Cycling to Glastonbury

[xcnuck]

Hi all -

I was curious if anyone has any experience with riding their bikes to the festival? I'm planning on riding from Bristol - unfortunately not with the sponsored group ride, but I'll be doing so on my own later in the week. There's a section on the official GF site about the cyclist area and whatnot... and they talk about a "secure area" for bikes - does anyone know if this requires bringing your own lock? Or do they lock it up for you?

Are there any members that will be taking the official route from Bristol? I'm not from the area and I would be guessing as far as the best route to take, so if it's posted somewhere online please let me know. I've looked and could not find it.

Also - I'd be curious to hear about anyone's cycling camp experiences, or if they've even had this in the past.... apparently there's a free campsite if you ride your bike.

Thanks in advance!

[JohnEW]

I cycled from London to Glastonbury three years ago, including doing the organised ride on the Wednesday from Bristol.

The ride from Bristol is not too far but it is hilly. You can either go round or over the Mendips - going round would greatly increase the distance. If you're used to riding 30+ miles over undulating roads it will be no problem, but if you're dusting off your childhood bike from the back of the garage and aren't used to riding regularly you will find it very hard work. Presumably you're carrying your gear so that will slow you down as well.

We found the organised ride rather disorganised when we did it although it may well have improved with experience. The main problem was that everyone rode together whatever their ability so it took hours. We took 6 hours in the end and that was with leaving the group on the top of the Mendips as we had to get to the site for a volunteer briefing.

I volunteer with WaterAid so we camped in the WaterAid site rather than the cyclist's field, but I did see where it was. It is very close to the cycle parking near Gate A, so there will be hardly any walking with your gear. I believe there are showers there too. Of course, it means it's a long walk from anywhere in the south of the site.

There is a bike park by Gate A. It's in the open air and you will need a lock to secure your bike. I assume it has 24 hour security. As it's open air, if you're precious about your bike you might want to bring some plastic to cover it from the elements.

[Bonedaddy]

I've just looked and it'd be 165km ride for me, although only 1200m of ascent, so i reckon that;s a 9 hour ride with food stops.

Maybe next year.

[JohnEW]

One thing to bear in mind if you're planning a long ride to the festival is how tired you'll be when you arrive. Not usually a great plan for a further 5 days of the Festival. A 9 hour ride with a loaded bike will take a fair bit out of the best cyclist. Then there's the problem of cycling back on the Monday when you'll probably not be in the best of shape. When we cycled from London we did it in a very leisurely 3.5 days and had someone else take our camping gear and we were still pretty tired on arrival.

[Bonedaddy]

One thing to bear in mind if you're planning a long ride to the festival is how tired you'll be when you arrive. Not usually a great plan for a further 5 days of the Festival. A 9 hour ride with a loaded bike will take a fair bit out of the best cyclist. Then there's the problem of cycling back on the Monday when you'll probably not be in the best of shape. When we cycled from London we did it in a very leisurely 3.5 days and had someone else take our camping gear and we were still pretty tired on arrival.

[JohnEW]

Agreed - no gear to carry and only one way and it's much easier.

[xcnuck]

thanks for the tips - I'm the type of guy that thrives on challenges, so I'm more likely to get an energy burst from the ride than to feel tired.... besides, I think it will be a great way to witness some of England's countryside. sitting on a bus however, would likely make me want to go to sleep! I may end up hitchhiking on the way back though - anyone gander at my chances of success with that? or are there buses that would take up me and my bike? (back to Bristol)

thanks