Mountain Bike Touring

I'm looking at doing to coast to coast ride across the North of England with my ladyfriend late August. She won't come on the SV so I see this as a kind of compromise. We'll do the full loop (310 miles) over about 7 days I hope and we'll probably be camping to save some dollars (or divert them to the beer fund)
Few questions:
Anyone tried this kind of holiday? (I've not cycled in years)
310 off road miles in 7 days seem possible for two people who are pretty fit but out of practice?

But most of alll.... I need a bike!
Other than specialised I have no idea which brands are good and which brands to avoid (I wouldn't dream of buying a tesco special). Ideally I'd want a decent hardtail that could stand up to the odd weekend offroad. Maybe £200 to spend either new or s/h. I know it's not much in the world of mountainbikes, but if I could afford a fancier one, I'd be going abroad for a holiday

Any suggestions more than welcome!

Cheers

[Viney]

Do a couple of weeks on the bike before you go. My recent excursion back onto pedal power has highlighted that im not as fit as i once was, and that the saddle can be your enemy.

Loads of bike sout there, just take your ?200 and buy the best you can. Halfwits have a good range for trying out. Also have a look on here www.evanscycles.co.uk

Edit: http://www.evanscycles.co.uk/product...-bike-ec001097

Originally Posted by Viney

Do a couple of weeks on the bike before you go. My recent excursion back onto pedal power has highlighted that im not as fit as i once was, and that the saddle can be your enemy.

Loads of bike sout there, just take your ?200 and buy the best you can. Halfwits have a good range for trying out. Also have a look on here www.evanscycles.co.uk

Edit: http://www.evanscycles.co.uk/product...-bike-ec001097

Think I'll be working cycling in to my gym routine from now on. I remember getting on one a few months back, and couldn't believe how hard work it was. The last time previous to that I used to hurl around with a bag full of newspapers at full belt, no issue.

I searched on here, and all I got was 'you can't get a decent MTB for less than ?600' ....

Posting in the morning kills the number of hits...

I've got my beloved Kona Kikapu Deluxe which has seen me on many a biking 'holiday'. Generally in Wales and was 99% off road, which is an absolute killer! It's harder than you think, are you doing mostly on road?

Originally Posted by matt c

I've got my beloved Kona Kikapu Deluxe which has seen me on many a biking 'holiday'. Generally in Wales and was 99% off road, which is an absolute killer! It's harder than you think, are you doing mostly on road?

Main Roads - mainly short sections thru urban areas - 4%
Minor Roads - quiet, country roads - 50%
Cyclepaths/Off Road - disused railway lines etc - 46%

I'm debating the camping idea at the mo. Carrying enough kit for two will really push up the weight!

[Viney]

Originally Posted by gettin2dizzy

Think I'll be working cycling in to my gym routine from now on. I remember getting on one a few months back, and couldn't believe how hard work it was. The last time previous to that I used to hurl around with a bag full of newspapers at full belt, no issue.

I searched on here, and all I got was 'you can't get a decent MTB for less than ?600' ....

You do get what you pay for, but like most things you can get something that will do the job for reasonable money. My cannondale is valued at ?550 and its a far better bike than my old raleigh was.

If you are doing mainly on road stuff, then get a hybrid with no suspension. If more off road than on, then a front susepnsion mountain bike. Even cheap and ansty ones will do the 300 miles that you are planning. I am new back to biking of the pedal variety, and its bog mindling at the price you can pay for bike stuff. Just make sure that you get the correct sized frame.

[Viney]

Originally Posted by gettin2dizzy

I'm debating the camping idea at the mo. Carrying enough kit for two will really push up the weight!

Get panniers. DONT do it with a rucksack and travel VERY light.

I got my mate a King Kikapu off ebay that was two years old for ?600. It would have been ?2000 new. There are massive bargains out there.

310 off road miles is quite a lot in 7 days if you've not cycled for years, almost 50 miles a day, especially if its hilly and you're carrying a load of kit.