[Closed] The 2011 Welsh Ride Thing is GO!

WRT doesn't have competition ... it is a unique event for the hardcore, elite, fool hardy or just plain nerdy

love it 😉

O yay O yay I get page 13 my lucky number 😆

the sun is going to shine next weekend on us Nerds 8)

Well done Pete, got there in the end.

I have a couple you can borrow if you don't want to buy any, or try before you buy type thing.

Cheers Ian I admit I was stalking for the page change 😳

So 4 days until the off any final hints and tips?

weather update - improving slightly 😉

http://www.yr.no/place/United_Kingdom/Wales/Machynlleth~2643251/long.html

http://www.yr.no/place/United_Kingdom/Wales/Pennant~2640442/long.html

Que Sera Sera, it rains it rains! It's not about the goal it's about the journey, If it comes easy, if it doesn't require extraordinary effort, you're not pushing hard enough: It's supposed to hurt like hell!

agreed and I am expecting pain and discomfort in abundance but one can dream of perfect summer days/evenings bikepacking around one of the best countrysides in the world.

Ride bike, drink beer, sleep in hedge, repeat, what's so hard about that?

nowt Nick, but we're hardened bikers and don't tell anyone anything different 😉

what about obsessing over gear choices?

Ride bike, drink beer, sleep in hedge, repeat

You stole my plan!

It's my plan too if it happens though is another thing!!

Head down and do it in two days is my plan...

48 hours or sunday night?

what about obsessing over gear choices?

Somehow, I seem to be getting things together in strangely unobsessive manner.

Sorted out my togs this evening on the presumption that it'll be wet and chilly...

Wearing

Altura 3/4 length baggys
Endura MT500 lycra shorts
Smartwool Merino T-shirt
Uvex Helmet
Lidls trekking socks

Carrying (unless weather dictates wearing)

Montane Atomic waterproof jkt
Freestyle Goretex trosuers
Buff
Uniqlo micro down jacket (260g)
spare socks
Lidls thermal leggings (147g)
Primark polyester undies (for sleeping in. I don't want too many butt boils forming from living in dirty chamois 😉 )
DHB bamboo/polyester zip front baselayer

I slightly melted the bottom of my favourite Adidas El Moro SPDs today whilst drilling the old cleat bolts out so am having a minor dilemma over footwear. Sidi Dominators that are treacherous to walk in or an older, slightly buggered pair of El Moros 😕

Back by Sunday night, ideally. It's a hundred miles, so should be do-able in two days, though three would have been more leisurely. I could be mis-judging it though - wouldn't be the first time...

That was my thinking, around 100 miles is two days riding! I'm setting up for a cruise back in on Monday if it goes to plan, probably show up Tuesday tho' 😆

This is the planned load so far;

[u]Lomo 12l Drybag Strapped to the handlebars using Revelate 'Strap' Harness[/u]
Terra Nova Laser Comp
POE Peak Elite AC sleeping pad
GoLite Ultralight Quilt #1
Ajungilak Inflatable Pillow
Rab Down Expedition Socks

[u]Mountain Feedbags(x2)[/u]
Torq Gels (x15)
Mule Bars (x3)
Electrolyte Tabs

[u]Seatbag[/u]
Revelate Dry Liner
OMM Kamleika Pants
Socks (x2 pairs)
Mont Bell Down Half Sleeve
Arc'teryx Merino Leggings (sleep)
Arc'teryx Breva Vest
Aloksak; MSR Pack Towel, Wet Wipes, 25ml Tooth paste, Folding Toothbrush, Deodorant, TP
Stuff Bag; Anti Gravity Gear Pot Cozy, MSR Ti Kettle, Optimus Crux Stove, Primus Windshield, 100g Gas Cartidge, Primus Fire Steel
Mont Bell 330ml Ti Mug
Super Noodles (x2)
Pepperami Snack Size (x2 bags)
Expedition Meals Main
Expedition Meals Pudding
Instant Hot Chocolate (x2)
Buff
SIS Recovery Drink Mix (x2)
For Goodness Shakes Recovery
Montane UL Pants
X Bionic Arm Warmers

[u]Framebag[/u]
Lezyne Tool Caddy
Crank Bros MT19
Patches (Glue & Instant)
Tyre Boots
Gerber Clutch MultiTool
Disk Pads (x2 sets)
Tyre Levers
Crank Bros Cleats
Chain Lube (Juicy Lubes Wet)
Terra Nova Laser Comp Pole
Raidlight Folding Cup
Alpkit Padded Cell 1 & Pentax Optio WP
Sunscreen
Adventure Medical 1st Aid #7
Aloksak - Paramol, Diclofenac, Pro Plus
Chamois Butt'r (x3 sachets)
Mont Bell Titanium Trowel
Lhoon
MSR Ti Fork & Spoon
Petzl Zipka
Exposure Joystick, Piggyback Cell & Beacon Diffuser
Hope Battery (spare)
Lithium AA Batteries (x4)
Contact Lens Eye Drops & Spare Lens
Avon Skin So Soft (Insect Repellent)
Silva Exp. 4 Compass
Wherewolf Card
Coffee
Aloksak - Cash & Cards
Aloksak - Phone
Aloksak - iPod Shuffle & Headphones

[u]Frame[/u]
Camelbak Podium 750ml
Camelbak Podium 625ml
Lezyne Pump
Awesome Strap w/ Supersonic Tubes (x2)
Hope Vison Two & Battery

[u]Wingnut Splitback[/u]
3l Osprey Bladder
OMM Kamleika Smock
Arc'teryx Celerus Vest
Buff
Spare Gloves
Panasonic HD Video Camera
Aloksak - OS Maps 1:25 (x2), Memory Map Route Prints

[u]Worn[/u]
X Bionic Helmet
X Bionic LS Energizer Base
Mammut Extreme LS
Assos Mille Shorts
X Bionic Leg Warmers
Icebreaker Socks
Mavic Switchback Shoes
Specialized BG Gloves
Julbo Race Zebra Glasses
Giro Athlon Helmet
TNF Puddle Jacket

that's an awesome list

I must sort my kit and list it asap - job for tomorrow eve after running club me thinks 😉

I'll look at all that properly in the morning, but I'm prepared to wager that the above weighs more than 4kg 😉

perhaps he's going for the "weight" prize? 😉

Yeah blew the 4kg, went with more clothing, tools and included more food!

Also forgot the Garmin GPS60. May also take more Gels, although Tesco has Jelly Babies on buy one get one free.

Should be able to just ride, maybe grab a snack on route.

Bike handles perfectly, will be a grind going over cadair though. 😉

Some inspiration [url= http://2-epic.com/?p=1541 ]here[/url] and her setup [url= http://www.bikepacking.net/individual_setups/lyndaws-2011-azt-300-bike-and-gear/ ]here[/url]

Jelly babies rock 8)

Sunscreen

Other than the kitchen sink, I can't see anything you've missed off that list 😉

I'll have a bash at sorting out my revised kit this evening. Only need to add in a few extra bits of clothes and swap the tarp/ bivi bag for the tent so won't make a huge difference to the total weight of my gear.

Also got a neat idea for a map holder, if I can find time to implement it before the weekend...

Here you go then:

[b]Sleeping / Shelter[/b]
Bivvy Bag (Hunka XL)
Sleeping Bag (Xero 250)
Mat (Neoair reg)
Pillow (Exped)
Dry bag to store sleeping bag in (Lomo 12l)
Handlebar Harness (Wildcat)

[b]Cooking[/b] (In Wildcat framebag)
Stove (Coke can)
Pot (MyTiMug)
Mug (Lifeventure 450ml titanium)
Tiphoon
Folding Plastic Bowl
Meths
Windshield (Caldera cone)
Matches
Scourer
Cloth

[b]Night & Rain Clothes[/b]
Waterproof Jacket (Rab Drillium)
Down Jacket (Patagonia Down Sweater)
Woolly Hat
Thermals (HH Lifa)
Socks
2x Plastic Bags

[b]Clothes (On Bike)[/b]
Baselayer
Cycling Shorts
Mid Layer
Waterproof Cycling shorts (Endura eVent)
Gloves (riding)
Socks (riding)
Buff

[b]Food[/b] (In Wildcat framebag)
2 x Dehydrated meals & pudding
2x Porridge
Mars Bars
Snacks etc.
Small whisky

[b]Tools[/b]
1x tube
Multitool
Pump
Patches
Spare odd bolts / links
Spare pads x1
Tyre boot

[b]Extras[/b]
Small First Aid Kit
Headtorch
Iphone & extra batt
Money / Card
Whistle
Compass
Aquapak for money/phone
Leatherman
Water bottle & filter
Sun cream
Insect Repellent
Wipes / tissue / loo roll
Spare batteries
Mini Bike lights
Maps

😀

Quite happy with that, not the most minimal but also not taking everything

What's with all this 'going to try and get back early stuff?' It's not a race remember and there's quite a difference to spending 2 nights out rather than 1.

Anyone returning early will be expected to be carrying a note from their mum 😉

Getting back early = going home early to the visiting inlaws. 😯

Weather forecast is better for Monday as well, what about starting late? Turn up for raffle, drive to caravan, spend evening listening to rain beating down on roof, start Sunday.

Getting back early - hell no way!!

I've got a 3 day pass for biking and I am god damn gonna use the lot come rain or hell water!! Or ash clouds for that matter!!

If by any unbelievable stroke of luck or genius Steve and I are back done on Sunday I think we'll do another half lap. But the chances of that are like a snail giving a slug his shell and saying "here buddy you can have my house!!" 😉

Well no smart comments on my kit so can't be too bad. 🙂

whats a Wherewolf Card for?

Sorry for being slow Tiger, but i'd ditch the folding bowl and the suncream.

Suncream: Fair point

Folding Bowl: Two of us are sharing a 700ml MyTiMug to boil water so another 'eating from' vessel is needed as my food is homemade and not in a bag you can eat out of. It weighs 39g

fair enough.

I'd swap the scourer and cloth for [b]large[/b] whisky

Pillow? Really? Dry bag stuff with what ever soft stuff you're not wearing, placed under sleeping bag so face doesn't stick to it.

Well no smart comments on my kit so can't be too bad

How about:

Small whisky

To be fair, it all looks good.

edit - beaten to the whisky joke by Nick... must type faster...

Small whisky

You lightweight!

Indeed, it's a minibar miniature in a plastic bottle, weighs less than the empty hip flask! 🙂

Pointless exercise then. 🙄

We [b]will[/b] drinking & eating in the Railway on the first night however. 🙂

Set up camp, cycle to pub.

Well ... I've just spent the entire afternoon phoning round all the pubs in the area. I've asked that they don't serve cyclists on Sat or Sun evening. Amazingly, once I'd explained the charity aspect the majority were happy to oblige.

....or tell them for every wet muddy cyclist that turns up they should enforce a pound in pint glass for the WAA for every order at the bar.

Well ... I've just spent the entire afternoon phoning round all the pubs in the area. I've asked that they don't serve cyclists on Sat or Sun evening. Amazingly, once I'd explained the charity aspect the majority were happy to oblige.

well that's just typical - grumpy Stuart 😉

we'll be boosting their trade I am sure after all 😮

turn of the page, get in. 😀

Bless ... I'm so happy for you. I might have 'flatfish - simply the best' tattooed on my bum 😀

I'll bring the indian ink and some needles 😯

WRT tatoos in the Tipi 😉

It's not as much fun now Ian's flounced off from the lack of page turns. 🙁

Where Wolf card is a grid reference finder

http://www.mapkiosk.com/pages/kroamer.html

It's not as much fun now Ian's flounced off from the lack of page turns

that's a simple bit of kit but very useful does any shops stock it as I guess if I buy one it may not turn up before Friday???

Shall I go see if I have a spare?

oooo that would be very nice of you sir 😉

I've put a spare in my frame bag 🙂

Cheers thank you

I'll be with a dark blue On One Inbred with red drybag on the front and grey altura saddle bag.

I'm a big lad probably I'll be dressed in black 😉

Johnny 'Valleydaddy' Cash this weekend then Pete 😉

White Inbred/carbon suspension forks, black luggage, i'll be in black head to toe 😉

ha indeed thinking I'll be suffering from this though 😯

[url=

White Inbred/carbon suspension forks, black luggage, i'll be in black head to toe

It'll be like come dine with me at this rate 😉

Starting to panic about kit choice now, bivvy or tent, tent or bivvy, bivvy or tent???
My current plan is to bin off points 9, 3 and 16 (in order of the list Stuart sent out), bag 10, 6 and then shoot down towards Machynlleth, grab some food at a pub and then over towards 12 and find somewhere to doss down for the night on the way. Sunday plan is to bag 13, 14, 8, 2,7 ,4 and 11 then grab some food/beer in Cenmaes then find somewhere to kip down for the night. Monday plan will be to bag 1 and 5 then roll back to the finish before collapsing in a heap.

Food plan is to just take easy to cook stuff like couscous and eat proper food in the day/early evening when near a pub/village.

I'll be driving down from Burton on Trent on Saturday, morning if anyone from any point along the way wants a lift down let me know.

Pete, did that frame bag fit your frame in the end?

Yes great thanks will be superb this weekend no doubt 😀

But may have the Singular built if the wheels turn up from Hope 😀

Maybe not the best thing building a new bike on Friday before the event??

What Singular? When did that happen?

'fraid its Ian and me that did that to him. 😳

SSSSSSSSSsssssshhhhhhhh 8)

Well it all happened a few weeks back when I was with Taylor and Ian and I was on my wee Inbred 26er and those big wheeled bikes just made sense especially for a big lad 😉

So I procured a second hand Swift frame set last week and I am awaiting bits from my LBS to build it up but don't think everything will be available by Friday but you never know 😉

Just having a play sorting out my gear, picked up some food items yesterday, this looks like a winner:

[img] [/img]

413kcal for an all up weight of 123g, which includes a plastic fork.

That's breakfast on Sunday sorted then. Pius if I bag up the noodles and sauce in advance I've got a light weight plastic cup/bowl for eating and drinking anything else out of.

You kept that quiet Pete! Is that what you want the SLX bits for?

I see your logic Nick but I really couldn't imagine eating that for breakfast 😉

@Mark ... should be enough sheltered spots about for a bivvy/tarp. Forecast looks dry for Sat night, haven't seen Sundays yet though.

Indeed Steve it is, I am hoping it's going to be a sweet bike for sure, I maybe building it in the back of the van on the way up at this rate 😆

You are aware that all Singulars should be built up SS aren't you Pete? ... It's the law.

Indeed Stu but I am going to build it 1x10 at the moment and work towards SS. I am hoping it will look like this one 😀

[url= http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3520/5756267024_baa091c33f_m.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3520/5756267024_baa091c33f_m.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/48247502@N07/5756267024/ ]singularswiftilike[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/48247502@N07/ ]valley daddy[/url], on Flickr

Very nice. My Carver's sometimes set up 1x10 (34x11:36) works a treat 😀

that's the gearing I am going for too, will I need a chain guide gadget to catch the chain if it decide to jump??

Right gear sorted.

Clothes - optional daytime
Assos Leg Warmers 117
Endura Arm Warmers 64
Gil eVent Jacket 294
dhb eVent Shorts 174

Clothes - Night time
Lowe Alpine trunks 66
Extremities Powderlite Beanie 21
PHD Ultra Down Vest 152
Socks - long 103
Marmot fleece 3/4 leggings 138
Long sleeve zip neck Merino top - Ice Breaker 203

Cooking
Tibetan 550, Lifeventure 450 mug, Vargo Triad, Livestrong band, Caldera Clone 212
Fruit Shoot bottle - 250ml Meths 233
Tibetan Lhoon 16
Matches, water purification 55

Food
Expedition Meals 2x main, 2x dessert 640
Evening Meal/ Breakfast Pack x2 600
Trail Food Pack x2 1,360

Packs
Wildcat Handlebar Harness 123
Wildcat Frame bag 255
2 litre bladder & hose 167
Inov-8 Race 12 (no internal pad) 424

Personal
Loo Roll 22
Black Diamond Ion headtorch 26
iPhone 4 & case 155
First Aid Kit 27
Insect Repellant 65

Shelter/ sleeping
Terra Nova Laser Photon 860
Thermarest NeoAir Short 261
PHD Minim Ultra 900 372

Tools
Box of spare bolts, disc pads, chain tool 160
Set of allen keys 90
Pump & puncture kit 121
Spare tube 146
Awesome Strap 44
Leatherman 238

Total 8004

@Ian ... still no maps. I thought you were joking when you said you'd commited the route to memory.

@Pete ... Everyone will tell you you'll need one. If you run your chain nice and short and use an unramped ring you might get away with it 99% of the time, give it a go without, you've nothing to lose.

EDIT: Except your chain (said before someone else does) 😉

@Pete ... Everyone will tell you you'll need one. If you run your chain nice and short and use an unramped ring you might get away with it 99% of the time, give it a go without, you've nothing to lose.

that's what I thought, plus I have some touch up paint if the chain does jump and decides to scratch the lovely paint

OK, yes I haven't added in maps. I wasn't entirely joking as there are parts of the route that are imprinted on the inside of my head having looked at the map for so long, but I best take them in case I go off route. I do have a bit of a photographic memory which reminds me, I haven't included my camera, which is something like 350g in its little case.

Also feel like i've over done it a bit on the food. When it's all laid out in the kitchen it looks a lot...

Is that weight of 255 for the frame bag for a full triangle sized bag? Is that a 'production' one?

weather is improving, showers now really only on Sunday 😉 fingers crossed they won't appear.

http://www.yr.no/place/United_Kingdom/Wales/Machynlleth~2643251/long.html <

It best bloody rain after I just spent out on a tent 😈

Mind you, it's all I've got at the moment.

don't worry I am sure there'll be some damp stuff falling from the sky at some point I just hope it's during the night so you can use the tent Yeti man 😉

9.464kg all in, bags and everything (not bike or water though)

That doesn't seem too bad to me

No hot drinks Ian? 250ml of meths is cutting it fine isn't it? Can't you just use the camera on your phone?

My food list is far greater than yours though!. I've got breakfast (50mls) snack (25mls) Lunch (25mls) Snack (25mls) Dinner (50mls) supper (25mls), thats 200mls of meths per 24hrs for my appetite!

I'm waiting for the official weigh in 🙂

SouthernYeti, did you still need a pop-can stove, how is the kit gathering going?