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[Closed] I've got a week off, a new bike, and a budget of £600 quid...

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...where do I go to ride? Something interesting. I also have a passport and a car.

Caveats: it'll be the 2nd week of October when I have a week off, so would prefer not to camp but can do.


 
Posted : 01/09/2014 1:20 pm
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Tour the trail centres from Wales through the lakes to Scotland then down the north side of England on your way back (depending where you live) b&b in between


 
Posted : 01/09/2014 1:26 pm
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Where do you live and what sort of riding do you like? I'd be doing 2 days uplift at BPW, Cwmcarn, Afan, Brechfa, FOD, Coed Y Brennin, Snowdon and Llandegla personally - In fact it's exactly what i'm planning for next summer.


 
Posted : 01/09/2014 1:37 pm
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I'd be heading to Scotland and riding at a few places on the way north and on the way back down again.

Either that or a long bike tour out in the wilds.


 
Posted : 01/09/2014 1:46 pm
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Give me the £600 to buy a new bike and we'll do something local?


 
Posted : 01/09/2014 1:49 pm
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Did a tour of Wales using the van but b+b will add up


 
Posted : 01/09/2014 1:51 pm
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book us both into the dales centre near reeth and will give you a personal tour of the swaledale...all I ask in return is a pint (or two..maybe three) for my troubles


 
Posted : 01/09/2014 2:02 pm
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After a nice couple of rides in the Stanes last week I'd be inclined to go up there for a week and do the rest if I was free of Family.

GT-inners-Kirri-Dalbeattie-Drumlanrig-Mable-Ae-maybe Newcastleton, not been near there so not sure if it's worth trip.

To be fair if I had the chance I'd like to do all 7(+Drumlanrig) in a week, treat myself to a Jersey/T-shirt/Buff and a nice bottle from Bladnoch distillery to finish the week off.


 
Posted : 01/09/2014 2:03 pm
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Well it depends on where you are based and if you believe the weather will be worse in Scotland than further South.

As an alternative suggestion I'd spend £200 of it on a one to one session with Jedi at UK Bike Skills. If that means you have to cut the riding holiday down a bit don't worry it will be well worth it.

With Bike Brechfa and Afan Lodge you can do quite a bit of riding local to them and stay reasonably cheaply especially if you focus on Sunday-Thursday nights.


 
Posted : 01/09/2014 2:13 pm
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Just spaff the lot on wiggle and crc and spend the week talking about riding on here. You'll be a big hitter after 7 days, easy.


 
Posted : 01/09/2014 2:16 pm
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The 7Stanes in seven days thing had taken my fancy. Although I might skip Glentress as I've already ridden there a few times.

Riding-wise... I was an old school cross country racer starting out in 1990 until about 2008 when I stopped for full-time dark side. Last (mountain) bike was an S-Works Epic. So XC, enduro (or marathon as it seems to now be known) are my staples. A result of this, though, as an irrational aversion to uplifts. In my book, you earn the downs by riding the ups 🙂

New bike is of the filing cabinet variety, as I'm now an old man and a bit of comfort is more important than head-down/arse-up speed. Decent distance (30 miles a day?) of red-grade single track would fit the bill.

I'm based near Birmingham, so anywhere in the country is reasonably accessible.


 
Posted : 01/09/2014 2:17 pm
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Head north of the border. Its bloody brilliant up there! Call in for a couple of lakes rides on the way maybe


 
Posted : 01/09/2014 2:19 pm
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I wouldn't be heading to a trail centre if I had a week to myself. Either Scotland or the Lakes probably.


 
Posted : 01/09/2014 2:36 pm
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If I didn't head for a trail centre I'd be riding fire roads on my own for a week. I live on Cannock Chase, but every time I go out looking for cheeky trails, I just end up finding unrideable mud pits.


 
Posted : 01/09/2014 2:40 pm
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Dumfries/Lakes

YHA's/similar - meet some folk

Plan to go big but have whinlatter/grizedale on the back burner for wet days (which you'll definitiley get)

edit - jammy bastid


 
Posted : 01/09/2014 2:51 pm
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You should be able to get a week at one of the Spanish or other euro guided places for that money.

Ride some great trails in nice weather 🙂


 
Posted : 01/09/2014 4:13 pm
 mboy
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Another vote for as many of the 7 Stanes as possible.

The GF and I did it slightly differently the other week though, headed from midlands to Dalby, rode the red and the black, then onto Hamsterley, then up to Glentress/Innerleithen, then Ae on the way home.


 
Posted : 01/09/2014 4:42 pm
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I'd head north of border and aim at say Aviemore in the first instance, maybe mix it up a bit between natural Cairngorm stuff, Laggan perhaps, then go from there ?


 
Posted : 01/09/2014 5:32 pm
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thestabiliser - Member

edit - jammy bastid

It's a long promised reward to myself prior to starting a new job. With family and work over the last few years I've not had anything myself, so this is it.

I quite like the Spain idea, and did have a look, but adding flights on would blow my budget.

I think a mix of trail centres and some wild stuff up Scottishland is the answer. Maybe a couple of days in the borders and a couple in the Highlands. Just take the tent and be flexible.


 
Posted : 01/09/2014 6:33 pm
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£600 and a week? Even in October I'd be considering France/Switzerland - there's a been a few roadtrip articles in Dirt the last couple of issues for inspirations and they're mostly places with longer opening seasons than Morzine which shuts this week I think.


 
Posted : 01/09/2014 6:38 pm
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Lakes...obv!!!

Or if Spain....

[url= http://www.ciclomontana.com/ ]Ciclo Montana[/url]

STILL FANTASTIC VALUE FOR 2014

All year round weekly centre based trail
riding packages include:

*Airport Transfers for Riders and Bikes*

*Accommodation with breakfast and evening meals*

*Professional Guiding*

*Shuttle Assisted Rides*

*Optional Two Day Overnight Excursions*

*Based in the Trail Mecca of Southern Europe*

*ALL THIS FOR £430 P/P*

Sorted.


 
Posted : 01/09/2014 6:43 pm
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I'd do a couple of days in the lakes, then spend the rest on coke, hookers and scotch.


 
Posted : 01/09/2014 6:57 pm
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Ciclo Montana

*Based in the Trail Mecca of Southern Europe*

*ALL THIS FOR £430 P/P*

Plus £200 in flight from Monarch (<spit>). Hmm. It's an option, though thanks.


 
Posted : 01/09/2014 6:58 pm
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mcnultycop - Member
I'd do a couple of days in the lakes, then spend the rest on coke, hookers and scotch.

The £600 was roughly £200 fuel (diesel), £200 accommodation, £200 fuel (carbs & alcohol).

I think the rugby players would be pushing it.


 
Posted : 01/09/2014 7:05 pm
 iolo
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Slowenia, Croatia, Northern Greece, Slovakia, Czech.
Chose one.
All possible in your budget including flight and cheap pension type digs.


 
Posted : 01/09/2014 7:41 pm
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Isle of Mann end to end route.


 
Posted : 01/09/2014 7:47 pm
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I'd be doing a bikepacking trip somewhere


 
Posted : 01/09/2014 9:44 pm