BIKEPACKING : KING ALFRED'S WAY

KING ALFRED'S WAY : www.cyclinguk.org/king-alfred...
Immerse yourself in 10,000 years of history by riding this 350km loop around historic Wessex, the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Alfred the Great. The route starts and ends in Winchester where Alfred is buried, and connects iconic monuments including Stonehenge, Avebury stone circle, Iron Age hill forts, Farnham Castle, and Winchester and Salisbury Cathedrals.
King Alfred’s Way is a 350km circular off-road adventure route through 10,000 years of history, connecting some of England’s most iconic sites.
Despite being easily accessible from cities in the south of England, you’ll feel like you’ve escaped from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Think white horses on chalk hillsides and wide-open views across rolling waves of countryside.
The name of the trail is inspired by Alfred the Great, who ruled the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Wessex. The trail starts and ends at King Alfred’s statue in Winchester, where he is buried.
Using parts of the Ridgeway and South Downs Way, the trail is ideal for gravel bikes - or mountain bikes during the wetter months - and can be ridden over a few days as a bikepacking trip. It also connects with the Thames Path and the North Downs Way riders’ route, so you can combine multiple routes into a longer ride.
King Alfred’s Way forms a crucial part of Cycling UK’s goal to create a network of long-distance off-road routes across the length and breadth of Great Britain, through fascinating places and inspiring landscapes.
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Пікірлер: 47

  • @kevindean9613
    @kevindean9613Ай бұрын

    I think Cycling UK have cocked up on this one , I've downloaded an amended version suitable for bike touring & I'll take 6- 7 days .

  • @BikepackingAdventures

    @BikepackingAdventures

    Ай бұрын

    From the website: "For many people, four or five days will be a happy medium. With so much to take in, it’s definitely not a route to rush." I'd say for most seasoned riders 3 FULL days of Summer riding is the sweet spot.

  • @FENCYCLIST
    @FENCYCLISTАй бұрын

    Also looking at the Wolf way. Loved the Cantii way 2 years ago before my knee went.

  • @BikepackingAdventures

    @BikepackingAdventures

    Ай бұрын

    Not sure what's next for me. I've thought about a number of routes including the Rebellion Way.

  • @jameschandler4639
    @jameschandler4639Ай бұрын

    Many people underestimate the KAW in terms of challenge, I've yet to do the whole thing but ride the Winchester to Avebury section quite often. It's not as easy as many people think it may be!!

  • @BikepackingAdventures

    @BikepackingAdventures

    Ай бұрын

    It was my first Cycling UK route to take on and yeah it was certainly a bit demanding at times, could have done with a full Friday to have begun with. =)

  • @nosferatu8293
    @nosferatu82938 күн бұрын

    Hi Richard, Great Video and you're right, the King Alfred Way is tough! I did it solo in May this year and although a beautiful route in many places but it relies totally on the weather.

  • @BikepackingAdventures

    @BikepackingAdventures

    2 күн бұрын

    I was very fortunate with the weather. I enjoyed the KAW - will do again!

  • @s3b_Leney
    @s3b_LeneyАй бұрын

    someone get this man a co-op sponsorship!

  • @BikepackingAdventures

    @BikepackingAdventures

    Ай бұрын

    Heh thanks. Or Gregg's please 🙏

  • @s3b_Leney

    @s3b_Leney

    Ай бұрын

    @@BikepackingAdventures ooh greggs would be a good one!

  • @jethro924
    @jethro924Ай бұрын

    Great video (again), well done. It's on my bucket list, now I know its definitely at least a three day job, great footage including the drone stuff, all awesome!

  • @jethro924

    @jethro924

    Ай бұрын

    19:58 you left a pot of Nomadic yoghurt in my fridge when you rode the Dambusters, first time I tried them, I now seek them out and have at least one on audaxes

  • @BikepackingAdventures

    @BikepackingAdventures

    Ай бұрын

    Thanks glad you enjoyed it! Yeah 3 days way more comfortable.

  • @FENCYCLIST
    @FENCYCLISTАй бұрын

    The king Alfred's way is a route I want to do, but would have to plan it around travellodge or premier inns, as can't camp anymore because I struggle to get up off the ground due to arthritis, and need somewhere to charge my Mondraker Dusty electric gravel bike. A few weeks ago did the C2C Whitehaven to Tynemouth and found it very capable.

  • @Foxtrottangoabc

    @Foxtrottangoabc

    Ай бұрын

    Reading and farnham good travel lodge premier inn stops, not sure about the rest of route 👍

  • @georgesshed

    @georgesshed

    Ай бұрын

    I did it last year and started at Reading as it was the easiest place to start for me and I took 4 days but camped and although I managed no problem I wouldn't camp if I did it again, good food and a good nights sleep makes a big difference. Plan ahead and make sure you have plenty of water and bars maps/navigation, good luck you'll love it. As mentioned in there video don't miss Stonehenge, I'm 69 and sold the tent on eBay as soon as I got home 😂

  • @BikepackingAdventures

    @BikepackingAdventures

    Ай бұрын

    Yeah going out of my way to visit Stonehenge was definitely the right choice. Had I had enough time I would have like to have stopped at another village that I passed through, a village surrounded by rocks/boulders around it. Briefly stopped as they had one of those farm milk vending machines which went down a treat!

  • @surferjay70

    @surferjay70

    2 күн бұрын

    @@BikepackingAdventuresthat would be Avebury stone circle, I did chuckle whilst you were complaining about the head wind on the southern transit route, I live there and have cycled that path for 15 years. It’s always a headwind on that track 😂 enjoying your content. Subbed 🚴

  • @BikepackingAdventures

    @BikepackingAdventures

    Күн бұрын

    @@surferjay70 welcome! Yeah that stretch was rather demoralising.. .still definitely do it again as it was so much fun! Next time, I give myself extra time =)

  • @shm5547
    @shm5547Ай бұрын

    13:40 Rhododendron. They only really grow in woody areas where there's a sandy soil.

  • @najaneda

    @najaneda

    Ай бұрын

    And you do get them in the North. 🙄😂

  • @protocolsoftheridersofdurian

    @protocolsoftheridersofdurian

    Ай бұрын

    It is a nice flower

  • @BikepackingAdventures

    @BikepackingAdventures

    Ай бұрын

    Shall have to keep an eye out more lol

  • @mattjohn7700
    @mattjohn7700Ай бұрын

    Man of steel 💪

  • @ashdowker4326
    @ashdowker4326Ай бұрын

    im a northener coming from kendal cumbria but your right on my doorstep know butser hill well

  • @BikepackingAdventures

    @BikepackingAdventures

    Ай бұрын

    Yeah I've seen it on and off in various views, that and the park at the bottom of the hill - you don't realise how long the climb is until you attempt it yourself.

  • @davidburgess741
    @davidburgess74120 күн бұрын

    The Devils highway actually exists. New Jersey USA has a 1/8 mile stretch designated Rte 666. The legend of the Jersey Devil lives. However, I've been everywhere it should have been!

  • @shm5547
    @shm5547Ай бұрын

    33:17 well you made that look really good, despite the long days! Definitely inspired to get out riding this summer (when it arrives!).

  • @BikepackingAdventures

    @BikepackingAdventures

    Ай бұрын

    It was really good! Just a few punctuated points that I didn't enjoy - but thats the same of any route right I guess!

  • @djpablo73
    @djpablo73Ай бұрын

    @hazeoutdoors needs to get in and help this guy out at 25 mins in! good vid

  • @BikepackingAdventures

    @BikepackingAdventures

    Ай бұрын

    Ride together opening gates?

  • @user-tb7rb6lt3d
    @user-tb7rb6lt3dАй бұрын

    I know that downhill you fell off on very well, its very sketchy for anyone who hasnt ridden it before, let alone someone on a fully loaded bike, hope you recovered well, great video, i'm going to KAW soon

  • @BikepackingAdventures

    @BikepackingAdventures

    Ай бұрын

    Got pins and needles plaguing a couple of fingers since my last big ride a couple of weekends ago - think brought on from saddle too high rather than that fall.

  • @Dan200

    @Dan200

    11 күн бұрын

    ​@@BikepackingAdventuresjust randomly saw this comment as someone who's currently suffering the exact same thing! How long did it take to get better if you don't mind me asking? (Assuming that it did!)

  • @BikepackingAdventures

    @BikepackingAdventures

    11 күн бұрын

    @Dan200 it's still not got better unfortunately

  • @user-tb7rb6lt3d

    @user-tb7rb6lt3d

    11 күн бұрын

    @@BikepackingAdventures try the ergon ga3 grips, they spread the weight on your hands, I've suffered with pins and needles and they fixed it

  • @Dan200

    @Dan200

    11 күн бұрын

    @@BikepackingAdventures really sorry to hear that! Have you been staying off the bike? I'm 3 weeks out from a 3-day trip and still have some numbness in the tips of four of my fingers. I'm avoiding cycling entirely until it's gone and keep telling myself I just need to be patient...

  • @andycultracycling
    @andycultracyclingАй бұрын

    I rode this a couple years ago, tempting now to go back l pre TCR but last time it (literally) tore me a new backside!

  • @BikepackingAdventures

    @BikepackingAdventures

    Ай бұрын

    Get TCR out the way first before u wreck ur backside again lol

  • @bennettshfd2
    @bennettshfd2Ай бұрын

    Do you ship to the US? I am interested in your Audax products. Thanks.

  • @BikepackingAdventures

    @BikepackingAdventures

    Ай бұрын

    The audax products are handled by a 3rd party that will ship anywhere. I kust update them soon- especially the dated ones!

  • @alanhanley2981
    @alanhanley2981Ай бұрын

    Very controversial route, it has to be said that the ruts on the Ridgeway spoil what should be a visually lovely section. Unless your a very skilled off reader or happy to spend hours looking at your front wheel and not the scenery.

  • @BikepackingAdventures

    @BikepackingAdventures

    Ай бұрын

    The ruts were my first greeting on the KWA, but that as due to my starting point. Then the ruts coming toward the end just came at the wrong time for me. Still, had a fantastic time - no route is perfect.

  • @lydiagould3090
    @lydiagould3090Ай бұрын

    The KAW is a lot harder than it looks on the map. Like you, I messed up a bit by setting off too late in the day. I thought i could do it in 2.5 days but that was way optimistic. It's a beautiful route , l live almost on the route so makes sense to ride it. I also plotted a nice diversion around Reading ,as I really hated that section. It was a little longer than the official route. I liked your diversion near Stonehenge. Will include that next time. Had to laugh at your choice of bivvy spot ! Looked like a swamp ,full of mozzies and stingers🤣🤣🤣🦟🦟🪰

  • @BikepackingAdventures

    @BikepackingAdventures

    Ай бұрын

    Ha it didn't look so bad after dark when I arrived. 😅