BIKEPACKING THE M25 - BRITAIN'S BUSIEST ROAD

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 29 เม.ย. 2023
  • Another adventure and this one is a little different, not somewhere you would traditionally think to cycle the m25 Britain's busiest road, today we will go on an adventure circumnavigating london following the m25, finding hidden trails wild camping and navigating around london and the m25 in a much more fun way. Lets go !
    The Route - www.komoot.com/collection/208...
    If you enjoy the content on this channel and would like to help the adventures continue then head over to my buymeacoffee page where you can buy me a ginsters if you like :D www.buymeacoffee.com/KSmilead...
    Check out the second channel for bonus content - / @morekeepsmilingadvent...
    The gear i am currently using
    The tent - • ALPKIT SOLOIST FINAL T...
    Framebag - • BIKEPACKING FRAME BAG ...
    Seatpost bag - • TOPEAK BACKLOADER 10L ...
    Jones Handlebars - • THE JONES H-BAR - BIKE...
    Gravel bike - • SONDER CAMINO UPDATE B...
    plus bike mtb - • BOMBTRACK BEYOND PLUS ...
    gps device - • GARMN EDGE 830 - LIKES...
    mtb shoes - • SHIMANO ME7 FIRST LOOK...
    All the gear from GNT - • ALL THE GEAR FROM THE ...
    Vest bag - • DECATHLON EVIDICT 10l ...
    Ortleib bar roll • ORTLEIB HANDLEBAR ROLL...
    Dynamo setup - • BIKEPACKING WITH A DYN...
    Questions answered - • KEEP SMILING ADVENTURE...
    Unpacking the gravel bike - • THE GB DIVIDE - BIKE/G...
  • กีฬา

ความคิดเห็น • 111

  • @KeepSmilingAdventures
    @KeepSmilingAdventures  ปีที่แล้ว +27

    Hello everyone hope all is good and you have had a great week, Who's been on an adventure this week then ? thanks for joining me again on another bikepacking adventure, this week we bikepack around the m25, Britain's busiest road. Hope you all enjoy the adventure. :D
    Follow along here - www.komoot.com/collection/2085715/-bikepacking-the-m25

    • @GrahamFootBicycleLover
      @GrahamFootBicycleLover ปีที่แล้ว +1

      interesting

    • @soton5teve
      @soton5teve ปีที่แล้ว +1

      BBC 4 - *The Hidden Wilds of the Motorway*
      30 Jun 2020 - Author and naturalist Helen Macdonald embarks on a clockwise loop around the M25 to discover....

  • @ashleyyoungs6252
    @ashleyyoungs6252 ปีที่แล้ว +15

    the amount of times he must have had to turn around to pick up his camera after getting a cycling shot, deserves credit.

  • @marleymuppet
    @marleymuppet ปีที่แล้ว +8

    Both cars got there up the hill. The older one has been there many years, the newer one arrived over lockdown. The driver of the newer car must have been elated to get further than the first!

  • @walkwithme4975
    @walkwithme4975 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    The bike has got to be one of the most important inventions ever made

  • @Biolazard
    @Biolazard ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Finished riding around the M25 (in both directions!) yesterday 😁🎉. Did it in seven sections over the past couple of summers. Planned my route to hug the M25 as closely as possible on bridleways, byways and B-roads, whilst staying away from A-roads when I could. So much fly-tipping 😤. Next on the list is riding along the Thames from where it intersects with the M25 in the east to where it intersects with the M25 in the west. There and back and on both sides of the river. About 100 in total 😁.

  • @ianclements4268
    @ianclements4268 ปีที่แล้ว +19

    Who’d have thought all the beauty around the M25 it’s possibly the worst Motorway in the UK . How did you devise this route and know what to follow? A wonderful film 😊

  • @seant666
    @seant666 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    You came to my hometown Epping and sat on my seat near the war memorial !

  • @inspiringsalonsinteriordes3893
    @inspiringsalonsinteriordes3893 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    Great Video: I have also been plotting a cycle route around the M25, but roads. Your map link in the description is a great help. Being close to 60 I am trying to do 100% lanes & a B&B overnight.

  • @frida12349
    @frida12349 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    English woodland..so unique so beautiful. You highlight it perfectly Josh. Lovely ride.

  • @jp76056
    @jp76056 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Hiya Josh, I bumped into you while cycling to work on the old railway trail near Marlborough the other day. Good to see your channel l, I subscribed already. Great stuff. God bless and keep you safe on all your travels 🚲👌😁

  • @WiltshireMan
    @WiltshireMan ปีที่แล้ว +10

    Actually, That was better than I thought it would be. Some of the woodland around the M25 is really quite ancient. Nice one Josh:)

    • @KeepSmilingAdventures
      @KeepSmilingAdventures  ปีที่แล้ว

      lots of really beautiful riding to be fair

    • @kevindean9613
      @kevindean9613 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      looks like it would be even better once it's dried out a bit .

  • @Macilmoyle
    @Macilmoyle ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Good video. Back in the days when they were still building it, I 'unoficially' cycled the section of the motorway around Leatherhead before they opened it.

  • @hughd1014
    @hughd1014 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Those cars at box hill had an accident on a small track above the trail and it was too tight to get a recovery vehicle to them so they just shoved them off the side. Back in the day, obviously

  • @AdamBoothUK
    @AdamBoothUK ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Bluebells and mud. Pretty much every spring ride in this part of the world. Beautiful when the sun comes out though.

  • @weeringjohnny
    @weeringjohnny ปีที่แล้ว +3

    "The rain's not too heavy and it's only due to last a few more hours'. Is that the UK bike packer's mantra?

  • @TheCoopsvids
    @TheCoopsvids ปีที่แล้ว

    Well done mate 👍🏻🚴

  • @chris_onabike
    @chris_onabike ปีที่แล้ว +9

    Isn't it great how you can create decent adventure anywhere on a bike? Great video mate, greetings from Durango, on the Trans-Mexico bikepacking route.

  • @ChrisyC567
    @ChrisyC567 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Absolutely Genius Ride.... Well done and thankyou for this video.. You da man 👍🏻

  • @the_lost_navigator7266
    @the_lost_navigator7266 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Those cars may well have driven there along the track you rode on. It doesn't take long for the undergrowth and trees to take over. I've seen disused railway lines with trees growing in between the rails.
    Cool route and video too.

  • @chrissywissythewishwishfairy
    @chrissywissythewishwishfairy ปีที่แล้ว +5

    Love your videos. You are inspiring. Thank you.

  • @leangrypoulet7523
    @leangrypoulet7523 ปีที่แล้ว

    As a Londoner I wondered what the hell was going on at 0:22 when Twickenham and Kingston were apparently to the east of London, Dagenham and Romford to the west. 😂

  • @simonhodgetts6530
    @simonhodgetts6530 ปีที่แล้ว

    That was brilliant, and inspiring - thank you so much !

  • @NeverTooTiredToRideTwoTyres
    @NeverTooTiredToRideTwoTyres ปีที่แล้ว

    Watching this to hype myself up for a commute on a rainy day ❤

  • @davidedwards4676
    @davidedwards4676 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Welldone Josh another great ride brilliantly filmed best on the tube by far

  • @symbiantscycling
    @symbiantscycling ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Never thought a video about the M25 could be so inspiring, great stuff.

  • @Bard_Land
    @Bard_Land ปีที่แล้ว +2

    cool idea for a video!

  • @evosportychop8332
    @evosportychop8332 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Great adventure, will use this as inspiration to go on my own outing hopefully soon

  • @johnashcroft-jones6091
    @johnashcroft-jones6091 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    We've been promised flying cars for decades.... THEY'VE ARRIVED (learners!)
    Great ride, show and cinematography as usual.. Hats off!
    Building a 29er MTB and am slipping a cheeky 1000w 30Ah 27.5 rear wheel.
    Haters form an orderly queue please.

  • @tomolonotron
    @tomolonotron ปีที่แล้ว +2

    You should start saying where you're planning to camp on insta or something, I would have put you up - live in Oxted! Lol.
    I know the spot where you camped in Limpsfield chart

  • @Bokooda
    @Bokooda ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Just think of the constant drone of traffic as a distant thunderous waterfall or the roar of the sea rolling against a 100 feet high cliffs nearby... Great trip 🙏🏽

    • @Marread
      @Marread ปีที่แล้ว

      Or thunder on the horizon

  • @damiencloake01
    @damiencloake01 ปีที่แล้ว

    Love that you come through my village for this. May have to attempt it and go from home!

  • @ASTHECROWFLIESHIKING
    @ASTHECROWFLIESHIKING ปีที่แล้ว +2

    What an amazing bikepacking trip. Such a wonderful video. Loved the introduction that explains everything well. New follower here. Crow✌️

  • @1ytt742
    @1ytt742 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    Route looked quite roady on Strava so I didn't think you'd enjoy it as much as you seemed to. Outside the M25 was one of my first long rides when I started them about 30 years ago. It was a real pain doing that with maps. There's now a few cycling events based on the M25. An Audax UK event called the London Orbital, done in one go and a 2 day off road event. Gravesend Tilbury ferry is definitely the nicest way to cross the Thames. Might even give it another go but off road this time that now I have a GPS etc.

    • @brandondare3830
      @brandondare3830 ปีที่แล้ว

      What’s the name of the off-road event? Cheers in advance!

    • @1ytt742
      @1ytt742 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@brandondare3830 I can't remember exactly but I had a google and an event called The Smoke Ring looks like the one and sounds familiar. 60% road/40% off road according to the route I found on Ride With GPS.

  • @alexanderfield
    @alexanderfield ปีที่แล้ว +1

    So impressive, the only thing I couldnt do myself is the sleeping… I’d be on edge the entire time 😂

  • @WeekesWheels
    @WeekesWheels ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Hah, my neck of the woods :) Great to see some familiar sights as you passed through the south/east parts. Might have to give this one a go myself!

  • @MylesHSG
    @MylesHSG 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    For all those that need to know the ancient ferry crossing from Gravesend to Tilbury (something like 700 years old that crossing is) has finally succumbe to our broken Tory Britain. The furthest east you can now take a full sized bike is the Woolwich Ferry.

  • @damedavidfrith55
    @damedavidfrith55 ปีที่แล้ว

    Looks like you had a lovely time 😊

  • @samthegreg
    @samthegreg ปีที่แล้ว +1

    FYI I’m case any future folks ask locals for directions
    Westerham is “wes-trum” not “wester-ham”
    Great vid!

  • @pdtech4524
    @pdtech4524 ปีที่แล้ว

    Re the 2 cars on the trail on Box Hill Hike, did you check inside the vehicles?
    Sometimes cars crash off a road above, disappear into woodland and are not found for weeks, months even years with the occupants still inside⚠️🤔😲

  • @knutselaardre1272
    @knutselaardre1272 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    The United Kingdom remains a foreign country, where cars just grow in the wild. 🙃 A round around London nice experiment.

  • @julie-wheelersatlarge
    @julie-wheelersatlarge ปีที่แล้ว +3

    I should move Josh in case another car comes crashing through the undergrowth! 🚗😂

  • @dalj4362
    @dalj4362 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Great stuff. It just goes to show that you don't need to take the kitchen sink on a trip.😊

  • @simonwiltshire
    @simonwiltshire ปีที่แล้ว +3

    You come up with some great original ideas for adventures, nice one and thanks for shareing.

  • @crack_squirrels
    @crack_squirrels ปีที่แล้ว

    This was awesome!

  • @mickoholland1
    @mickoholland1 ปีที่แล้ว

    Great video enjoyed it

  • @Welshadventures
    @Welshadventures ปีที่แล้ว

    Awesome video as always

  • @adambennett805
    @adambennett805 ปีที่แล้ว

    I met a guy on a bikepacking trip last year between Salisbury and Warminster who recommended your channel to me. Matty, if youre out there hello! (So sorry if thats not your name!)

  • @rabidralph
    @rabidralph ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Glad I stumbled upon this video really enjoyed watching it guess you may have heard of this guy Steve Wallis he's a big stealth camping guy and he has a hammock that has a zipped compartment and puts a tarp over it so it's fully waterproof reckon that would be great for a trip like this

  • @FullBeansCyclingCompany
    @FullBeansCyclingCompany ปีที่แล้ว

    Great video!

  • @saint_piran
    @saint_piran ปีที่แล้ว

    Loved this!

  • @0836whimper
    @0836whimper ปีที่แล้ว

    well done, what a great idea

  • @HamSamwichCHAPS
    @HamSamwichCHAPS ปีที่แล้ว

    Great video mate!

  • @rossmax767
    @rossmax767 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Amazing how much countryside is so close to London. You didn’t seem to meet anyone on those trails either.

  • @smalllicks
    @smalllicks ปีที่แล้ว

    Really love this channel, its so cool and intimate ...

  • @sing_cycle_referee
    @sing_cycle_referee ปีที่แล้ว

    You were just down the road from me in Epping! I'm about 6 miles north of there!

  • @markjthomson
    @markjthomson ปีที่แล้ว

    Quieter, better and probably quicker! :)

  • @nobbystyles4807
    @nobbystyles4807 ปีที่แล้ว

    never seen TT bars ona gravel bike before but to be fair i am many years out of touch with the scene. epic video mate really enjoyed it!

  • @SeemanGabriel055
    @SeemanGabriel055 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Great video! I’ve got loads of questions, but the one I care the most is: how do you manage to be safe or secure somewhat safety whilst bikepacking? I’ve never done an experience quite like camping at the middle of nowhere just for the mere reason of being mugged or hurt by any living entity.

    • @Hobnob165
      @Hobnob165 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      The chances of meeting a mugger in the middle of nowhere are usually pretty slim!

  • @4bdu114h
    @4bdu114h ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Awesome trip and video Josh! I'm really impressed with the quality of the footage and the cinematography. What I really want to know is how much extra time and mileage you end up doing having to keep going back for the cameras etc!?

  • @Foxtrottangoabc
    @Foxtrottangoabc ปีที่แล้ว

    Wow I recognise your route from Norbury Park to the beautiful gallops on top of the hill otherside of box hill 😅 i cycled past those cars last year a few times and its just mindblowing how they got there 🤣 i dont know any stories to them but I came to theory joy riders coming from stane Street or up from the road below 🤔 it really is mindblowing 😅

  • @jamesgrant5088
    @jamesgrant5088 ปีที่แล้ว

    Just given me an idea to try something similar around the M60

  • @ArturDuarte-cb8jr
    @ArturDuarte-cb8jr ปีที่แล้ว

    Hi, what bike do you use and tyres? I could see no mudguards must've helped in such muddy conditions. Very interesting to see the scenic route of the M25 (full circle). Because of the noise hum, cycling it may be a lot more tolerable than walking it. Thanks for sharing a very interesting trip/video.

  • @pauldavies1801
    @pauldavies1801 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

    What about when nature calls ?particulary a#2 ? Dig a hole and cover ?

  • @donttouchthisatall
    @donttouchthisatall ปีที่แล้ว

    Heya! Just came across your videos and wow, they are great. Quick question: What are those bibs and jerseys? Very cool triangle/geometrical shape designs!

  • @zenmoto369
    @zenmoto369 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Britain's biggest parking :D

    • @cityzens634
      @cityzens634 ปีที่แล้ว

      Hmmm 30 year old joke that is no longer relevant or funny

  • @creasecycles
    @creasecycles ปีที่แล้ว

    Love the videos! Inspired me to ride Wimbledon - Nice 🇫🇷 this summer. I have a question about your TT bars. How have you raised the height of them? I currently have a broken wrist so I am riding on the turbo but I find low TT bars very uncomfortable.

  • @SanKapil-vn8wf
    @SanKapil-vn8wf 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

    👍🏽

  • @robhines4537
    @robhines4537 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Fantastic effort but a mountain bike is needed!!

  • @edenbreckhouse
    @edenbreckhouse ปีที่แล้ว

    Did you use a motorised dolly on a track for some of the shots?

  • @user-qv1pr9ri8q
    @user-qv1pr9ri8q ปีที่แล้ว

    What bike do you use ? Also interested in wheel size and tyre size used ?

  • @scm131
    @scm131 ปีที่แล้ว

    How did you work out the route? Did you use an app or look at maps?

  • @byc1013
    @byc1013 ปีที่แล้ว

    Not everyday you see people wearing Bioracer kit. It's very good.

  • @deanchads
    @deanchads ปีที่แล้ว

    How do you plan the routes to limit gates and Stiles? Or are you just climbing over with your bike?

    • @KeepSmilingAdventures
      @KeepSmilingAdventures  ปีที่แล้ว +1

      just avoid footpaths mostly, sometimes it's a bit of on the ground adapting

  • @avemariaiona8507
    @avemariaiona8507 ปีที่แล้ว

    Is there a way to get the route without subscribing to Komoot...or rebuilding it click by click.

  • @TheBikeChallenge
    @TheBikeChallenge ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I gotta ask Josh, how can you sleep without a sleeping mat? I'd be suffering with my back all night! 😮
    I also got a Patagonia 3L, do you wash it with nikwax?

    • @KeepSmilingAdventures
      @KeepSmilingAdventures  ปีที่แล้ว +2

      many years of practice of sleeping on pots and pans whenever i could while working in kitchens :D
      And yep

  • @kevindean9613
    @kevindean9613 ปีที่แล้ว

    I don't see the Bombtrack much ?

  • @paulgray2387
    @paulgray2387 ปีที่แล้ว

    I’ve never understood gravel bikes. See a lot of them out and about off road with punctures tho…😮

    • @jamble7k
      @jamble7k ปีที่แล้ว

      they are just road bikes with wide tyre clearance 😂

    • @AdamBoothUK
      @AdamBoothUK ปีที่แล้ว

      Picking the right tyres is tricky but once you have the balance of durability, grip and speed right you then have a bike that’ll go anywhere. Lots of perfect trails in the south of the UK that don’t need an MTB and can be linked by small roads.

    • @richardburns5925
      @richardburns5925 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Well, they never do one thing or the other! You have zero control with drop handlebars off road for a start, I don't get them either, something else to sell us.
      You want a mountain bike for off road, trails etc, everything is just better on a mountain bike.

  • @user-ow1jh8yb5j
    @user-ow1jh8yb5j ปีที่แล้ว

    Is this the capital loop route? Or a new route you worked out?

  • @awarrior1545
    @awarrior1545 ปีที่แล้ว

    The cats were stolen and driven down. One car was set on fire that’s why it’s rusty

  • @hcw199
    @hcw199 ปีที่แล้ว

    18:12 Gravel bike fail.

  • @AlwaysFaxkenCashinHandMate
    @AlwaysFaxkenCashinHandMate ปีที่แล้ว

    4:40 Shows how only major public opinion gets anything done. They’ve just left them to rot down their? What’s the tax bracket again? 😅

  • @the.communist
    @the.communist ปีที่แล้ว +1

    WARNING: dont try this in winter.

    • @victormuckleston
      @victormuckleston ปีที่แล้ว

      winter and summer is not that big of a differance in the uk, never realy hot, never realy cold, generaly wet and windy

  • @oheso
    @oheso ปีที่แล้ว +1

    25 miles before breakfast? What is wrong with you?

  • @mth469
    @mth469 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Its not an enjoyable trip if you are pushing yourself to exhaustion.

  • @davidbarnfield9849
    @davidbarnfield9849 ปีที่แล้ว

    I Hate the fact you don't show your camp set up or food.
    Just wheel shots...... Boring.
    Dave B. Thailand 😊

    • @KeepSmilingAdventures
      @KeepSmilingAdventures  ปีที่แล้ว +2

      you didn't watch the video then because i absolutely did both of them things.

    • @victormuckleston
      @victormuckleston ปีที่แล้ว

      @@KeepSmilingAdventures it depends on what individuals want from a video, drive by view, buildings, up hills , camping sites and equiptment. loved the vid. every ride by shot means someone goes back for the camera.

  • @timetravelfilms727
    @timetravelfilms727 ปีที่แล้ว

    Great video!