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Hey guys, I'm attempting to start planning a 2/3 night packing trip but finding it hard to locate previous or known routes that I can then either follow blindly or amend to my liking.
Is there a resource out there where I can find other users routes ?
I guess you already know this site https://bikepacking.com , they have a few UK routes.
The first port of call would be https://bearbonesbikepacking.co.uk and check the "routes", "Anyone playing out" and "Your trips and adventures" sub-forums. (Quite a few of us are both on here and on BB). Join up and ask for suggestions in whichever area you are interested in.
There's also http://selfsupporteduk.net/ which while aimed at racing doesn't mean you can't do the routes at a more leisurely pace. It's been a while since this was updated but there's just a couple of longer routes missing.
I'd be wary of "blindly following" any GPX - on last year's BB200 there was a missing bridge so you either detoured or did an Indiana Jones as in the photo at the bottom of this page: https://bearbonesbikepacking.co.uk/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=13346&p=164774&hilit=BB200#p164607
The YD300 would be quite good over three or four days as would the Cairngorms Loop.
Suddenly remembered (bit odd since it was our last trip!) The Capital Trail is worth doing, but wait until after a dry spell, some of the tracks look like they could get pretty clarty! The Sandstone Way is also good but it's a point to point so you need to either book places on a train or sort a car out at either end.
A bit of musing whilst mowing the lawns: I'd look at an area you'd like to visit and work a route in and around there. Generally, apart from the ITTs on self-supported, there aren't bikepacking routes as such it's a case of make it up as you go along. You get tired or the weather changes so being able to figure out where you are and what shortcuts are available is all part of the challenge.
I assume you've done some overnight rides close to home to get your bivy stuff sorted? Don't have to be big trips, in fact it's better if they aren't then if it all goes pear shaped at 2am when you find out your bivy bag doesn't handle thunderstorms you can head home.
Dales Divide is a good shout for 3 to4 days
That's the spirit! Follow someone else's route!
@thebrick.. Yep. You got it.
For the first trip at least.
I dont class myself as an intrepid explorer by any means
@whitestone.. dont worry I will not blindly follow any gpx. I learnt that lesson snowboarding once. I Really want something to guide the basics then amend to my preference.