[Closed] Trans-Wales

Yeah, I did it last year
Now the terrible weather made it harder than it should have been, but seriously, don't underestimate how tough it is to ride a big enduro every day for a week. Things will happen to your brain and body that you never imagined! For instance, food: I was eating VAST amounts but still lost 1/2 stone and at one point I sat looking at a full English brekkie and simply couldn't eat it. I had to force myself.
The riding is simply superb, however. Wonderful trails of every type. The cameraderie (sp?) is great too. Some great characters!
Tips:
Your bike MUST fit perfectly. I spent a while (Months) experimenting with riding position. Comfort is EVERYTHING: Forget weight, forget speed. You must be comfy and you must REALLY LOVE that saddle!
Make sure your bike is in tip-top condition. Service EVERYTHING. I fitted all new cables and drivetrain incl BB. I serviced the forks and shock, checked all the bushings and bearings, new tyres, pads etc. I only lubed my cables once and fitted a set of new pads. There were a few people on under prepared bikes who were better riders than me who didn't complete every stage.....
Learn what you need to eat and drink on the trail - I get cramp on long rides and found that SIS drinks work best for me to avoid it.
Try and stick with as much 'proper' food as possible though. Energy food can give you bad guts and you don't want that for a week.

Overall? Silly tough, but immensely enjoyable.
🙂

PS
For the price of the top package, you might as well buy a nice pop-up tent and save £50!

I'll be popping my tw cherry this year.

On the packages, I believe that the second, i.e. £495 is what most people go for. This way you, or your helper, puts up your tent, but food is provided. And i've heard that the food is going to be better this year (fingers crossed).

We have 5 or 6 riders this year and did consider having a support crew to do food but was going to be too much hassle in the end so have all gone for the £495 package.

I'm considering doing it next year with a mate. I'd be interesting in tales 🙂

£495 is what most people go for

Stone the crows, that's gone up a bit!
£425 last year IIRC!

Still, if they've sorted some decent bogs and showers, It'll be worth it. Last years were shocking at times
🙁

Take baby wipes and nappy cream - seriously! I raided my son's before hand and it made the inevitable soreness a lot more comfy. Bepanthen is about the best.

Protien products for the evening - I was amazed at the difference that made.

Change of shorts, socks, shirt for EVERY day - the people who only bought three sets of shorts were not having much fun

Make sure if you use energy drink it is one that doesn't cause you stomach cramps. I used Agisko which is excellent and easy on the stomach.

Use a tent that has a porch of some type - my small pop up one was good (easy to pitch) but just not big enough.

Make sure everything in your bag is easy to locate. I had a plastic bag per day with all of my kit and food already set out and ready to go.

Take lots of brake pads and spare cables

Mudguards are actually a REALLY good idea if the weather is pants (rear one as well)

Mud tyres - ditto above - even if it is just for backup in your kit bag

Be prepared to spend a lot of money on your bike after the race. I needed every bearing surface replacing afterwards

Take time to get some photos

Eat lots

Eat lots

Eat lots

Even with the weather of last year which was extreme I had an amazing time and wish I could do it all again.

Echo everything above, but the best thing I brought with me was the other half who put my tent up everyday, washed my bike and cooked for me!

I'll be there again this year as well.

1st time for me this year. I'm riding Solo and will be taking all my riding kit 🙂

Looking forward to it. Hopefully be fit enough to singlespeed it after blowing my calf up 😥

[/i]1st time for me this year. I'm riding Solo and will be taking all my riding kit[i]
Do they not carry your spare riding kit between stages?

Yes they do carry it for you. He just said he's TAKING it all with him!
🙂

Echo everything above, but the best thing I brought with me was the other half who put my tent up everyday, washed my bike and cooked for me!

You are an exceptionally lucky man! My other half finds supporting me on a single day event painful enough!! (Although I didn't even finish the last one so who knows how grumpy she may have got after 12 hours...)

I hope to do this next year if I can find the funds - it is a lot of money and I'm sure within the first day I'll be cursing why I didn't spend it on a trip to the alps instead...

I have this weird thing where I hate enduros all the way through and then two days after, can't wait for my next one - it's like there's a delayed chemical high or something... *sigh*

You are an exceptionally lucky man! My other half finds supporting me on a single day event painful enough!! (Although I didn't even finish the last one so who knows how grumpy she may have got after 12 hours...)

I'm female!

I 'm female LMFAO 😆 legend!!!