I've just completed my first multi day trip from South Wales to the Lake District. I couldn't agree more about riders acknowledging each other. The Castelli brigade really need to lighten up 🤪 I got a bit caught out with a lack of water too around the Welsh borders but a lovely woman watering her garden was more than happy to fill my bottles. A wet morning in Lancaster city centre. I stopped to go in a cafe and the owner came running out of the bakery next door shouting "free food for bikepackers!" and gave me some chocolate brownies. Your right, one kind act can really make your day. I'm planning my next trip now 🙂
Oh wow! that must of been an amazing trip! And what stories! I have never had people run after me with free food :-) Those stories are always the best and thing you will never ever forget
Haha, yeah things that go bump in the night can be terrifying or very exciting :-) best it is the latter. Lights at night are anther fear factor that needs a strong mind not to go mad, haha
Nice one Barry ! Couldn’t agree more about a friendly wave . Just got home from an Ardennes adventure walkers “hi” locals “bonjour” campers “Goedermorgen” roadies blank stare ! Apart from one 82! Year old who was keen for a chinwag!
Haha, Hope it was a great trip Mark, It the those people you have the most interesting conversations with and often learn a lot of local information :-)
Spot on with roadies not waving, I was on my mtb bike and past some in surrey hills I ended up yelling I ride a bike too .Look forward to the next video.
Nice short format film Barry. A refreshing change from the 'epics'. Being in Essex I've often considered trying the NDW as it's the closest to home. Good to see it has plenty of potential.
On the subject of "Things That Go Bump In The Night" my isolated campsite was being circled with what sounded like a werewolf! After building up the courage to look I discovered I was being investigated by an otter! Really noisy, growling things! Hedgehogs also growl, snuffle and generally sound like a giant wild boar. I now take earplugs. 😀🦔
An OTTER!!!!! What an experience!!!! Yeah I have been circled by cows, deer, sheep, and also once put my hand in to my porch in the night and touched a hedgehog who immediately circled up, and then I had to wait 20 min for him to leave to then go back to sleep :-)
Hedgehogs make a crazy amount of noise! Never been stalked by an otter (that would be awesome!) but I have been woken by badgers and elk and found mice and squirrels actually in my tent :)
Nice to be able to give a top tip back.... Churches always have taps. I did the NDW from guildford just last week and mostly overnight and used several churchyard taps for my water.
Not all churches have an outside tap, as I discovered a couple of weeks ago when my village road had a water leak. Got up in the morning to no shower and even worse, no coffee! I live next to the churchyard, so confidently set off with a camping container, only to search in vain. The village hall doesn't have a tap, either. My sister, who is a church warden in Dorset says now most churches use metered water, many don't want to pay for unauthorized use, so no longer have an outside tap. Seems a bit uncharitable to me.
Hey Nigel!! This is such an amazing piece of advice, and like I did read this before my last trip to Norfolk and needed to put your advice to the test :-) We had water luckily, and this Church did not have a tap on the outside, but did have a water butt if I was desperate. But will keep an eye out now when I pass a church and in need of water.
Hi, thanks for the comment, yes I am sure it is a bit hit and miss, but I would rather try a church than go door knocking, so will try this out in future :-)
I love sleeping in woods, and yes they are noisy. Maybe have a little scout around before you settle down for the night, tell tale signs of what you hear later on. Another enjoyable film Barry, thanks.
Hi Andy! Yes good idea, I often have a little explore anyway, also the sound of rivers can keep changing with the wind, I is rather special when you get to hear and appreciate these often ignored sounds.
Good to see you back out Barry. My Bradford to Wolverhampton canal trip....was EPIC! Bust a rear spoke but bodged a quick fix. Thanks for inspiring me to get out. Combining 3 things I love, bikes, camping and beer. Tougher than I thought, the weather was hot...wild camp-skinny dip compensated!! Cheers dude, I'm a convert.....Next trip Hadruans wall C2C
Hey Nick! How amazing!!!! sounds quite the adventure! Not sure I needed to picture your skinny dip in my head ;-) So excited you had a great time! You will love the Hadrians wall journey, it goes through some stunning places! You must stop off at Housesteads! Oh and a great YHA in once brewed (and a good pub :-) )
So good to see you out again Barry and another great video!!! Thank you!! You should get up to Yorkshire - we were out this morning and pretty much all the cyclists nodded or said morning!!! Tent looks great by the way and looking forward to your next adventure!!!
thank you BG! good to see you out again! it is a shame how a lot of roadies are so smug. being a former serious roadie ,I never could understand the attitude,but I believe it stems from " my kit is better than your's,and I'm a racer" oooh! I'm so fast and fit!! Life's too short and they need to get over themselves!!sorry bout the rant,I feel better.BG you are the best !!!
Great to see you back out on the bike, Barry. I guess you came down the River Wey and Basingstoke canal, a very pleasant route. You must have almost ridden past my road to get to Farnham. I live less than three miles from the start of the North Downs Way and use it on local rides quite often, although I haven't been much further than Guildford yet.
Haha, I should have popped in for a coffee! Yeah the canal is wonderful and a nice fast route with no cars, really enjoyed it. You should go ride it, you have a fine route from your front door :-)
@@barrygodin7538 I went to go that way today as it happens, but it's closed at St. Catherine's, so I looped through Guildford and did the River Wey and then the Basingstoke Canal back home. The really deep sandy section from Watt's Gallery heading to Guildford was a nightmare, even with 42mm Terravail Rutlands. Got chatting to a guy on that section who was on the first day of the King Alfred's Way route.
Thanks for taking us along on your adventure! I hope that if ever this series starts to feel more like job than just fun that you step back and take a break! Always put your own fun and happiness above us internet people :)
Great series Barry. Thanks for the tips. They've given me lots of inspiration and advice to go out on my own cycle adventures. It's been good to join you on your travels. Keep up the good work.
Nice work, I see a few cheeky footpaths crept in, unavoidable in some areas, great to see someone riding down south, it's not got the same kudos as many other areas of the country, but it sure is pretty.
Thanks Mathew! Well there is hidden secrets near Dorking, best mountain biking routes in most of the country, there is a reason two downhill racers live in that area :-)
I say hello or wave to anyone else I pass when out riding and often get blanked, which is a shame. Often have a nice chat with horse riders though, they’re a friendly bunch.
Isn't it ironic how we all take water for granted until we don't have it. Roadies are the same here in the states. I don't know how they see where they are going with their head stuck up their butts. Hahahaha (sorry about that) I smile and say hi to everyone too but I guess they think I'm beneath them. Oh well to each his own. Great video Barry. Atb from Texas, Tony
Thanks so much Tony!!! Yeah I often take water for granted when in the mountains, but in southern England it is not always about. But I proved how wonderful our mapping is, a small blue line, the only one in miles, and when I got there, there it was a made a lovely camp spot. Keep smiling and saying Hi!!
Nice vid, I enjoyed seeing somewhere close to me. I spent a few years in the Army and one of most bizarre things I've heard at night was a cow coughing. It sounds just like a person was stood about 6" behind me! On the subject of saying hello, I'm from down south (Kent) and I know southerners have a bit of a bad rep but I don't understand why some people don't return a wave or a nod. I'm always happy to, and if you have luggage I want to stop and chat too!
Yeah John! Cows can make some weird sounds, and foxes screaming at night too, terrifying :-) Yeah if i see someone with luggage that is it, I chase them down to see what they are up to, so many interesting stories out there.
Nice one Barry glad u enjoyed getting out again ! I make an effort to say hello to everyone on my bike or for long walks ! Most people say hello and or smile back , but have learnt to take it not personally if I get ignored as I appreciate some people have a lot on their mind ? :) , but yeh your right I've generally found that I'm least likely to get a response from fellow cyclists , seems the thinner the tyre the less response😅 🤣ps I've had some great conversations and kind offers with random people while out and about which makes it all worth while and gives me a boost ! ! And its something im aware of making an effort my myself , I often cycle past someone and wish I had just stopped and started talking when a conversation starter was right in front of me !🤣 I think its a skill to develop 👍🙂
Thanks so much! Yes was so great to be back out. The stories you can hear off of others is incredible, so worth asking a local anywhere and they will tell you many hidden spots! The more open and friendly you are the more you will benefit :-)
Hi Barry! First of all, thank you for your films, really very stimulating and of excellent quality. You can give a moment of carefree every time I watch one of yours videos. Can't wait for a new video to come out. I also really like the BG tips series. Speaking of tips, could you make a review of the genesis longitute and give some advice regarding the bicycle? I am considering purchasing a longitude and would like to hear your opinion about it. It looks like a great bike at an affordable price. Thanks again for your films. One of my favorites is that of the tour in the Italian Alps (I am italian, i was born in Turin and i live in cuneo, so it was very exciting to see the places where I live in your video). Ciao for now!
Ciao Marco! Yes I need to do a bike video, it is on the list :-) but I love my genesis, such a great bike, and the steel frame really helps when fully loaded. I would recommend the plus tyres (3inch) when fully rigid, makes a huge difference. Oh I loved that Italian trip, my girlfriend is also from Turin, we met there!!! That is also why the trip started there, haha. You have some stunning trails right out of your door!!
Always give everyone a wave. Some people act like they hate cycling and cyclist while riding a bike. 😂 riding for stats, not for fun I reckon. Looks like a lovely sunny trip you had Barry.
I've been a roadie for years but also love riding mtb and more recently gravel bikes. It's really interesting, the acknowledging other riders thing. Roadies nod to other roadies. If I'm on my road bike and nod at a mtber, they tend to look confused. If I'm on my gravel bike and put a hand up to a roadie, similar. I often forget what clique I'm in and just accept what comes 😃
That looks a great route - thanks for sharing. Roadies can be a bit absorbed at times but like you I always try to acknowledge other cyclists. Youve done some amazing stuff recently - good on yer!
Thanks so much! Yes it is a great route. I had so many exciting things planned and cancelled this year, it is nice to discover what is just out of the front door
Great to see you out and about, when the vlog started and there was no bookcase 😮😮 The off road route from London to Farnham, is there any chance you could share a bit more detail please as I have a trip coming up which that may help? Thanks 👍
Haha, I will try and take the bookcase along next time, have a trailer set up ready for it, haha. Oh yeah Simon, it was an amazing route out of London. Obviously a wiggle through london, but after Richmond park it was Thames to Walton on thames and then on to the Basingstoke canal all the way! Really nice route
Thanks again Barry, I live not far from the NDW and planning on completing it soon. I know what you mean, I have this problem with other cyclist a lot. I love going to other areas as people are so friendly. Though just to prove me wrong a top roadie slowed down while over taking me and we had a chat...that's never happened before! Enjoy every day and take care. Regards Grant.
Hey Grant, thank you so much! Yeah I have met hundreds of friendly cyclists, It was just where I was a when you get blanked by so many in a row, that is what started my mini rant :-)
Barry, the selfie camera/stick, what is your setup, and whats your view on the safety, and security in use, of it (If you've covered it on a vid I'll dig it out). I can't quite get my head around it, but would be keen to learn for trips. I did think your comment about the car was hilarious because I was thinking exactly that as it came into shot , I was half expecting someone to shout out at you. On a less delicate note - wild camping toileting, any practical tips ?
Hey David! erm do you mean safety of riding along on the road holding a camera - Not recommended, or riding along off road with one hand with the other holding a camera - also not recommended :-) And I will do a video at some point on my camera equipment and how I use it and tips on filming your adventures, but that is not a selfie stick, just a very long arm trying to hold my phone and a microphone with a big fluffy thing on it. Oh how to poo in the wild, there are many people covering the correct way online, but make sure you dig a hole, not too deep, and then burn your paper after and cover up properly all mess. It is a leave to trace kind of thing.
Hi Barry really enjoy your videos mate, I,m from west coast of Scotland 🏴 and am familiar with a lot of your routes up here, good to see some of the landscapes around London 👍👍cheers ps do you recommend the Longitude?
Hey Vic! Thank you so much. Well you are blessed with incredible scenery, but we do have green rolling fields down here, and a few undulations, haha. Yeah the Genesis is an incredible bike and has taken me so many places and performed so well
Yep it's always a bit annoying when people you think you might have something in common with blank you. As a roadie, mountain biker, gravel rider and cyclo tourist I've been blanked by all denominations. My claim for a disturbed night sleeping was in Norway thirty years ago. I hadn't found a flat piece of ground at past midnight so rode up a track into the middle of a Forrest. I was woken around six am to the sound of chain saws a bit too close for comfort. I got out the tent sharpish, guys were logging about a hundred yards away I was soon up and away they looked a bit surprised to see me as I bumped down the muddy track.
Haha, that must of frightened the life out of you! :-) I have woken up in many a funny situation, you think you are miles away from any thing, and in the morning you realise a path is right next to you
Barry bothered by badger. Thankyou for yet another friendly and informative film. Would you recommend that alpkit sleeping Matt? I need to get one that's not a fortune.Also have you ever had an issue with ticks whilst wild camping. A tick removal tool could be a useful addition to a kit list
Haha, thanks for the rhyme Rob :-) Yeah really recommend that mat, super comfy and super light a well priced, it is the Numo. And yes I have had tick problems and tick remover is in the kit, thanks for the tips :-)
Or was the chicken taking the man for a walk? I do hate the bike snobbery - whilst commuting home last year, on my roadie, my local bike club passed me, passing me in a way that I was forced though a couple of potholes and onto the verge. They gave me no room, no option, no apology. Me, I seem to apologise a lot on behalf of roadie riders, we're not all like this. Our space on the road is constantly challenged, we are targets more than anything, so yes, please be nice to fellow peddlers - courtesy is free and easy to deliver. Anyway..... nice to see you outside again Barry!! Oh, maybe take up water divining and that can be a future BG Tips ;)
Haha, it is that never answered question ;-) Such a shame about your experiences on the road. I commute in London everyday, so become very accustom to people not being very nice, but when cruising about the countryside, there just needs to be a little cheer and happiness.
Hi Barry, TH-cam’s funny it pops up with vids and I think they are new 😂. Anyway I loved this one even though I’m catching up. Re: other cyclists your not alone I think it’s really arrogant of people who just can’t be pleasant I say hello to all who I pass whatever their transport other than a speedy car 😂, which I might say something impolite. Question: what do you think of pinion drive bikes like the Alpkit Sondor Broken Road? It’s expensive but looks like a good option.
Haha, going to the back catalogue :-) haha yes all cyclists and humans can be tits at times, but we can just keep sharing the love with our wonderful community, also you may be exempt at times when riding up a massive hill to only grimace and not say hello, haha. Wow in terms of your question, I think gear boxes are really really interesting, and offer many benefits. But they also have their draw backs such as weight and what to do when It goes wrong in the wild. I have never ridden a pinion, but often a hub gear/gear box is slower shifting and you sometimes has to stop peddling to change properly. So on a touring bike I would say it works well as those snappy gear changes are not like you need on a trail mtb. But there is a lot of exciting things happening with technology advancing and all these new ideas and fuelling the future.
Another awesome video, Barry! Very much enjoyed the SDW in 2018 - need to scope out this longer journey at some point. Just wanted to ask - which Alpkit tent do you use? Keep rocking! 👍
Hey thanks so much Graeme, yeah south downs way is also an amazing route! My tent is not an alpkit one, I use MSR tents and on this trip it was the first outing of my new Carbon Reflex, incredible weight and size ;-)
@@barrygodin7538 Ah, makes sense now! I was trying to work out which one, but for the life of me - I couldn't! The Alpkit drybag in your last video, must have thrown me off the scent! th-cam.com/video/ub-Z7kf7hhI/w-d-xo.html
Don’t take roadies ignorance personally Barry. I noticed now I ride my Sonder Santiago which is a road/adventure bike I get waves and nods from roadies. It’s because you’re on a mtb.Strange breed these roadies. No matter what bike I’m on whether it’s my hardtail, enduro or road bike I always say hello to everyone. Manners and politeness cost nothing. I still wear a mtb lid though on my road bike. Great video as usual and glad you got out for a couple of days wild camping. Can I ask what bike you ride? Is it a Sonder ? The tubing and forks look similar to the rigid forked Frontier.
Hey Andy! Thanks so much! Yes dont worry I will not take it to heart and will keep being my jolly self :-) The bike is a Genesis Longitude with 29+ tyres. Love it to bits, but one day I will have to find another 29+ frame
Barry Godin Hi Barry. I’ve requested to follow you on strava. Not in a stalker kind of way. In a you might have some really cool trails kind of way. My strava name is same as my google name which really is Andy Wright 👍
I did the first 26miles of this with my boys a few weeks back. The climbing was horrendous on the Guildford section. Especially up to the church. Did you go on the actual footpath or follow a different route?
Yeah It is a tough climb up to the church, I did go up to the church as I always wanted to see it, stunning view from up there. I did not go on the footpath route for the North Downs Way, Cycling UK made a bike route which was great
Hey, not really that much, start with two wheels! and then you realise what kind of terrain you want to ride, and then that will dictate a lot on what bike to ride. But off road bikepacking, start rigid steel frame, comfy and a lot less to go wrong when strapping bags on
Roadies are the most likely to blank other cyclists. I even found this to be the case when I was out on my road bike in roadie race clothes. Some of them take themselves far too seriously. Don’t let it bother you Barry. Carry on regardless 😀
Never fear Barry, I, like you, always greet other cyclists. I’m 53 and I’ve been doing the bike thing for around 28 years now. It’s all about MTB but I’ve got road bikes and I’ve dabbled with triathlon and done an Ironman...there’s no need for anyone, roadie or otherwise, to be snooty or uppity with anyone. Oh, and Barry, thank you for the replies. It’s really appreciated...you are, as yet, still the only person I’ve ever subscribed to😉
Manners cost nothing. Re : Wild camping woods. In the UK there aren't any animals to eat or fatally bite you like in other countries so perhaps seeking out the source of the noise or disturbance is less risky unlike in say a US national park with bears, mountain lions, wolves or an Indian national park with tigers.
Wild female boars can break your bones if they feel your a threat... I was wild camping above Rochester few weeks ago .and same had Werewolf like activity about 2am in morning ... But after awaking in the morning , me and a mouse had a nice chat about Buzzards and other prey .
@@saintuk70 Adders are not poisonous but venomous and they are pretty rare. Also they are very unlike to be making a huge racket keeping you up in the middle of the night in a wood. They are typically found on heath scrub land in say the New Forest.
I ride a lot in this area and its true that most roadies dont wave back. Some do. Those that dont almost always look like they are not enjoying themselves. Strange way to live. I just keep waving, and maybe one day they'll wonder why I'm out there smiling....
Hi, yes there is a map for the taps on the south downs way, but not sure if a public map for taps on north down way, if it was not post covid times there would not have been as much of a problem
Luckily up north the majority of roadies are quite normal and acknowledge you , still plenty who think they're a wanna be pro mind. So true about the water situation, the panic soon kicks in once you realise your not going to find any.
Yes there is nothing like the running out of water panic! It was also such a hot day I needed to keep drinking, and you never know how much is left, and you never want to have that last drop, just in case :-)
I've got to the point were I nod my head but don't bother to look at roadies, that way they don't make my piss boil when they don't acknowledge you!! MTB, Gravel and bike packers rule stuff the roadies
On your last point there. With more people riding bikes atm then ever before its important to acknowledge, wave or nod at fellow cyclists. I for one don't care what kind of bike someone is riding I'll say hello or good morning! I think there is a unnecessary snobbery between roadies and mtbs which I find pathetic. The higher number of people we can get into cycling the better - safety in numbers.
there is elitism amongst cyclists. some only acknowledge fellow cylists if they look like they follow the same discipline (roadies ack roadies but not commuters or packers) its not a new thing unfortunately, but i always nod at least when i go past
Excellent Barry 👍👍 you’re a true inspiration 👍👍👍🚴🏻♂️🚴🏻♂️🚴🏻♂️🚴🏻♂️🚴🏻♂️🚴🏻♂️🚴🏻♂️
Wow, thanks so much Jon!
I've just completed my first multi day trip from South Wales to the Lake District. I couldn't agree more about riders acknowledging each other. The Castelli brigade really need to lighten up 🤪 I got a bit caught out with a lack of water too around the Welsh borders but a lovely woman watering her garden was more than happy to fill my bottles. A wet morning in Lancaster city centre. I stopped to go in a cafe and the owner came running out of the bakery next door shouting "free food for bikepackers!" and gave me some chocolate brownies. Your right, one kind act can really make your day. I'm planning my next trip now 🙂
Oh wow! that must of been an amazing trip! And what stories! I have never had people run after me with free food :-) Those stories are always the best and thing you will never ever forget
Appreciate the honest and advice about the bump in the night. Practical and helpful
Haha, yeah things that go bump in the night can be terrifying or very exciting :-) best it is the latter. Lights at night are anther fear factor that needs a strong mind not to go mad, haha
Thanks Barry. You got glorious weather too
Thanks David! Yes for once I had some sun :-)
Great video and I applaud you for doing the B-Roll shot of the gate lol.....
Thanks so much! Yes you know it was a few times jumping over the gate
Lovely video, glad I came across it. Amazing how much the kindness of strangers can brighten your mood!
Oh yes i could agree more, one kind gesture can completely change everything
Nice one Barry ! Couldn’t agree more about a friendly wave . Just got home from an Ardennes adventure walkers “hi” locals “bonjour” campers “Goedermorgen” roadies blank stare ! Apart from one 82! Year old who was keen for a chinwag!
Haha, Hope it was a great trip Mark, It the those people you have the most interesting conversations with and often learn a lot of local information :-)
What a great video. Nice route you did there and made me want to go there one day
Thanks!!! You should come and ride it! It is also where some of the best trails are in Southern England, well worth having a look about
Glad to see BG back out in the wild doing what he loves. 🙂
Oh YEAH!!!! Just need some bigger mountains now :-)
Spot on with roadies not waving, I was on my mtb bike and past some in surrey hills I ended up yelling I ride a bike too .Look forward to the next video.
Hey Stephen, It is not always roadies, it is not a dig at them, I just want people to say 'hi' Southern dog walkers are equally as bad :-)
Nice short format film Barry. A refreshing change from the 'epics'. Being in Essex I've often considered trying the NDW as it's the closest to home. Good to see it has plenty of potential.
Thanks Paul, yes quite a different style for me, and so nice to do a ride from the door and back home again, you really discover your local landscape.
On the subject of "Things That Go Bump In The Night" my isolated campsite was being circled with what sounded like a werewolf! After building up the courage to look I discovered I was being investigated by an otter! Really noisy, growling things! Hedgehogs also growl, snuffle and generally sound like a giant wild boar. I now take earplugs. 😀🦔
An OTTER!!!!! What an experience!!!! Yeah I have been circled by cows, deer, sheep, and also once put my hand in to my porch in the night and touched a hedgehog who immediately circled up, and then I had to wait 20 min for him to leave to then go back to sleep :-)
Hedgehogs make a crazy amount of noise! Never been stalked by an otter (that would be awesome!) but I have been woken by badgers and elk and found mice and squirrels actually in my tent :)
Great informative vid...and spirit of adventure you have..cool modern tent and you dont even have a rack or panniers...ride safe thanks
Thank you so much! Yes no panniers for me ;-)
Glad you got an outing and feeling all the better for it! Keep the good videos coming, very entertaining and helpful! Ciao
Thank you so much
Nice to be able to give a top tip back.... Churches always have taps. I did the NDW from guildford just last week and mostly overnight and used several churchyard taps for my water.
Not all churches have an outside tap, as I discovered a couple of weeks ago when my village road had a water leak. Got up in the morning to no shower and even worse, no coffee! I live next to the churchyard, so confidently set off with a camping container, only to search in vain. The village hall doesn't have a tap, either. My sister, who is a church warden in Dorset says now most churches use metered water, many don't want to pay for unauthorized use, so no longer have an outside tap. Seems a bit uncharitable to me.
Hey Nigel!! This is such an amazing piece of advice, and like I did read this before my last trip to Norfolk and needed to put your advice to the test :-) We had water luckily, and this Church did not have a tap on the outside, but did have a water butt if I was desperate. But will keep an eye out now when I pass a church and in need of water.
Hi, thanks for the comment, yes I am sure it is a bit hit and miss, but I would rather try a church than go door knocking, so will try this out in future :-)
Sorry forgot to say! Another great vlog Barry👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Haha, thanks so much!!!!! :-)
I love sleeping in woods, and yes they are noisy. Maybe have a little scout around before you settle down for the night, tell tale signs of what you hear later on. Another enjoyable film Barry, thanks.
Hi Andy! Yes good idea, I often have a little explore anyway, also the sound of rivers can keep changing with the wind, I is rather special when you get to hear and appreciate these often ignored sounds.
Good to see you back out Barry.
My Bradford to Wolverhampton canal trip....was EPIC!
Bust a rear spoke but bodged a quick fix.
Thanks for inspiring me to get out.
Combining 3 things I love, bikes, camping and beer.
Tougher than I thought, the weather was hot...wild camp-skinny dip compensated!!
Cheers dude, I'm a convert.....Next trip Hadruans wall C2C
Hey Nick! How amazing!!!! sounds quite the adventure! Not sure I needed to picture your skinny dip in my head ;-)
So excited you had a great time! You will love the Hadrians wall journey, it goes through some stunning places! You must stop off at Housesteads! Oh and a great YHA in once brewed (and a good pub :-) )
So good to see you out again Barry and another great video!!! Thank you!! You should get up to Yorkshire - we were out this morning and pretty much all the cyclists nodded or said morning!!! Tent looks great by the way and looking forward to your next adventure!!!
I am sure up there if you say Hi a thermos of tea comes out and a full scale chat occurs, haha :-) Yeah new tent was amazing
thank you BG! good to see you out again! it is a shame how a lot of roadies are so smug. being a former serious roadie ,I never
could understand the attitude,but I believe it stems from " my kit is better than your's,and I'm a racer" oooh! I'm so fast and fit!!
Life's too short and they need to get over themselves!!sorry bout the rant,I feel better.BG you are the best !!!
Haha, I started the rant :-) thanks so much!!!!
Great to see you back out on the bike, Barry.
I guess you came down the River Wey and Basingstoke canal, a very pleasant route. You must have almost ridden past my road to get to Farnham.
I live less than three miles from the start of the North Downs Way and use it on local rides quite often, although I haven't been much further than Guildford yet.
Haha, I should have popped in for a coffee! Yeah the canal is wonderful and a nice fast route with no cars, really enjoyed it. You should go ride it, you have a fine route from your front door :-)
@@barrygodin7538 I went to go that way today as it happens, but it's closed at St. Catherine's, so I looped through Guildford and did the River Wey and then the Basingstoke Canal back home.
The really deep sandy section from Watt's Gallery heading to Guildford was a nightmare, even with 42mm Terravail Rutlands. Got chatting to a guy on that section who was on the first day of the King Alfred's Way route.
Thanks for taking us along on your adventure! I hope that if ever this series starts to feel more like job than just fun that you step back and take a break! Always put your own fun and happiness above us internet people :)
Ahh, thanks so much! Dont worry I am having fun, and I also love making films, but just needed some head space :-)
Great series Barry. Thanks for the tips. They've given me lots of inspiration and advice to go out on my own cycle adventures. It's been good to join you on your travels. Keep up the good work.
Thank you so much Roger! you must go on your own adventure you will love it
Brilliant Barry, Thanks for that.
Thanks so much!
Nice work, I see a few cheeky footpaths crept in, unavoidable in some areas, great to see someone riding down south, it's not got the same kudos as many other areas of the country, but it sure is pretty.
Thanks Mathew! Well there is hidden secrets near Dorking, best mountain biking routes in most of the country, there is a reason two downhill racers live in that area :-)
I say hello or wave to anyone else I pass when out riding and often get blanked, which is a shame. Often have a nice chat with horse riders though, they’re a friendly bunch.
Hey Alastair, yeah always say Hi, and if you get into conversation it is amazing what stories people can tell
Loved it.i will have to have a look at the route
Thanks so much
Isn't it ironic how we all take water for granted until we don't have it. Roadies are the same here in the states. I don't know how they see where they are going with their head stuck up their butts. Hahahaha (sorry about that) I smile and say hi to everyone too but I guess they think I'm beneath them. Oh well to each his own. Great video Barry. Atb from Texas, Tony
Thanks so much Tony!!! Yeah I often take water for granted when in the mountains, but in southern England it is not always about. But I proved how wonderful our mapping is, a small blue line, the only one in miles, and when I got there, there it was a made a lovely camp spot. Keep smiling and saying Hi!!
Nice vid, I enjoyed seeing somewhere close to me. I spent a few years in the Army and one of most bizarre things I've heard at night was a cow coughing. It sounds just like a person was stood about 6" behind me! On the subject of saying hello, I'm from down south (Kent) and I know southerners have a bit of a bad rep but I don't understand why some people don't return a wave or a nod. I'm always happy to, and if you have luggage I want to stop and chat too!
Yeah John! Cows can make some weird sounds, and foxes screaming at night too, terrifying :-) Yeah if i see someone with luggage that is it, I chase them down to see what they are up to, so many interesting stories out there.
Nice one Barry glad u enjoyed getting out again ! I make an effort to say hello to everyone on my bike or for long walks ! Most people say hello and or smile back , but have learnt to take it not personally if I get ignored as I appreciate some people have a lot on their mind ? :) , but yeh your right I've generally found that I'm least likely to get a response from fellow cyclists , seems the thinner the tyre the less response😅 🤣ps I've had some great conversations and kind offers with random people while out and about which makes it all worth while and gives me a boost ! ! And its something im aware of making an effort my myself , I often cycle past someone and wish I had just stopped and started talking when a conversation starter was right in front of me !🤣 I think its a skill to develop 👍🙂
Thanks so much! Yes was so great to be back out. The stories you can hear off of others is incredible, so worth asking a local anywhere and they will tell you many hidden spots! The more open and friendly you are the more you will benefit :-)
Hi Barry! First of all, thank you for your films, really very stimulating and of excellent quality. You can give a moment of carefree every time I watch one of yours videos. Can't wait for a new video to come out. I also really like the BG tips series. Speaking of tips, could you make a review of the genesis longitute and give some advice regarding the bicycle? I am considering purchasing a longitude and would like to hear your opinion about it. It looks like a great bike at an affordable price. Thanks again for your films. One of my favorites is that of the tour in the Italian Alps (I am italian, i was born in Turin and i live in cuneo, so it was very exciting to see the places where I live in your video). Ciao for now!
Ciao Marco!
Yes I need to do a bike video, it is on the list :-) but I love my genesis, such a great bike, and the steel frame really helps when fully loaded. I would recommend the plus tyres (3inch) when fully rigid, makes a huge difference.
Oh I loved that Italian trip, my girlfriend is also from Turin, we met there!!! That is also why the trip started there, haha. You have some stunning trails right out of your door!!
Glad you mentioned Lycra snobs ,they always seem so stressed perhaps they need to get off road and chill
Haha, be in the wilderness with the birds and the bees and less tarmac
Barry Godin less worrying about their Strava times and more appreciation about the the special times times 👍
Always give everyone a wave. Some people act like they hate cycling and cyclist while riding a bike. 😂 riding for stats, not for fun I reckon. Looks like a lovely sunny trip you had Barry.
Yes for once Jess I saw some sun!!!! Which makes a change, haha
Great vid :)
Thanks very much Garry
I've been a roadie for years but also love riding mtb and more recently gravel bikes. It's really interesting, the acknowledging other riders thing. Roadies nod to other roadies. If I'm on my road bike and nod at a mtber, they tend to look confused. If I'm on my gravel bike and put a hand up to a roadie, similar. I often forget what clique I'm in and just accept what comes 😃
Haha, cycling will always have its cliques, and that is also makes the sport interesting, especially when a new one such as gravel gets created :-)
That looks a great route - thanks for sharing. Roadies can be a bit absorbed at times but like you I always try to acknowledge other cyclists. Youve done some amazing stuff recently - good on yer!
Thanks so much! Yes it is a great route. I had so many exciting things planned and cancelled this year, it is nice to discover what is just out of the front door
Great to see you out and about, when the vlog started and there was no bookcase 😮😮 The off road route from London to Farnham, is there any chance you could share a bit more detail please as I have a trip coming up which that may help? Thanks 👍
Haha, I will try and take the bookcase along next time, have a trailer set up ready for it, haha. Oh yeah Simon, it was an amazing route out of London. Obviously a wiggle through london, but after Richmond park it was Thames to Walton on thames and then on to the Basingstoke canal all the way! Really nice route
Thanks again Barry, I live not far from the NDW and planning on completing it soon. I know what you mean, I have this problem with other cyclist a lot. I love going to other areas as people are so friendly. Though just to prove me wrong a top roadie slowed down while over taking me and we had a chat...that's never happened before! Enjoy every day and take care. Regards Grant.
Hey Grant, thank you so much! Yeah I have met hundreds of friendly cyclists, It was just where I was a when you get blanked by so many in a row, that is what started my mini rant :-)
Barry, the selfie camera/stick, what is your setup, and whats your view on the safety, and security in use, of it (If you've covered it on a vid I'll dig it out). I can't quite get my head around it, but would be keen to learn for trips. I did think your comment about the car was hilarious because I was thinking exactly that as it came into shot , I was half expecting someone to shout out at you. On a less delicate note - wild camping toileting, any practical tips ?
Hey David! erm do you mean safety of riding along on the road holding a camera - Not recommended, or riding along off road with one hand with the other holding a camera - also not recommended :-) And I will do a video at some point on my camera equipment and how I use it and tips on filming your adventures, but that is not a selfie stick, just a very long arm trying to hold my phone and a microphone with a big fluffy thing on it. Oh how to poo in the wild, there are many people covering the correct way online, but make sure you dig a hole, not too deep, and then burn your paper after and cover up properly all mess. It is a leave to trace kind of thing.
Hi Barry really enjoy your videos mate, I,m from west coast of Scotland 🏴 and am familiar with a lot of your routes up here, good to see some of the landscapes around London 👍👍cheers ps do you recommend the Longitude?
Hey Vic! Thank you so much. Well you are blessed with incredible scenery, but we do have green rolling fields down here, and a few undulations, haha. Yeah the Genesis is an incredible bike and has taken me so many places and performed so well
Yep it's always a bit annoying when people you think you might have something in common with blank you. As a roadie, mountain biker, gravel rider and cyclo tourist I've been blanked by all denominations. My claim for a disturbed night sleeping was in Norway thirty years ago. I hadn't found a flat piece of ground at past midnight so rode up a track into the middle of a Forrest. I was woken around six am to the sound of chain saws a bit too close for comfort. I got out the tent sharpish, guys were logging about a hundred yards away I was soon up and away they looked a bit surprised to see me as I bumped down the muddy track.
Haha, that must of frightened the life out of you! :-) I have woken up in many a funny situation, you think you are miles away from any thing, and in the morning you realise a path is right next to you
Barry bothered by badger. Thankyou for yet another friendly and informative film. Would you recommend that alpkit sleeping Matt? I need to get one that's not a fortune.Also have you ever had an issue with ticks whilst wild camping. A tick removal tool could be a useful addition to a kit list
Haha, thanks for the rhyme Rob :-) Yeah really recommend that mat, super comfy and super light a well priced, it is the Numo. And yes I have had tick problems and tick remover is in the kit, thanks for the tips :-)
Or was the chicken taking the man for a walk? I do hate the bike snobbery - whilst commuting home last year, on my roadie, my local bike club passed me, passing me in a way that I was forced though a couple of potholes and onto the verge. They gave me no room, no option, no apology. Me, I seem to apologise a lot on behalf of roadie riders, we're not all like this. Our space on the road is constantly challenged, we are targets more than anything, so yes, please be nice to fellow peddlers - courtesy is free and easy to deliver. Anyway..... nice to see you outside again Barry!! Oh, maybe take up water divining and that can be a future BG Tips ;)
Haha, it is that never answered question ;-) Such a shame about your experiences on the road. I commute in London everyday, so become very accustom to people not being very nice, but when cruising about the countryside, there just needs to be a little cheer and happiness.
Oh and amazing BG tips video idea, but not sure I would ever find any, haha
Can’t wave if you’re a roadie...might mess up the Strava time with the wind resistance 😅
Haha, i am not so worried about my aerodynamics ;-)
Where was that wooded campsite? Looked a lot like the woods near me and I live on the north downs way!!
Haha, probably was your back garden :-) (Mays woods)
Hi Barry, TH-cam’s funny it pops up with vids and I think they are new 😂. Anyway I loved this one even though I’m catching up. Re: other cyclists your not alone I think it’s really arrogant of people who just can’t be pleasant I say hello to all who I pass whatever their transport other than a speedy car 😂, which I might say something impolite. Question: what do you think of pinion drive bikes like the Alpkit Sondor Broken Road? It’s expensive but looks like a good option.
Haha, going to the back catalogue :-) haha yes all cyclists and humans can be tits at times, but we can just keep sharing the love with our wonderful community, also you may be exempt at times when riding up a massive hill to only grimace and not say hello, haha.
Wow in terms of your question, I think gear boxes are really really interesting, and offer many benefits. But they also have their draw backs such as weight and what to do when It goes wrong in the wild. I have never ridden a pinion, but often a hub gear/gear box is slower shifting and you sometimes has to stop peddling to change properly. So on a touring bike I would say it works well as those snappy gear changes are not like you need on a trail mtb. But there is a lot of exciting things happening with technology advancing and all these new ideas and fuelling the future.
Be careful of the Badgers Barry, they will steal all your Haribo and so will the roadies! Cheers!
Haha
Another awesome video, Barry! Very much enjoyed the SDW in 2018 - need to scope out this longer journey at some point. Just wanted to ask - which Alpkit tent do you use? Keep rocking! 👍
Hey thanks so much Graeme, yeah south downs way is also an amazing route! My tent is not an alpkit one, I use MSR tents and on this trip it was the first outing of my new Carbon Reflex, incredible weight and size ;-)
@@barrygodin7538 Ah, makes sense now! I was trying to work out which one, but for the life of me - I couldn't! The Alpkit drybag in your last video, must have thrown me off the scent! th-cam.com/video/ub-Z7kf7hhI/w-d-xo.html
Don’t take roadies ignorance personally Barry. I noticed now I ride my Sonder Santiago which is a road/adventure bike I get waves and nods from roadies. It’s because you’re on a mtb.Strange breed these roadies. No matter what bike I’m on whether it’s my hardtail, enduro or road bike I always say hello to everyone. Manners and politeness cost nothing. I still wear a mtb lid though on my road bike. Great video as usual and glad you got out for a couple of days wild camping. Can I ask what bike you ride? Is it a Sonder ? The tubing and forks look similar to the rigid forked Frontier.
Hey Andy! Thanks so much! Yes dont worry I will not take it to heart and will keep being my jolly self :-) The bike is a Genesis Longitude with 29+ tyres. Love it to bits, but one day I will have to find another 29+ frame
Barry Godin Hi Barry. I’ve requested to follow you on strava. Not in a stalker kind of way. In a you might have some really cool trails kind of way. My strava name is same as my google name which really is Andy Wright 👍
I did the first 26miles of this with my boys a few weeks back. The climbing was horrendous on the Guildford section. Especially up to the church. Did you go on the actual footpath or follow a different route?
Yeah It is a tough climb up to the church, I did go up to the church as I always wanted to see it, stunning view from up there. I did not go on the footpath route for the North Downs Way, Cycling UK made a bike route which was great
Hi Barry, so did you follow the official route?
Hi, well there is a mtb route I dug from online, as the 'real' route is mostly a footpath, but the route I did followed it very closely
Curious about your bike... what things to consider when getting one?
Hey, not really that much, start with two wheels! and then you realise what kind of terrain you want to ride, and then that will dictate a lot on what bike to ride. But off road bikepacking, start rigid steel frame, comfy and a lot less to go wrong when strapping bags on
Roadies are the most likely to blank other cyclists. I even found this to be the case when I was out on my road bike in roadie race clothes. Some of them take themselves far too seriously. Don’t let it bother you Barry. Carry on regardless 😀
Oh don't worry Robert, I will keep saying Hi and waving to everyone, and hopefully one day it will be yourself ;-) you better wave back, haha
Never fear Barry, I, like you, always greet other cyclists. I’m 53 and I’ve been doing the bike thing for around 28 years now. It’s all about MTB but I’ve got road bikes and I’ve dabbled with triathlon and done an Ironman...there’s no need for anyone, roadie or otherwise, to be snooty or uppity with anyone. Oh, and Barry, thank you for the replies. It’s really appreciated...you are, as yet, still the only person I’ve ever subscribed to😉
Manners cost nothing.
Re : Wild camping woods. In the UK there aren't any animals to eat or fatally bite you like in other countries so perhaps seeking out the source of the noise or disturbance is less risky unlike in say a US national park with bears, mountain lions, wolves or an Indian national park with tigers.
Haha, Yes Alex a very valid point, I am assuming go out side and investigate in the UK, Canada or India would be a different matter
Badgers can be quite ferocious at times.....and we do have adders, our only poisonous snake, which has to be watched out for.
Wild female boars can break your bones if they feel your a threat...
I was wild camping above Rochester few weeks ago .and same had
Werewolf like activity about 2am in morning ...
But after awaking in the morning , me and a mouse had a nice chat about Buzzards and other prey .
@@whollyspokes3645 and a bacon buttie for breakfast ;)
@@saintuk70 Adders are not poisonous but venomous and they are pretty rare. Also they are very unlike to be making a huge racket keeping you up in the middle of the night in a wood. They are typically found on heath scrub land in say the New Forest.
Just got home from a Norfolk circuit and, to be fair, all the other cyclists did wave or say hello. Perhaps because I was on a road bike, not a MTB.
Oh Norfolk is wonderful and great to cycling, yeah a lot of friendly people over there :-)
I ride a lot in this area and its true that most roadies dont wave back. Some do. Those that dont almost always look like they are not enjoying themselves. Strange way to live. I just keep waving, and maybe one day they'll wonder why I'm out there smiling....
Haha, a wonderful comment, One day they will, or may be we will keep it our secret :-)
Hi Barry. what size tyres on you running they look wide?
Yeah I run 29 x 3 inch wide tyres
Could we hear a night jar at 1.22?
Well Identified! I was not sure what it was, crazy sound coming from him :-)
I thought I’ve seen someone doing this ride . And they were filling from taps
Hi, yes there is a map for the taps on the south downs way, but not sure if a public map for taps on north down way, if it was not post covid times there would not have been as much of a problem
Great
Thanks very much
Luckily up north the majority of roadies are quite normal and acknowledge you , still plenty who think they're a wanna be pro mind. So true about the water situation, the panic soon kicks in once you realise your not going to find any.
Yes there is nothing like the running out of water panic! It was also such a hot day I needed to keep drinking, and you never know how much is left, and you never want to have that last drop, just in case :-)
I've got to the point were I nod my head but don't bother to look at roadies, that way they don't make my piss boil when they don't acknowledge you!! MTB, Gravel and bike packers rule stuff the roadies
Haha, calm Mark ;-)
👍
Thanks Steve!
👋👋👋👋
Thank you so much Gary
I’ve got a friend trying to me into a roadie🙄
Haha, dont do it!!!! (just kidding)
On your last point there. With more people riding bikes atm then ever before its important to acknowledge, wave or nod at fellow cyclists. I for one don't care what kind of bike someone is riding I'll say hello or good morning! I think there is a unnecessary snobbery between roadies and mtbs which I find pathetic. The higher number of people we can get into cycling the better - safety in numbers.
Yeah Richard, it is such a friendly community, and we have to introduce others into that environment to make them want to stay :-)
there is elitism amongst cyclists. some only acknowledge fellow cylists if they look like they follow the same discipline (roadies ack roadies but not commuters or packers) its not a new thing unfortunately, but i always nod at least when i go past
We are all riding bikes ;-) I think it was more a complaint of human beings rather than cyclists haha