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| Lighter than some solo bikes! |
For the first time in six years, the WRT went international. A number of grid references located in England saw many riders attempting to cross the border … those without the required paperwork were obviously turned away and had to contend with the midge infested mountains and bogs of Cymru for the entire weekend … shame.
A number of riders who did make it ‘across the wire’ to the bright lights of England reported that their mobile phones were confiscated by officials when they returned due to them being seen as ‘impliments of the Devil’ by many in Wales. However, some were able to turn events to their favour by smuggling luxury goods such as candles, chocolate and Spam back across the border and selling them at inflated prices … very enterprising.
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| No caption required. |
For most of the Welsh taking part, the WRT was their first ever experience of England. I can only imagine what the sense of wonderment must have been like … can you conceive what it feels like to cross the border and realise that rain isn’t a permanent state or the myth about the sun actually being visible is true? … amazing stuff!
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| Relaxing with a latte after doing the washing. |
Some returning riders stated that sources of food were scarce on many of the outlying sections, which resulted in some ‘going native’ and attempting to rustle livestock. The worst offender (who we’ll call Jaaaaason to protect his true identity) had to be forcibly restrained on at least 7 occasions by other members of his group … truly shocking!
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| “So I sit this way round then?” |
The WRT weigh-in proved as popular as ever with the majority of riders opting to have their bike and kit placed on the scales of truth. For some, the reality of discovering that their carefully packed bicycle weighed more than a Welsh Black heifer was too much to contend with … I believe that shortly after leaving the weigh-in gazebo 2 riders were seen walking into the river and haven’t been seen since, although a steel fat bike has reportedly been seen floating in the Dyfi estuary … very sad.
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| Chatting and faffing – the start of the WRT. |
The WRT magic continued right up until the very end, when returning riders were greeted by a mountain of assorted cakes, many of a variety never seen in Wales before. In keeping with Welsh Ride Thing tradition Izzy from AlpKit baked a special cake that was then transported to Wales by raft via Cardigan bay … how astonishing.
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| A small sample of the cake that awaited at the finish. |
Due to the generosity of the 142 riders who set off, the companies who provided raffle prizes and all those who gave their time to help out, this years WRT raised £2177.54 in aid of the Wales Air Ambulance … thank you.
Join us same time, same place next year for the 7th WRT!
