Last year the Guardian reported on the rise of “grey gap years”. Once the preserve of students, increasing numbers of baby boomer backpackers are sidestepping the traditional post-retirement cruise in favour of roughing it around Europe or southeast Asia.
You don’t need to head overseas to take in stunning scenery on a shoestring, though. The UK has plenty of picturesque landscapes to explore. And one way to see as much as possible is to head out on your bike.
Just as backpacking has grown in popularity for those in or nearing retirement, so too has “bikepacking”.
Keep reading for your beginner’s guide to bikepacking in the UK.
Bikepacking has grown in popularity in recent years, among those of all ages
As with grey gap years, the rise of bikepacking – think backpacking, but on a bike – has coincided with the end of the isolation and claustrophobia of the pandemic and nationwide lockdowns.
The rise of electric bikes has also made the sport more accessible, opening it up to older age groups and different fitness levels.
Whether you’re a biking pro or a beginner, there are plenty of trails across the UK that offer the chance for fresh air, exercise and beautiful vistas – all from the comfort of your saddle.
And while many of the routes require specialist bikes and a high level of fitness, smaller sections are open to the novice and many have hotels and amenities en route if you don’t want to rough it completely.
Cycling is great exercise
The NHS recommends 150 minutes of moderate exercise (which includes cycling) every week, alongside other strengthening activities that work all of your major muscle groups.
Just 75 minutes of vigorous exercise a week can have the same health benefits, which can be achieved by riding your bike fast or up hills.
There are also acknowledged benefits to being out in the fresh air, and in nature. The mental health charity Mind suggests that time spent in nature can improve your:
- Mood and reduce feelings of stress or anger
- Physical health and help you be more active
- Confidence and self-esteem
- Sociability, encouraging you to meet and get to know new people
- Feelings of connection to nature.
Signed cycle routes make planning your route easy
While many expert bikepacking routes feature huge elevations and off-road cycling over tricky terrain, as a beginner, check out the National Cycle Network.
The network consists of more than 12,700 miles of cycle routes throughout the United Kingdom, with more than 5,200 miles of those paths traffic-free – perfect for the novice cycler.
You can visit the Sustrans website – the walking, wheeling and cycling charity that looks after the network – to find the perfect route for you.
Simply search the area you’d like to cycle, find the nearest route, and then plan your stay. For the true bikepacking experience, you’ll need to carry your overnight essentials but feel free to craft the perfect bikepacking experience for you.
3 cycle trails to consider this summer
1. Bath to Bournemouth
While true bikepacking might be largely offroad and a chance to escape from civilisation, Bath to Bournemouth is an 85-mile Sustrans route that they describe as an “extremely pleasant meander”.
Take in the big skies and vast rolling farmland of Somerset, Wiltshire and Dorset and stop at any number of campsites along the way, breaking your trip up as you see fit.
The route isn’t completely without its climbs, but you’ll be rewarded with some breathtaking views and long downhill glides before you arrive at the Victorian pier on the Bournemouth seafront.
2. Thetford to Great Yarmouth, Norfolk
Online biking magazine Bike Perfect aims to help everyone get more out of their bike, whatever their fitness level or experience.
They recommend a nature-based Norfolk bikepacking route that takes you from the forest to the Norfolk coast, inland to the fens, before finishing at Great Yarmouth.
The route is mainly along former railway lines, known cycleways and bridleways so the going should be firm and not too challenging, giving you plenty of time to enjoy the scenery.
At 68 miles, and with plenty of towns (with hotels, campsites and glamping fields) along the way, you can take your time while still getting the full bikepacking experience.
3. Winchester to Eastbourne
The South Downs Way is a National Trail that can be walked or cycled along the whole length of the South Downs national park from Winchester to Eastbourne.
The official South Downs Way Mountain Bike Guide confirms that the 100-mile (160-km) route can be tackled in a day for those fit enough and up for the challenge. But it also explains that the route is accessible enough to be enjoyed as a short excursion for the whole family.
With an estimated 20 million visitors to the trail each year there are plenty of points of interest along the route from National Trust sites to viewing spots and beautiful scenery.
