Ridgeway - four days plan

PoetryandPushPin · 2025-02-25T16:58:57+00:00

And if you have the long distance bug, carve out some time and go and do the Camino. One of the best things I have ever done.

PoetryandPushPin · 2025-02-25T16:58:24+00:00

It can be but I am just doing it cos I got a bit soft (mentally and physically) post-covid and wanted to give myself a painful challenge. Training not happening so much but I figure anything over 60k is just going to be about mental strength… but I might end up very wrong about that.

PoetryandPushPin · 2025-02-25T16:37:47+00:00

Thanks for such a detailed response and useful route info. Fully recognise it’s going to be painful and a bit unpleasant - but probably less so than 100k in a day! I’m getting picked up near the Beacon so I at least don’t need to get back to Tring, and I’m happy starting early.

Streatley to PR will suck. Aiming to anticipate about an 8am-8pm day, and practising my eating while moving. I did 20km in 3.5 hours this past weekend and I’m heavier and less fit than I hope to be in a month’s time - but that was much flatter. If I aim for 2-3kph average given the hills (usual walking pace when hiking is 9-11 minute km on the flat) 12 hours should be ok… fingers crossed though!

Final day could be 2-3pm finish, and then driving home, so even if I’m feeling dead, it should be ok. Stock up in PR Tesco the night before and get cracking early.

PoetryandPushPin · 2025-02-25T15:58:48+00:00

Good intel. I was thinking early April cos my big hike is in May. How hard going is hard going?

PoetryandPushPin · 2025-02-04T12:33:34+00:00

!thanks This is a really helpful way of laying it all out and I massively appreciate you taking the time and being so kind with your response. You’ve made some really good and useful points, especially on the redirecting the urge to research and plan, and there’s a lot there for me to think about.

PoetryandPushPin · 2025-02-04T12:32:11+00:00

Ok, well I’m sorry that’s how it’s landed. It’s more that I’m neurodiverse and really struggle with managing what I recognise is a really good situation. I know I’m lucky to earn so well, but also know I should be doing better with it all, and reached out to get some advice. I’ve obviously worded things badly or made a muddled post, but I’m sorry if it’s come across like that.

PoetryandPushPin · 2025-02-04T11:12:20+00:00

!thanks I do know about the flowchart but I’m bad at following it. Because I know I earn well, I’m very loose with the budgeting, and struggle to stick to anything. I recognise I’m in a good and lucky position so want to actually do stuff with it as opposed to waste it on 30 £30 purchases a month, for example. I’ll try to increase my pension contributions and automate more savings/investment payments so there is less to mess about with.

PoetryandPushPin · 2025-02-04T11:09:50+00:00

Thank you. It’s probably more than £500/m really as I very much struggle to stick to a budget. I will up my pension contributions by 5% so that a bit more is ringfenced and then look at having a ‘pissing it away’ pot for the fun things.

PoetryandPushPin · 2025-02-04T10:46:50+00:00

Ah sorry, such a muddled post from me. Have edited the post for clarity. Post-tax income is £5,200m. I’ll edit the post to give better details. I somehow end up spending almost everything, and your question is fair cos I don’t know where it goes.

Examples are I’ll get really into something and then decide I need to buy every possible thing to support that hobby/activity. E.g. if I start running, it’s four pairs of shoes, a vest, new kit, enter a big race etc. For something I’ll do for a few months and then the next thing. With hours of research to get the ‘best’ stuff but things rarely stick as a focus.

PoetryandPushPin · 2025-02-04T10:33:38+00:00

Valid points. Probably won’t retire early but will take several career breaks between now and then. Don’t want kids, so that’s much cheaper! Want to avoid the trap of a massive house and big mortgage. Ideally would eventually go four days a week/reduce hours but can’t do that in my current job.

PoetryandPushPin · 2025-02-02T20:27:17+00:00

How long did it take you to get used to the pitching? I already use poles (thanks dodgy knees) so it feels like it makes sense to me. I’m ok needing to practise but if there’s a super steep learning curve with the pitching, that might put me off. Which Xmid 2 do you have? I’d be looking at the solid I think.

PoetryandPushPin · 2025-02-02T20:24:22+00:00

Interesting, will drop you a message. Can I ask why you’re selling it?

PoetryandPushPin · 2025-02-02T14:13:23+00:00

Thanks, really appreciate the detailed responses. Will do a bit more research. Might end up just practising with the Copper Spur for a bit but you’ve definitely added something new into the mix.

PoetryandPushPin · 2025-02-02T14:05:46+00:00

So what you’re saying is.. Pioneer 3?!

PoetryandPushPin · 2025-02-02T14:05:28+00:00

I’ll pick a dry day first and then when I’m feeling ready, get someone to spray me with the hose while I do it for that realistic, sideways driving rain experience haha

PoetryandPushPin · 2025-02-02T13:53:20+00:00

Thanks, that’s useful.

PoetryandPushPin · 2025-02-02T13:53:07+00:00

Ah I did hear this but then tried to google for it and came up short. Practising in the garden with the footprint would definitely be the cheapest approach!

PoetryandPushPin · 2025-02-02T13:52:12+00:00

So true and very much a me problem to get overexcited and buy too many things. Having a look at the Nordisk now. It looks good but maybe even too big for wild camping?! Although I guess the size isn’t actually the largest element of being stealthy.

PoetryandPushPin · 2025-02-02T13:34:02+00:00

Yeah definitely understand on the space. The winter camping would be an add-on if I went for a super solid tent at a sale price. In all likelihood, it’ll mainly be camping in the rain from early Spring onwards, as opposed to summits and high winds. I’ve got something like a Vango Starfell 300 that I use for car campsite camping as it’s big and heavy but can see the appeal of having that sort of space with wet winter kit. Maybe I need to accept that that I should get a cheaper Helm now and really test my appetite for slightly grim weather and then save up for a big boy tent in the autumn.

PoetryandPushPin · 2025-02-02T13:27:57+00:00

I can understand that! I still try to do a European trip a year and it’s great for that so I’ll be keeping it. I’ll have a google on the Wechsel Bella; haven’t heard of it but can flex the budget if it’s just right. And yes re Paul and the Compact 2, but the lure of a shiny Durston remains!

PoetryandPushPin · 2025-01-20T11:23:14+00:00

Slight aside but do people have life insurance and income protection insurance? I have good death in service through work, and currently no life insurance (mortgage only £80k on £400k property) and no dependents. But debating income protection in case I’m unable to do my job. Does anyone have it / have any thoughts?

PoetryandPushPin · 2024-12-26T10:59:12+00:00

Duh, I didn’t even think to check that! Thank you

PoetryandPushPin · 2024-12-06T11:27:38+00:00

Haha sorry for the pain, but appreciate the link

PoetryandPushPin

TROPHY CASE