And we’re back! What a route. Brutal in places but incredible and 100% would do it again.

We were lucky to finish ahead of our schedule (2.5 days total) and miss the bad weather that came in on Sunday evening (the drive home was challenging – heavy thunderstorms across the the A66).

Things to consider if you’re thinking of doing it:

• Spare tyre – My friend slashed open his brand new Panaracer Gravel King in the first 15 or so miles. Our spare saved the trip.
• Tyre size – We were on gravel bikes. I’d say 45mm min to cope with the rougher sections and for comfort.
• Direction – North to South worked for us due to logistics and to get the toughest parts over with first.
• Water – It was hot so carrying enough water for drinking and cooking was a challenge (2 bottles and a bladder each). We had a water filter which got used a number of times – an essential bit of kit IMO.
• Food – On top of snacks, we carried four dehydrated meals due to food anxiety. In the end we only needed to use one meal but it was reassuring to have them for back up. Thankfully we made Corrour Station for lunch on Saturday (note the kitchen closes at 14:30). It was a long way from the bothy on Corrieyairack Pass where we had overnighted to the station! The detour to the Mhor Bread and Store was totally worth it – amazing food.
• Use a lanyard with your GPS – I lost my trusty Garmin 800 on the Corrieyairack Pass descent. I normally use one but had overlooked packing it.
• Route – There are a number of routes out there. Use the same GPX file as your ride partner so you don’t fall out. 😀

We’ve on the train. The only two bikes (space for six). Thanks for all the responses.

I picked up the tickets yesterday, which included tickets to attach to the bikes. I hope these tickets will fend off the unbooked bikes! 😀

We’re starting at Glasgow so we’ll be sure to get there in good time!

That makes sense EdwardH – the online booking was showing 6 bike spaces.

Thanks Oblongbob – we’re on gravel bikes so fingers crossed

Thanks – I booked bike places when I booked the train tickets.

The thread above gives the impression that despite having a booking there might not be sufficient space on the train for our bikes. Just trying to understand if that’s likely to be an issue?

I once had a squirrel run into my front wheel, cling on for a rotation of the wheel and then run off before I managed to stop. Chapeau.

Thanks for all the responses – plenty for me to look into!

The Baa Baa top has lasted 10+ years so I’m hopeful I can find something with the same longevity.

A merino blend does sound like it could work. I sweat heavily which is what I like about merino, I’ve never felt cold. But it can take an age to dry. As always, it’s finding the right balance with blended fabrics.

I do think routes have their place. We don’t know the area so a route is a low risk option that will hopefully provide a decent experience. We also have limited time off from our respective home duties – a defined route means we can plan an itinerary and hopefully get home when we said we would.

It won’t be an adventure in the purest sense, but still an experience that we will cherish. 🙂

Thanks for the ideas aberdeenlune – will have a look at your suggestions on a map so I can visualise it, work out the miles etc

Thanks for the responses. It looks like the Tiso 500 hasn’t caught on.

The Badger Divide looks promising and could be an option (we’ll be on gravel bikes). We could cobble a return route together so we get the ‘circular’ element we’re after.

Appreciate any more thoughts or ideas. 🙂

I use this – comes with a useful lance so you can get into difficult places.

Thanks for all the suggestions, loads to consider! Love the dinky Knipex. I like the idea of a multi tool for the knife etc – who knows what’ll catch me out next time…

Re the suggestion that the lock ring was done up too tight. I do them up finger tight using the procedure suggested. I’m pretty certain there was corrosion between the lock ring and valve stem (2+ years of all weather riding on my road bike). I couldn’t undo the lock ring even with the borrowed pliers and had to destroy the valve to remove it.

I’ve bought some Roubaix Pros off the back of this thread. A heads up that they’re relatively heavy. My kitchen scales say 430g per tyre.

I’ve also bought some Gravel King slicks in the same size which come in at 290g.

Any idea how noticeable that difference will be in real world riding?

The Specialized look more robust which I’m drawn to.

This technique worked for me:
https://www.bikeblogordie.com/2016/09/how-to-fix-loose-water-bottle-boss-at.html#:~:text=A%2010mm%20box%20wrench,bolt%20with%20your%20hex%20wrench.

Thanks for all the responses!

What’s happened to the users of this site, there’s (almost) a unanimous agreement on what to use. 😂

I should have said I’ve previously tried copper slip…would have saved some of you a reply, apologies for that.

There were a couple of lone voices supporting the thread lock idea, so I’ll at least give that a go to see how it fares.

Thanks again.

I bought a large and medium a few years back – one for the road bike (audaxes) and one for the gravel bike. I’ve been very pleased with them for the money.

As mentioned, you just need to check which size will fit your frame (dimensions are in the Q&A section for some reason!).

Having re-read the thread I will start with a 30!

Awesome, thanks for all the responses and advice about other cassettes, derailleurs etc.

I’ll start with a 28t chainring as the cassette is still young, then explore a larger cassette when the time comes.

Cheers

Thanks for the feedback so far.

I would love some Leatt if I can find some that’s affordable.

I’m ~ 44″ chest if there’s anything knocking about.

I’ve found some motocross gear that looks like it might work,  any reason to discount it?

https://www.24mx.co.uk/product/raven-soft-shield-protective-jacket_pid-PM-4942567

I’ve reported a number of issues to the North Yorkshire Council rights of way team over the years.

They’re are pretty responsive and have resolved any issues that I’ve brought to their attention (blocked stiles on bridleways, overgrown routes, poorly maintained gates etc).

I’d always recommend reporting any issues to the authorities to keep the pressure on the landowners, otherwise our access will erode over time… It also helps the teams know about any issues – they don’t have the resources to look for problems.

Re Winston’s post above – would you feel comfortable approaching the owners and asking them nicely if they had any plans to clear the path as its difficult to get through? It’s worked for me in the past. If they get arsy report it.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/public-rights-of-way-landowner-responsibilities#keep-public-rights-of-way-clear-of-obstructions

Brilliant, thanks for the responses. Decision made.

Thanks also for the bike light tip, I would have probably overlooked that.

Hi all

A quick update – I’ve finally found the solution:

Temporary motorhome insurance: An owner’s guide

This company specialises in people who want to lend their campervan to friends or rent them out (thanks for the suggestion politecameraaction).

The van has to be insured by the owner of the vehicle and you provide details of the policy to Comfort.

The ‘borrower’ pays £25 per day for the temporary policy. £1,500 excess. Includes breakdown. There’s some paperwork, such as agreeing any pre-existing damage to the vehicle.

Happy days – unless someone is going to let my tyres down and point out flaws with this approach 🙂

I recently bought one of these after doing lots (too much) research – very impressed with the quality. Lifetime warranty.

They can be found for a touch over £40 on eBay. There’s also a 1/4″ version. Just make sure the torque range meets your needs.

https://www.sealey.co.uk/product/5637809157/38sq-drive-torque-wrench-micrometer-style-5-25nm—calibrated

Thanks for the extra thoughts and ideas.

We’re exploring getting me added to his insurance which might be simplest. A middle aged bloke with a boring job and a clean driving record shouldn’t add too much to the premium.

Re Adrian Flux, I approached the British Insurers Brokers’ Association a couple of weeks ago. They suggested AF – phoned them up and said they couldn’t do a temporary comprehensive EU policy. The could offer a normal policy, which as someone has suggested I could then cancel.

I’ll continue with the getting added to an existing policy idea for now….

Thanks for your suggestion captmorgan – I have considered an annual option but I think the vehicle needs to be in my name based on the questions I was asked for a quote.

TMM – from the Veygo website:

I WANT TO SHARE THE DRIVING, BUT ISN’T THIS DUAL INSURANCE?
It’s not. Dual insurance is when the same person has two active insurance policies on the same vehicle.

As long as you’re not named on the car owner’s insurance, or any other insurance policy covering the car you want to drive (perhaps to learn in), this won’t affect your ability to take out temporary cover, and it won’t be dual insurance.

Thanks for the response TMM.

He’s looking into me being added to his policy, I was just trying to avoid it so I own the risk.

These days you can get secondary temporary cover for a vehicle that’s already insured. My son does it when he visits us and wants to use the family car which he’s not insured on. eg https://www.veygo.com/

Cheers

At this time of year I pop my Fenwicks professional lube in the microwave for 10 or so seconds (nozzle open) – works a treat.

I’ve had a Sabbath AR2 for a year or so (warranty replacement for my cracked September).

It’s a great bike, very pleased with it and love the upgrade to disc brakes. The frame comes with a 10 year warranty now, rather than lifetime.

Definitely worth a trip to Spa Cycles for a test ride of that’s possible.

I would have recommended the standard Pedros levers until a week ago.

I managed to snap one fitting some Rimpact inserts. At least the lever gave rather than the rim. Maybe that’s not such a bad thing after all…

I’m just back from a week with Ride Southern Spain – https://www.ridesouthernspain.com/

Top riding with a great selection of trail types – dry dusty trails, tight switch backs and rock gardens to mention a few.

Good value and a decent workshop. Accommodation spot on.

There’s vids on YT if want to check out the riding they offer.

This offering caught my eye the other day and meets your criteria.

https://www.galibier.cc/product/courchevel-storm-waterproof-cycling-jacket/

Similar shoe size. Successfully use the following:

XXL Shimano for road

XXL Endura MT500 for MTB

I’m a fan of the Topeak Combotorq tool. 3-12 Nm.

Simple, effective and affordable.

https://www.topeak.com/global/en/product/639-COMBOTORQ-WRENCH-&-BIT-SET

I’ve used Lordgun this last week for some tyres – all good.

Fend offs on the road bike – faultless and rattle free.

I got SKS Edge for the gravel bike and they’re sat in the box (missed the return deadline) as they won’t fit without modification.

Thanks for the responses and suggestions.

I’ve clocked the Bonts before and really like their form but there seem to be some reliability issues (recognising the possibility of biased, over reported negative reviews).

See Sense is one I was aware of but overlooked – when it’s time for a new rear light I’ll explore that option in more detail as they do look like they fit the bill.

Trace is still in podium position for me – robust, like the idea of mounting it under the Garmin (zero additional bar space needed), reliable and with the option to get it repaired if needed.

NOT Hutchinson Storms. They have a serious problem with delamination. I’ve had two fail because of this and a friend who finished LEL last night had a brand new one that started to fail on the return leg. Such a shame as they are otherwise good tyres.

If I was in your position (similar weight) I’d contact Ben Sharp and see what he can do you for you.

This is his ‘standard’ gravel wheelset – but he can build something heftier. Yes, a little over your budget but you get custom wheels with great support.

THE GRAVEL WHEEL