Composite - don't prep too much - you can't prepare for the Carnau! Just make sure you follow the route on your GPS (assuming you are using one). Then head for a "ravine" from the top you can just make out a ravine/valley where a stream exits the Carnau - this is a key bit to getting off the place. I found there is a tendency to wander left - try not to do this! And if you are planning to do this in one hit you're carrying too much! Of course if you're stopping then don't listen to me.

One other tip. Your feet will get wet. Even with waterproof boots they will get wet. You can look after them as much as you like but they will be sopping after the first stream crossing (and there's probably 15-20 in the whole ride, including a stream that inconveniently uses the path as a streambed.) Just wear shoes that drain well and socks that keep warm. Some grip/flexibility with your shoes is important also for the walky bits. I have some merino socks and they were great.

I see the Carnau bit now. Thanks.

The roll on the front is the sleeping bag and bivvy bag.
The frame bag has pump, tube, tools etc. normally bike ride stuff.
Feedbag will have food in.
The saddle pack can be greatly reduced I think. That's where I can drop stuff. That currently has cooking gear in but sure that can all stay in the car. Maybe more planning on clothing is needed. Thanks for the tips.

For those who wish to see them I just spotted that someone has posted some pictures of a trip today from Rhayader. May be useful for a conditions check (or fuelling further panic - it looks a bit damp)

;-)

http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic ... a-few-pics

slarge wrote: And if you are planning to do this in one hit you're carrying too much! Of course if you're stopping then don't listen to me.

Looks like I will have around this much on the bike and I'm hoping not to stop. Not sure what I can leave behind, quite a lot of what I'm carrying is food though. I'm a bit limited on what I can eat so will carry most of what I need.

Bulk of food and tools/spares in wildcat seatpack. Food to eat in a couple of top tube bags. Two water bottles. Bivy kit (compulsary) and some clothes in a wildcat bar harness.

Will have iPhone, for navigation, and light on a kcnc smart mount (to get the light to shine over bar bag) and a spot (to keep those at jome happy) on seat bag.

If it helps my kit list:

Seat Pack
sleeping bag and bivvy bag. Spare base layer, buff, arm warmers and waterproof. Tube and tools.

Top tube bag:
4 energy bars, 3 gels and the battery extender for the GPS

Camelback (it's a tiny one!)
1.5l drink, 1st aid kit, tools (gas and multitool)

Pockets
empty bottle of oil (yes, everyone makes mistakes!), sandwiches, energy bars, gels, bag of cranberries, phone/money/card and id.

I had just enough food - in hindsight a malt loaf would have been good as well, and had enough clothing to bivvy out if I had to in +5 or warmer.

I tried to make sure all food was accessible so I could eat without stopping, plus the tools for the easy to fix problems were accessible. Anything like tyre patches, chain links, brake pads were in the seat pack. Every time I pulled the phone out to text my other half, there was "no service" - even sat next to a big mast on top of a big hill!

I used the philosophy that one of the top Polaris competitors told me:
"Pack everything you need, then take half out. If it looks about right take some more out. What's the worst that could happen?" (And look at the weather forecast beforehand was the little nugget he left out)

Right I'm ditching everything in the saddle bag and using it for spare clothes, which actually looking at the weather probably won't be that much as it looks like it's going to be a pretty mild night.

Might swap the frame bag stuff to the saddle bag and use that for extra food. My food will be a big tray of flapjack I'll cook myself, bananas and hopefully a few slices of pizza from the previous nights dinner. :)

I have a top tube bag coming which will be used for the GPS extra battery and spare lights. I expect to be going all night so will need quite a few hours of lighting. :?

*adds 2 spare pairs of merino socks and a micro towel to the kit list*

slowupslowdown wrote:*adds 2 spare pairs of merino socks and a micro towel to the kit list*

I think Steve was advocating less kit not more

Just ut of interest ... is anyone actually planning on stopping?

a micro towel

Swimming trunks, maybe?

Chew wrote:Keep your fingers crossed, the Norgies think the weather will be good

http://www.yr.no/place/United_Kingdom/W ... /long.html

Balls, I spy rain on the forecast today :evil:

s8tannorm wrote:Just ut of interest ... is anyone actually planning on stopping?

Define stopping? As in sleeping, or significant rest at say a pub?

s8tannorm wrote:Just ut of interest ... is anyone actually planning on stopping?

I think we'll see the same pattern as last year
1/3 sub 24 hours
1/3 spend the night out
1/3 bail

s8tannorm wrote:Just ut of interest ... is anyone actually planning on stopping?

Outdoor Fitness want a bivvy shot, so I'll have to stop for at least a bit

I know that 18 hours is about my limit for continuous riding (and by "continuous" I mean "including cafe/pub stops") before my ability to ride in a straight line starts failing. I was thinking of aiming for Nant Rhys bothy which I reckon (/guess) I'll be at in the early hours of Sunday -- it's rather near the end, but it sounds like the last bit is quite hard -- but apparently it's shut for roof repairs at the moment. I expect it still has walls to shelter behind, though

I had the dilemma that if I did stop for a bivvy I have no doubt I could finish but this almost certainly will mean longer than 24 hours. I want a proper pushing my boundaries challenge so that will be to complete in under 24hours so no stopping. However if I get to the stage where I realise I'm not going to get through without stopping then I wanted to make sure I have enough gear for at least a mildly comfortable sleep in the wild. I think I'm going to approach it though as I'm definitely not stopping so I have the right frame of mind from the start.

The biggest stop I'm planning on was at the Black Lion to get some dinner.

What was the part last year that was practically (actually was in places) under water, I was there in the dark but not overly late on. Deffo after Claerwen res, deffo before devils wotsit, so likely before the youth hostal (obviously in the opposite order this year)

I think I need to prepare myself mentally for this part most if Its anything like last year

composite wrote:The biggest stop I'm planning on was at the Black Lion to get some dinner.

What time do they stop serving? :)

Just looked over all setups mentioned - aren't you guys taking sleeping mats or any other insulation from the ground?

What time do they stop serving?

Think it's 9.00pm

Just looked over all setups mentioned - aren't you guy taking sleeping mats or any insulation from from ground?

I think those who've listed gear aren't planning to stop ... knowing that not carrying a mat could equal a pretty lousy night, might just be enough incentive to keep riding

What was the part last year that was practically (actually was in places) under water, I was there in the dark but not overly late on. Deffo after Claerwen res, deffo before devils wotsit, so likely before the youth hostal (obviously in the opposite order this year)

I think I need to prepare myself mentally for this part most if Its anything like last year

Start having a little chat with yourself at 100km, that'll give you a few km to talk yourself round before it starts If you're thinking of nipping to the pub it'll appear after that section and before you hit Claerwen.

Ha ha, I had it round there somewhere. Bloody underwater trails

I might make some SPD wellies.

Waders may be more appropriate.

Snorkel?

There's 2 conflicting weather forecasts...

http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/weat ... 1381532400

http://www.yr.no/place/United_Kingdom/W ... /long.html

Hmmm... temperatures are in about the same region though, so that's good.

Anyone know who the chap is that works at Skyline cycles at Glyncorrwg? I chatted to him a few months back when I was there, about BB200, which he said he's doing... I stupidly didn't catch his name. Is he on here?