BIKEPACKING : KING ALFRED'S WAY

[@jameschandler4639]

Many people underestimate the KAW in terms of challenge, I've yet to do the whole thing but ride the Winchester to Avebury section quite often. It's not as easy as many people think it may be!!

[@BikepackingAdventures]

It was my first Cycling UK route to take on and yeah it was certainly a bit demanding at times, could have done with a full Friday to have begun with. =)

[@jethro924]

Great video (again), well done. It's on my bucket list, now I know its definitely at least a three day job, great footage including the drone stuff, all awesome!

[@jethro924]

19:58 you left a pot of Nomadic yoghurt in my fridge when you rode the Dambusters, first time I tried them, I now seek them out and have at least one on audaxes

[@BikepackingAdventures]

Thanks glad you enjoyed it! Yeah 3 days way more comfortable.

[@mattjohn7700]

Man of steel 💪

[@kevindean9613]

I think Cycling UK have cocked up on this one , I've downloaded an amended version suitable for bike touring & I'll take 6- 7 days .

[@BikepackingAdventures]

From the website: "For many people, four or five days will be a happy medium. With so much to take in, it’s definitely not a route to rush." I'd say for most seasoned riders 3 FULL days of Summer riding is the sweet spot.

[@Lou-Lou.]

​@@BikepackingAdventures3 days was spot on for our group. 4 if you want to take it easy with plenty of stops 2 if you want to really push yourself.

[@lydiagould3090]

The KAW is a lot harder than it looks on the map. Like you, I messed up a bit by setting off too late in the day. I thought i could do it in 2.5 days but that was way optimistic. It's a beautiful route , l live almost on the route so makes sense to ride it. I also plotted a nice diversion around Reading ,as I really hated that section. It was a little longer than the official route. I liked your diversion near Stonehenge. Will include that next time. Had to laugh at your choice of bivvy spot ! Looked like a swamp ,full of mozzies and stingers🤣🤣🤣🦟🦟🪰

[@BikepackingAdventures]

Ha it didn't look so bad after dark when I arrived. 😅

[@s3b_Leney]

someone get this man a co-op sponsorship!

[@BikepackingAdventures]

Heh thanks. Or Gregg's please 🙏

[@s3b_Leney]

@@BikepackingAdventures ooh greggs would be a good one!

[@FENCYCLIST]

The king Alfred's way is a route I want to do, but would have to plan it around travellodge or premier inns, as can't camp anymore because I struggle to get up off the ground due to arthritis, and need somewhere to charge my Mondraker Dusty electric gravel bike. A few weeks ago did the C2C Whitehaven to Tynemouth and found it very capable.

[@Foxtrottangoabc]

Reading and farnham good travel lodge premier inn stops, not sure about the rest of route 👍

[@georgesshed]

I did it last year and started at Reading as it was the easiest place to start for me and I took 4 days but camped and although I managed no problem I wouldn't camp if I did it again, good food and a good nights sleep makes a big difference. Plan ahead and make sure you have plenty of water and bars maps/navigation, good luck you'll love it. As mentioned in there video don't miss Stonehenge, I'm 69 and sold the tent on eBay as soon as I got home 😂

[@BikepackingAdventures]

Yeah going out of my way to visit Stonehenge was definitely the right choice. Had I had enough time I would have like to have stopped at another village that I passed through, a village surrounded by rocks/boulders around it. Briefly stopped as they had one of those farm milk vending machines which went down a treat!

[@surferjay70]

@@BikepackingAdventuresthat would be Avebury stone circle, I did chuckle whilst you were complaining about the head wind on the southern transit route, I live there and have cycled that path for 15 years. It’s always a headwind on that track 😂 enjoying your content. Subbed 🚴

[@BikepackingAdventures]

@@surferjay70 welcome! Yeah that stretch was rather demoralising.. .still definitely do it again as it was so much fun! Next time, I give myself extra time =)

[@FENCYCLIST]

Also looking at the Wolf way. Loved the Cantii way 2 years ago before my knee went.

[@BikepackingAdventures]

Not sure what's next for me. I've thought about a number of routes including the Rebellion Way.

[@shm5547]

13:40 Rhododendron. They only really grow in woody areas where there's a sandy soil.

[@najaneda]

And you do get them in the North. 🙄😂

[@protocolsoftheridersofdurian]

It is a nice flower

[@BikepackingAdventures]

Shall have to keep an eye out more lol

[@shm5547]

33:17 well you made that look really good, despite the long days! Definitely inspired to get out riding this summer (when it arrives!).

[@BikepackingAdventures]

It was really good! Just a few punctuated points that I didn't enjoy - but thats the same of any route right I guess!

[@ashdowker4326]

im a northener coming from kendal cumbria but your right on my doorstep know butser hill well

[@BikepackingAdventures]

Yeah I've seen it on and off in various views, that and the park at the bottom of the hill - you don't realise how long the climb is until you attempt it yourself.

[@nosferatu8293]

Hi Richard, Great Video and you're right, the King Alfred Way is tough! I did it solo in May this year and although a beautiful route in many places but it relies totally on the weather.

[@BikepackingAdventures]

I was very fortunate with the weather. I enjoyed the KAW - will do again!

[@djpablo73]

@hazeoutdoors needs to get in and help this guy out at 25 mins in! good vid

[@BikepackingAdventures]

Ride together opening gates?

[@Timtheranger]

I know that downhill you fell off on very well, its very sketchy for anyone who hasnt ridden it before, let alone someone on a fully loaded bike, hope you recovered well, great video, i'm going to KAW soon

[@BikepackingAdventures]

Got pins and needles plaguing a couple of fingers since my last big ride a couple of weekends ago - think brought on from saddle too high rather than that fall.

[@Dan200]

​@@BikepackingAdventuresjust randomly saw this comment as someone who's currently suffering the exact same thing! How long did it take to get better if you don't mind me asking? (Assuming that it did!)

[@BikepackingAdventures]

@Dan200 it's still not got better unfortunately

[@Timtheranger]

@@BikepackingAdventures try the ergon ga3 grips, they spread the weight on your hands, I've suffered with pins and needles and they fixed it

[@Dan200]

@@BikepackingAdventures really sorry to hear that! Have you been staying off the bike? I'm 3 weeks out from a 3-day trip and still have some numbness in the tips of four of my fingers. I'm avoiding cycling entirely until it's gone and keep telling myself I just need to be patient...

[@andycultracycling]

I rode this a couple years ago, tempting now to go back l pre TCR but last time it (literally) tore me a new backside!

[@BikepackingAdventures]

Get TCR out the way first before u wreck ur backside again lol

[@davidburgess741]

The Devils highway actually exists. New Jersey USA has a 1/8 mile stretch designated Rte 666. The legend of the Jersey Devil lives. However, I've been everywhere it should have been!

[@bennettshfd2]

Do you ship to the US? I am interested in your Audax products. Thanks.

[@BikepackingAdventures]

The audax products are handled by a 3rd party that will ship anywhere. I kust update them soon- especially the dated ones!

[@alanhanley2981]

Very controversial route, it has to be said that the ruts on the Ridgeway spoil what should be a visually lovely section. Unless your a very skilled off reader or happy to spend hours looking at your front wheel and not the scenery.

[@BikepackingAdventures]

The ruts were my first greeting on the KWA, but that as due to my starting point. Then the ruts coming toward the end just came at the wrong time for me. Still, had a fantastic time - no route is perfect.