Second City Divide

A cycle tour of 637.5 solo kilometres pedalled (and pushed) between Glasgow and Manchester!
The second city divide is a bikepacking route which meanders its way across the hilly bits between the second city of Scotland and (debatably) the second city of England. Over 9 days in June, I took in the delights of the gravel paths through Scottish wind farms, and the sketchiness of forestry track downhills in Northumbria. From the history of Hadrian's wall to the canals which wind their way into Manchester - a little adventure, fuelled by a whole lot of chocolate milk.
Music: Thoughts on Weeks by Hawkin from Free Music Archive

[@sukotu23]

Looks amazing! Having never been bike packing, but having bought a touring bike a year ago - how much do you need to plan ahead in case of punctures etc? Do you just kind of hope they don't happen or always carry repair kits and spare tyres with you? I guess if you have something major go wrong you should probably know where bike repair shops are too? (And hope it's not a Sunday..!)

[@meggiekerwin]

I always hope they don't happen - the best way to prevent them tends to be some decent tyres and making sure they're not too worn! I carry spare tubes because I'd rather swap them out rather than use a puncture repair kit by the side of the road. My tool kit has only things which I'd be fairly confident using, so anything like a spoke snapping I'd be looking for a nearby bike shop! Lots can be bodged for a good number of miles with some duct tape and zip ties :)

[@linesided]

Great video. Snappy pace and definitely the antidote to weight weeny and aero bikepackers! Unfortunately, I'm giving you a penalty point for saying "ate cake" without showing the cake in question 😃😃.

[@meggiekerwin]

Thank you! Next time I'll make sure to show more of the cake 😂

[@sarahdenno]

beautiful video!! very impressive climbs and traverses over rocky terrain. you have a very calming voice Meggie.

[@meggiekerwin]

😊😊😊

[@martintin250]

Brilliant effort, look forward to seeing the next one. 👍👍

[@DemiGod..]

At the start when you mentioned needing waterproofs was gonna suggest a poncho, but lo and behold you have one.

[@meggiekerwin]

Yes! And I was glad of it! 😂

[@andrewcollie]

That was an awesome adventure! It's always great to see my local patch of Hadrian's Wall on the adventures of others - and I've stayed at the Winshields Farm Campsite many times.

[@meggiekerwin]

Loved that campsite! It's lovely to think of the fact each place I went through is someone's local patch :)

[@Tarmaccyclocross]

Great video hope you carry on making them 🚴🏽‍♀️👍

[@meggiekerwin]

Thank you!

[@kabobsyea9985]

Who’s care

[@eatrideselfrealiserepeat]

Thank you for this! Ticks so many boxes, I did enjoy.

[@meggiekerwin]

Thank you!

[@davesolobiker5601]

Great trip , nicely narrated along the way

[@meggiekerwin]

Thank you!

[@normancoutts]

Well done you! I agree touring trumps bike packing - on the right, quiet roads. All the best and thanks for sharing.

[@meggiekerwin]

Thank you!

[@tonypaddler]

Great video Meggie, very well presented in a very interesting manner. I hope you make more videos of your journeys 🚲⛺🙂👍

[@meggiekerwin]

Thank you!

[@brianandrew9706]

Excellent Meg....

[@meggiekerwin]

Thank you!

[@thomaslyne9197]

This is really cool! Thanks for sharing.

[@meggiekerwin]

Thank you! 😊😊