Hello fellow loaded bike riders...

I can't take part in the madness this year, but I wanted to wish you all of the best. Despite being part of the "fun" last year, I am quite jealous.

Don't forget, it's just for fun. Don't give up. Keep moving forward even when the going gets hard. You'll be pleased you did come the end.

I am not a religious person, but I really like this Gaelic blessing and its sentiment.

May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face;
the rains fall soft upon your fields...

You get the idea.

I look forward to reading all of the stories and am looking forward to taking on the route when I am back to fitness.

Si

I'll second that. Sorry I'm not taking part this year (but also slightly relieved). I hope the weather forecast I saw this morning plays out. Have fun, one and all!

Absolutely!

Enjoy. Or endure.

Whichever is most appropriate at the time

Enjoy the weekend all that are taking part and I will be looking forward to reading all your tales of both types of fun over the next week. Im not fit enough to get out on this years event but may try for the winter ride.chapeau!

Looks like weather might be good.
Is there a public tracker website for those using SPOTs?
Enjoy.

Good luck to you all

Is there a public tracker website for those using SPOTs?

No, although some people will likely have their own pages.

Place here if you want it John

I'll put mine up just before the start. It is on Spotwalla and shows the route as well as the track, hence no link yet.

good luck everyone

very jealous, would love to do it but finally accepting that I'm just not fit enough for it.

Bearbonesnorm wrote: Place here if you want it John

I'd love to do it but I simply can't afford another divorce.
When the route is common knowledge I'd love to see it and have a go away from the maddening crowd.

What no one has said as yet and needs to be said is.
Thank you to you Stuart for giving up your time year after year in putting on these great events

Good luck everyone.

No SPOT from me I'm afraid - haven't renewed the subscription this year.

I may tweet if signal permits @ianbarrington
Think I can send tweets by text, so that's an option if I remember to do it.

Good luck guys....very envious!
I'll join in with one of these rides soon, but my rota doesn't always play ball.....

Work hard!

My tracker with route https://spotwalla.com/tripViewer.php?id ... 2d23888062

Okay, so for all those who aren't dragging their bike round the lovely Welsh countryside, I can tell you that a toatal of 63 riders made it to the start, conditions look very good and everyone appeared in good spirits.

There's 3 or 4 CX bikes out there and 5 women ... who I believe aren't riding cross bikes. Most riders should have enjoyed the early stages but I imagine a fair few will either be on or fast approaching what I consider to be the 'worst' section.

If I hear owt else, I'll try and keep you posted.

Is the route particularly cx friendly this year or is it just because of the current cx trend?

Is the route particularly cx friendly this year or is it just because of the current cx trend?

There's a reasonable amount of back lane / decent bridleway stuff but I think it's really just because that's the bike people had Dan.

Bearbonesnorm wrote:fast approaching what I consider to be the 'worst' section.

Looking at Dave's route and the figure 8, where would you say the "worst" section is please?
Why's it the worst? tussocks or hills?

Looking at Dave's route and the figure 8, where would you say the "worst" section is please?
Why's it the worst? tussocks or hills?

John, where the '92' message marker is ... at that point he's just finished a very big and very steep push up. That's followed by 2km(ish) of boggy tussocks before crossing the road and picking up a good track again.

If you look at the interval dots you can see just how much progress slowed down over that section.

He's now approaching the start of the climb up onto the 'Wayfarer' which should be lovely.

Stu, do you spend these BB200 evenings cackling in front of the SPOT screen as riders suffer their way around?

Stu, do you spend these BB200 evenings cackling in front of the SPOT screen as riders suffer their way around?

No, just the opposite Dan, sometimes I watch and knowing where they are makes me wince

Are there any other links to other spot trackers out there please?

Bearbonesnorm wrote:

Looking at Dave's route and the figure 8, where would you say the "worst" section is please?
Why's it the worst? tussocks or hills?

John, where the '92' message marker is ... at that point he's just finished a very big and very steep push up. That's followed by 2km(ish) of boggy tussocks before crossing the road and picking up a good track again.

If you look at the interval dots you can see just how much progress slowed down over that section.

He's now approaching the start of the climb up onto the 'Wayfarer' which should be lovely.

I sent a friend and his wife that way after some research (Google maps, ohhh, this looks nice etc), he tried out my silly idea and it nearly ended in divorce! Had rained a bit more than this week, but I do believe it's a nasty bit

Are there any other links to other spot trackers out there please?

Don't think so John.

I sent a friend and his wife that way after some research (Google maps, ohhh, this looks nice etc), he tried out my silly idea and it nearly ended in divorce! Had rained a bit more than this week, but I do believe it's a nasty bit

Oh aye, it's not nice but at least most folk should have cleared it in daylight.