Outdoor challenges - walking, cycling, kayaking etc

[Dutchpeter]

I love my walking, camping, cycling and the outdoors life in general. I had to cancel an attempt this summer at the Hadrians Wall way sadly, and I’m looking for ideas for similar challenges. Has anybody done some interesting long distances trails on foot or bike or Kayaked down a river for example? I’m looking for inspiration from my fellow Ostcakers 😁

[chuffedstokie]

Devizes to Westminster canoe challenge. Usually every Easter, 125 miles of arm killing endurance. Glad I did it when I did but it's hard work.

[Vadiation_Ribe]

I was looking into kayaking/canoeing myself until COVID hit. There's a decent easy-going route in Shropshire I think (including Ironbridge) I was going to try to get started. Scotland's west coast (including the Hebrides) is great for it from what I've heard. You could kayak around Skye and the Small Isles for example, camping on shore.

There are loads of walks in the UK - I'd say pick an area that takes your fancy and look at an OS map to plan a rough route. Snowdonia, the Brecon Beacons, the Peak and Lake Districts, the length of the Thames. All places I love and all unique. The list is endless. The whole of Wales' coastline is walkable. Pembrokeshire is one of the most highly-rated sections (I've walked part of it and loved it). There are loads of inland walks too - Google for a county you're interested in. I walked 20 miles in Shropshire last week (partly on the Shropshire Way which is 200ish miles in total) and it was gorgeous. There's a nice basic campsite (Nipstone) about a 30-minute walk from Stiperstones. I wasn't fully aware of the Staffordshire Way until recently either, so I guess most/all counties have similar.

My favourite place to walk by far is Scotland. I walked the west coast of the Isle of Jura (around 60 miles) last year, and I loved it, wild camping along the route. Though not seeing another person for 5 days drove me a little crazy, and it's not a walk to do without experience - it gets very tough in parts. The Hebrides are incredible - I've done so many awesome walks there, from easy to very challenging. Colonsay's coast is outstanding, though part of the north east section was the most difficult I've walked (there are routes inland to avoid tough sections). Rum, Skye, the Uists, Islay, Harris and Lewis - all incredible places for hiking. And cycling e.g. cycling from the south to the north of the Outer Hebrides. I loved a 2-day walk along Mull's south coast. I'm probably going to kick myself for missing one of my favourite islands.

Sustrans is a great place to look for cycling e.g.: www.sustrans.org.uk/our-blog/national-cycle-network-route-collections/2019/all/our-top-10-challenging-rides

I haven't done any long distance overnight cycling myself (being crap at bike maintenance puts me off longer stuff), but it's another thing I've wanted to do for a while.

[elystokie]

I'd like to canoe down the river Wye, there's a few sections and you can wild camp overnight from what I saw on a YouTube vid.

[salopstick]

www.opencycling.com/coast-to-coast-in-a-day/

I’ve done this twice working for the company as an on the day chaperone rider.

My latest I’m a third through this:

cyclinguphill.com/100-climbs/

I’m aiming to complete it by end of 21. Off to Devon on Thursday to do 1-13 over 4 days

[felonious]

I did the Crocky trail with the kids about ten years back.

[cerebralstokie]

Try one of the long distance paths. They can be done in stages. I have enjoyed the Coast to Coast. Offa's Dyke Path, the Dales Way and the Ribble Valley Way - you end up in Longton on this one! Scotland is amazing, especially round the Torridons and Sandwood Bay is one of the finest beaches in the U.K.

[salopstick]

Sept 16, 2020 8:38:14 GMT cerebralstokie said:

Try one of the long distance paths. They can be done in stages. I have enjoyed the Coast to Coast. Offa's Dyke Path, the Dales Way and the Ribble Valley Way - you end up in Longton on this one! Scotland is amazing, especially round the Torridons and Sandwood Bay is one of the finest beaches in the U.K.

Scotland’s 500

[DunnetHeadMoonraker]

I live on the route of the North Coast 500 in Scotland. In last weeks John O'Groat Journal there was this article about kayaking up here. Have a look at www.johnogroat-journal.co.uk/news/kayak-offers-a-route-to-secret-spots-on-coast-211790/ by a local eccentric known as Ralph. I know him and he uses the name Ralph as a pseudonym.

If you Google 'Ralph John O Groat Journal' you will find other articles that he has written for our local paper. Incidentally, I hope that you are a responsible wild camper. This summer we've had problems with them leaving litter and parking inconsiderately. One morning I counted 5 tents in the village sand dunes despite being only about 100 metres from an official caravan and camping site. They've also camped in the village forest leaving toilet rolls and litter behind them.

p.s. Chuffedstokie mentioned the Devizes to Westminster canoe challenge. After leaving Blythe Bridge I spent my teenage years living in Devizes and it was always interesting to go and watch the start of the event.