Oh how the mighty have fallen.
M&S are not in my good books though (work stuff, so not posting out of Blackpool) 
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Except large sections of that route are not going passed any shops - and we all know @Poet doesn’t like to stop!
Nothing on the Ridgeway, nothing on Salisbury Plain, a few more cafes on SDW, but not many 5minute garage stops. I took snacks rather than gels, but ran out of water first.
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You can post it every day… it’s not gonna sink in 
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If he only he knew a load of people in the south of England who could do hand ups of food, wouldn’t need to stop then!
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Bravo sir 
I mean it depends what you want to eat? Your not gonna be nailing it so anything will be digestible. I’m a sandwich/pasty, crisps, banana, choc bar and choc milkshave/full fat drink kinda person on these trips. Eat half of it stuff the rest in a pocket and eat on the move or have later. I tend to stick to the sit down meals just for the end of the day as it either takes to long or there isn’t enough food.
Potential alternative route. Stop somewhere around Brighton rather than Eastbourne. And then Downlinks up through Guildford to Euston that way?
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10hrs from Winchester to Eastbourne would seem to be decent pace when laden:
https://www.trailbreak.co.uk/cx-sportive/cx-century-the-south-downs-way/roll-of-honour/
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My mum lives down there and I did a number of work contracts in Sussex back in the day - there are two trails I’ve used frequently that I’m sure can be linked without much road.
I found the same in my trip round Wales; premier inns or business hotels (if available) give the impression that every B&B is designed to get you started early.
I think in 5 nights I only got breakfast before 8 once and that was at a greasy spoon cafe when I stayed at a backpackers hostel with no breakfast option.
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Lightweight trousers that have legs that zip off into shorts, technical top, one pair of undies and socks
Minimal toiletries. I wet shaved round Wales for the first time in years so just took a disposable razor, toothbrush, travel toothpaste and asthma inhalers
One set of cycling gear - base layer, short sleeve top, arm warmers, waterproof, buff, shorts & socks - I had a lightweight long sleeve top in case I got very cold (useful in the evening). I also took knee warmers and overshoes but wouldn’t bother with these on my next trip.
Standard cycling spares. I guess a chain tool is optional (I always carry one and some quick links). with fatter tyres (25/28 for me) I don’t think you need CO2, a decent hand pump is sufficient.
Rear light yes; but you’d have to have a real disaster to need a front light IMO.
On charging, agree it’s a pain that everything needs different cables.
I also took a e-reader.
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I’ve done a few bike packing trips including 500km over 3 days last weekend in Wales.
I agree, prefer to stay in Premier Inn as it is less faff with a bike etc and can often fill up on a big breakfast.
I usually just take shorts, a t-shirt and the lightest trainers I have, one set of cycling kit and minimal toiletries plus spares. It is useful to have something warm like a gilet etc as it was cold early on.
If you are riding somewhere remote with minimal stops then definitely need to be mindful of water stops, was caught out on the Sailsbury plain a while back with in hot weather and no water 
Had a few mates do KAW on a mixture of gravel and MTB and the gravel riders did find it tough going in places.
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Cheers for that 
A couple of club mates did KAW on a gravel bike and said it was hard, but I reckon I’m made of sterner stuff 
I think on KAW you’re always 5km away from some water (might be off route and could be five miles!) but I’m planning on stops and top ups etc.
Premier Inn have toiletries, so it’s just a toothbrush and some paste. The bum cream takes up loads of room though.
@mw22 - I might even leave my dentures at home, so I don’t have to take Steradent and Poligrip 
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I stopped using bum cream several years ago. Came to the conclusion it was no more than a placebo
The problem for me going round Wales again (and my first trip too) is there aren’t any premier inns out in the sticks.
I should have added, I use a camelback so that helps manage pocket space
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Yeah we’ve stayed in a private room in YHAs in remote Wales for that reason, not as nice as a Premier Inn but they are in some nice locations and you are only after a bed anyway.
I’d definitely be packing chamois cream for a long ride 
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Yeah I don’t use it full stop and haven’t since I started getting back into cycling 4 years ago, had no issues so far. I was thinking whether I should get into the habit for TCR or not.
Never used cream before, until my 24 hour zwift session 2 weeks ago - I was getting a bit sore after 12 hours and applied some cream that I have had in the cupboard for a couple of years, it was pretty good and had zero discomfort after that
When I did my ride round Switzerland 2 years ago, I didn’t use cream, but was getting a bit sore towards the end. My plan in TCR is to use some to hopefully prevent sores
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Probably the kind of thing a few of you loony’s would do
Looks epic!
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Nice little read 
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I think I read a book about someone doing it … something about a bike called Reggie?
… wanders off to look it up
EDIT - this was on roads, should have read the article first 
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Angus Young did it last year in 30ish days I think, said he bulked up an extra 8kg before setting off. And there was also a guy with a GSD in a bike trailer last year who did it too. Looked like too much pushing and bush whacking for my likings.
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@Poet – What date will this be?
As there is a slight chance I might be able to get to Euston in time to buy you that pint. 
Cheers, Paul. 
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