BB200 2020

[Bearlegged]

...it was about 3km from the end of the original GPX route.

Weird, I went through there with zero problems. People, eh?

[Al]

My god that was hard.
I threw the towel in just after Talybont reservoir where I met the road again. Was just about warm enough when riding, but would have really struggled if I’d had to stop and bivy or walk any long sections. Given how rough some of the descents had been, I had my doubts about the wisdom of pushing on in over Fan y big in the dark. Still took several hours to get back to the car, and it’s amazing how much more tired and sore you feel once you‘ve given up.
Fair play to anyone who makes it round in one hit.
Got a lot of what ifs to ponder, perhaps another crack at it on the Spearfish instead of the rigid bike if time allows.

[Verena]

My god that was hard.
I threw the towel in just after Talybont reservoir where I met the road again. Was just about warm enough when riding, but would have really struggled if I’d had to stop and bivy or walk any long sections. Given how rough some of the descents had been, I had my doubts about the wisdom of pushing on in over Fan y big in the dark. Still took several hours to get back to the car, and it’s amazing how much more tired and sore you feel once you‘ve given up.
Fair play to anyone who makes it round in one hit.
Got a lot of what ifs to ponder, perhaps another crack at it on the Spearfish instead of the rigid bike if time allows.

Brilliant effort!

[Verena]

@Richard - sorry to hear you cut it short, looking forward to the stories
@Landslide @Bob & Cath @Juliet assuming all finished now? - Well done!

Well done all, I lose track, bad about the dog bite, I think I saw one of you yesterday morning near Libanus

[liamg]

I think I saw one of you yesterday morning near Libanus

I think that may have been me. You were stopped on the left hand side of the road?

[liamg]

Gave this a good crack yesterday, semi-chasing Matt's time and to see where the fitness was after a funny year. Pretty pleased to get round in 14:32, even if I did do more pushing up tarmac than I have in the rest of my life combined! On paper it was to be my longest/hardest ride on singlespeed yet, so I went in with a bit of trepidation, but was able to manage my body pretty well, apart from my wrists which are knackered from pulling on the bars (not the downhills, funnily enough). All in all, a top day out. Thanks Stu for putting it all together

[sean_iow]

I had to read that twice to make sure I wasn't seeing things, chapeau Liam, that's an unbelievable time. It just goes to prove that singlespeed is faster than gears.... but I'm still taking gears for my ride

[Alexinthepeaks]

I had to read that twice to make sure I wasn't seeing things, chapeau Liam, that's an unbelievable time. It just goes to prove that singlespeed is faster than gears.... but I'm still taking gears for my ride

Wow.... Just wow!

[slarge]

That’s an excellent time Liam. Sean - you can still go for the fastest grand veteran time!!

[Bearlegged]

[mattpage]

Gave this a good crack yesterday, semi-chasing Matt's time and to see where the fitness was after a funny year. Pretty pleased to get round in 14:32, even if I did do more pushing up tarmac than I have in the rest of my life combined! On paper it was to be my longest/hardest ride on singlespeed yet, so I went in with a bit of trepidation, but was able to manage my body pretty well, apart from my wrists which are knackered from pulling on the bars (not the downhills, funnily enough). All in all, a top day out. Thanks Stu for putting it all together

Wow! That's a rapid time, then I read singlespeed. Quite incredible.
If there was ever a route that didn't suit single-speeding, that is it!!

[ChrisE]

Ah.... I got home at 345am today. 72km in 6.5hrs was on for <24hr but then crashed and snapped my bars off. 85km road ride back to car with no RHS brake, no gears & LHS bar only to hold on to. More adventure than I bargained for!!

[ChrisE]

After sneaking into the spare bed at 345am, 72+85km of riding into my snapped bars failed bikepack race, then 5hr drive - I'm in the doghouse for a bed covered in chain oil, sheep sub standard, thistle spikes, sweat and more. What don't some people understand of natural animal magnetism?

[whitestone]

Bloody hell That’s seriously quick.

The steep roads would have given you a rest on single speed.

I was thinking that a gravel bike would have been fine on the route. The few bits that would be unrideable would be so on any bike so you’d gain on the road.

[slarge]

Good and bad luck Chris. Bad luck about your bike, good luck that you’re ok and you made it home!

[Verena]

I think I saw one of you yesterday morning near Libanus

I think that may have been me. You were stopped on the left hand side of the road?

Sounds about right . Don't know where you started from, but you were looking fresh as a daisy. Incredible time!

[larsmars]

Gave this a good crack yesterday, semi-chasing Matt's time and to see where the fitness was after a funny year. Pretty pleased to get round in 14:32, even if I did do more pushing up tarmac than I have in the rest of my life combined! On paper it was to be my longest/hardest ride on singlespeed yet, so I went in with a bit of trepidation, but was able to manage my body pretty well, apart from my wrists which are knackered from pulling on the bars (not the downhills, funnily enough). All in all, a top day out. Thanks Stu for putting it all together

Well done Liam!

[Alexinthepeaks]

Ah.... I got home at 345am today. 72km in 6.5hrs was on for <24hr but then crashed and snapped my bars off. 85km road ride back to car with no RHS brake, no gears & LHS bar only to hold on to. More adventure than I bargained for!!

There's a thread just for this!!!

[Charliecres]

Gobsmacked at those times!

A very poor show from me. Bailed at Crickhowell and got a room at the Bear. I’d been riding with my mate, who’s light bracket failed, ending his ride for the night. He decided to seek out a warm room and all of a sudden my motivation evaporated. I may need a new ‘Stop being soft’ sticker.

It had been going OK up to that point. I Enjoyed the route - apart from the rocky climb and an altercation with the nice man with the padlocked gate.

Him: “You’re not coming through. It’s private land.”
Me: “But there’s a right of way.”
Him: “It’s a bridle path - for horses and walkers only.”

Anyway, we didn’t have time to complete the route so headed back to the Red Lion on the road today.

I may have to have another crack at the route at some point...

[redefined_cycles]

Good and bad luck Chris. Bad luck about your bike, good luck that you’re ok and you made it home!

+1

[Taylor]

Wales has locked down now so you'll have to wait if you've not done it already.

[larsmars]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-54598136



Edit: Taylor beat me to it!

[sean_iow]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-54598136



Edit: Taylor beat me to it!

Bugger Better cancel my ferry and accommodation.

[Bearbonesnorm]

FFS ... here we go again. Cases will (maybe) drop, we'll come out of lockdown, cases will rise (who knew) and the whole circular sh1tshow will start again.

[whitestone]

We stopped at The Red Lion down from Fforest Inn on Saturday night. The landlady was saying that they were expecting to have to shut down and had cancelled a booking or two in anticipation. Transport companies had been told but not the hospitality industry.

Oh, due to the number of boners who'd stopped there in the previous weeks they knew about the BB200, they were also happy with the extra end of season trade