BB200 2020

[RIP]

A visit to the local podiatrist wouldn't go amiss either. (S)he'll do someone a mischief with those shocking nails.

[sean_iow]

I'm not sure if that's what I'll meet in the woods or what I'll turn in to?

[Leerowe76]

My what big sharp teeth you have

[Richard G]

First weekend of the BB200/300... weather warnings. Sounds about right!

[Mike]

Rich u gotta sit tight and wait for the sun to show its head then do it

[Richard G]

Rich u gotta sit tight and wait for the sun to show its head then do it

Or more realistically, wait the entire month for sun, then do it in utterly appalling weather on the 31st of October!

[redefined_cycles]

Anyone doing it, I thought I'd just share this little noggin I noticed. I either lost my way (unlikely as I was trying to follow Stu gpx to thw dot to make sure I don't miss any tussocks) or it is what it is...

About 25 miles into the route you go through a gate and the farmers dog screams and shouts from about 500m uphill. I get to the point where there should be an exit but it looks like its been boarded off at some point and then planks removed.

Got over this bit without getting the stray nail in my hand. Just be very careful if you're doing this in the dark as the tree on the side is also extremely wobbly. Got past that and then the next exit to continue on the right of way (from what I could see from double checking OS was that to the left at a 10ft drop there was a dried up stream-bed so its obviously not that) is fully barbed over. But not really high fencing. I managed to step over it but if you're short then you might wanna think about it...

[Verena]

Hi, I'm planning on attempting this on 22nd/23rd or thereabouts, hoping for reasonable weather and a bit of a moon maybe... Starting from Brecon, as the route practically passes my doorstep-ish....which of course means the gap right at the end, but somehow I doubt I'll make it that far.... John, I use RWGPS, I'm sure I remembered to save it as private but will double check. Oh and not to worry anyone but in the Brecon and Radnor Express a couple of days ago the possibility of a Powys lockdown was mentioned....so maybe don't leave it too long chaps

[TrepidExplorer]

Can I ride the Flintshire 200 instead and still qualify for a badge

If this sh1t-show continues leaving us all confused and bewildered, then the window for riding will be extended. I was going to say that things can't go on like this forever but on reflection, it appears they probably can.

What is wrong with me? Read this and thought, "hmmm, winter attempt".

[JohnClimber]

Weather forecast
https://www.walesoncraic.com/wales-can- ... g-experts/

[Bearbonesnorm]

Some of the comments below the video made me smile - quite obviously a few were written by people who've never ridden (a) in Wales (b) off-road (c) a BB200

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v22jgUf ... rFQi0dv-Y4

[Chew]

It’ll be interesting to see the entry/start/finish rates at the end of the month, given it’s been open entry this year.

[JohnClimber]

Some of the comments below the video made me smile - quite obviously a few were written by people who've never ridden (a) in Wales (b) off-road (c) a BB200

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v22jgUf ... rFQi0dv-Y4

She says
"never done an event like this before"
"out of my comfort zone"

Then she says "17 hours"

I've not done it before either.
I'm not even expecting an under 36 hours badge

[Chew]

Then she says "17 hours”

To be fair, she doesn’t

It’s the guy in the video who says that number.
17 hours is probably the time that the likes of Mr Large, Booth, Barrington, .... would have been a good benchmark for finishing the route in.

[whitestone]

Some of the comments below the video made me smile - quite obviously a few were written by people who've never ridden (a) in Wales (b) off-road (c) a BB200

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v22jgUf ... rFQi0dv-Y4

The look of the cat at 10 seconds says a lot!

[ssnowman]

It’ll be interesting to see the entry/start/finish rates at the end of the month, given it’s been open entry this year.

How many have entered this year?

[Bearbonesnorm]

How many have entered this year?

Around 100.

[redefined_cycles]

How many have entered this year?

Around 100.

Is that a record Stu?? Any finshers yet or any mad ones out there currently that you know of...

If I had finished would I have been disqualified for my above route choice or is it indeed the correct path/RoW...

[Bearbonesnorm]

Is that a record Stu?

On a normal year entries would be capped at 80.

[macinblack]

Best BB200 advice ever in the YT comments:

Manly Dude

200k in 24hrs? Very simple....you don't need anything but caffeine, water, and a small amount of food. Everything on the required list, just pack the lightest stuff you can find and don't touch it. You simply grind it out. You'll be done in 16hrs.

[Verena]

Some of the comments below the video made me smile - quite obviously a few were written by people who've never ridden (a) in Wales (b) off-road (c) a BB200

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v22jgUf ... rFQi0dv-Y4

She says
"never done an event like this before"
"out of my comfort zone"

Then she says "17 hours"

I've not done it before either.
I'm not even expecting an under 36 hours badge

Ha ha, reminds me of my first Welsh bikepacking trip this February, my belated dam busters event. I thought I'd picked a fairly sensible 80k route, with the plan of being very nearly back at my car for my bivvy, quick ride there in the morning and home for lunch. Instead I ended up sleeping in a ditch pretty much at my furthest point out, and practically crying on the phone to my daughter in the early morning begging her to come pick me up

[JohnClimber]

Best BB200 advice ever in the YT comments:

Manly Dude

200k in 24hrs? Very simple....you don't need anything but caffeine, water, and a small amount of food. Everything on the required list, just pack the lightest stuff you can find and don't touch it. You simply grind it out. You'll be done in 16hrs.

Saw that too.
I think Stuart should give this guy a free entry so long as he posts up his ride review afterwards
#whatahero

[RIP]

Also saw, that was the most stand-out comment. "You simply grind it out". Is he talking about the ride or the caffeine supply? Picturing him sat on a hill top at the half way point after 8 hours ( ), looking very relaxed nursing a cup of top quality coffee in his hands whilst gazing meaningfully into a beautiful sunset.

[Richard G]

Spoken as someone who has never had to drag a bike full of fucking foliage for a mile uphill while desperately searching for any sort of distinct path.

17 hours is probably the time that the likes of Mr Large, Booth, Barrington, .... would have been a good benchmark for finishing the route in.

Yup, I've done a 17 hour and I was probably at my absolute peak of ability to push, carry, and descend for long periods of time. Anything sub 20 on Welsh terrain is a very decent time.

[JohnClimber]

Rather than being in the field isn't the Bridleway down to the side of these fences, just in sight in the photos?

And shown here
https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/571691