I'm new to bikepacking and the WRT. Never plotted a route but can read an OS map. Got an Etrex 20 Gps. Will someone be so kind to plot me a route of about 180km. Needs to pass a shop, pub and mountain Bothy.
Reward u with a selection of ales. Thanks so much.

Get yer maps and a highlighter out, then count the squares the route covers, if crossed vertical or horizontally then that's 1km, if diagonally it's 1.5km, add up the total.

Or for more accuracy bang the route into something like http://www.bikehike.co.uk (you can download and keep the route).

Pubs

New Inn @ Llangynog
Brigands @ Mallwyd

There's also a pub in Llanbrynmair & Corris

I'd avoid pubs in Bala unless you are Welsh.

Hotel at Lake Vyrnwy maybe (definately a cafe).

Oh, you said beers, actually I do have a route you can have, it's 181km long, just under 20k climbing, covers 13 checkpoints, includes some nice trails that I know. You can restock in Bala or make a detour to Dolgellau, Pub in Llangynog and cafe at Lake Vyrnwy.

Some bits might not be ridable, some are not marked up as rights of way (but are forest or farm tracks, normally ok..)

PM me your e-mail address and I'll send over the gpx, then you can upload it into bikehike and have a look. We probably won't be doing it as it's another member of our group's turn to do the route, but I couldn't help myself.

:D

Cheers

Nick

There might be a bothy too, if you know where to look

I only know of two north of you, one in CyB, the other in the Carnedd Llewelyn. Or is there another?

Or is there another?

Yep

Not really on route though is it

And you wouldn't want to be forth man there either...

Sent you a route, have you got it?

Sorry but isn't that a little ridiculous? So little mountain sense, help is needed to get a route? What happens when the mist comes in or gps packs up?

Sorry but isn't that a little ridiculous? So little mountain sense, help is needed to get a route? What happens when the mist comes in or gps packs up?

As long as you can read a map then it shouldn't really cause a problem ... in the worst case, you'd just have to pitch your tent on a 45 degree slope, slide to the bottom, spend the night cold and awake then ring a taxi in the morning to bring you back - simple

But at no point in any adventure have I been lost or needed help on route. Surely half the fun is designing routes? I've just had maps delivered of Iceland, can someone help me with a route?
:?

I did have similar thought initially DNF, but I thought what the heck, he's offering beer.

If our friend here just blindly loads up the gpx and heads off then that would be a bit stupid, I've ridden maybe 20% of the route I've provided and not offered any guarentees that the rest is any good, from past experience of WRTs and riding in Wales generally I suspect at least another 20% will fall into the "this is a bit sub standard, won't come this way again" category.

The alternative is to closely guard our routes, and not share them with anyone, just in case they "nick" it.

s8tannorm wrote:... in the worst case, you'd just have to pitch your tent on a 45 degree slope, slide to the bottom, spend the night cold and awake then ring a taxi in the morning to bring you back - simple

But in failing light and lousy conditions this was a wise move, uncertain terrain ahead, storm coming in! Only a fool keeps going! Same as the last time on the Eiger, the prudent move was abort. Mountains and trails are always there the next day, secret is always ensure you are

You're right DNF, the world can be a dangerous place ... last time I was in Iceland there was a 2 for 1 on meat feast pizza, I was very nearly troddon under foot :)

s8tannorm wrote:You're right DNF, the world can be a dangerous place ... last time I was in Iceland there was a 2 for 1 on meat feast pizza, I was very nearly troddon under foot :)

:D :D :D :D

I've just had maps delivered of Iceland, can someone help me with a route?

I was going to say ... last time I was there, I turned left at the frozen chips, straight past the ice cream and camped up for the night next to the hob nobs

just stay out catona's prawn ring. lord know's whats in it

is getting a route off nick/ someone off the internets any different to me sitting here with memory map never having been to wales?

Indeed. My first Welsh excursion was the BB200 & yes, I got lost, but that was because I'd got 50k maps which, though fine for Norfolk roads, are not detailed enough for Welsh paths at 'speed'. The part of the route I did - planned on Bikehike/Google earth - was actually spot on and what I found 'on the ground did pretty much matched the mental image of the place I'd formed doing that (bogs excepted!).

Though solo, was I ever in danger because I'd done my planning 'virtually''? No - but then I've done a lot of 'outdoors' stuff elsewhere and am quite comfortable (happiest even) outside four walls & a roof. If that wasn't the case would I rely solely on a remote recce? Yes, if I'd done the digital legwork myself. Would I rely on someone else's map alone. No way.

On the BB200 I bailed after about 150k and, having gone the wrong way off a mountain. ended up 25k off route from where I knew I'd be riding for at least another 75k to 'finish' and wasn't up to that with work on Monday looming.

Conclusion? know your own safety margins/limits and stick to them.

Further to my last

In 1492 Columbus 'found' America with this map:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/75520444@N06/6997919216/
and he got home OK :)

On a slightly more serious note ... DNF are you riding or walking/climbing in Iceland?

If you're riding, it'd be worth getting in touch with a bloke called Dick Phillips and requesting a copy of his 'notes for cyclists' booklet. His number is 01434 381440 ... he's been riding over in Iceland every year for 52 years

s8tannorm wrote:On a slightly more serious note ... DNF are you riding or walking/climbing in Iceland?

I'm going walking and climbing, also eatting puffin and Hákarl :?

didnothingfatal wrote:Sorry but isn't that a little ridiculous? So little mountain sense, help is needed to get a route? What happens when the mist comes in or gps packs up?

As I've said in my original post - I can read an O.S map. To Answer your question - If there's mist or the gps packs up I'll just use my compass and mountain skills to navigate. Appreciate all your quotes! See u on the trails.