I have a week off work in a couple of weeks purely for IM training for the Outlaw, and wondered if there were any places that were ideal for training... quiet roads, possible sea swimming, good weather (always the optimist) on and off road training etc. I was thinking that if I was able to do it on the cheap, then I would throw my bikes in the car, stay in a hostel/cheap b&b and just train my ass off for 7 days (cant afford a nice training camp abroad)
I live in the South East and was contemplating the Isle of Wight.... any suggestions?
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Have you ridden the Outlaw route already? If I were doing a UK based event, I'd certainly find a recce of the bike route useful and would head there, if only for one night (I know some people are off to do that for IM Wales this weekend).
Aside from that, there's the Forest of Dean, which is very pretty and has some nice lumpy riding. I think we stayed at a campsite there called Bracelands. I would recommend it. The Little/Big Woody route is a nice one to ride and probably on the website for the event. There's lots of lovely trails to run around Symonds Yat area and English Bicknor hill is quite a treat to ride up. There is also the National Diving Centre place at Chepstow which may allow you to go for a swim if you ask them nicely and the water there is gorgeous.
I was very impressed with the area around Buckler's Hard/Beaulieu where we swashed the other weekend too but don't know much about facilities down there.
Andy-yes definately going to be doing a recce of the Outlaw route..but thinking will just be going there for a weekend
FF- haha yes very good point hadn't thought of that that's out of the question then! Might get quite dizzy
Mouse-brilliant thanks for the suggestions...have been considering the new forest so that might be the best suggestion as I think only couple of hours drive away as well
http://www.booking.com/hotel/gb/yha-snowdon-ranger.en.html?aid=311076;label=yha-snowdon-ranger-JcDgoIKOmfDkvXYQXvmVjwS7750898580;ws=&gclid=CP3vspWJmakCFcRtfAod3yYJxA
its got a lake you can swim in outside the front door great trails for running and MTBing and the road biking is awesome around pen y pant pass (probably spelt it wrong) you can even run up to the summit from the YHA Its a great hill session
Haha Barley & FF, brilliant!! Don't tempt me...that's the kind of stupid thing I would end up doing if someone else was... any offers?
Meldy...pah too easy haha actually would love to come and support for the week but my week off is from 20th june. But am going to try and pop down next weekend.
Trixeepoo- had thought of Jersey...but isn't that for people with more that £2.50 in their pocket?? I may be able to scrap about in the piggy bank for a few extra pennies and a couple of buttons?
RBM- Not a bad idea at all, I love Snowdonia and there's also an amazing mtb trail not far from there...will check it out