Suggest-a-route

[Bearbonesnorm]

it's not a deal-breaker or anything but.....if, at some point, we were to stumble upon the sea on our little adventure then i'd be immensely happy.

Consider it done ... Barmouth perhaps

[gairym]

:D

[Bearbonesnorm]

That just leaves the question ... who's getting the 99's in?

[gairym]

That just leaves the question ... who's getting the 99's in?

if you can find us an ice-cream van who sells real ice-cream (as opposed to mr whippy) then i'll happily buy!

[gairym]

Ok, here's the latest (and hopefully last) update on my travel arrangements (it's always mental when we come back to the UK as we have to fit in so much in such a short time):

I'll now be driving from London late-ish on Sunday evening (will crash under a bush somewhere enroute) to arrive at Stuart's early on Monday fresh and ready to set-off.

I can take/pick-up either of you two (DNF and Blackhound) on the way if it'd be at all helpful otherwise we can all meet at Stuart's (might need the address at some point).

On the way back - I might be able to offer people a lift to somewhere but I'll heading south (via stevemorg's to pick up my shiny new 29er!!!!!) and returning to London (possibly with a stop off at some friends near Newport for the night) and so maybe it's not that helpful (although dropping people at a station is certainly doable).

Are everyone else's plans compatible with the above....?

When/how are you guys getting there?

[Blackhound]

I will drive myself over from Derby and back gairy. Could end in tears with infrequent train services into Wales. (London is not convenient, unless it was Camden Town).

What food do we need to carry? Meal for one night and pick up supplies for the other night while out. And similarly one day of snacks and pick up extra in Barmouth(?)

[Bearbonesnorm]

What food do we need to carry? Meal for one night and pick up supplies for the other night while out. And similarly one day of snacks and pick up extra in Barmouth(?)

I reckon picking stuff up in Barmouth shouldn't be a problem ... so, I'd carry stuff something for Mon night and Tue breakfast. *If we don't make Barmouth by Tue lunch then we must be dead

*These could be famous last words

[gairym]

I will drive myself over from Derby and back gairy. Could end in tears with infrequent train services into Wales. (London is not convenient, unless it was Camden Town)

Camden Town is easy for me to get to (assuming I remember the way :? ) but it's up to you - no worries either way.

re: food:

you mean we're not getting a curry delivered to camp???

in that case i'll bring sufficient sustenance (and a crap-load of chocolate).

[Bearbonesnorm]

(and a crap-load of chocolate).

This I like

[Matt]

Camden Town is easy for me to get to (assuming I remember the way ) but it's up to you - no worries either way.

If your using that Land Rover I saw and if it's still on UK plates don't forget the LEZ zone now in London £100 a day to drive a Land Rover into town :-/

If not ignore me and have a great trip :)

[gairym]

If your using that Land Rover I saw and if it's still on UK plates don't forget the LEZ zone now in London £100 a day to drive a Land Rover into town :-/

thanks for the heads-up but luckily we're not taking the Land Rover (and it's French plates and so I can break the speed limits and everything without worry - well could if it were capable of speeding)

i'll be in a (nicely efficient) skoda fabia.

[Blackhound]

Mrs B lives in Camden, outside LCZ, but probably not convenient after ride so shall take my car. Thanks anyway.
So need to source 1 days food +breakfast + snacks. No problem.

[gairym]

Blackhound, neh worries!

I'm just thinking through the food issue as one thing I've never done is eat properly when out on multi-day trips.

I snack on easy/lazy foods and then wake up cold in the night (even though I normally sleep very hot) which I've read is a sign that I've not re-fuelled sufficiently to re-nourish my body and give it enough energy to generate heat whilst I sleep.

So.....I'm thinking that this is something I need to remedy.

What I've got planned for this trip (and let me know if you think it's not enough/too much/the wrong stuff) is two pot noodles (out of their 'pots') supplemented with some nice French saucisson and a bag of peanuts for the evening meal (lots of calories, carbs and proteins) and the aforementioned 'crap-loads of chocolate'.

For breakfast I'm hoping to pick-up some single sachets of quick-porridge/oats-so-simply etc... to have (possibly with chocolate melted in!).

I'll be drinking my usual home-made 're-hydration fluid' 3L bladder with 1 part fruit juice to 2 parts water and a teaspoon of salt added.

I'll also be snacking on nuts, chocolate and anything else I can get my hands on.

Does this sound sensible?

Also.....what time we meeting at Chez Stuart???

I can be there any time.

[Bearbonesnorm]

IMO that doesn't sound too bad Gairy BUT I'm one of those folk who can pretty much ride and survive on tea, fresh air and the odd roll up, so don't take my word for it ... over the weekend (sat, sun, mon) I ate, 1 packet of pasta, 2 bits of flapjack, 1 bar of chocolate and a packet of crisps

There's plenty of options for food in Barmouth so we should be able to get a meal on Tue (just before a rather splendid road climb) but options after that might be more limited.
I'll be carrying a nice, big capacity water filter, so don't go loading yourself down with loads of water.

Everyone feel free to arrive whenever, I'll try and get myself sorted on Sun night to cut out on my usual faffing and fannying about

[Bearbonesnorm]

Just out of interest ... this may be an option (it's slightly cheeky so may involve some pushing)

[gairym]

do you mean the trail or the clear blue skies???

i'd happily do a little walking if it meant nice weather.

it also looks like a nice little footpath to 'walk' (certainly not ride*) on

*(assuming i've read between the lines correctly)

[Blackhound]

gairy - imo you need 4-5,000 calories per day. Fig rolls (pkt) and malt loaf have 750/800 calories each and a good source - about a third of your requirement. Add nuts, chocolate, haribo, liquorice etc. all add up.

Main meal could include a 'Look What I found' meal along with AH cous cous and is about 600 calories. Some of the freeze dried meals have 800 calories. And as you say a quick porridge for breakfast.

Not sure how Stuart manages on so little! Aim for 10.00 to start faffing?

[Bearbonesnorm]

Aim for 10.00 to start faffing?

Sounds good ... there'll be ample tea for any waiting / standing around that's required.

[gairym]

good good, if i don't make it there sunday night then i'll be there by 10:00 on monday.

status update: have now successfully made it to london.

it took me getting up this morning at 04:30 and driving solo for 14 hours straight but i made it!

if anyone has shares in Red Bull then be prepared to be happy in the morning as the cash injection from my purchases today alone should keep the investors happy for this financial year!!!

[Blackhound]

gairy - hope you haven't forgot your waterproofs. Its a long drive back! Forecast not looking to good.

[gairym]

i've got (hopefully) enough waterproof kit - only time will tell!

[gairym]

ok, am now back in London and so it's looking like I will make it there tonight (assuming everything else goes according to plan) before 10:30.

see you in a bit.....