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A very British Adventure: Bikepacking in the UK (without bringing my bike)

Mike Coles

21,960 views

Is it possible to go to another country, buy a cheap bicycle and then go bikepacking? I was about to find out. Travelling to the United Kingdom from Australia, I met my son in Shrewsbury where we purchased two very cheap mountain bikes and cycled to Bristol over four days.
Loads of laughs, lots of fun, we got up close and personal with the country lanes, small towns and villages and bridle ways that crisscross England and Wales.
This route was planned on Komoot and the video is made from the Shrewsbury to Bristol section of this: https://www.komoot.com/tour/253400891...

https://buymeacoffee.com/michaelcoles
Instagram: mike.coles.adventures

20 Comments

@Bogbrither246 5 months ago (edited)

So refreshing to watch a couple of normal and relatable blokes on a couple of normal and relatable bikes rather than top end gravel bikes and all the Gucci kit! Nice one. 👍👍

@jasonnunn673 2 months ago

You are such a lucky man to have this time with your son, great video, stay safe

@moosehand8721 5 months ago

Those heavy foliage paths are wonderful, the way to the shire.

@mikeclarke9281 11 months ago

What a great thing for farther and son to do. Lovely video, well done

@trevortilley5028 10 months ago

I know why you are always smiling. I have just cycled Mongolia with my two sons. It's a memory they will have forever. Well done, great effort.

@robertpalmer-wilson5591 11 months ago

Brilliant video, nice to see a different take on bike touring. Well done to both of you.

@leplessis8179 11 months ago

I've just ridden 1700 kilometres in and around central France, on a bike that I found on a skip! Changed the pedals to fit my wide feet, but apart from that - no problems at all. People throw away perfectly good machines.

@briang9373 11 months ago (edited)

A lovely thing to do as I have done with my adult children, cycle camping. The one thing I'd have done is to get the bikes serviced before the trip. I serviced our bikes before using them on both trips and luckily we didn't have any issues, just some torrential rain down a steep hill. Still these things make it all the more memorable.

@papalegba6796 4 months ago

What a lovely trip.

@markstephens1280 5 months ago

The best Dad in the world. Thanks. Great video.

@archibaldstokes 4 months ago

Great video!
Whatever was happening - they were always staying positive!

@Heroes_of_Qalanor_RPG 4 months ago

Thanks for the upload ! 👍

@CountryCCycling 6 months ago

great video, the first part before the train really interests me, it looks like the type of routes i enjoy. i have a mate who also likes cycling on trails that used to be railway lines. i will try to plan including some of it in a summer holiday tour.

@alansmith5690 11 months ago

What a fantastic concept! Great video. Thanks!

@walkwithme4975 11 months ago

How lovely, what a great trip for you both.

@keithdainton6043 11 months ago

Well done great stuff 👍

@nothereanymore777 7 months ago

Great bonding trip. The scenery after Monmouth was classic beauty. Thanks

@craftSolo4011 11 months ago

What a great adventure, thank you for sharing!

@danciminera8986 5 months ago

sweet trip, I've got mates that live in several of the towns along your route, so may steal it and have a wander! been bike touring for a few years now with my 2 lads now 8 & 10, and it's absolutely the best way to travel, and a great shared experience

@Gribbo9999 1 month ago

I think I would have brought or bought a few basic tools and some lubricants and spent a half day before starting on bike maintenance, preferably near a bike shop for bits and bobs you might need. Most of your problems like poor braking might easily have been improved. Losing your chain of the top and bottom of the cassette is a 10 minute fix adjusting the H & L screws on the derailleur. But what a great little adventure you both had. Well done😊