Have now left the building. If yours don't arrive and after checking your rarely used email accounts, spam folders etc and still not finding anything, give me a shout. stuart@bearbonesbikepacking.co.uk

An interesting set. Three of which are connected by That Hill which tormented us three or so years ago, sigh!

The GRs almost make the shape of a cow. If you've had enough to drink .

The GRs almost make the shape of a cow

That very nearly happened ... but didn't

There is a very loose theme tying them together but I wanted to hopefully encourage plenty of exploration this (next) year without people feeling that they had to battle too many miles. Perhaps what's around the GR is more interesting than the GR themselves

Bearbonesnorm wrote: ↑Tue Dec 24, 2024 11:38 am

The GRs almost make the shape of a cow

Perhaps what's around the GR is more interesting than the GR themselves

Ah! Got it! Oh, no I haven't. Maybe. I thought I had but one doesn't seem to quite fit the bill. Maybe that's the mad (thing at the) GR.

If I'm right I suspect my usual sandals may not be the optimum footwear.

Anyroad, something to puzzle over with the mince pies, and lots of fun to be had on the day.

Stu, I do hope this one is a typo:
SH 004828

For info its a few miles off the coast of Holyhead!

Yeah, that was the mad one

How many miles off the coast Jeff?
I have a spare bike carrying packraft I could loan you if you wanted to tick it off mate.

There's always one in the sea. It's the law.

It's the law.

... and a Christmas tradition.

I not even looking at the GRs. I’m just following Reg around.

frogatthefarriers wrote: ↑Tue Dec 24, 2024 9:14 pm I not even looking at the GRs. I’m just following Reg around.

Eh? I'm just following you around and hoping you'll make sure I don't lose my credit card or phone. However I've got your glasses, lock and meds covered though. At this rate we'll be following each other in a big circle round the school carpark all weekend....

Apart from a couple of cattle grids has anyone worked out why it's called Mad Cow this time?

And this on route to one GR doesn't look friendly, plus tihere's no bridleway through it either


I'ts OK officer Stuart authorised us to ride up here

So being a newbie, I've started looking at route options, but does this text from the event info:

"have a fixed destination(s) which gives each event its unique name … how you reach it is down to you."

....mean that there is a destination to reach on Saturday night, or does it just refer to the GR points as a whole and you sleep where you fancy?
Also, I assume the GR out to sea should be rearranged to give SH828004?

There is no set destination to reach any time. You can use the GR's as a set of checkpoints, or just something interesting to look at on a map. The rules are just "go out on your bike, enjoy yourself (type 1,2,3 are all possible), and spend the night outside.

I already have a sort of route planned and I've not looked at the GR's yet, but you never know - there might be some overlap!

boxelder wrote: ↑Tue Dec 24, 2024 10:45 pm So being a newbie, I've started looking at route options, but does this text from the event info:

"have a fixed destination(s) which gives each event its unique name … how you reach it is down to you."

....mean that there is a destination to reach on Saturday night, or does it just refer to the GR points as a whole and you sleep where you fancy?
Also, I assume the GR out to sea should be rearranged to give SH828004?

Just use some, all or non of the given Grid References to create your route, stop where you fancy, sleep where you can get away with it.
Ride with others or solo.
A very good website to look for the finer details of route planning where Google Street view doesn't reach to is https://www.geograph.org.uk/

Another good website is https://gridreferencefinder.com/

Just ask on here if you have any questions, no matter how silly you think the questions are, we are here to help not judge.

Cheers both, that's kind of what I thought. I'm planning a sort of clockwise loop, to hit Mach in the evening. Will depend on the weather, as will Sunday. So, the obvious questions....... rigid MTB with Mezcals, or something with suspension and grippier tyres.

worked out why it's called Mad Cow this time?

Where do cows live at this time of year? ... except Highland cattle.

"have a fixed destination(s) which gives each event its unique name

Some years there is a 'fixed' destination (although it's never an overnight spot) and some years there isn't ... Mach an back and Cafe Racer are two examples of when there was. Ford Fiesta and Bank Job, there wasn't.

The GR are far less important than you may think. You might simply choose one and plan a route that takes you there and back or you might decide to use three as the basis of a loop. It really doesn't matter. If you get out on your bike, see something unexpected or go somewhere you've never been, then that's success. It does sound somewhat odd but weirdly, as long as you don't get too hung up on the references, then it tends to work, just like the WRT.

Also, you're not limited to the maps listed. This year, adding 213 to your reading list would open things up considerably, especially if you enjoy the wilder side of things.

I'd assumed from a quick GR looksee that they were all barns, though a few look unlikely. I just fancied an excuse to ride somewhere new and put faces to a few names.

boxelder wrote: ↑Wed Dec 25, 2024 6:25 pm I just fancied an excuse to ride somewhere new and put faces to a few names.

And that's what it's all about.
See you soon

If anyone's stuck for partners in crime, Frog and meself are tramping northwest, half road half off-road. Maybe. Bear in mind we're OAPs so we'll be stopping for a wee every half an hour or so, nipping into the odd cafe, and there's even rumours of proper dinner and breakfast. Unfortunately there will be at least one quarry to explore to annoy those not so inclined. We'll not be doing any of those softie bothy things, although if the barmaid falls under our spell we may end up on the bar floor instead of under the tarps. Anyone good at spotting lost glasses, phones, gloves etc especially welcome. CPR expertise might come in handy too.

Any ice round your way Stuart?

Llawryglyn hill... <cough>....