BIKEPACKING THE OLD CHALK WAY A 365 MILE COAST TO COAST ADVENTURE

[@KeepSmilingAdventures]

Everything you need to know about the route in this route overview/rating video kzbin.info/www/bejne/oIbCi557h9qLaqc

[@emanuelegiansanti8634]

Hey Josh, I know that this will sound strange coming from a random on the internet, however I just wanted to say: thank you so much for all these amazing adventures you share with us. I have been following you for just over a year and this is my first comment as I usually don't leave them, but after watching this epic one it just had to be said! I live in the south of Englad too (Reading to be exact) and last year together with a mate we did King Alfred's as well as the South Downs. It was my first time on a gravel bike after years of road and I instantly fell in love with it. Your channel has definitely inspired me to push into new territories, and as such I have recently bought a 1-man tent and I am looking forward to jump into the world of bikepacking/wildcamping. Your incredible determination and ability to pull through some pretty nasty moments, together with a great dose of madness for coming up with some of your challenges, make all of this just a pleasure to watch (not to mention the stunning scenery ofc). And, as an Italian living in the UK, I do relate with you when just a bit of sunshine is all we need to suddenly feel better, no matter how bad the days or hours before. Keep doing what you do, and (of course) keep smiling! It certainly gets through. Peace! Em. P.S: I think your Patagonia jacket has become a symbol of the channel. I immediately associate it with you! Same goes for the BONK cap. Speaking of which, where can I get one? I really would like to sport it like you do! ;)

[@KeepSmilingAdventures]

@Emanuele Giansanti Thanks so much for watching and supporting the channel, Thats awesome that you have done some bikepacking trips, i hope the views on the south downs made up for all the brutal climbing. Good luck with your wild camping i'm sure you will enjoy it. Aha i love that jacket best jacket i have ever owned. and as for the hat you might have to do a bit of searching around but its a top bonk Kenny Van Vlaminck who you might know as matt stevens. I bought it years ago mainly because drivers reading it in there mirrors, well it says something different 🤣

[@al_humphreys]

What a nice message!

[@MrWormy93]

Hi Josh, Ben who made the OCW here! Love the video, thanks so much for making it, really enjoyed watching it. The trails look fairly dry at the moment considering it’s March. Funnily you’re the first person to ride the final route in full! I’ve ridden it all, but in sections and at different times. Nice to see it in one go. We hope it flowed well. I’ve sent you a PM on Instagram btw, just incase it’s in you’re junk folder. Regards Ben.

[@KeepSmilingAdventures]

Hi ben I've replied on instagram, thanks for the route. 👊

[@marksmith566]

I honestly think you make the best bike packing vlogs on KZbin and always look forward to watching them, Keep’em coming 👍

[@KeepSmilingAdventures]

Thanks mark 🙌

[@simonharris7486]

Ima amazed fullstop. But so many bridleways to keep you off roads. Great. Planning my first trip this year 😮

[@leesaunders7232]

I came here after watching the GCN video where 'Hank' did this route in one go. That was epic, but I kind of admire your effort even more because he had at least one other person supporting him.

[@Rick--A-F]

Well done on climbing and descending Gold Hill twice! I recall walking down it and thinking it's not a hill I'd like to do as I'd be worried about my wheels slipping on the cobbles!

[@KeepSmilingAdventures]

yea it wasn't to bad but it was dry im sure if it was wet it might have been a different story

[@WiltshireMan]

Haaa Poor old Bob:) Great video. I'm nsetting off on The King Alfreds way tomorrow!!! I hope I can do it:)

[@patrickenglish9593]

my favourite cycling content on youtube-thank you

[@kstoeb]

Nice video about a nice route. Thanks 🙏

[@richardpegg9265]

Noooooooooooo - not Bob. nice video and what a route. i think i might just prefer is a little later in the year with some flowers and the trees about to bud. plus my ancient mountain bike possibly wouldn't like the slippin and slidin. a fine vid.

[@andrewpledger91]

I've spent the last few weeks enviously eyeing this route up while recovering from a terrible ankle injury, soon as I'm healed I'll be following in your tyre tracks. Keep Smiling!

[@KeepSmilingAdventures]

Enjoy 🚵‍♂️

[@laurynaspetniunas8193]

Hi, I just found your channel, your videos always inspire, me to do more bike packing.

[@SocialablePsycho]

Great video. Beautiful scenery. I'm amazed "Bob" lasted so long...

[@RoadyPacking-CyclingAdventures]

Thanks so much for this dude - really got that 'bikepacking experience' across to a 't'......

[@robertwalkerdine1178]

Brilliant route, brilliant video. Love watching your channel 👍🏼.

[@DavidMackenzie]

Epic trip - and great cinematography. Really captured your mood through the trip. Thanks for creating these.

[@tonypotter9578]

Another great adventure…Epic!

[@al_humphreys]

This looks like a really cool ride.

[@Heroes_of_Qalanor_RPG]

Lyme Regis! My fave seaside town.. cycled there many times from Bournemouth.

[@rivergladesgardenrailroad8834]

Gold Hill. brings back memories as did the Cerne Giant.

[@Dibble.officer]

Another great ride and vlog. Love your work..many thanks.

[@KeepSmilingAdventures]

Thank you too!

[@freakeystyley34]

I stumbled upon your channel after ordering a Sonder Camino and I'm so glad I did. These trips are epic and I'm so excited to get gravel riding!

[@chrisbarker5336]

Amazing video, a great find. Looking to buy a bike and can't decide between mountain and gravel, but I think this has just swayed me. Just need to persuade the wife to let me lose for a few days 😁

[@marcoadventurevlogs1207]

That was epic… good job mate👍🏾

[@gerarddriscoll5599]

Great video as always. Keep up the good work 👍👏👏👏

[@KeithDonegan]

Amazing 👏🏻 well bloody done

[@zonderweg]

Very inspiring stuff. Keep it going!

[@jonedge80]

Another great video! Enjoy the Ginsters! 👍

[@KeepSmilingAdventures]

thanks jon :D

[@terryharvey8841]

Just love watching your videos. It's like being there, sharing the experience, without getting knacked tired and wet. Lol 😆 I ordered a camino back in January, then saw your videos and can't wait to do the cornish route that you did, as I live right near where you started from. Thank you, for sharing your adventures.

[@martintin250]

I love how optimistic you are at the beginning of your rides, but I can see in your face the doubt and pain of what is to come, the bog, the weather etc… you have some serious kahoonas man. Good luck to you!!

[@angelag5708]

This looks like a fantastic route

[@joffbrown]

Great video

[@randorecumbent]

Great video! I really appreciate all of the 3rd person shots. I know they are are a pain to set up because you have to retrieve the camera and it's double the riding. Thank you for this. R.I.P., Bob. 😋

[@misterscagnetti]

Wow mate, what an epic piece of content. The sheer logistics of your rides boggle my mind, I’m doing a sportive at the weekend and can’t decide what Gucci kit to wear… you rough it like no one else in the bike biz.

[@misterscagnetti]

@Dal J he’s one hard mofo for sure.

[@thedaftestnameicouldthinko8233]

Poor, old Bob. To be treated like that after keeping you company all the way!

[@KeepSmilingAdventures]

😂😂😂

[@ascot1049]

Nice one .

[@martsmith63]

Great film, I really fancy doing that, I'm curious how did you get home?

[@wombat1238marsupial]

The reason Bob's not a talker is because he's like a turkey at Christmas, just knows his fate😂😂

[@rivergladesgardenrailroad8834]

Gold Hill was used in Far from the Madding Crowd' and of course the 2 Ronnie's did a spoof.

[@mr.fatcyclist5836]

Great stuff. Nice route, I wish I did bikepacking when I lived in UK. I saw you were using Chrome bag, I assume it was Kadet. Was it comfortable?

[@sing_cycle_referee]

Hey Josh, love this video (and indeed all of yours), so chilled and easy to watch. One specific question for you - tyres - what are you running and/or what would you recommend for less rolling resistance but with some edgy grip. Thanks and ride safe!

[@KeepSmilingAdventures]

im currently using maxxis Ramblers 50mm and have found them to be great. They do them in a bunch of different sizes too. not exactly cheap though. If you want a really fast rolling tyre though i used the challenge chicane around the coast of britain really great tyre. at the time though it was only 33 mm not sure if they make it bigger now.

[@johnashcroft-jones6091]

Watching for the second time it's so good. Why do you suffer from noisy/windy sleepless nights when ear plugs weigh nothing? I always carry them.

[@SC-hz2bs]

Brilliant, those open gravel trails look amazing, no surprise the trails round Wendover were filthy muddy, some things never change. Good work, that’s mega miles, did you ride home too?

[@KeepSmilingAdventures]

So many nice trails on this route nothing to technically just nice and flowy trails. and a little mush aha. I just rode to kings lynne then a couple trains home.

[@simonhodgson7120]

I love your videos....im halfway through watching the full GB Divide, omgoodness....the scenery is incredible. I have to ask....do you stop and set up a camera to take the footage of you passing? How many hours more does it take for you to complete these trips? Im loving the GB Divide, and also the coast to coast as a next to do. Thankyou for smiling through your adventures!

[@simonhodgson7120]

Oh I think you just answered that on hovis hill....OMG champion

[@johnweekes8497]

Good work makes me wish I had my health

[@iansykes1396]

Great video again! How do you upload routes on your Garmin please?

[@KeepSmilingAdventures]

I just have the garmin connected to kamoot, then whenever i make a new route, connect my garmin to phone via Bluetooth and it syncs automatically. You can also just drag and drop from computer also.

[@mybikeandme]

You missed out on the best sausage rolls in goring at the little cafe over the bridge

[@patbriggsmbr]

Daft question, what pressures do you run your tyres at. Great video. 👍👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@KeepSmilingAdventures]

Hmmm maybe like 35 40 psi im not that precise with these things.

[@newforesthardtails6947]

Hi josh I'm thinking of doing this next year...a quick question...how did you get home?? Cycle ? Or train? Did you have to go through London?? Thanks

[@stefenculley153]

Hey Josh, great video mate 👏🏼👏🏼 Especially enjoyed the Hovis Hill, very nostalgic 😀 May I ask what you do with your bike when you shopping, do you have a lock (if you do what lock do you use) or just take you bike in stores with you.? Thanks, Stef.

[@KeepSmilingAdventures]

Cheers mate, glad you enjoyed it. Honestly i just leave it outside and be quick. But i do only really stop in smaller quieter places where i can keep an eye on it when inside shops.

[@SJ-tk4ri]

17:34 😂 Brilliant, lol

[@karllorossanodasilvarossan8708]

👏👏👏

[@TheScarletprimrose]

Q: re: water, have you ever gotten sick from drinking from the water sources.? I see the filter but still wanted to ask

[@RocketmanRadford]

Josh please can you share your water purifier kit? Also isn't this route known as the greater Ridgeway? Cheers. M.

[@KeepSmilingAdventures]

it's a katadyn befree. Its similar to the greater Ridgeway but not exactly the same. Its meant to be a slightly easier more flowey route.

[@mad4461]

Deeply impressive, but why no mudguards?

[@leesaunders7232]

Maybe due to them getting clogged with mud? 🤔Definitely with full guards. I'd probably run clip on MTB ones though, just yo lessen the sodden, muddy misery😆

[@artred69]

Crumbs, poor Bob.

[@dovershark0492]

Which gravel tyres are you running and how wide are they?

[@CornishColin]

From a comment previously Josh said he was running Maxxis Ramblers 50mm. Exactly what I was wondering too as I wasn't sure they would fit on my new Sonder Camino frame - now I know.

[@JC-un4bg]

Put marmalade on that soreen

[@Edsadventures79]

Do you often think half way through your trips why am I doing this lol?

[@KeepSmilingAdventures]

Half way ! Aha i think what am i doing the moment i walk out the door 😂 after the first day though it just becomes part of my life

[@Edsadventures79]

@@KeepSmilingAdventures Do you bike commute everywhere?

[@rivergladesgardenrailroad8834]

didn't get a puncture then.

[@forrestcharles9050]

37:34 why did you feel the need to end the trip as soon as possible?