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Right I know for most of you this is probably stupid. But this a big deal for me. Going to do the Gap ride this weekend so what to take? and should I be changing stuff on the bike? Tyre pressure, forks that sort of stuff? Kinda scared and excited. Do phones work out there?
Sorry for dumb questions
Take your bike
If it's a ride that'll stretch your abilities, be it 10 miles or 200, just make sure you have enough gear for various weather conditions, more than enough food & water and let someone know your proposed route. Other than that, just ride what you've got. The Gap ride is really enjoyable, have fun!
<Looks out of the window>
Waterproof everything!
Take some food/snacks/water as there's no pubs/shops until you get back towards Talybont (presuming you're starting from there).
Wouldn't bother changing anything on your bike, it's mostly moorland bridleway stuff with the odd rocky section (ie the gap and a few other bits).
Don't know which gap route you're following but there's a nice rocky descent down to Dolygaer if you want a small extension, bit more road to get back then though.
Email me if you need any more info, I often do that route from my house.
Good wet weather clothing. And spare tubes....i never fail to pinch flat coming down there.
on your own or with a group?
Having thought about my earlier reply and actually been outside, I have to add to this.
If you are experienced, the Gap is a good ride, pretty hard but nothing too difficult.
BUT part of it is a high level route, where people get hurt or lost, on bikes or not. The weather today is dreadful. No visibility on the high ground - and the high ground around here isn't as high as the Gap. As someone mentioned, depending on your actual route, you may be going over open moorland with no navigational reference points because of the 'mirk'.
So BE CAREFUL.
Plan your route properly, make sure you can identify escape points or short cuts in case the weather becomes really nasty, make sure you have a proper compass, map, GPS, whatever you use, and that your mobiles are charged. (Not that I'd expect them to work on a lot of the route!). Take proper bad weather clothing, and enough food for a few hours.
Bear in mind that some of the forecast are showing heavy rain AND gales, although the wind speed is pretty low at the moment.
About 20 miles into a 30 mile ride around the Clwyds in north Wales my mates chain snapped, and neither of us had a chain tool, oh how we laughed....
Plenty of clothes, spare gloves, etc. We where out on the Clwyds last night, damp, warm and breezy at 300ft when we set off, an hour later at 1300ft it was blowing a gale raining heavily and visability was poor. Great night!
In this weather - a sense of humour!
Soobalias; just the two of us. We've shelved it for this weekend weathers just looking too bad. Might do cymcarn instead.