looking forward to following the rest of the series. Its not a bikepacking trip if you don’t have a mug hanging off the back is it?!

[@DarrenPhillips]

I had to put it on to complete the look!! 😂 Thanks Pete, without you taking me bikepacking and the kit advice and tips, this trip would never have happened.

[@scotgray6093]

Have you done the hills in Lincolnshire at all

[@DarrenPhillips]

I haven’t actually cycled over that way at all as yet. I’ve walked up Michaelgate in Lincoln, but that’s about it!

[@scotgray6093]

@DarrenPhillips if you every fancy a ride from Boston to Lincoln and back let me know is about 66 miles

[@DarrenPhillips]

There are a few climbs that way, Tetford Hill, Red Hill, Normanby Rise and Leadenham Hill. So I’ll be there at some point for sure. I may need some local knowledge for Michaelgate though, as is it not the wrong way up a one way street?

[@scotgray6093]

@DarrenPhillips let me we can do it together then

[@jimmys6566]

The dangle mug is too near the wheel and will pick up horse poo etc

[@DarrenPhillips]

😂 Probably why my coffee tasted bad!! ( I did wash it before I used it, both times!)

[@jimmys6566]

@@DarrenPhillips put the mug on top of the bag. A trick l learned 55 years ago from the scoutmaster.