[Closed] Pipe-dreaming and fantasising thread - share your best 2021 route plans!

I'd like to get to Georgia to do the Tusheti route planned for May 2020.....

Highly unlikely to happen though, so I'll probably just nick some of what you've planned 🙂

Only real plan I had otherwise is to d othe HT550 at an enjoyable pace, with beer and sunset appreciation.

It may be a good year to visit parts of my own country I've never been to, including Argyll and the Angus glens.

Have a notion to go from Fort William to Nairn via Laggan, Ruthven and Aviemore. Been on my list for a while but being too porky has got in the way along with COVID.

Thinking about doing the Affric Kintail way (west to east) and the Bonar Bridge to Ullapool coast to coast to coast again as well.

I’ve done that strontian to polloch section in the opposite direction. Type 3 fun.

I'd been planning the Deeside Way but that assumes the borders ever get opened up again.

I’ve done that strontian to polloch section in the opposite direction. Type 3 fun.

I've done it both ways on tarmac, the Corrantee mine route was Scotroute's suggestion. Looks interesting enough to merit the inevitable hike-a-bike...

Tusheti route

Just googled, that looks awesome! Will add it to the list of almost-certainly-just-pipedreams (currently featuring the Torino-Nice Rally and some hellishly impractical Norwegian tour).

HT550 at an enjoyable pace, with beer and sunset appreciation

Enjoyable and in comfort? You'll need a month, and some Sherpas 😉

I'd like to do multiday bikepacking in mid Wales. A route taking in the fun bits at the dyfi, nant-y-arian, hafren, and myherin. I know how to do dyfi over to nant and then to myherin but more research required on hafren and how to then back to the start as a loop (got some ideas), instead of a load of out and back.

Only plans are a couple of days on a few ferries over to jura, throw bike into a hedge and have a summit camp on the paps.

Then home.

My plan is to take the train up to Inverness from Carlisle and ride back via the Badger Divide and either NCN7 or part of the 2nd City divide to Kielder before diverting back to Carlisle. Just need to get rid of the Christmas kilos first!

summit camp on the paps.

How did that song go, everybody needs a (massive, rocky) bosom for a pillow?

We've the aborted mini-tour around Arran, Islay, Jura and Bute we need to complete.

I'm trying to line up a 3-day gravel and road ride with middle_oab when he finishes college. Still mulling routes over.

I'm also hoping to do a couple of bug local day routes on Stirling & Perthshire border.

Definitely planning to have a crack at the King Alfred Way, seeing as it’s easily accessible from home/short train journey. Pace will depend on if Mrs Dubs fancies it or not. She’s more of a day rider though tbh.

Otherwise, I want to do the Great North Trail, but finding the holiday from work is an issue.

I’d like to give this a bash

https://bikepacking.com/routes/bear-bones-bash-mid-wales/

I do like the look of the King Alfred Way too though. I’d probably aim to do that over three days. Any locals recommend where you’d stop on the two nights? Happy to bivvy but somewhere to eat or at least buy food would be easier so only have to carry sleeping kit and a stove for brews ideally.

Join the Facebook group for KAW -lots of locals tips on there.

Cheers @jimdubleyou

I've spent the last year researching and recceing a route across Spain which goes via the sources of the 3 longest rivers. I've done similar trips every year since we moved here in 2015 but this is a bit longer and more off road. I've called it the Spanish Divide and a group start/ride is planned for the end of May.
Spanish Divide Wikiloc Segments

How did that song go, everybody needs a (massive, rocky) bosom for a pillow?

3 always better than 2...

Any locals recommend where you’d stop on the two nights? Happy to bivvy but somewhere to eat or at least buy food would be easier so only have to carry sleeping kit and a stove for brews ideally.

GCN did a video, they didn't explicitly say where their bivvy spot was, but you could probably identify the cafe they had breakfast in and work it out from there 😎

Touring down through Chille to Patagonia next winter but maybe bike packing some Scottish routes in reality.

Pretty modest, but I had a plan to ride from my front door in Birmingham to the Welsh coast (Aberystwyth maybe) and then back the next day by a different route.
Over Christmas I also found myself thinking about a quiet route LEJOG, but I can't really see that being on the cards this summer.

Created this fantasy century around North Wales iconic peaks a while back, doesn't have to start in Harlech, might be one for the longest day, brilliant weather and a ~0500 start. 😆

https://www.strava.com/routes/19095544

Nice little side trip up to the reservoir!

Stwlan Dam is supposed to be well worth the side diversion, closed to public motor traffic, regarded as one of the three top climbs of the UK by Simon Warren. For the challenge, the only climb higher on my "to do" wish list is Bwlch Y Groes from the south, I'm expecting it to make my ride up "Draycott Steep" last September to feel like a piece of cake... Its ~0.5 mile of ~20% in the middle was anything but!

Western most point on the mainland (Ardnamurchan Lighthouse) to the eastern most point (Ness Point)

Realistically, it'll probably be 2022, though - just in time for my 60th

KAW for me as well. Going to wait until we can B&B it tho. I like my trips to include proper beds, warm showers and someone else cooking breakfast 🙂

We're booked to go to Ciclo Montana end April (having postponed from Sept). No idea on that one.

Then Singletrack Safari/Andorra or another week end June

Then we're on the waiting/provisional list for Basque MTB October bonkers epic.

And that's just the weeks away. We've so many mini trips we want to do. Hoping we'll be able to do at least some this year. Not getting any younger!

@n0b0dy0ftheg0at I like your route, i will do that as soon as the days get a little longer!
Ian

@breninbeener You will have to let us/me know how it goes and take a few pics from at least the summits!

I've no idea if there is a better way of linking the north end of Hirnant Pass to Stwlan Dam climb, or from the dam base to Harlech.

I will do. Im near llanberis so will have to wait til teavel is less messy....or have a massive day!!

I have a cunning plan to ride from my place in Cambridgeshire to my mums in Devon, using as little road as possible, so byways, bridalways etc. I’d do it over a few days and take in Salisbury plains and the ridgeway etc.

I don’t really have a reason just want to !

I’ll get the train back or SWMBO might come get me!

Couple of wee gravel multi day tours with the Mrs:
1. Dunkeld to Newtonmore and Inverness on NC7, Fort Augustus on the new south side gravel route, Great Glen Way to Ft Bill. Then take the Camusnagaul boat across Linnhe, back again at Corran and south on the easy cycle path to Connel. Then Taynuilt, Etive, Glen Kinglas to the Bridge of Orchy hotel, before WHW just a few miles south, up over to Glen Lyon and return that way to Dunkeld to finish. This one is going to be about enjoying the journey and the experience, eating good food along the way.
2. 4 day Badger Divide northbound from Glasgow to Inverness probably, with a stop at the Ossian hostel along the way as it's a favourite spot.
Also but with a buddy instead of the Mrs and on bigger bikes: northern half of the HT550 above Ft Augustus. No idea how long that might take..
Run with the Mrs from Braemar to Glenmore Lodge, probably via summits northbound, then back via Lairig an Laoigh the next day.
WHW Race '21. If we get to do it.

Sounds great Highlandman! If both our plans work out we'll be crossing paths a fair few times. Hadn't heard of the South Loch Ness trail but had (virtually) explored a few options on tbe south bank, seems to be a bit of a playground. Def want to ride the Lacets de Inverfarigaig...

I have a coast-to coast plan of Morar to Pennan.

MoGJoG

WHW in a day

Nothing ridiculous.

Some road rides on the Devon/ Dorset coast from Lost Lanes West adapted to start/ finish from the same campsite (fingers crossed) for a long weekend. Well, the occasional 16% incline might be ridiculous. Had fun planning that one.

King Alfred's Way is a good shout as it's practically on my doorstep. I just can't get too excited by the Ridgeway which is the closest bit to me....

Currently in training for the Fred Whitton, but I can't see that going ahead so...

Out the front door (Derbyshire) and up to John o Groats via a scenic route. Hopefully take about 7 days.

Across Wales from Bristol to Bangor, hopefully over a weekend.

That's as far as I've got

6 day bike tour .SDW. KAW . NDW . 400 odd miles . mostly off road
Might join Poop on his SDD ride if I can refind my 2019 fitness .

Currently in training for the Fred Whitton, but I can’t see that going ahead so…

We were supposed to be visiting Centre Parcs Winfell, had hoped to sneak in an FW loop too ☹

Have plotted a nice wee Scottish equivalent taking in all the big Perthshire climbs, not as punishing as Fred but still some big elevation gain and a couple of pointy bits.

Check out this route on Strava: https://strava.app.link/iT74pvTcXcb — McFred McWhitton

Nice route Monk, probably the best way to use the Perthshire climbs in a single day ride and stay within the county. Back in Lockdown 1, I had a great wee empty roads experience, home to Kirriemuir, Fettercairn, past Aboyne on the S Deeside road, Braemar, Glenshee and home via the Drumderg wind farm road to Alyth. Think it was about 125 miles, so similar with perhaps a bit less climbing but more council areas would be more of an issue just now.

me and two chums are hoping to do this in 2021...

https://www.transatlantisrace.com/

fingers crossed.

I'm hoping to be able to do the XDuro North-South Wales route in a day. I say 'able to', I mean both in terms of fitness and COVID regs. Fitness is doing fairly well, weight also progressing although more slowly.

Out the front door (Derbyshire) and up to John o Groats via a scenic route. Hopefully take about 7 days.

@benfan - there's a link to a ride here that @richpips and his lad did last year in the break between lockdowns which is almost exactly what you describe:
https://www.strava.com/activities/3881552648

@richpips on Twitter and IG as well.

A few years ago, I did a gravel route across Lancashire - started at Rochdale, finished at Arnside and went via a load of old packhorse trails, bits of Pennine Bridleway, canal towpath and so on. Was a really nice ride, quite a bit of industrial history within it. I've got a similar plan for a Trans-Cumbria which i almost did this year but then ended up doing a Lakeland Loop road ride of 145 miles in one day right around the Lake District which was a stunning day out, probably the best ride of 2020 for me.

I did a canal towpath loop too, the Cheshire Ring which is 100 miles - managed to pick a really nice weekday so it was quiet, the trails were dry and again, that was a lovely day out. Might try another one of those style things when I can.

Trail of the Seven Lochs in one hit for me.

Linky

Mostly because I can do it from my front door.

Nice route Monk, probably the best way to use the Perthshire climbs in a single day ride and stay within the county.

To be fair, this was plotted in anticipation of some sort of crazy, post Covid dreamland where I didn't need to pay attention to county lines!

Trail of the Seven Lochs in one hit for me.

That looks great, could also add in Loch Killin and Glendoe Reservoir for some additional high level adventure (it looks like there are landy tracks traversing the plateau at that point, I've always wanted to get up there and have a look).

I’ve been wanting to do this for a couple of years since a friend of mine did it on a singlespeed two years ago! It’s called Stoneman Miriquidi and it’s a sign posted 190km route in Erzgebirge (Ore Mountains) with 4000m of climbing taking in the Czech Republic side, too. You register and they send you a starter pack with a card that you have to stamp at various locations along th route. When you finish it successfully you can receive a trophy. You can do it when you want between May and September. Actually just noticed they’ve changed the route which is now 165km but the same climbing meters. Link
The other one that I’ve been meaning to do for even longer is der Rennsteig in the Thuringian Forrest. Also 190km of trails going over the ridges of the mountain range. I’ve ridden a lot of it at various times but never in one go.
Link

The King Alfred Way and The South Downs way as they are both fairly local to me and I should have my Fairlight in March so fancy something to shake that down on.

Monk, long (long..) before that reservoir & associated wind farm were built, I used to cycle and walk up there to fish the high level lochs all across Carn a Chuilinn and up at Loch Killin, for that matter too. I've only recently spotted the apparent link and as its clearly visible on the satellite view, I'll maybe try to visit while up north this year.

Split my list into three. Possible, aspirational & Beyond Me

Achievable
Cavedale clean.
Antur Styniog with the wean on a day when it's not an ice rink, and my bike doesn't fall apart.
Coed y Brenin with the kids. Soooo much want to do that. Oh memories.

Aspirational
100km Peak Route including Cavedale, Beast Stanage Causeway clean.
North side of Cut Gate clean
Fränkische Gebirgsweg in Bavaria.
Borrowdale Bäsh/ Ullock Pike Combo.
6 passes. (Lakes 4 passes + access and return from Langdale)
Helvellyn, High Street, Skiddaw combo

Impossible Dream
MTB Everesting
Quad Road Century

On the wish list are:

- A variation of the 2nd City Divide from home (Midlothian) to home (Chesterfield). Probably have to be in 2 stints.

- West coast (Road) tour from Lairg to Durness and down the coast to Kyle of Lochalsh.  Preferably further but time permitting... That said, the whole NC500 popularity puts me off.

Rats, this is what happens when you're stuck in lockdown, your perfectly reasonable, achievable 85km loops become 116km loops because you finally figure out that the Cowal Way up and over to Curra Lochain is actually relatively passable...

This looks epic, I think I'll need to spend February and March doing as many local gravel miles as possible so I'm ready for some long days once lockdown lifts!

Edit: still tinkering, I think the detour up to Sloy Dam is a trifle un-necessary this time...

https://www.strava.com/routes/2772815777169700214

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Another week, another fantasy gravel loop in the Cairngorms.

I've ridden most of this as a sort of 'gravelised' outer Cairngorms 300 loop. I really wanted to ride up to Faindouran (someone on here had posted some pics of the track) but didn't know how to incorporate the rest. I then realised that heading up to the Fords of Avon and following the track back up and over to Ryvoan was probably relatively gravel-able and created what looks like my perfect sort of loop, 90% good gravel, 10% 'spicy'...

Lord knows when I'll get to do this, all the big ambitious plans are getting compressed into a very short summer at this rate!

https://www.strava.com/routes/2787327541259647060

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Lordy, that's tough ground to carry a gravel bike over! From the bothy up to the Fords of Avon refuge is an utter ball ache (although a lighter gravel bike might make it marginally less painful) but even then, you're less than half way through the suffering. Getting up from the shelter north onto the shoulder of Bynack Mor from there isn't easy, even with the improvements to parts of the trail east of the summit. After that, I hope you're good at hopping water bars on a fast downhill.... and have tough tyres. Not saying don't do it; am saying go into it with your eyes open (and your pump at the ready..).

Haha! Yeah, I've ridden through the area before (except Faindouran - FoA). 10km of dubious terrain vs. 90km of good terrain, I like those odds...

I have a lot of faith in the ability of the gravel bike to pick through tough terrain if you're climbing or on the flat, I've been amazed at what is rideable (e.g. the worst bits of Glen Kinglas from Etive - Orchy, Gaick Pass, Loch Builg, Glen Tilt), in fact, I'm coming to believe that it's only really at speed that you lose out to an MTB.

Descents - less so, but I don't live for the descents on the gravel bike so am happy to keep speed in check and just roll down. I run 40mm Terrenos which have proven exceptionally reliable so far, and that's running tubes (no punctures at all until Hawthorne season started). I'll be running tubeless from now on which would allow slightly less pressure as well.

As you say though, go in with the eyes open and prepare for some hike-a-bike, is worth it for the good stuff.