[Closed] The 2011 Welsh Ride Thing is GO!

Still to be decieded on what i'm taking due to the weather but my bivi bag has built in bug net.
But you knew that already.

Built in net is the ideal solution, yes. I did have a good look at one of those bivi bags in Cotswold the other day, but price puts me off a bit.

I've just ordered 2 metres of net for about £10 and was thinking of trying to make something like a Gossamer Gear midge net. Pics to follow, of course.

I shall just have my lifeventure head net. The bonus being if it's bad during the day I can put it on under my helmet and ride in it. (I've never tried this, although May last year on the west coast of Scotland I was anticipating needing to but the midgies never appeared.)

You shouldn't find the midges too bad during the day ... 8pm seems to be their time at the moment.

My Rab bag with net is great but there is a pretty big weight penalty but that's perhaps more to do with the eVent fabric rather than the netting 😉

My Bearpaw mesh tent is also great for under a tarp, nice and light at around 200g.

Remember the midges are attracted to dark colours, so 90's euro lycra could be the thing to be seen in 😯

Midges arent going to be a problem for me as Ive still not sorted my route yet, or tested my stuff or done any training!!!!! note to self:- sort your act out 😯

You're probably still ok for the first two...what's training?

It's what your missus doesn't let you do, Dyffers. Well, one of the things anyway. 😀

My Bearpaw mesh tent is also great for under a tarp, nice and light at around 200g.

@Ian, no I'm afraid 200g was a lie. I've just weighed it and it's 230g inc stuff sack but mine has got a 12" extension of the groundsheet on 3 sides which will make it slightly heavier than a standard one.

@Bigface ... well done sir, you're taking the meaning of adventure to new heights 😀

What are other people doing about avoid the winged teeth, particularly the tarpists?

I think I'm just going to....... MTFU!

I don't put netting over my head during the day and I can't see any reason to put some over my head at night.

Eat loads of Marmite the week before and cover your head in DEET

Just how bad are the Welsh midges? I might have to pray for two nights of wind & rain and kip out on the tops of mountains then.

If the weather stays like this sod the tarp also.

Eat loads of Marmite the week before

Does that actually work? I've heard it before but not seen any hard evidence.

If it does I shan't need the net; I've got 20 years of Marmite addiction behind me already.

While the Welsh midges perhaps aren't as bad as their Scotish cousins ... it has to be said that over the last few years they've got plenty of practice in 😉

I did the Microsoft Challenge a couple of years ago, first evening we did a night time biking stage in the forest east of Devils Bridge, while setting up bikes the bastard midges were biting my eyelids, was ok once moving but stand still for 10 seconds and they were up your nose, in your hair, had bites in my crotch, hell. 🙁

Four in a row - I'm on a roll 😀

Or just need to get more.... 😉

To be honest, I think I'm the only one playing 😳
The page 7 post had been going begging for over a hour last night and I just happened to check before I went to bed...

Still, I'm out on the bike tonight, which'll make a nice change so nothing more from me!

Ian I know how you feel, it struck me at times on the WRT last year that I was taking it far too seriously in getting all the checkpoints when everybody else seemed to be either down the pub in Ffair Rhos or having full breakfasts in Pontrhydfendigaid. Seemed a daft idea to try to win an event with no competitors. Hasn't stopped me entering this year though but I will be more tested this year due to less local knowledge.

Win?
I think you should be banned from entering for that kind of talk. 😐

I think the WRT is whatever you want it to be. There's always a challenge to be had if you want it, just that it'll be a personal challenge rather than against anyone else.

There should be a high level of satisfaction from getting the checkpoints you set out to ... whether that be half or all of them 😉

EDIT: Very true, you can't win the WRT. You can endure, survive, enjoy but you certainly can't win.

Stu Quick question, what time do things kick off on the 28th?? Only reason is we've got a 4'5hr drive to your place??

Now let's say I have, in theory, the whole area needed with the grids marked in on a map as one massive JPEG file (27meg). We can print A0 at work 🙂 so I'm getting it printed.

As I've never done the WRT is it ethical / not the done thing to share this file?

No routes marked just the map with grids on it.

Yeah do it I've never done the WRT before but do like the sound of a A0 print, if you can why not.... Not sure why people get funny about there route its not a race or anything like that, so why not......(ps still not sorted our route...God bet we get lost.. 😯

or I can make it into a 16 page PDF so that it can be printed a4 and sellotaped together or just used as 16 pages

Like a small AtoZ style WRT booklet 😀

@Bigface ... I'm hoping we'll get the raffle underway around 12.30. There'll be nowt to do before hand except final panic and fannying about routines 😉

@Matt, no one as far as I know has ever had such a map before so I can't see a problem with sharing it with those with a large enough band width 😀

Coolio 12:30 it is then, Im sure if we're a bit before we can lay in the sun and watch the world go by

There'll be an email going out to everyone next week with details of times, directions, etc.

If you get there early just look for the good looking bloke by the tipi ... and ask him where I am 😉

25 miles to your gaff, do I cycle it Sat morning?

Well you'll not get lost on the way with that map 😀

Oh, I've just thought, how will you carry all that Bara Brith if you ride over 😉

Sorry Ian I was out on the bike last night or I would have nicked that page 😉

As for the WRT being a competition - yes Steve and I are going to try and achieve the required check points but as a few of you know we aren't the quickest so we will do it and enjoy the weekend riding in this beautiful bit of the country with like minded people (who we will probably only see at the start and maybe in the pub :wink:)

Matt I'd be glad to get a copy of your A2Z please 😉

I will pay you in Welsh cakes if that is ok.

on another note I was gutted last night to see on the classifieds I missed a large Singular Swift frame set 🙁 if there is another that pops up and someone sees it can you dib it for me please 😉 or any other large frame 29er fot that matter cheers Pete

Pete - you can't get one for the WRT - I'll never keep up on a mere 26 wheeler!

Really looking forward to this, hope you guys are having better weather than we are north of the border...! was looking forward to some sunshine for my 1st riding trip to Wales..

Edit: I'll make a better one later than can just be printed A4 and makes a mini book

Pete - you can't get one for the WRT - I'll never keep up on a mere 26 wheeler!

Don't worry Steve I am doing it on the 456 as I don't envisage getting one ready before WRT 😉 plus I always look after my wingman 😀

Matt it's showing as a private picture so I can't view it 🙁

try now

cheers Matt what a very useful fellow you are 😀

I shall bring you some Welsh cakes 😉

Right on it....

[img] [/img]

me please matt.

just look for the good looking bloke by the tipi

did Matt send it to you Taylor?

And are you dressing up as a red indian to be by the tipi??

nope, not got nowt. 😥

Pete - any chance you can forward on Matt's maps on - that's of course if it's 0k with Matt!

I'll send it to you both now 😉