Yet Another Cycling Forum
General Category => Rides and Touring => Topic started by: JBB on 16 June, 2015, 10:19:01 pm
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I've just had another bimble around Wiltshire - mainly using bits of the Wiltshire cycleway and various bits of NCNs . Start south of Salisbury then Wilton towards Warminster, cut across through the Deverills to Longleat and an overnight camp at Mere. Home again via Semley Tisbury, Wilton and Broad Chalke. A lovely weekend out.
I thin this would make a really good long weekend tour if Day 1 went up toward Devizes , Day 2 to Mere then a return to Salisbury. Lovely countryside, good pubs and not to many hills. About 40 miles(ish) a day.
Does the team think this would be a goer for a group of us? (Good train links for Salisbury , Warminster and Tisbury)
The Final Plan – Friday 11th Sept to Sunday 13th Sept 2015
Anyone driving can safely leave a car near us Redlynch south of Salisbury; however the ride in to Salisbury is doable but not pleasant and adds 5 miles to the first and last day.
The whole route shadows the railway network so there is a back out option or the possibility of a train to Pewsey and joining for days 2 and 3.
Day 1 meet Salisbury Cathedral Close at 11:00, if damp Salisbury Station.
Proceed up the Avon Valley via Wilsford-Cum-Lake (of Audax fame) to Amesbury for lunch at The Friar Tuck (or a nice pub!)
Onward up the Avon Valley across tank country to our resting place for the night – The Barge Inn, Honey St. http://www.the-barge-inn.com/campsite.php. £7.50 pp
Eat at the pub or shop for food in Salisbury Amesbury or Pewsey on route (closest to the finish)
Route - http://cycle.travel/map/journey/13331 32 miles (but can be shortened to 28 with less climbing by using a bit of main road see http://cycle.travel/map/journey/13287)
Day 2 leave via NCN4 for Devizes for shops, brewery and Caen Hill flight of locks.
Route can be via towpath if weather has been good but is mapped via lanes apart from Caen Hill itself (downhill!)
Continue through Trowbridge (all the shops you might need) to camp at Brokerswood Country Park - £11 per emplacement for 2 people (special walkers and cyclists rate). I need to check as they don’t take huge group bookings – we could always be cunning and just turn up; anyway I’ll phone first and see what response I get.
Pub nearby at Rudge http://www.thefullmoon.co.uk/directions.html but I’ll probably buy a bottle of wine and do some gourmet camp cooking.
Route http://cycle.travel/map/journey/13521 28 miles
Day 3 – the longest Day 35 miles – all on decent roads.
Start the day with a route through the grounds at Longleat, a bit lumpy but worth the effort. Then an easy run skirting Warminster along the Wylye Valley, through Wilton and back to Salisbury.to disperse.
Route http://cycle.travel/map/journey/13523
I'd like to know who's planning to come as I will need to phone the campsite at Rudge if there's more than 4 of us!
Any more info required just post to the thread.
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Wiltshire is a county I always think I ought to explore more. My only sojourn has been the Solstice WARTIES we did from Castle Caru*>Glastonbury>Stonehenge>Pewsey. In principle I would like to take part, but this year is looking a little crowded.
*ffaux Welsh spelling.
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This year is pretty busy for me as well so it can wait a while. Just don't want to do all the planning if nobody is interested.
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I'd love to join you on this Julia, calendar permitting, if you decide to go ahead.
Rob
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Also interested. I think some more forum group touring would be an excellent thing.
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Also interested, calendar permitting. As I'm local, if anyone wants to use the facilities here they'd be more than welcome.
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*awaits maps and dates with interest*
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I look forward to some astounding new archaeological theories that Stonehenge and Avebury were actually built by the Scythians. :thumbsup:
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I look forward to some astounding new archaeological theories that Stonehenge and Avebury were actually built by the Scythians. :thumbsup:
They were controls for early audaxers.
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That does fit with the 'prehistoric bus stop' theory!
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Sounds like a lovely route. If you're willing to stray outside of Wiltshire into the depths of darkest Hampshire you could possibly borrow sections of John Ward's New Forest rides. I've done both his 100km routes and enjoyed them both. Unsurprisingly you get to take in sections of the New Forest on mostly quiet lanes and with a bit of variation you could probably link up to approach Salisbury from the south without having to do battle with the fast sections of the A36 or the A338.
I'm not sure if you can cut from Downton straight through to Alderbury on two wheels, I believe a road exists but whether it's public, totally private, or open to walkers and cyclists I have no idea.
I'd love to join you but geography presents something of a challenge these days.
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I've got some rotes on Cycle. Travel - just cant work out how to share them....
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I think you can open up the route on Cycle Travel and then copy / paste the URL link into a Yacf post. Then highlight the link and click on the hyperlink icon.
This sounds like a fun plan for a weekend away - I'll definitely be up for it dates permitting.
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I look forward to some astounding new archaeological theories that Stonehenge and Avebury were actually built by the Scythians. :thumbsup:
I'm sure they'd be raking it in.....
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I think you can open up the route on Cycle Travel and then copy / paste the URL link into a Yacf post. Then highlight the link and click on the hyperlink icon.
This sounds like a fun plan for a weekend away - I'll definitely be up for it dates permitting.
I'll give it a try tomorrow. Few things to do tonight before crashing!
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I think you can open up the route on Cycle Travel and then copy / paste the URL link into a Yacf post. Then highlight the link and click on the hyperlink icon.
This sounds like a fun plan for a weekend away - I'll definitely be up for it dates permitting.
I'll give it a try tomorrow. Few things to do tonight before crashing!
Lets see if this works http://cycle.travel/map#/journey/13194 Can someone let me know if this works for them please?
Thanks
Julia
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Not working for me, I'm afraid. (Although my laptop's chronically short of space, so that sometimes makes maps stuff go a bit squiffy.)
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Ah no that bright idea doesn't seem to work - sorry about that!
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Looked on Cycle Travel to see whether there is any better advice than I gave and this is what they suggested:
Once you've saved a route, you can just copy the web address in your browser - it'll be something like http://cycle.travel/map/journey/1234 - and send that to your friends.
Have you marked the route as 'private'?
Alternatively, you could page Richard Fairhurst who posts on this forum as it is his site.
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Ah! Taking the # out gives Salisbury - Devizes: http://cycle.travel/map/journey/13194
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Good oh!
Three routes to cover each day
Day 1 http://cycle.travel/map/journey/13194 (http://cycle.travel/map/journey/13194)
Day 2 http://cycle.travel/map/journey/12937 (http://cycle.travel/map/journey/12937)
Day 3 http://cycle.travel/map/journey/13195 (http://cycle.travel/map/journey/13195)
I've kept day 3 short so people have time t get home. Day 1 stops at Seend where there is a pub with camping and a CC site. Day 2 stops at a simple farm camp site south of Mere about 3/4 mile from a pub. ( This is the campsite I used last weekend) Mere has a Coop and fish and chips.
Anyway have a look and see what you think.
Julia
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Looks good Julia. A good chance for me to try out my Thorn Raven, fully loaded.
Any preferences on dates? I'm good for any weekend up to the last week in August.
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I personally wouldn't want to ride a road bike down Caen Hill locks. The tow path is not that good plus depening upon when you do this, the thorns in some of the stretches are so good you will get punctures every 5 metres. Not sure when they cut the hedges along there.
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I personally wouldn't want to ride a road bike down Caen Hill locks. The tow path is not that good plus depening upon when you do this, the thorns in some of the stretches are so good you will get punctures every 5 metres. Not sure when they cut the hedges along there.
I'll have a look at alternatives then. The main problem then becomes avoiding busy roads. I would still like to do the bit by Caen hill, last time I was there it looked fine for a touring bike. I may need to do a proper recce of this section although I've done various bits of it on multiple occasions.
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Yeah, the path alongside the locks themselves is fine on a touring bike. You'll be riding at walking speed anyway because of all the pedestrians, so if it's really dodgy you can always push. The lock flight is worth seeing.
The path becomes a lot rougher (but reasonably solid) soon afterwards. I've done it on a rigid hybrid with 28mm tyres (had very numb hands by the time I got to Bath) and on a Streetmachine (no problems, once I'd found the sweet spot on the suspension pre-load adjustment).
All towpaths are worth avoiding in hedge-cutting season.
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I took a look at day 1 and it looks like you missed the obvious opportunity to stop at the Friar Tuck in Amesbury. Shame on you :P
I've cycled down the towpath beside the Caen Hill locks twice and up it once, on a mountain bike with nigh-on indestructible 2" Marathon Plus tyres. The first time going down was with a friend on a touring bike who seemed to get a flat every time he went within 100 yards of a piece of glass, but he didn't get a flat going down that stretch.
The second time going down was with a larger group on a mixture of mountain and more road-like bikes (I forget if they were proper "road bikes" or more like touring bikes) and the only issue we had was someone drifted off the path and buckled his wheel on something.
Going up was with the same friend as the first time, this time we were both on mountain bikes and had no issues.
Depending on the time of day (and I guess what day it is) you can get to a reasonable speed freewheeling. Just mind your head on the bridges at the bottom.
I agree with Kim's assessment that you don't go very far past the locks before the path gets a lot lumpier. It seems a shame not to see the locks, but a bigger shame to spend more time fixing punctures than you do riding, or wrecking delicate anatomical areas on a bike that really can't cope with the lumpier section of towpath.
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Friar Tuck fo lunch after passing through Wilsford cum Lake...
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On the opposite side of the lock flight is a newly resurfaced road that leads to a car park from the bottom and also enters from the top but I'm not sure if they join in the middle. That side of the road is also one of the Millenium Wood sites. Not much to see yet but worth visiting maybe if you plan on coming back in years time to see the growth - "I remember that wood when it was only neigh high"....... ;D
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Friar Tuck fo lunch after passing through Wilsford cum Lake...
OK, I'll let you off. It looked like you passed close enough to shout an order in, but stayed far enough away to not actually collect it.
Another option to consider would be to borrow a section from the lovely route organised by scampi OTP that routes from Amesbury towards Hungerford and beyond. I did the 200 a couple of years ago (would have done it again last year but broke my bike two days before the ride) and really enjoyed it. An added bonus is that you get to stop for ice cream at the Tutti Pole in Hungerford.
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I'd like to register an interest. I lived in Wiltshire for quite a few years, including at the top of Caen Hill locks, and would love to do a cycle tour around my old haunts. My job usually prevents my participation in stuff like this, but I'll keep an eye on it...
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I love that region. It is so varied and there is never a point where you feel bored with your surroundings.
Have a good ride m'dears. :thumbsup:
H
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I'm currently working on some variations so we see the canal but not for too long; planning to do a run with my sister early September - hoping to recce a few bits before then.
Can anybody let me know how busy the B3098 between Westbury and West Lavington is?
Julia
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Can anybody let me know how busy the B3098 between Westbury and West Lavington is?
It's usually "fairly quiet" rather than "very busy".
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I'm interested. Touring with others without huge mileages sounds like a winner for me. Great :)
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Do you have dates for this? I might be upfrit, riding to and from a festival in Wiltshire a couple of years ago I resolved to come back and this would be a good opportunity.
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13th to 15th September looks a possibility.... Please be aware I will not be herding cats. I will organise the route and am prepared to phone ahead to the campsites. I reserve the right to stop for lunch when I feel like it and will not be going in search of lost souls! If the weather is horrible I will not be going!
Basically this is the introduction of my sister to cycle camping which I am happy to share with others of like mind!
HTH
Julia
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TBH, I find that YACF cats generally herd themselves if you make a plan, state it clearly and stick to it.
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TBH, I find that YACF cats generally herd themselves if you make a plan, state it clearly and stick to it.
I expect you're right; I'm Mrs Grumpy pessimistic today - sorry all.
Julia
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13th to 15th September looks a possibility....
My birthday!
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13th to 15th September looks a possibility....
My birthday!
I won't ask which one....
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TBH, I find that YACF cats generally herd themselves if you make a plan, state it clearly and stick to it.
I expect you're right; I'm Mrs Grumpy pessimistic today - sorry all.
Well, the faff can be fairly endless if you leave dates and routes open to debate, so it's not an unreasonable concern...
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Plan – Friday 11th Sept to Sunday 13th Sept 2015
Anyone driving can safely leave a car near us Redlynch south of Salisbury; however the ride in to Salisbury is doable but not pleasant and adds 5 miles to the first and last day.
The whole route shadows the railway network so there is a back out option or the possibility of a train to Pewsey and joining for days 2 and 3.
Day 1 meet Salisbury Cathedral Close at 11:00, if damp Salisbury Station.
Proceed up the Avon Valley via Wilsford-Cum-Lake (of Audax fame) to Amesbury for lunch at The Friar Tuck (or a nice pub!)
Onward up the Avon Valley across tank country to our resting place for the night – The Barge Inn, Honey St. http://www.the-barge-inn.com/campsite.php. £7.50 pp
Eat at the pub or shop for food in Salisbury Amesbury or Pewsey on route (closest to the finish)
Route - http://cycle.travel/map/journey/13331 32 miles (but can be shortened to 28 with less climbing by using a bit of main road see http://cycle.travel/map/journey/13287)
Day 2 leave via NCN4 for Devizes for shops, brewery and Caen Hill flight of locks.
Route can be via towpath if weather has been good but is mapped via lanes apart from Caen Hill itself (downhill!)
Continue through Trowbridge (all the shops you might need) to camp at Brokerswood Country Park - £11 per emplacement for 2 people (special walkers and cyclists rate). I need to check as they don’t take huge group bookings – we could always be cunning and just turn up; anyway I’ll phone first and see what response I get.
Pub nearby at Rudge http://www.thefullmoon.co.uk/directions.html but I’ll probably buy a bottle of wine and do some gourmet cooking.
Route http://cycle.travel/map/journey/13521 28 miles
Day 3 – the longest Day 35 miles – all on decent roads.
Start the day with a route through the grounds at Longleat, a bit lumpy but worth the effort. Then an easy run skirting Warminster along the Wylye Valley, through Wilton and back to Salisbury.to disperse.
Route http://cycle.travel/map/journey/13523
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Sounds interesting. Checking diary. :thumbsup:
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Ideal for me: I can get a train direct to Salisbury and the website says that I can book a space for the bike on it.
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Ideal for me: I can get a train direct to Salisbury and the website says that I can book a space for the bike on it.
I shall look forward to joining you for a birthday drink! All I need now is Helen's fractured radius to heal up so she can ride in comfort, some decent weather and it should be a goer.
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Bump: are we still on for this Julia?
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Bump: are we still on for this Julia?
Still on, Helen is mending nicely. Only truly foul weather will stop this. I'll pm you the proposed alternative....
Julia
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I am an infrequent user of the Waterloo - West Country route, but it seems to me that they never seem to get involved in cheap Advance tickets. I can get a reasonable deal using my OBRC, but without that I would have baulked at the price.
My own preference is to travel to Salisbury on the Thursday and camp at the C&CC site, which is only a mile or so from the city centre.
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Bump: are we still on for this Julia?
Still on, Helen is mending nicely. Only truly foul weather will stop this. I'll pm you the proposed alternative....
Julia
OK Plan B - I've checked with the other half and if the weather is foul I will be offering the use of the facilities in our house plus the use of a dry heated garden "shed" (courtesy of Dunster House) with foam mats on the floor to anyone who wants to commit and buy train tickets etc.
Anyone tough can camp on the back lawn. There is a downstairs loo just inside the back door and family bathroom upstairs. We live in Redlynch , south of Salisbury, just within the New Forest National park so can do some good day rides and return to warm and dry lodgings and use of shower, washing machine etc. We can do a barbecue if the weather allows it one evening or we can make lots of mess in the kitchen! Otherwise the nearest pub is 500m away.
HTH
Julia
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That sounds really wonderful - thank you! Above and beyond the call of duty and all that...
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Very kind of yourself and 'im indoors to come up with such a generous offer. As I'm only about an hour or so up the line, I'm personally quite flexible on arrangements. It would be a pity to miss an opportunity for camping out though.
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Request for a summary: Dates, plans, places?
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It's mid-thread: https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=91360.msg1883496#msg1883496
JBB, maybe you could add these to the original post and add dates to the title and stuff?
(You might want to re-assert your policy on cat-hearding, too!) ;D
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Thanks!
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It's mid-thread: https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=91360.msg1883496#msg1883496
JBB, maybe you could add these to the original post and add dates to the title and stuff?
(You might want to re-assert your policy on cat-hearding, too!) ;D
Good thinking; although life is getting better so generally more optimistic!
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... to our resting place for the night – The Barge Inn, Honey St.
Take ear plugs - the last two times I camped at the Barge, there were oiks playing the bongos until 3 am.
I was irritated enough that I bought a schraeder valve core remover ready for next time (I'll probably forget it).
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If you do stay at Honeystreet breakfast can be obtained just outside Woodborough at the garden centre (http://www.woodboroughgardencentre.co.uk/farm-cafe).
OTOH if you revert to an earlier plan and stop at the bottom of Caen hill the C&C camp site has superb facilities, 22:00 noise curfew and if memory serves is £0.20 dearer than the Barge Inn.
Have fun all.
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The Barges website says they've demolished the old toilets & shower & have a temporary unit in its place.
The last time I stayed there you needed wellies in the loo. Not good when all you have are Shimano sandals!
It's 4 1/2 hours & 2 changes to get to Salisbury by train, so I'll probably give this a miss. Hope you all have fun.
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Sounds very tempting but unfortunately we're not available. :(
Thankfully the trains look mega meh too so there's no temptation from that perspective. Phew!!!
Hope that you all have a great time and look forward to seeing lots of you at Long Itch at the end of September. :thumbsup:
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I'd like to know who's planning to come as I will need to phone the campsite at Rudge if there's more than 4 of us!
I'm planning to. I've even checked the trains and they only cost about the same as what we paid for Prague - Vienna, so by UK standards that's a bargain! Do we need to book other sites in advance or just turn up? I'm presuming as it's not in school hols it'll be fairly quiet.
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I'd like to know who's planning to come as I will need to phone the campsite at Rudge if there's more than 4 of us!
I'm planning to. I've even checked the trains and they only cost about the same as what we paid for Prague - Vienna, so by UK standards that's a bargain! Do we need to book other sites in advance or just turn up? I'm presuming as it's not in school hols it'll be fairly quiet.
The only one I've checked is Brokerswood as they don't take groups. I asked and their major concern is loud parties, so happy to have us as it is low season. I've checked the Barge website but should phone, I don't suppose Friday will be as busy.
HTH
Julia
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Also planning to come. I'm thinking of using cycle-touring tactics to get there, though may train back.
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Also planning to come. I'm thinking of using cycle-touring tactics to get there, though may train back.
There used to be a direct train from Salisbury to Brum some years ago......You're welcome to get here early. pm me for details if required!
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I have plans for the Thursday now so intend to catch the first available train on Friday. This will involve you all leaving without me as my train won't get into Salisbury until 12.42. However, 32 miles at touring speed is 4 hours' cycling so I will meet you all at the camp site if that is OK.
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Oh! I don't think I've declared my Officially In-ness on here yet: cycling up with JBB and Sis to the cathedral rendezvous.
So, who have we got?
I make it:
Definite:
JBB + Sis
nikki
Wowbagger (joining at first campsite)
Robh
Kim
Cudzoziemiec
Unconfirmed:
Dibdib
JenM
TimC
Flatbar Steve
Is that about right?
Really looking forward to this now!
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I'll pm everyone on the short list my contact details this evening. Anyone else can contact me via pm up to the evening before if they plan on joining us.
HTH
Julia
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If you do stay at The Barge, I could get onto the fixed and pop down the road !! Well the 4 odd miles ;D
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I have plans for the Thursday now so intend to catch the first available train on Friday. This will involve you all leaving without me as my train won't get into Salisbury until 12.42. However, 32 miles at touring speed is 4 hours' cycling so I will meet you all at the camp site if that is OK.
We'll try not to drink all the beer before you get there!
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Okay, I have half a plan, in the sense of a train ticket out of Winchester on the Sunday evening after the bustitution is over. I think the geographically sensible approach is to follow Wowbagger's lead and meet at the first campsite, having cycled my way down from Brum via somewhere roughly in the middle. (Any suggestions for campsites on a roughly Gloucester-Bicester line of latitude welcome).
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Okay, I have half a plan, in the sense of a train ticket out of Winchester on the Sunday evening after the bustitution is over. I think the geographically sensible approach is to follow Wowbagger's lead and meet at the first campsite, having cycled my way down from Brum via somewhere roughly in the middle. (Any suggestions for campsites on a roughly Gloucester-Bicester line of latitude welcome).
http://www.hardwickparks.co.uk/ might do. Big site but backpacker rate of £7.50 and the hot showers are included in the price and are hot! Oh and it's lovely and quiet. If you arrive via Witney you can pickup supplies here then a short flat ride south. Otherwise several pubs within easy access.
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I think I'm likely out for the camping shenanigans, sadly. Sorry chums.
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I think I'm likely out for the camping shenanigans, sadly. Sorry chums.
Always another time!
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Okay, I have half a plan, in the sense of a train ticket out of Winchester on the Sunday evening after the bustitution is over. I think the geographically sensible approach is to follow Wowbagger's lead and meet at the first campsite, having cycled my way down from Brum via somewhere roughly in the middle. (Any suggestions for campsites on a roughly Gloucester-Bicester line of latitude welcome).
On the way back from Long Itch last time, I spent a night here: http://www.bluebellfarmbandb.co.uk Just on the right (ie left) side of Upton-on-Severn. Ignore the ranks of mobyhomes, beyond those there's a big field which I had all to myself, next to the 'Shepherd's hut'. £4 a night though the woman who runs it said "£8 minimum" when I turned up. Despite that, it was ok, though would not cope well with being busy.
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Also thinking of taking the Wow and Kim approach of turning up at first campsite, but have yet to formulate a plan.
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Afraid I am out. I have been invited at short notice to stay at a friend's place this week end up't north, as the Tour of Britain is going past his front door. An offer too good to miss. Otherwise I should be decorating. I was away last week end at Mildenhall and will also be at Long Itch. Nuff said! :(
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Okay, I have half a plan, in the sense of a train ticket out of Winchester on the Sunday evening after the bustitution is over. I think the geographically sensible approach is to follow Wowbagger's lead and meet at the first campsite, having cycled my way down from Brum via somewhere roughly in the middle. (Any suggestions for campsites on a roughly Gloucester-Bicester line of latitude welcome).
Best route I can come up with from Salisbury to Winchester here http://cycle.travel/map/journey/15623
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Afraid I am out. I have been invited at short notice to stay at a friend's place this week end up't north, as the Tour of Britain is going past his front door. An offer too good to miss. Otherwise I should be decorating. I was away last week end at Mildenhall and will also be at Long Itch. Nuff said! :(
Enjoy yourself - still not sure whether I will be able to do the Itch but it's planned.....
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Okay, I have half a plan, in the sense of a train ticket out of Winchester on the Sunday evening after the bustitution is over. I think the geographically sensible approach is to follow Wowbagger's lead and meet at the first campsite, having cycled my way down from Brum via somewhere roughly in the middle. (Any suggestions for campsites on a roughly Gloucester-Bicester line of latitude welcome).
Best route I can come up with from Salisbury to Winchester here http://cycle.travel/map/journey/15623
Cool, thanks. Needs a tweak to go through Kimbridge, of course... :D
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Okay, I have half a plan, in the sense of a train ticket out of Winchester on the Sunday evening after the bustitution is over. I think the geographically sensible approach is to follow Wowbagger's lead and meet at the first campsite, having cycled my way down from Brum via somewhere roughly in the middle. (Any suggestions for campsites on a roughly Gloucester-Bicester line of latitude welcome).
Best route I can come up with from Salisbury to Winchester here http://cycle.travel/map/journey/15623
Cool, thanks. Needs a tweak to go through Kimbridge, of course... :D
Done; your wish etc..
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Best route I can come up with from Salisbury to Winchester here http://cycle.travel/map/journey/15623
Small suggested improvement: out of Salisbury along Shady Bower.
(Sorry too lazy to work out how to post a link.)
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Best route I can come up with from Salisbury to Winchester here http://cycle.travel/map/journey/15623
Small suggested improvement: out of Salisbury along Shady Bower.
(Sorry too lazy to work out how to post a link.)
True but a bit steep on a bent? It always gets messy on the bit along the A36 anyway - I'll add it anyway.!
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True but a bit steep on a bent?
Yes. And with my tiny brain, quite possible to get lost among!
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A couple of questions:
1. What time do you expect to arrive at the camp site on Friday?
2. a. What time are we planning to get back to Salisbury on Sunday, and
b. Are there any campsites in or very close to Salisbury?
Q1 Simply for coordination purposes, 2 because my plan to lazily tour back home on Monday has been scuppered by the need to Do Things on Monday afternoon and so take a train.
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I booked my tickets today. Really looking forward to this :-)
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http://www.hardwickparks.co.uk/ might do. Big site but backpacker rate of £7.50 and the hot showers are included in the price and are hot! Oh and it's lovely and quiet. If you arrive via Witney you can pickup supplies here then a short flat ride south. Otherwise several pubs within easy access.
Gone with that, because it looks easy, and I've got a known-good route that goes most of the way there.
£5.50 for a lightweight in low-season. Can't argue with that if it includes decent showers!
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@Cudzo: there is a camp site very close to Salisbury.
http://streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=413950&Y=131810&A=Y&Z=120 refers.
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Could someone sum up the plan for your Sunday?
I may be out and about near Salisbury/Winchester and could meet for a cake.
Note. Test Valley Cycle Club had words with "Annie's" at Kimbridge about some rather puny slices of cake they served up this Summer.
The manager apologised and said they would do better next time.
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Could someone sum up the plan for your Sunday?
I may be out and about near Salisbury/Winchester and could meet for a cake.
Day 3 – the longest Day 35 miles – all on decent roads.
Start the day with a route through the grounds at Longleat, a bit lumpy but worth the effort. Then an easy run skirting Warminster along the Wylye Valley, through Wilton and back to Salisbury.to disperse.
Route http://cycle.travel/map/journey/13523
I'll be continuing to Winchester where there are direct trains to Birmingham, but I think most people are getting some kind of train at Salisbury, so that's the best place for CAKE. No idea of what the timing's going to be like.
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Thanks Kim, I've been out of coverage all day - one of those team building things...
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A couple of questions:
1. What time do you expect to arrive at the camp site on Friday?
2. a. What time are we planning to get back to Salisbury on Sunday, and
b. Are there any campsites in or very close to Salisbury?
Q1 Simply for coordination purposes, 2 because my plan to lazily tour back home on Monday has been scuppered by the need to Do Things on Monday afternoon and so take a train.
I am now packing which looks about to take all day! Plan is to meet at 11. Given average speed of 10 mph for 32 miles plus stops I'd allow at least 4 hours. Only the third time of cycle camping for me so others may be able to produce a better estimate.
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Moving my daughter into Uni this weekend so can't pop over.
That's a shame as the route looks fantastic (Done it many times on various Audax rides).
A nice mix of flat and ..ahem....occasionally not flat, sections.
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I'm in a holding pattern just south of chez JBB.
Had a luuuuuurvely ride today, with lots of this:
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5712/21114315349_17dcf3923d_z.jpg)
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5778/21274656186_033a874c42_z.jpg)
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5733/21112486550_b0d57a9e6e_z.jpg)
And even a pleasurable amount of this:
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/655/20679411703_e9eabac65d_z.jpg)
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/572/20679221063_181ef588ab_z.jpg)
Now re-packing for touring mode. Looking forward to it!
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Uave just discovered a pannier with some clothing from the Chepstow weekend. The clothing has now been put in the washing. There are cycling shorts in there. Hopefully they will be dry enough for me to take tomorrow.
I am showered fro today's ride. I will start to gather stuff together soon.
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I think I've packed. I'm not sure what I've forgotten. Perhaps non-cycling gear for an evening pub visit? Or perhaps not. Looks like Sunday's going to be wet.
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Have a good time all, weather or no.
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I'm pitched up in Oxfordshire's best kept secret. Sharing the corner of a large field with a group of nonspecific Europeans, who have been discovering the delights of the Scottish midges.
It was a headwind all the way from Birmingham, and surprisingly hot - to the point where I ran out of water. Now admiring a cloudless, if rather light-polluted sky.
Shorter ride tomorrow, along the Vale of the White Horse - I'm cunningly not going to climb the hill at Uffington this time.
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I will start to gather stuff together soon.
Downmat(s)!
Too late to remind Kim to remember trousers.
Cudzoziemiec! Trousers!
(I'm planning on pub meal tomorrow night, seeing as how they do Nikki-friendly burgers. Would be rude not to.
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Trousers? Well, I've packed bikesters. Will they do?
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Trousers? Well, I've packed bikesters. Will they do?
I'm sure they'll be fine. Just don't hang about too long. Kitchen closes at 20:30.. Looking forward to seeing you all.
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I will start to gather stuff together soon.
Downmat(s)!
Too late to remind Kim to remember trousers.
Cudzoziemiec! Trousers!
(I'm planning on pub meal tomorrow night, seeing as how they do Nikki-friendly burgers. Would be rude not to.
I have packed 2 downmats.
Must go and pack some other stuff now.
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Can confirm that I have trousers. It seems that my token forgotten item is my folding USB wall-wart, which is - logically - in the Brompton bag. Hopefully that shouldn't be a problem.
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Can confirm that I have trousers. It seems that my token forgotten item is my folding USB wall-wart, which is - logically - in the Brompton bag. Hopefully that shouldn't be a problem.
I'll try to remember to pack mine. It's all been a bit horrendous here. Dudley went to Brittany while Helen and I go cycling, Wonderful! Except his car has died - now need to get home car plus husband plus dog! Fortunately I will be off to La Belle France on Tuesday to do "International Rescue" . We are insured but discovered it does not cover return of the hound of the Baker-Beall's. So after a stressful 2 days Thunderbirds are GO!
See you tomorrow here Nikki; RobH by the cathedral (Elizabeth Frink Statue?) Kim, Wow and Cudzo at The Barge. Night all
Julia
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Apart from a couple of pairs of cycling shorts and a top drying on the inside line, I think I am packed. 9.32 from Prittlewell arrives Lpoo St at 10.28. Doubt I'll get to Waterloo in time for the 10.50 but ought to make the 11.20 OK. Arrive in Salisbury at 12.42 and start pedalling.
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Have fun everyone :thumbsup:
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Can confirm that I have trousers. It seems that my token forgotten item is my folding USB wall-wart, which is - logically - in the Brompton bag. Hopefully that shouldn't be a problem.
I'll have my folding plug socket with what-ever-flavour-USB it is my phone charges with cable with me. Assuming I remember to stop charging my phone with it before I leave.
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...intended in the style of "so you can borrow that if that's of use", rather than gloating!
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Last night's laundry is dry and I am wearing two-thirds of it.
I have had my Friday tablet and now have to wait half an hour before I eat.
Dez will be getting on the same London-bound train as I am, on his way to pick up his car from Telford.
I shall be bringing electrickery (Tech-net) and my Ipad. I find that small screens and keyboards are very tiresome for train use.
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Boy in school. Milk in fridge. Camping stuff in panniers. Breakfast in stomach. Grandpa in structions. Doubt in mind. Should I take the ? or the ? Maybe both? No one else in house, must get going! Forecast for Sunday looking better.
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On train no. 1 approaching Billericay. Dez is with me but we are both in "eyes down" mode. We part company at Lpoo St.
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At Salisbury cathedral. Where is everybody?
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Approaching Salisbury.
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On the Ridgeway somewhere in the vicinity of Swindon...
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The First Four now noshing at the Friar Tuck. Will buy wine at Tesco's then onward. I'LL see if we.get.a signal later.
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The First Four now noshing at the Friar Tuck. Will buy wine at Tesco's then onward. I'LL see if we.get.a signal later.
The Friar Tuck? You classy bunch you.
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CORed my way to Marlborough, and stocked up on susupplies. In waitrose because I'm also classy.
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Amesbury.
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I'm at the Barge Inn. Looks like I'm the first to arrive...
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CORed my way to Marlborough, and stocked up on susupplies. In waitrose because I'm also classy.
I know it well. As supermarkets go the Malborough Waitrose is pretty classy. Even the Checkout staff wear Green Wellies I believe.
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It's one of *those* campsites.
The bongos have stopped, and the abortive attempt at guitar seems to be petering out. Just screaming kids, laughter, occasional shouting at dogs and wowbagger's snoring now...
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The above post probably constitues proof that I've become middle-aged.
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Dear God let the torrential rain start soon.
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Bladder o'clock (beware of the beer spill in the ladies'). Two groups still wide awake, the one upwind of our tents are doing unwise things with paraffin. I can hear bagpipes. Oh, and a vehicle just arrived. I think the rain is about to start...
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The last time I was down there I rode into the Barge campsite , did a 180 & rode on to the next place. There was some sort of mini new age festival going on. Sounds like it's a regular feature.
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I hope you are going to attempt the 'how much noise can we make at breakfast' record?
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Tonight's campsite is a bit more civilised. Applying weirdo-on-the-bus logic, I reckon we're tthe ruffians...
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Quite apart from the non-stop noise - the music finally stopped at about 4am but after that a woman sitting in a gazebo near us kept jabbering away sbout anything and nothing, even making a comment when I let fly an eloquent fart - I found that when we started cycling someone had uncoupled my front brake's noodle.
As Kim says, tonight's campsite seems greatly preferable, but even here there was a group carrying on near 2am whom I heard when I awoke needing the bog. In addition, while I was sitting there some other bloke came in, turned the light on (it was on a timer much too short for my purposes) and started to engage me in conversation. He was, quite understandably, in a heightened state of dudgeon because some unknown bloke wearing a mask had barged into his tent. I must say that I had thought there was someone in another cubicle as I was sure I twice heard someone in another cubicle clearing his throat (no, that isn't an euphemism) but when I emerged I checked the other cubicles and there was no-one there. There was, however, an open window at the far end of the gents'. I returned to my tent very carefully, checked my bike was locked, and just before I zipped iup me tent I saw a guy in hi-viz walking around waving a torch about, although that was a standard security patrol or a visit for a specific reason I have no idea. I suspect that the Brokerswood camp has a prowler.
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An update.
I had a word with the Woman On Reception and related my experiences to her. She said that she was already aware of an incident but wasn't sure of the details. It seems that one pai of two sets of friends went to a party amd came back with a surfeit of ethyl alchohol within their persons and thought that bursting in on their friends in the Dead of Night would be a merry jape, with possibly less than hilarious consequences. The W.O.R. opined that the piss-heads were now too embarrassed by their behaviour toadmit to it yet. This ties in with Our Cudzo's account. He told me that he was awoken by the sounds of footsteps and whispering, followed shortly by A Scream. It may have been this that woke me from my slumber.
The "guy" in hi-viz that I saw was none other than the excellent lady who cooked my breakfast.
After this I would have no hesitatin recommending Brpoerwood camp site to everyone, including persons of a nervous disposition. It even had the benefit of small children zooming round in Islabikes.
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I parted company with the group at Brokerswood this morning - here are a few photos before I head on up to Brum.
Setting off from Chez JBB for the Salisbury Cathedral rendezvous:
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/706/21196806038_24711c0ee6_z.jpg)
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/590/21358332916_ba66de2451_z.jpg)
... Where we were joined by Robh and some nice roads out to The Friar Tuck. interior decor duly noted, and we wanted to draw Charlotte's attention to the stylish door hardware in case she hadn't see it before:
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5713/21358171006_ae166ebd3a_z.jpg)
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/585/21392650791_6b6670cdb0_z.jpg)
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5798/21197388789_227eb4da25_z.jpg)
We're not scared!
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/772/20761582784_3bc540e467_z.jpg)
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5618/20763128073_ca67d0a235_z.jpg)
... but we will just carefully double-check the bylaws before we use the shortcut ;D
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/596/20763110383_9a3f0a256b_z.jpg)
The first night's campsite will, I'm sure, be described in more detail in posts to come, so on to day 2.
It was a bit wet in the morning, so not so many photos from that section of the ride, but it cleared up by lunchtime, at which point Wowbagger's sixth sense for finding eateries led us to this alleywaytypething.
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/673/21196886039_d56915571e_z.jpg)
Then on to Caen Hill Locks!
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5652/21195847868_776d85ae2f_z.jpg)
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/742/21383582245_b7eeb4015b_z.jpg)
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5660/21382883025_e16b01d95a_z.jpg)
And some more lurvely routing from JBB on to Brokerswood Country Park.
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5652/21371558572_dd580c5c33_z.jpg)
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/764/21193299440_cd03edac17_z.jpg)
Some more photos here: https://www.flickr.com/gp/nikki_pugh/g7Zx3i
Thanks all for an enjoyable few days (and camaraderie regarding the nights) ;D
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I'm at Winchester. It's almost as cold as Bristol Partway.
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I'm at home. It's cold, according to Mrs Cudzo, but that's cos she's picked up a bug. Actually, I've been home two hours and, having unpacked, put the washing on and even had a shower, I'm now eating something I didn't cook, but it does include rice.
The first few minutes of the train home were amusing, back up the beautiful Wylye Valley alongside the same roads we had ridden on. My initial feeling of 'could have ridden as far as Westbury or at least Warminster' was soon tempered by the feelign that I was, in fact, quite sleepy and even a bit hungry, so I unearthed some chocolate and an Trowbridge Tesco orange in my bar bag. This must have done me some good as when I got to Bristol and de-jengaed my bike from the three others on top of it, the short ride home involved some sprinting at over 20mph and angles of lean that are probably not meant to be achieved on an MTB laden with four panniers. Admittedly, I was tucked in behind a bus.
Big, big thanks to Julia for organising this.
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I'm standing in a vestibule admiring the dangling unreserved molehill bikes.
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@Wow: he's eaten five so far. :)
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Outbreak of blitz spirit in the vestibule. With a bit of help from the train manager and the woman with the yappy dog who finally got out of the way, we managed to cram two more bikes in. I'm celebrating by providing simplified English train routing advice to a confused FORRIN who accidentally got on at Reading.
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At home now. It was a fairly fraught journey, the London-bound train being completely packed. I had to ask a sleeping woman to move her belongings so that I could sit down. Fortunately the train pretty much emptied at Clapham Junction and I took advantage of the fact and put all my bags back on the bike and was able to push it straight onto the platform and make a relatively quick getaway.
I didn't do my homework properly and when I got to Lpoo St I discovered that trains were terminating at Billericay so I hied me to Fenchurch Street and caught the 7.10 train to Southend Central. It was a relatively empty train and I am now omeletted up.
Many thanks to Julia for organising. I was pretty unfamiliar with Wiltshire but the countryside was excellent, the route planning likewise, and the company even better. We'll gloss over the Barge pub & campsite as "just one of those things".
I failed to ay goodbye properly to Nikki, who was taking motorised transport away from the Brokerswood campsite. She and I cooked up an absolutely first rate meal last night with venison sausages, an assortment of ready-prepared veg, an onion that I bought at Budgen's in Trowbridge and some rice, on my MSR paraffin stove and Nikki's Trangia.
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Home now too.
an absolutely first rate meal last night with venison sausages, an assortment of ready-prepared veg, an onion that I bought at Budgen's in Trowbridge and some rice, on my MSR paraffin stove and Nikki's Trangia.
Don't forget the Marigold Swiss Vegetable Bouillon Powder!
(Or HAIRCUT!)
Cudzoziemiec, here's the prosaic bottle set I use: http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/storage-bottle-set-7pc-p181816
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Home, showered, fed, of to bed. If I (and anyone wants me to after the debacle of the first campsite ) organise thia again I couldn't ask for a better bunch of companions. Sleep well all!
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Home now too.
an absolutely first rate meal last night with venison sausages, an assortment of ready-prepared veg, an onion that I bought at Budgen's in Trowbridge and some rice, on my MSR paraffin stove and Nikki's Trangia.
Don't forget the Marigold Swiss Vegetable Bouillon Powder!
(Or HAIRCUT!)
Cudzoziemiec, here's the prosaic bottle set I use: http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/storage-bottle-set-7pc-p181816
What happened to the eggs?
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Home, showered, nearly driven into on a roundabout by one of Brimingham's finest idiots, escaped Mordor Central. Probably not in that order.
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At home now. It was a fairly fraught journey, the London-bound train being completely packed. I had to ask a sleeping woman to move her belongings so that I could sit down. Fortunately the train pretty much emptied at Clapham Junction and I took advantage of the fact and put all my bags back on the bike and was able to push it straight onto the platform and make a relatively quick getaway.
Were you on the 15:27 Wow? I was and, yes, it was completely packed.
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I had a thoroughly delightful time. The campsite from hell at the Bridge is now a distant memory, blocked out by the wonderful countryside, the company, and the benevolent weather. Very pleased to have been able to renew/make acquaintance with a lovely bunch of people. Thanks to Julia for organising the whole thing, to all concerned for being such good fun to be with.
(Good luck Nikki!)
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Home now too.
an absolutely first rate meal last night with venison sausages, an assortment of ready-prepared veg, an onion that I bought at Budgen's in Trowbridge and some rice, on my MSR paraffin stove and Nikki's Trangia.
Don't forget the Marigold Swiss Vegetable Bouillon Powder!
(Or HAIRCUT!)
Cudzoziemiec, here's the prosaic bottle set I use: http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/storage-bottle-set-7pc-p181816
What happened to the eggs?
Mine were scrambled, 3 on Saturday, 3 on Sunday. Saturday morning with oil, Sunday without, and TBH without worked better, thanks to the wonder of Vango's non-stick pans with folding handles. Though I don't think the non-stick will last long if I keep forgetting SPORKS. I think Nikki fried some too.
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Home, showered, fed, of to bed. If I (and anyone wants me to after the debacle of the first campsite ) organise thia again I couldn't ask for a better bunch of companions. Sleep well all!
I think that would be an excellent idea. :thumbsup:
P.S. The pannier is successfully de-spinached. :)
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What happened to the eggs?
2 fried with rice (and MSVBP) on Saturday morning; 2 donated to Robh to tide him over until second breakfast could be purchased; and the remaining 2 shortly to be consumed for breakfast.
P.S. The pannier is successfully de-spinached. :)
How's the jumper?
(Good luck Nikki!)
Thanks! ;D
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Which Egg Carrying stategy did you adopt in the end ?
Marigold is good stuff! it enlivened many a dull meal during a 4 week tour of Iceland some years back. You can only eat so much plain pasta with sliced ham...
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At home now. It was a fairly fraught journey, the London-bound train being completely packed. I had to ask a sleeping woman to move her belongings so that I could sit down. Fortunately the train pretty much emptied at Clapham Junction and I took advantage of the fact and put all my bags back on the bike and was able to push it straight onto the platform and make a relatively quick getaway.
Were you on the 15:27 Wow? I was and, yes, it was completely packed.
16.27. I was worried that we might miss that, but as Julia said, the Wylye valley allows for a pretty rapid ride. After leaving our lunch stop at 2.33 we covered the 16 or so miles to Salisbury station at an average of about 10mph, which is much faster than my normal laden speed. We got there with about 15 minutes to spare.
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16.27. I was worried that we might miss that, but as Julia said, the Wylye valley allows for a pretty rapid ride.
The gradient profile says it all... https://www.strava.com/activities/391760607/analysis
I was hardly pedalling for some of it.
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Which Egg Carrying stategy did you adopt in the end ?
Eggbox with slightly larger bits of cardboard glued on top and bottom. Freezer bag around the lot on the first day, but forgotten on the second day.
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While nikki's reinforced eggbox was an admirable feat of of hot-glue based cardboard engineering, Cudzo's novel soak-it-in-a-woolly-jumper approach to food transportation was the clear winner on this trip... ;D
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Oh pray tell. That is far too enigmatic. :D
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I think it was based on a technique pioneered by Ford Prefect.
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I think it was based on a technique pioneered by Ford Prefect.
Towels can be dangerous to the young of some carbon-based life forms if swallowed in large quantities.
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Oh pray tell. That is far too enigmatic. :D
Although the physical evidence has now been cooked and eaten washed away, there are sufficient clues in this thread to reconstruct the events.
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I got the residency! ;D :thumbsup:
Access to lasers and book learnin' for another academic year :demon:
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:thumbsup:
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I got the residency! ;D :thumbsup:
Access to lasers and book learnin' for another academic year :demon:
Clearly good news. I'll look forward to an update at Long Itch. :thumbsup:
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I got the residency! ;D :thumbsup:
Access to lasers and book learnin' for another academic year :demon:
???
Nikki, I've missed what ever it is this means, but I assume that high, low and various other complicated fives are in order.
:thumbsup:
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I got the residency! ;D :thumbsup:
Access to lasers and book learnin' for another academic year :demon:
???
Nikki, I've missed what ever it is this means, but I assume that high, low and various other complicated fives are in order.
:thumbsup:
I think this calls for synchronized happy dancing :thumbsup:
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*leaps up. Wobbles a bit. Realises that dad dancing is happening. Sits down sharpish.*
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I got the residency! ;D :thumbsup:
Access to lasers and book learnin' for another academic year :demon:
Yeah fabbydandozy! :thumbsup: ;D :thumbsup:
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I got the residency! ;D :thumbsup:
Access to lasers and book learnin' for another academic year :demon:
???
Nikki, I've missed what ever it is this means, but I assume that high, low and various other complicated fives are in order.
:thumbsup:
I think this calls for synchronized happy dancing :thumbsup:
This calls for Puttin' on the Ritz!
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/0/01/Massurreal_image_by_Chip_Simons.jpg)
(A picture I found while Cudzo Jnr was researching one Cecil Touchon for his homework) (http://"Massurreal image by Chip Simons" by Source (WP:NFCC#4). Licensed under Fair use via Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Massurreal_image_by_Chip_Simons.jpg#/media/File:Massurreal_image_by_Chip_Simons.jpg)
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???
Nikki, I've missed what ever it is this means,
I had to miss the last day of the tour in order to relocate ready for an interview in Wolverhampton yesterday. I'll be one of ten resident artists being a good influence on the BA Art Students. They've got a soundproof booth that'll be ideal for me ;D
Dad dancing permitted; visual punning allowed just this once...
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CONGRATZ Nikki!
Yay uni access for another year too!
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:) :) :) Well done Nikki!
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I got the residency! ;D :thumbsup:
Access to lasers and book learnin' for another academic year :demon:
Fantastic! All that effort and plans coming to fruition!
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Nikki, should you ask the mods to cut all this stuff off into a dedicated thread? Seems a bit odd having it in Julia's Wiltshire Tour thread.
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Nikki, should you ask the mods to cut all this stuff off into a dedicated thread? Seems a bit odd having it in Julia's Wiltshire Tour thread.
Agreed, and done: I had no idea Wolverhampton would be such a hot topic!
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Robh: I've just caught up with and enjoyed Ramblings - thanks for the heads-up! :thumbsup:
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Oh good. Maybe I should too - all I heard was the trailer ;D
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For those of you who suffered at my choice of campsite I give you http://www.the-barge-inn.com/. Hopefully this may make you feel better!
Julia
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;D
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Except now the new-agers are looking for somewhere else to burn guitars and do unwise things with paraffin at 3am...
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Except now the new-agers are looking for somewhere else to burn guitars and do unwise things with paraffin at 3am...
True.... I hadn't thought of that ::-)
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Look on the bright side; this is our opportunity to club together and buy the place, paying off the mortgage in short time by making it an idyllic spot for cycle campers and others who want to sit round a camp fire quietly, discussing Terry Pratchett novels and recumbent gearing permutations.
What do you mean, there isn't anyone else?
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No Swindon? ;D
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Actually I saw this place featured on the telly some while back. I think the programme was called 'Hunted' (?) The premise is that a bunch of people are set loose with the aim to try to remain undetected for a month while they are being chased down by a bunch of professional ex-police and assorted spook types. The Barge Inn was the scene of one of the runners getting captured - in fact, I think one of the Inn's staff may have dobbed him in and made a phone call to claim a reward.
It really was the campsite from hell on the occasion when we stayed there. A pity really, as it's a nice location, and the actual pub itself wasn't too bad.
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Uhoh, looks like it's re-opened: https://thebargeinnhoneystreet.co.uk/
(Threadcromancy because this is an important warning to future generations of cycle campers and others who want to sit round a camp fire quietly, discussing Terry Pratchett novels and recumbent gearing permutations.)
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Uhoh, looks like it's re-opened: https://thebargeinnhoneystreet.co.uk/ (https://thebargeinnhoneystreet.co.uk/)
(Threadcromancy because this is an important warning to future generations of cycle campers and others who want to sit round a camp fire quietly, discussing Terry Pratchett novels and recumbent gearing permutations.)
Reviews are mixed....
https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowUserReviews-g1514175-d2238476-r695491833-The_Barge_Inn-Pewsey_Wiltshire_England.html
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Is that the place we stayed at and were awake all night?
Edit: just re-read the thread and found that it was.
That was quite a significant weekend. We found a tea room in somewhere (Devizes? Trowbridge?) and it was in there that I learned the results of the Labour party leadership election had resulted in a Corbyn victory.
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Barge Inn update: The hippy festival is still going. (https://twitter.com/Tdr1nka/status/1385872935756439552)
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So has it changed hands but stayed the same in character or did it never get sold?
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I’m currently reading “Walking The Great North Line” by Robert Twigger. He’s just reached Honeystreet & been disappointed to find the pub closed down.
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Is that a good book? It looks like it could be interesting or could be woo...
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I’m only on the first few chapters & there is a lot of talk about shamanistic beliefs. I think he’s spent some time living with tribal/nomadic people in a few parts of the world. I read a review of the book recently & when I saw a copy in “ News From Nowhere” I bought it.
I read his first book “ Angry White Pyjamas “ over 20 years ago & enjoyed that as I could relate to the material. He was bumming around in Japan & ended up on a high intensity Aikido course!