PEDDARS WAY | Bike Packing, Norfolk cycling, Knettishall to Castle Acre

Рет қаралды 7,470

2 жыл бұрын

PART 1 - In these 2 videos, I am cycling the Peddars Way, Norfolk. An ancient trail, footpath and National Cycle Way 13. If you are interested in riding this route, this is the video for you!
An Epic Norfolk adventure through Pine forests, over Breckland heaths, past ancient monuments and ending at the Seaside! What more can you ask for!!!? Well, of course a bit of wild camping thrown in for good measure!
The Peddars Way is a 74km trail consisting of foot path and bridleway between Knettishall Heath, Suffolk (which lies on the Norfolk border 5km east of Thetford) and Holme-next-the-Sea on the North Norfolk coast just east of Hunstanton.
In this video I ride from KNETTISHALL HEATH to CASTLE ACRE. I will show you the various terrain and country side that you will meet. I will use my drone to give you great aerial shots.
The Peddars Way is ancient with a rich history. I hope to give you a taste of what a GREAT county Norfolk is….Watch on dear viewer….and don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE, HIT the BELL for notifications and PLEASE PLEASE give a like.
Watch the second video from Castle Acre to Holme-next-the-Sea with the wild camp and kit list.
Any questions? Please leave a COMMENT.
BIKE: Canyon Exceed CF SL 7.0 Pro in STEALTH BLACK
Cameras:
Fixed on bike - GOPRO Session 5
Action Shots - GOPRO Hero 8 Black
DSLR - Panasonic Lumix GH5
Music provided by KZfaq Free music Library
Sound effects - By Freesound.org

Пікірлер: 64

@nickbowers 8 ай бұрын

Great video thanks. But, the music? What's going on? 😂 Are you cycling past some forest raves? Distracting and not on tone at all for me! Hope to do this route soon

@divum 8 ай бұрын

Thanks for the comment! Music is not to everyone's taste...sorry if it distracted.

@markvisser1177 2 жыл бұрын

Great footage, good music, nice story telling, great editing. Very nice Andrew👍🏻👍🏻

@divum 2 жыл бұрын

Heel erg bedankt! Thanks Mark

@stuffonthepark 2 жыл бұрын

Took this path this summer on my tour from Southwold to Wells next the sea. Was amazing scenery and its nice to reminis watching your video.

@divum 2 жыл бұрын

That's brilliant to read! I hope I did it justice. Thanks for watching 👍🏼👍🏼🚴🏻‍♀️

@wobblyjohn 3 ай бұрын

I did the Peddars way about 15 years ago, with some friends from Essex, rode out from near Ely to meet them near Bury St Edmund, rode the route loaded with camping gear, and camped at Burnham Deepdale - 99 miles covered that day! I made the mistake of trying to ride through the ford at Castle Arce, and the freewheel stopped working a couple of years later - I flushed it out with brake cleaner and then grease and it's back working.

@divum 3 ай бұрын

I wonder if the route has changed significantly since your experience? My mtb and trailer haven't shown signs of suffering so far from my Ford crossings 🤞! Thanks for getting in touch

@andyml1 2 жыл бұрын

Enjoyed your video as per usual - particularly the drone footage of the Priory….keep ‘em coming please. 😃

@divum 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Andy. Glad you enjoyed it and thank you for the support 👍🏼

@MrShiffard 2 жыл бұрын

Lovely footage of Castle Acre Andy. We're blessed to live in such a beautiful county. I will get to ride Peddars one day 🙂

@divum 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Dave-Dave. I'm looking forward to our next trip.... 👍🏼🚴🏻‍♀️🚴🏻‍♀️

@megarusso 2 жыл бұрын

Great video, some great scenery and banging music. Been looking at doing the peddars way for a year or so, but due to circumstances beyond my control haven't got around to it yet, for now I will have to live vicariously through you.

@divum 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the comment. Look out for the second part! 👍🏼🚴🏻‍♀️

@JMower 10 ай бұрын

Thanks for the great video! I'm planning on doing this route during the summer, I'm very pleased to see there's a McDonalds! I hope they'll be kind enough to let me fill my water bottles up too...

@divum 10 ай бұрын

Great comment. Hope you have a good ride. ATB 👍🏻🚴🏼

@garethhope1 2 жыл бұрын

Have thoroughly enjoyed this video and can’t for the next part. Thanks this will be on my 2022 list as I’m only in long Stratton 👍🏻

@divum 2 жыл бұрын

Cheers Gareth, you don't have to wait! The second video is already out. Check out my channel. ATB for 2022

@garethhope1 2 жыл бұрын

@@divum it’s well and truly watched mate really enjoying your channel may have another sneaky look once the belly is full tomorrow. Merry Christmas

@divum 2 жыл бұрын

Great! Thanks so much and welcome on board! 👍🏼⛺🚴🏻‍♀️

@easthantsXC 2 жыл бұрын

Great video! I'm riding it in June then picking up the Icknield Way, then onto the Ridgeway as far as Reading. Heading back to Hampshire after that as I've done the other bit of the Ridgeway as part of the King Alfreds Way ride last year. I notice some kind soul has mapped it all out with the Google Street view camera so all of it is navigable in Street View!

@divum 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for your comments. Your planned ride sounds brilliant. I hope my vid gave you some useful visual information.

@bikerforever68 2 жыл бұрын

Great video Andrew as usual on this lovely old trail,pity you didn’t stop at Thompson water/common as it’s definitely a highlight of this section. I’m not sure why you were diverted as it’s easily doable on a bike especially a mountain bike. My family lived inside stanta training area and were kicked out when the mod took over to use the area for training for the D-day landings and were told they would come back after the war,but sadly never did. ATB 👍🏻👏🏻

@divum 2 жыл бұрын

Very interesting family history link to Stanta..Thanks. Yes I know what you mean about the trail, but I thought for the purposes of the vid, I would follow the cycle route. I'll be summing up my overall impression on the Peddars Way in the second video coming soon!

@robinrai4973 Жыл бұрын

If you're in Norwich I also really recommend Mariott's way over there, both ways for one 50 mile trip. It's really pretty, flat, completely free of roads, and a perfect intro to bikepacking/touring!

@divum Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much Robin for the comment. In fact I love the Marriott Way so much I made a video of it…..kzfaq.info/get/bejne/bamXe5iQ17vRpmg.html Thanks for your support.

@Tony-ug1mv 2 жыл бұрын

Great video as usual. I live near the northern end of the trail and often cycle parts of it, even managed to fall off in the deep ruts near Bircham (ouch😬). Can’t believe there isn’t a footbridge to take you over the A11, that road must be a nightmare to cross safely. Looking forward to part 2.

@divum 2 жыл бұрын

Great the hear from you Tony. Yes the ruts on the northern part were a challenge! Part 2 out soon, (still editing it!) 🚴🏻‍♀️👍🏼

@easthantsXC 2 жыл бұрын

yep, have checked it out on street view and a bit concerned about some of the rutted tracks! I have history with the ruts! Guess its a case of pick a rut you like the look of and stay in it.....

@Tony-ug1mv 2 жыл бұрын

@@easthantsXC The worst I’ve encountered is near Bircham, the other parts I’ve tried were bumpy but fun. Just don’t change lanes on the deep rutted parts, that’s what caught me out 😳☺️

@easthantsXC 2 жыл бұрын

@@Tony-ug1mv thanks Tony, will exercise caution! Rutted farm tracks are never easy!

@grumpy-dad3701 Жыл бұрын

My first bikepacking experience was the pedders way. From Thetford to holme next the sea and back. camped right next to castle acre. It was hot. But what a great foray into bikepacking. Be careful of the deep tyre tracks on some of the route. Quite deep North downs way this year

@divum Жыл бұрын

Thanks for your comment. Quite right about the ruts in the northern part. Good luck with North Downs Way this year 👍🏻🚲🚴🏼

@grumpy-dad3701 Жыл бұрын

@@divum it's modified. Going from Minehead down through Canterbury round to Dover and back up again. Or just see where my feet take me.

@divum Жыл бұрын

Awesome. I wish you well 👍🏻

@adriansmith38 2 жыл бұрын

Did this earlier this year. Don't remember that A11 crossing though! Just realised we started as Thetford and crossed under it there rather than going to the official start.

@divum 2 жыл бұрын

You probably did better crossing under the A11!!!! Thanks for watching. 👍🏼🚴🏻‍♀️

@rghounds 2 жыл бұрын

The Retyred Greying Hounds, Me (Perce) and Mort, did this on the 1st of September ‘21. I was going to film it but was lazy and left my camera in my frame bag unused. You’ve done a much better job of it. Great timing! We also stayed at Bircham Mill campsite prompted by one of your earlier trips. We never got to the coast but that’s another trip to be done. Thanks for your continued great content. Perce

@rghounds 2 жыл бұрын

I used a gravel bike and Mort was on his tourer. We managed ok but a hardtail might have made it a bit easier.

@divum 2 жыл бұрын

Hi Perce, thanks for the comment and your great fedback. I'm really pleased that I some how inspired you by my earlier videos. I hope the video represents your experiences as well as mine! Watch out for the second video coming soon.👍🏻🚴🏻‍♀️

@divum 2 жыл бұрын

Yer a gravel bike would be ok but a tourer on the early part of the Peddars Way might be a bit hard going. Well done to you both.

@surveypeople 2 жыл бұрын

I did the Peddars Way a few years ago and stopped at McDonalds. I tried the 'Drive through' on my bike but they wouldn't serve me; The friendly manager said something about it needed a car to trigger the intercom and that it wasn't safe. He did offer to mind my bike while I went inside to get a burger though...Maybe COVID has changed their policy or your bike-packing set up is heavy enough to trigger the intercom 😂. Great Vid, looking forward to part II

@divum 2 жыл бұрын

I don't know what to say or how to reply to your comment. It's hilarious! Sorry to hear it didn't work for you. I was expecting some grieve about health and safety too, Glad you got your burger. AND it's not the bike weight that triggered the intercom, it must have been the RIDER! 🤣👍🏼🍔🍟⚖️

@jengreatrex7384 2 жыл бұрын

Well done. That takes some skill and balance. We tried the section Anmer to Fring and gave up: narrow and rutted. As disappointing as sections of the Marriott Way and the Bure Valley Way. Such a shame these well-publicised ways are not really suitable for leisure riders.

@divum 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks. Quite right. Cyclist paths, ways and routes are often a "political afterthought" by councils trying to appear "green" and supporting physical activity,, the reality is often far short of the mark.... Shame. (you only have to look at the very poor cycle lanes in and around Norwich to realise cyclist votes obviously don't count.) Thanks for watching and watch out for part 2.

@johngould3724 Жыл бұрын

We normally do this once or twice a year starting from Bury via Kings Forest, hooking up at Knettishall and on to Castle Acre. On the return leg, turn right before the A11 and follow the trails to Santon Downham, have a play in the single track, pop over to Thetford Forest....have a play in the singletrack and then home along different trails, Kings Forest etc. It is about 110 miles and makes for a good days ride. Try not to do the last leg in the summer as one of the trails turns to deep sand and murders your legs! The only downer is the best cafe in Castle Acre has shut.

@divum Жыл бұрын

Thanks John for the info. I'll check the route and map and possibly have a go at this in the winter months. ATB

@johngould3724 Жыл бұрын

@@divum As an alternative, you could always kick off at Knettishall, go under the A11 and instead of heading North, hang a left at the house (Liverpool House I think) and follow the trails to Santon and Thetford Forest. The 'exit' route back to Bury is along FR6 (the Bird Hide car park). Follow it all the way to the monument, go under the A11, over the field and then you are into KF. You can either loop down towards Bury or head across and aim towards the old tank museum. Hang a right half way along (towards New Zealand Cottages) over the Thetford road, and there is a bridleway that will take you back to Knettishall. Maybe 65 miles in all. We usually ride gravel bikes... it helps get the tarmac sections out of the way quickly!

@andy1db Жыл бұрын

Just seen this and did parts again last week - good video. Did you find dangerous dogs out near the bridge. Rottweiler and greyhounds? If I was walking this with the kids they would be scared and crying!

@divum Жыл бұрын

Thanks Andrew. I can't recall any dogs🤔 But I understand you....

@joannaedwards5873 Жыл бұрын

Loved the videos thankyou, and now very excited to do this ride (I will be staying in B&B in Swaffham, though 😂) I have MTB and friend has gravel bike - is it suitable for gravel bike? Thx

@divum Жыл бұрын

Thanks Joanna. B&B sounds good. Yes a gravel bike should be fine in my opinion. Good luck 🚴🏼

@grumpy-dad3701 Жыл бұрын

I rode this route in June. I rode a mix of the walking and riding route. Thetford to holme-next-the-sea and back about 110miles wild camped near castle acre. Rode it over 2 nights Watch out for the sand nearly finished my ride. Got into and covered chain, derailleur and crank shaft. Lovely ride though and I would ride it again.

@J.S.A. Жыл бұрын

I did on a gravel bike last year, first half ok, second half some very sketchy moments (actually descending hills, which are deep ruts, sandy and plenty of stones big enough to do some proper damage to your gear) I found my self wishing I wasn’t on a expensive carbon frame.

@divum Жыл бұрын

@@J.S.A. yes, there are some "technical" sections. Hopefully you and the bike got through unscathed.

@grumpy-dad3701 Жыл бұрын

@@J.S.A. yes those downhill section get a little suspect. The sand got me, I ended up having to remove my crank shaft to clean off the sand. Horrendous grinding noise Use my toothbrush to scrub the chain. Still fun though

@J.S.A. Жыл бұрын

Took me ages to cross the A11… to the point I sent my wife a message saying I love you, before doing so…. How that crossing is on a route like this. The council apparently have tried to improve it with an underpass but locals objected as lay-by further up is popular with the gay community driving up from London for “various activities”… and didn’t want to encourage further behaviour (you couldn’t make it up).

@divum Жыл бұрын

Yes it's a dangerous crossing. And yes you are absolutely correct about this behaviour which is evidenced online and in EDP (local regional newspaper)....its an interesting read

@sheilastallard 2 жыл бұрын

KZfaq not informing me about your videos!!.

@divum 2 жыл бұрын

Hello Sheila, I thought you had gone quiet, I've missed your support and comments. Glad to have you've back. I hope the recent releases have been OK. ATB 👍🏼🚴🏻‍♀️🛶