Can't attend this year, absolutely gutted

I have a wedding on Saturday so that's me out...!

I'm hoping to make up for it with a quick overnighter straight from work, then back in the next day

So to anyone who's not going, what are your excuses and what are your plans?

All the talk of WRT plans this year just highlights that I'm not going!

I'm down to do it but have got one eye firmly on the weather.

Have got a 4 day pass and won't waste it if it's going to be a wet, miseryfest!

I was really hoping to make my debut appearance this year. Unfortunately not.

Basically, I have no transport so it's a royal pain in the arse to get too. Also, a blood long bike ride from Plymouth.

So instead? I'm flying up to Edinburgh to see my dad (don't see him often, last time was Christmas), and assuming the weather is half decent, we're heading out with the cameras into the highlands.

Doctor says I've got Shingles and need to rest.

I disagree (this may not be wise but I can't miss the WRT )

Doctor says I've got Shingles

Could be handy if it rains.

Never rains when I'm out

With an upcoming trip I'm usually watching the weather like a hawk, as I'm not going I haven't been - you're right, it's not looking brilliant is it?

(Makes me feel a little better. Hopefully WRT 2016 is lush weather to make up for it!)


Shingles - that's pretty hardcore. Bothy and pub looking likely?

s8tannorm wrote:

Doctor says I've got Shingles

Could be handy if it rains.

Seriously, not nice, get better soon.

Bothy and pub looking likely?

Very likely, but to be fair, that would have been the case anyway

Parents 50th wedding anniversary on Saturday. Might ride to Cheddar Gorge on Sunday or Monday for some consolation cakeification

Knee Pain - been off the bike for 3 months but had a little (8mile) ride this wk
More physio needed but its a start to getting back properly

Dan_K wrote:I'm down to do it but have got one eye firmly on the weather.

Have got a 4 day pass and won't waste it if it's going to be a wet, miseryfest!

I think I might just alter my route and stay in a B&B or something if it's sub standard. I don't really have the wet weather gear to handle a full on downpour and I don't want to be miserable trying to get dry in the evenings.

For me it's about "enjoying" the ride not "enduring" 48 hours of rain.

Instead of riding in constant rain I'd rather drive somewhere and chase the sun.

Fantasticmrmatt wrote:Doctor says I've got Shingles and need to rest.

Should I burn the spare bed you slept in last week?

For me it's about "enjoying" the ride not "enduring" 48 hours of rain.

Instead of riding in constant rain I'd rather drive somewhere and chase the sun.

I think it's a little more than that, dare I say deeper? Something which makes the WRT great (IMO) is the feeling of a shared experience. It doesn't matter whether you've spent 3 days on your own or ridden with 10 others, that feeling still seems to exist.

I'd also say that a bit of rain really isn't the end of the world and neither is riding in it. When conditions aren't at their best or your plans take an unexpected turn, remember that it's those times that you'll remember and oddly, you'll remember them fondly ... no one will talk about that bloke who didn't ride because it was raining and he thought he'd melt, oh no, they'll talk about the bloke who rode over Monks Trod at midnight in a storm. He didn't die, nor was he ever likely to but he had an adventure and will always have a story to tell.

Taylor wrote:

Fantasticmrmatt wrote:Doctor says I've got Shingles and need to rest.

Should I burn the spare bed you slept in last week?

Yes, you should

s8tannorm wrote:I'd also say that a bit of rain really isn't the end of the world and neither is riding in it. When conditions aren't at their best or your plans take an unexpected turn, remember that it's those times that you'll remember and oddly, you'll remember them fondly ... no one will talk about that bloke who didn't ride because it was raining and he thought he'd melt, oh no, they'll talk about the bloke who rode over Monks Trod at midnight in a storm. He didn't die, nor was he ever likely to but he had an adventure and will always have a story to tell.

I was going to disagree with you about the not likely dying... but then I realised, I always tell people about the time I got moderate hypothermia and nearly didn't make it back, so I'd have to agree with you about the story aspect. :D

I was going to disagree with you about the not likely dying... but then I realised, I always tell people about the time I got moderate hypothermia and nearly didn't make it back, so I'd have to agree with you about the story aspect. :D

It's much harder to kill yourself with cold than people think ... trust me, I've tried

Well, probably not in May, and probably not at 2,000 feet.

I'm out again! Came away with work for "about 5 days" 2 weeks ago...... hopefully the low oil price will f*ck up the work finally and I can get a life for a change.

BBC weather tonight said
Sat - Wet
Sun & Mon - Dry (ish)

Such a large area means it's quite variable I'd imagine.

I have Rhayader for Saturday (Wet), Tregaron for Sunday (Lightning!), Llangurig for Monday (Showers).

I'm out again! Came away with work for "about 5 days" 2 weeks ago...... hopefully the low oil price will f*ck up the work finally and I can get a life for a change.

Sorry to hear that Mark.

Excuse? Can't get the time off

Reality? Wasn't long after I got back from R150, so put it in the backburner (I.e, didn't have the balls to ask the wifey!)

Four guys rode across the Monks Trod on their first WRT in the rain late at night and got p..s wet through, one was up to his waist in a bog, oh how we laughed. Arrived at a pub tired wet but happy to have made it. Eat lots and had a few too many beers and slept in a Wendy House!!! Next day the sun came out and all was good.

As Stuart says its when it gets really grim .These are the times we remember and look back on with fondness. How weird is that.