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Four years ago I did the Trans Cambrian Way in a day, then in 2017 I did the Ridgeway double which was my first proper long distance solo. This year, to stretch myself a bit more I'm planning on the North to South Wales XDURO Wales/WalesDURO gravel route.
It's about 190 miles or thereabouts from Bangor to Cardiff, which is handy cos that's where I live and I can finish at home. It's only 5 miles longer than what I did last time but much more hilly. But then again, loads of it is road so that should help. These are the issues in my mind currently:
1) I'll probably do it mid-late July, after the kids break up so that we can turn it into a family trip and they can offer some kind of emergency back up if they take a day out in Mid Wales somewhere. I won't fix a date but I'll pick a weekend according to weather. Plus this allows more training; my form is currently decent but I haven't got that much distance under my belt.
2) I'll ride the Salsa El Mariachi rather than an 'offical' gravel bike, but I may change the tyres for something a little more road friendly. Can you get semi-slicks these days?
3) Normally I'm happy to use a Camelbak or rucksack. I might try something else this time - I have a Wildcat top tube bag, only annoyance is that my 750ml bottles get in the way. Given the non-tech nature of the route I could load up the frame with stuff. The top tube bag provides the ideal amount of storage for gels/spare clothes.
4) I haven't analysed out the route for food stops yet. I may be able to top up at streams if I can't buy water.
5) I wonder if I can fit tri-bars to the Salsa? There's a lot of road...
6) I reckon I'd be happy to finish inside 20 hours, but perhaps 22. Last time I did 18.5 hours so 10mph; however there's a chunk of steep proper off road in that and I had Garmin/route related issues. This time nav should be easier (and I'm more prepared), and despite more climbing there's so much road it might come out evens. I'll be happy if it does.
Thinking about Thunder Burts as I am a Schwalbe fan.
Observations...
I find waters stops more difficult on road than off-road. Can be easy if there are shops/filling stations etc en route but it gets hard at night when places are closed and it's more difficult to ascertain the quality of any rivers/streams etc. For this reason I fit a third bottle cage and ensure I'm fully topped up before all other options are closed.
10 mph overall speed is something I can easily do for 24 hours. You just need to be careful about stopped time. Any sit-down eating, for instance, gives you lots of catch-up to do.
Tri-bars (if you can borrow a set) will give another "gears-worth" of speed for the same effort. That can add up on long headwind sections in particular. I'd fit bar-ends too if you have some. A range of hand positions will provide some relief from any discomfort.
Dynamo lights are awesome. My anxiety plays havoc with battery options, regardless of published duration figures,
Some thoughts (at more length) here ... http://www.blog.scotroutes.com/2016/07/10.html
and here.. http://www.blog.scotroutes.com/2016/09/ncn78-caledonia-way-in-day.html
This has just given me some inspiration to do some small multi-day tours this year, so cheers!
Might try Lon Las Cymru sort of thing but in reverse and ending in Swansea as that's where I live. Train to Bangor is only 5 or so hours and 1 change so not too bad. I'll be doing it at a more leisurely pace though so prob over 4 days.
Other options would be to head up into the Beacons for a night and head back the next day.
Oh and all this would be an excuse to get a Disc Trucker 🙂
Right I'm off to research tents...
Thanks Scotroutes. Haven't got the money for a dynamo light, but I have a fair bit of battery power. Good point about water. I think there won't be much at all on this route. I may take a full camelback as I don't mind riding with one. Or I could fit onto my forks, not yet decided.
I already have Tri bars, the front of the Salsa is pretty low so I could get a good tuck. I have the way they add weight to the steering tho.