Ride Duration
Related pages:
| Planning a Ride | Direction
& timing | Bike choice
| Ride options | Getting
there |
Most riders will complete the
route in between 3-7 days. What is best for you depends on
a number of factors:
Level of fitness
Don't think about doing it in two days if you are
less than super-fit. For four to seven days you will need
to be in moderately good shape and have trained well in the
lead up to the ride. Practice runs in varying weather and
on hilly terrain similar to the Reivers will help you ascertain
a 'safe' daily mileage that you can achieve. See the section
on personal fitness for
advice on training.
Time of year and direction
The wind, rain and cold outside of Summer (and often inside
Summer!) will slow you as the off-road sections will be claggier,
the wind will slow you and the extra clothing you have to
carry will do the same. Riding East to West is also slower
as you are invariably against the prevailing wind.
Camping or B&B
If you are camping then your equipment will have a dramatic
impact on your daily mileage limits.
Your motivations
The ride doesn't have to be an endurance test. Many people
take a longer period simply to give themselves time to explore
the area in more detail and seek out some of the legacies
from the rich Border Reiver
history.
So work out a realistic, achievable daily mileage rate, divide
it into 170 miles and you have your minimum ride duration.
Of course, you may need to add extra time for travel to and
from your start/finish points.
For Mountain Biking Enthusiasts
The Reivers is unique in that it has some of
the most exhilarating dedicated
mountain bike trails actually on the route.
Why not make your ride a real high octane one by adding a
day or two onto your Reivers ride to allow you to take in
the superb dedicated mountain biking trails on offer at Kielder
and the Newcastleton
Forest 7 Stanes facility.
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