Huw

Sounds like you're adopting the 'Shropshire' WRT method.

Personally 170k maybe a tad too much if you're concerned about fitness. My route will be around that distance.

If think about how many hours you may want to ride each day (allowing for pub stops) and then assume you'll be able to cover around 10 kph, which will give you a rough distance.
Also on your route think of how you could cut it short if needed. Once north of Dol, you may be a bit committed.

Most importantly, have a dig about the pubs you plan to visit.
It's Wales, so firstly the pub on the map may no longer exist, or if it does may not be open......

Thanks for the advice chew, I think your right, trim it down. There are two grids close together and I feel I want to try for those, making it into an up and round loop though is what makes the ride to long. Basic plan is first night towards Barmouth with breakfast there somewhere, second day much less planned, to much in the way of escarpment in the way for what I reall fancy. Anyone got any must visit pub recommendations in the are?
I live in Swansea so only to well know the need to check the pubs are open.... Thanks for your input, equal parts excited, over burdened and thirsty!

In all honesty, must visit pubs in this part of Wales are few and far between ... so much so, that I can't actually think of any. However, The Last Inn in Barmouth is okay and the cafe / bistro a few doors up does cracking food.

Chew wrote:Sounds like you're adopting the 'Shropshire' WRT method

Hey - I resemble that remark! :)

Greetz

S.

Should I consider bringing my own trailer mounted keg with me then?
But seriously, it's not all about the beer... Any other must not miss spots that people recommend would be welcome too.
Cheers,
Huw
Ps. Anyone down gower way, I have a cracking mostly off road route which takes in several pubs culminating in a brewery pub, happy to guide!

brotherhuw wrote:Ps. Anyone down gower way, I have a cracking mostly off road route which takes in several pubs culminating in a brewery pub, happy to guide!

Culminating in cycling into the sea because you're sh*tfaced.

brotherhuw wrote:Any other must not miss spots that people recommend would be welcome too.

The beaches, the Fat bike twins (Tony and I) have 30 miles of sandy beaches (tide dependent) to ride up over the weekend.

Plus the must do re fuelling stops at the "Weigh Out" pick & mix sweet shop in Barmouth just after crossing the famous bridge.
And (as mentioned before) Sunday carvery at www.rhiwgochinn.com

Plotting a route...

In all those forests (on the OS 1:50k map) can I rely on the forest tracks as shown on the map, being there... generally ?

And same with BWs shown in the forest ?

Or do I need a machete ?

In all those forests (on the OS 1:50k map) can I rely on the forest tracks as shown on the map, being there... generally ?

In most cases forest tracks will be there, condition is a little harder to determine but generally passable.

And same with BWs shown in the forest ?

If it's a BW overlaying a forest track then it's the same as above. If the map's only showing a BW, then it could be anything from a superb trail to nothing except bog and fallen trees ... 'tis very much a gamble, although the use of google earth, etc may push the odds in your favour.

Bing maps is a useful tool for viewing grid ref etc. They have all the OS nails online and then you can change the layer to birds eye etc

Getting my excuses in early.
Currently sitting in the hospitals surgical assement unit.

Could be having my appendix out once I've seen the surgeon
Oh Joy.

Anyone else had it removed?
When we're you back in the bike again?

JohnClimber wrote:Getting my excuses in early.
Currently sitting in the hospitals surgical assement unit.

Could be having my appendix out once I've seen the surgeon
Oh Joy.

Anyone else had it removed?
When we're you back in the bike again?

I think you can safely write off the WRT for this year.

There may be free cake at one of the GRs

There may be free cake at one of the GRs

Would it be birthday cake?

brotherhuw wrote: Ps. Anyone down gower way, I have a cracking mostly off road route which takes in several pubs culminating in a brewery pub, happy to guide!

I may very well be interested to see this, Gower (if you're referring to the pretty sh**ty city) is literally a stones throw away from me

Bearbonesnorm wrote:

There may be free cake at one of the GRs

Would it be birthday cake?

Bara Birthday Brith Brick Cake

Bara Birthday Brith Brick Cake

It sounds lovely ... unusual, but lovely.

" There may be free cake at one of the GRs "
is that at your welsh residence matt , mmmmmm cake

Grid needs a smidge of tweaking though

Grid needs a smidge of tweaking though

I didn't want to put the GR for your front door down ... with cake on the cards perhaps I should have

Once I confirm Cake plans I'll put the Grid here

Anyone know if you can get across the river Dysynni on the old road between Tywyn and Tonfanau?

Google maps shows a bridge, but google earth doesnt

Chew wrote:Anyone know if you can get across the river Dysynni on the old road between Tywyn and Tonfanau?

Google maps shows a bridge, but google earth doesnt

There's a posh new "foot bridge" in place now

https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2928/1362 ... 5c6d_b.jpg

Ooh. Shiny!

Sneaked an hour this evening, looked at grid refs, did some excel/online batch transformation, plotted to qGIS, overlaid lonely hearts club route, generated about 300MB of PDF (3 x A3 sheets) so I can print maps at work.

Sorted...kind of!

No where's my MTB hiding...!