[Closed] Welsh Ride Thing.....

Don't worry any roads will be quiet ... it's not uncommon for me to ride all day (8 hours +) and not meet a sole 😀

Aye you're right John it's about enjoying the journey ... shame though as I was looking forward to a go on your Jones 😉

I fully intend to enjoy myself, even if I decide to do it on the singlespeed 🙂

What's the consensus on the bridleway that goes through checkpoint 12?
I've not ridden it, but I recall a mate telling me he had, and it wasn't pretty...

my favourite bit from last year, beautiful it was/is.

Come on give us WRT virgins more info about the "bridleway that goes through checkpoint 12"

took a lot longer than i was expecting.

[img] [/img]

all kitted out for a trial run this weekend, about 100 miles with wild camp.

Oooh Checkpoint 12.... yes I have memories. well more like Flashbacks.... don't expect dry feet. 😉

My short route is 35% road. and 20% pushing.....

Flatfish, that looks like a great set-up. What frame bag and seat pack is that?

jandd frame bag which i found a lot cheaper online from utah(shop rans) than from jandd themselves and the seat pack is from Epic designs in alaska, not cheap.

From a different angle,
[img] [/img]

"bridleway that goes through checkpoint 12"

Giving all your secrets away, you are! 😀

there are some nice sections of singletrack on that bridleway down the valley.

Last time I rode down there I ended up to my waist in a bog, similar consequences if you don't know the line across Monks Trod.

You're just scaring us now....

@pistonbroke: so there is, thanks for that. I think I'll trade dry feet for nice singletrack in this instance and save myself for Doethie Valley later on.

I once rode Monks Trod on a singlespeed and didn't get wet feet or sink up to my waist in bog. The secret?
Do it in February when the ground is frozen solid 😀

Any tips on route editing on bikehike. I've had second thoughts about my approach to checkpoint 12! Route dragging seems ok for shorter sections but gets very messy on longer sections and leaves my route looking like a tangled piece of string.

[img] [/img]

[img] [/img]

doesn't look like a dry route to me 😯

ooh i'm so excited!

[img] [/img]

[img] http://www.jacksons-camping.co.uk/swimming/images/swim-aviator.jp g" target="_blank">http://www.jacksons-camping.co.uk/swimming/images/swim-aviator.jp g"/> [/img]Essential equipment.

😆

flatfish - have you got larger sizes of those images? Interested to see your set up in more detail - cheers.

Route now finalised. Total distance is 194km, 5700m ascent, 29% tarmac. Two days*. Camping in Doethie Valley, unless I think I can get to Moel Prysgau before quite late 😯

*My nipper's 2nd birthday party is on the Monday...

Wow Ian, as a fellow 2 dayer that's an ambitious route!

so where's everyones, aimed for, overnight stops?

mines somewhere in the region of Claerddu for night one and Elan for night two.
I'll have my hip flask with me so your all more than welcome to join me for a nip or two if you can find me.

Ianb, sorry i'm a bit of a 'pooter nugget so i don't know how to resize a pic before i send it.

Me, Hafod Arms in Devils Bridge and the Teifi Inn in Ffair Rhos. I'm not daft.Might even stop off for one in the Blue Bell 😉

Oh and nearly forgot The Star Inn in Dylife, favourite haunt of Terry Jones off of Monty Python who lives(d) just down the road.

Terry Jones still has the house but we don't see that much of him, see his lad more.

Star Inn ... erm what can I say 😕

@boingboing, I can't get drag editing to work with Bikehike at all for some reason, might be worth just cutting the route into sections and saving them as gpx files (ie. Leg 1, Leg 2 etc) then if you mess one up you can just dump a section and then start just that bit again. Keep a list in a doc of all leg, length, ascent etc. You can then mix and match bits until you have a total route you are happy with.

Also spending night 1 in the vicinity of claerddu or possibly bryn eithinog depending on progress/weather etc. night 2 will be back home in bed!

Hi all,

Newbie here, I've done little riding in the area, have never wild camped, but now look like 'man at Alpkit'as I've bought so much of their stuff. I'm planning a trial wild camp next weekend.
Will be single speeding (With either 34:19 or 34:20 following Stuart's advice) and would like to get all 13 checkpoints. I was planning on a relativity flexible route that will take me in a CW direction and expect to cover approx 130 miles using my very scientific 'count the squares' method on 1:50000 maps.......clearly not worked out the amount of climbing. Looking through the listings here it looks as if I may need to zoom in on a few areas. Anyway OMG I can't wait to get started.....lets hope the dry weather continues...just added crocs to my pack list and I don't want to upgrade to waders 🙂

I'm thinking that for the 1st night that I'll camp somewhere south of the Claerwen Reservoir / Northern Tywi forest, so hope to cover 40-50 miles on day one.
For the 2nd night I'm looking to cover a similar distance, so hope to get somewhere near Devil's bridge, which will leave a nice 30 mile cruise back home with an option to take in a bit of Nant yr Arian. Probably not the best thought out or efficient route but I can't wait to get started.

@ flatfish, supersessions9-2: Yeah, two days isn't ideal, but my little lad is only 2 once...

Also a bit of an opportunity to experiment with some light kit options and set myself a good challenge. Plus the further south I go on the course, the more familiar I am with the terrain, so I figure I can go into the night for some of it if it puts me in the right place to bed down.

Pubs. I must admit I'd not thought about those. I'd planned a couple of food stops on route. Perhaps a beer will be required at the end of the ride instead.

Ianb YGM

Who's zig zagging.

or

Doing it clockwise

or

Doing it anti clockwise

We are anti and getting the bog over with at the start

anti for me too, bog first

I've certainly got a pub roast dinner pencilled in for Sunday, followed by a bit of a power nap / siesta.
I have visions of me resting in the afternoon sun on the side on a suitably picturesque hill, although fully expect to be pedalling on through grim rainfall though. 🙁

CW for me so that I can visit Nant yr Arian on the way back up if I have anything left.......bog...what bog, looks like I need to review the maps once more!

figure of 8 for me. top anti, bottom clockwise.

May stop at a pub or cafe, depends on timings I suppose.

Anyone know the opening hours of the shop in Llangurig?

I'm doing 2 days as well, friends getting married on the monday. Be in trouble if I wasn't back for it!

I'm doing 2 days as well, friends getting married on the monday. Be in trouble if I wasn't back for it!

@ flatfish - mail received, thanks. Nice 🙂

I'm going anticlockwise but there's a bit in the middle I do in both directions, but it's kind of a figure of eight, if you zoom out and squint 😉

There is no bog, though I have to admit that with the development of google earth, geograph and bikehike etc the sheer [i]adventure[/i] is reduced somewhat - it won't be a surprise in some parts as I've already seen it before I get there.

I hear you, which is partly why I plan to keep it relatively low tech! I'm sure I will get a few surprises along the way as a result...some good...some not so good !

for some of you guys with the mapping there is the http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/maps/ site, 1:50000 is available without registering, but you have to register to get the 1:25000, but its free, and you can download to GPX, you can get a fair bit of map on the screen at once as well

alfachippy there's a slightly infamous BW which may or may not lead to or from grid reference 12 ... this is what's meant when people are talking about a bog 😉 There might be a way around it but it doesn't appear on 1:50000 maps only on 1:25000.

Also a little psa ... if anyone is wanting a cheap (er) down jacket I bought a RAB microlight online from Cotswolds yesterday for £70. Weighs just over 300g and packs down to nothing. RRP is £130. They only had s and m in a rather fetching acid colour.

Over and out.
Stuart

Out of interest what sort of weight/size of dry bag are people strapping to handlebars? does it effect handling badly?

[img] [/img]

http://www.podsacs.com/products_airstreamlitecompsac.html

Strapped on with some normal straps and buckles, but in a slightly cunning way so it doesn't flap about so as not to affect the handling. The set up pictured, with my big sleeping bag, weighs 750g or so.

20ltr, it's a bit bigger than I need but you just squeeze all the air out and then bunge it up nice and tight. Doesn't seem to make much of a difference to handling.

Cool. I've packed a 20l (Alpkit!) dry bag with sleeping bag, 3/4 thermarest and change of clothes and it weighs 2.8kg. Sized it up next to the bars and looks do-able if a bit weird. Not had a chance to ride with it yet. Will endeavour to test next week.

Good work IanB, when I posted a pic of essential equipment, I fogot all about water wings. 😀 I've got a 13l Alpikit drybag on my bars with just a sleeping bag and it seems fine, rest of the kit is dotted about in the frame, on a rack and on me.

Please note if anyone is planning to do a bit of recceing this weekend, the Plains Car Rally is on in Hafren on Saturday so be careful. They are also using Dyfi but that's not relevant to the WRT.

Hmm I have gone from looking forward to it to being a bit worried about it. Everyone seems to be very competent and experienced

I have never bivied

The distance is probably too much for me

The height gain is definitely too much for me

I have no idea how or where to pack all my kit on my bike

Edit just seen alphachippys posts but he seems way to upbeat about it

I have had no time to plot a route (going to start tonight)

Any one else in the same boat?

Over-active you'll be fine ... just take your time with the route. There's always the option for a bit of road work to ease the load.

Wrap your sleeping bag in your bivvy bag and strap/bungee it to your bars. Everything else should really fit into a 20l pack if need be. You should be able to locate some food on route so you shouldn't have to carry too much from the off.

Trust me you're not alone 😉 If you run into any problems feel free to email me or just ask on here.

Cheers
Stuart

Dont worry your not the only one with little experience, we've only bivied once.

It's only for fun, and its not really about doing all of the check points, its about having an adventure in mid Wales

To help all of the GR are on here:
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF&msa=0&msid=
116954912947707620385.00048588e1f783e2bcce6

So you can have an idea before you start mapping (WP1 is missing as i dont have the map)

Getting to the point where i have a rough map, but i'll be changing it along the way.

Chew you're so right ... all about having fun, riding your bike and seeing some fantastic places and possibly getting slightly wet feet. There's also the added bonus that all monies raised go to a good cause, it's win all round.

If anyone's bothered about being on their own you could always follow (stalk) flatfish 😀

Thanks to both

Chew that google map is useful thanks

On top of my worries I am a computer duffer

You dont need a computer at all. Just some patience, and a big mug of tea.

Mark the way points on your maps, and get a pencil and mark on the obvious route between some of the points, and slowly a route will take shape. After that just have a look at the ups and downs and work out which way you want to go between points, and before you know it you'll have a route.

Dont worry about kit, all you need is a open mind, sense of adventure and a beard.....

Over-active: take comfort from knowing that Stuart has set some really great checkpoints and the aim isn't to catch you out, but to allow you follow the natural flow of things and take in some good trails. As Chew says, you don't need a computer. Mark your checkpoints onto a map and link them one a time, avoid looking at the big picture. You'll soon see a route emerging. There are a number of bothies on the route too, so if you suddenly decide you don't fancy the bivvy bag or you want to make a brew out of the sun/wind/rain, you should be able to do it under a slate roof.

In a way, a month to plan things makes it a bit harder. I'm reminded of when I've done Polaris (two day orienteering event with an entry fee and rules...) where you get the map the night before and the active checkpoints for the day AFTER you start. You get about 10 mins tops to plan your route for the day, and then have to ride to the clock. This will be much more chilled, I'm sure.

For packing your bike, try and keep the heavy things as low down on your bike as possible. Strapping stuff under the handlebars is good, or under the saddle if it's not too heavy. Put exposed or critical stuff like spare clothes into a Exped dry bag or something similar.

Beards are optional...

Sound advice there Ian ... I'm expecting the countryside to be covered in little green bags this weekend as people get out for a trial run. I myself shall be out in the Rhinogs (or maybe the Arans, can't decide) tomorrow evening ... not for a practice but just because 😉

Stuart

My nalgene hip flask arrived from backpacking light this morning, I'm ready!

Definitely easier to plan the route with a mug of tea, pencil and map. You need a bigger floor than in my front room to see it all though, I'm off to the garden!

[img] [/img]

Don't worry about it over-active. I am doing it with my OH, who doesn't ride that much. We are just planning lots of short-cuts. It doesn't matter if we get all the points or not we just thought it would be nice to do an event together. She is usually my support crew! Did a practise bivvy the other week with her. Now I am left to sort kit etc!

Paulio I can see my house from here 😀

Yep, just under the sofa!

[i]We are just planning lots of short-cuts.[/i]

I cant find any!

If anyone is interested, some options for gathering provisions en route are. Devils Bridge, campsite shop at Woodlands which is 300m from the bridge on the Ponterwyd road, they do take away fish n chips on a Saturday as well. Also small general store just up the road from the station heading towards Aberystwyth. Ponterwyd, small general store with erratic opening hours, better bet is BP petrol station on the main road heading towards Aberystwyth. Pont Rhyd Y Groes, store on the Llanafan road, go up the hill past the Miners Arms and fork right and its 100m. Pontrhydfendigaid,small general shop opposite road to Strata Florida not sure of opening times. This is not a definitive list but ones I know about which shouldn't involve too much deviation from our routes.

all kitted out for a trial run this weekend, about 100 miles with wild camp.

well that went a bit tits up today, set off for 100 mile ride, within 1 mile a bloody big rhodesian ridgeback has taken a chomp jump below my knee.
no idea when my last tetnus was so of to have a jab in the morning.
told the wife i've got rabies now but shes not that sympathetic, cow.

Bloody hell! and I thought I was having problems

Well I have planned a route about 100 miles with about 14000 feet of climbing but missing out 3 checkpoints on the basis of 1 out on a limb, 2 too far south and 3 cant see a trail to it

No idea of road/trail % but seems like a lot of road

If the one you are unable to see a trail to is the one near the Teifi pools, it is approached from the due South off the tarmac road, a track is visible from the road. Lovely location 🙂

"The track is visable from the road" ... just 😉

flatfish sorry to hear about that ... has the dog got any teeth left? My outing into the mountains had to be put back too. Trip to Aber' A+E with a customer, got back around 5 to find Stephen Lord (bloke who wrote Adventure Cycle Handbook) here with Peter his mate who's 5 years into a round the world ride. Best laid plans, etc.

Over-active ... just a thought, you're not planning using 1:50000 maps are you? They don't really have enough detail on them IMO.

Stuart

sounds like its possible to pick up food on the way, so i'll only have to carry snacks, but what about water?

Is the water fine to take from running streams, without filtering?

Re drinkable water, the Elan Valley Reservoirs are the water supply for Birmingham, I'm taking water purification tablets as I don't want to start talking in a Birmingham accent like most of the local residents 😕

Take a pack of Chlorine Dioxide tabs just to be sure I reckon, lots of sheep = campylobactor and cryptosporidium

As for food, you are potentially quite a long way from food sources and a delay of some kind could easily put you outside opening times, especially on a Sunday, so I'm going to carry a decent sized dehydrated meal in case all that is available is crisps and mars bars.

Natures takeaway
[img] [/img]

If you take your water from high ground, from a fast running stream then you should be fine ... watch me be i'll now next time I'm out 😀

Still not had chance to plot a route! Should get a chance next weekend all being well.

And my frame bag has been delayed and will not be ready until next weekend now.

Last year after plotting on my OS maps I swapped them to a decent road atlas to view the big picture. With all the maps, and not really knowing the area, could not work out what made up a decent route. Helped me sort out a route. IIRC the Teifi pools from last year there was a little 'fishing' sign taking you up there from the main track to the South.... Was chucking it down with rain at the time so glad of any assistance.

i think your thinking of anglers retreat, as our route last year went nowhere near teifi pools, unless you were hopelessly lost. 😯

And my frame bag has been delayed and will not be ready until next weekend now.

We never get lost, we just lose contant with the map 😉

Tis true though ... Teifi pools was a loooong way off last years route.

Just been looking at my route, I'm relying on using the bridleway up Afon Arban, which I fully expect to be off and pushing, but can anyone shed any light on just how bad it is? It's the only section that's worrying me, and visits to Geograph are making that worse!

Where?

Afon Arban - I've been through it twice, but not for many years. Bridleway is largely non-existent and you have to carry bike over tussocks for miles which is really tiring.
Last time I did it it was as a "shortcut" from Claerwen dam to Strata Florida. A few hours later I was still trudging through and wondering if I'd get out of the valley before darkness.

If anyone has more recent info please update. I'd consider it if going downhill (anticlockwise) but not up.

I was planning on using that bw, but after studying geograph.org.uk and google earth I decided against it.

I'm generally of the opinion that if there are few pics of a square then that is because hardly anyone goes there, there might be a reason for this....

[b][url= http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1204133 ]Carreg Wen Fawr
[img] [/img][/url][/b]
© Copyright [url= http://www.geograph.org.uk/profile/34379 ]Dan Taylor[/url] and
licensed for reuse under this [url= http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/ ]Creative Commons Licence[/url].

I see it now, I went looking for it a couple of years ago, the start from the forest road is visible but quickly turns very boggy, then when you leave the forest it disappears all together. Not recommended.

From my research none of the bridleways crossing from Claerwen over to Afon Tywi are particularly pleasant.

Possibly time for a route re-think...