Something Welsh for summer - Big Bear.

[In Reverse]

I'd say you'd enjoy it most on a hardtail Ian.

Hope that helps.

[Bearbonesnorm]

Yep, reckon I'd probably go 29er. I can think of some bits especially on the northern section that would feel like a chore on a gravel bike but a bit more like fun on a 29er - even rigid.

[BreninBeener]

Andy and Stu, thank you!

[Mike]

29er fully rigid, more than enough with 2.4s on. We did in the march, its was wet amd muddy and bloody tough going so choose ya weather slot wisely id say
Im considering it again this year but nearer to the summer as longer daylight hours. Once its dark things slow down slightly.

[RIP]

"Im considering it again this year" - 'wrong' way round for variety?

[trob6]

Hello Stu
Could I have the gpx file please, would like to give this a bash in the spring.
Thanks
Tim.

[middleagedmadness]

Can only comment on the eastern and southern parts of the route and I wouldn’t really want to do it on a gravel bike ,first day was grand stuck to my estimated 9/10 kph , then woke up on the Saturday to hail snow wind , this dropped the speed down to around 3/4kph , third day was calm but knee deep “rivers” on a lot of the fire roads so after a soaking of the night I gave it neck , that was the last week of April , thinking about it again this year but it’s definitely gonna be June/July will still probably get wet but without the wind and snow

[BreninBeener]

Wow sounds tough!! I will wait for sunshine

[slarge]

As with any ride in Wales, a bit of a dry spell in the 2 weeks prior makes life so much easier. It's a cracking route - the better the weather the more enjoyable it'll be (apart from if it's too hot and you run out of water, although in Wales you're never that far from something wet.

And HT MTB is the ideal bike - there are plenty of bits that wouldn't be that enjoyable on a gravel bike

[Leerowe76]

PM'd you Stu

[Leerowe76]

PM'd you Stu

Cheers Stu

[Leerowe76]

Just out of interest has this route been placed on the ITT list ? Surely this would be a worthy contender looking over the route itself

[mfezela]

Something Welsh For Winter. Or not

After Storm Ciara moved on, I made a final decision for departure on Monday 17th. Four nights wild camping, three in bothies. As soon as I had everything packed and ready . . ******* Dennis!

I can weather (sorry) wet ground but the thought of rain filled days just doesn't appeal.

https://youtu.be/QirsBCrXNI0

[Bearbonesnorm]

Given the recent spell of weather - I wouldn't be in any rush. Some sections will be a complete bog fest and any river crossings likely very high.

[slarge]

Something Welsh For Winter. Or not

After Storm Ciara moved on, I made a final decision for departure on Monday 17th. Four nights wild camping, three in bothies. As soon as I had everything packed and ready . . ******* Dennis!

I can weather (sorry) wet ground but the thought of rain filled days just doesn't appeal.

https://youtu.be/QirsBCrXNI0

My advice: wait for a dry spell. You'll likely wreck you and your bike there's so much water and grit around

[RIP]

Big compliments for giving it a go at all - esp in Jan - it ain't a walk/bike in the park. But also IMHO 'relying' on a bothy to be where you want it to be when you want it to be just adds unnecessary stress and pressure. Or indeed relying on anything at all being available.

[mfezela]

But also IMHO 'relying' on a bothy to be where you want it to be when you want it to be just adds unnecessary stress and pressure. Or indeed relying on anything at all being available.

The bothies happened to more-or-less coincide with my nights, but I always carry a tent, etc.

Spent last night and this morning working out an alternative route that hopefully misses the worst of the worst. Holding thumbs.

First pedal stroke: 10 a.m. Tuesday 18th - unless Storm E...... suddenly materialises.

[middleagedmadness]

I really really wouldn’t bother at the moment , I went end of April got caught in a storm , the Plato above Llandovery was above ankle deep in mud , it took a good 3hrs of pushing to get to the downhill after it , like stu says wait till it dries out or we have a good decent ground frost ,even the forest roads were like rivers

[mfezela]

I really really wouldn’t bother at the moment

Despite the general consensus to postpone my trip, I didn't. More fool me! My revised route was going to hopefully avoid the worst of the sodden ground by using road/forest tracks. Hah! I came to my (thoroughly waterlogged) senses on the third day just near Tregaron and bailed out - rather an applicable phrase given the conditions. Resorted to the train from Aberystwyth back to Ludlow.
Note to self: Listen to the locals for they know of what they speak.

[Bearbonesnorm]

Well done for sticking it that long. I've never seen water quite like this, I really do feel for all those folk further downstream.

[SimpleSi]

Can I get a copy of the updated route please? I still have the first draft.
Thinking of an ITT end of August....
What is the resupply situation like in rural Wales. Is much still closed?

[Bearbonesnorm]

What is the resupply situation like in rural Wales. Is much still closed?

What there is with regard to shops / cafes is generally open. Pubs are a bit hit and miss and probably much more of a faff to use - booking etc.

[Chaz]

Hey, could I get the GPX file for the for the route please?

Looking for good tours for summer...

[Bearbonesnorm]

Looking for good tours for summer...

It's not for you then

[slarge]

Hey, could I get the GPX file for the for the route please?

Looking for good tours for summer...

Have a search on this forum - I did a writeup of the route and Mike may have done also. It's a tough route but a real cracker. You'll need a good weather window (dry for a week or 2 before and hopefully during) - some of the terrain could be difficult in the wet.

If you are looking for a "gravel tour" type route this may not be it - there are tricky sections (nothing too daunting, but just hard work on a CX/gravel bike) - in my view it is a MTB route - at least a lot more comfortable on a MTB - and 4-5 days is a good estimate for most riders.