IMO it might not be worth it for the ride alone but worth it for the views. You could link it into something starting over near Barmouth for a better ride I reckon.

Stuart

Evening all, legs aching well I hope … I've just put the list of raffle winners up on the WRT blog http://welshridething.blogspot.com/ you never know you might have been lucky 😉

I'd just like to say a big thank you to everyone who came and made a great effort … if anyone fancies more stupid antics out in the hills watch this space,

Stuart

At this rate I'll have to go 😉

There's a few who can't make it but more who can … unless they haven't said they're not coming. To everyone who can't make it, you've still helped a worthy cause and there might just be a next time*. To those who are coming, the mountains will be quieter and you'll have a better chance in the raffle 😀

*Cue for flatfish to start jumping up and down.

If you've got the room then spares might not be a bad idea … it's a big area to get lost in.

Even I'm starting to get a little excited now, which is odd because;

1- I'm not going.

2- I don't do excited.

Good work fellas, it's good to see mountain bikes that are about to do just that, ie go into the mountains.

Judging by the pictures Nick at AlpKit shout be made up with the amount of sales he's had 😉

All of the above but with different sized wheels from and back … proper deviant perv'.

How many litres is that front dry bag … looks a whopper 😉

So much fun to be had with a simple set of maps and some numbers 😀

Don't own a FS, just 11 hardtails … perhaps I need to sell something 😀

You can however ride a footpath with the landowners consent.

Llani' – Staylittle – Mach' … some proper climbing to get your teeth into there 😉

I had Stephen Lord staying with me last week (author of the Adventure Cycling Handbook) and his friend Peter who is 5 years into a round the world cycle adventure.

From here (mid wales) Peter was heading up to the lakes, on into Scotland for a month then over to Ireland. His proper destination is Turkey but he's taking a long way round. He camps nearly every night and lives on pretty much nothing. All his kit fits into 4 smallish panniers and a bar bag … he was to be the happiest looking bloke I've ever seen.

If you are planning a big trip then the 2nd edition of the Adventure Cycling Handbook is out about now, certainly very handy.

We've just this minute added dates for 4 skills days to be held in the Peak District ( Whaley Bridge area, rather than our base in Wales). Details can be found at http://www.forestfreeride.co.uk

Cheers
stuart

Ahem … I'm sure you'll all be pleased to know the midges have just hit town half an hour ago!

I believe Johns route will also be through Carno … he'll have to go past the start by about 13 miles to reach Llanidloes then come back again.

Pretty much anyone coming from the north will go through Carno and if coming from the south you'll be passing through Llanidloes.

Off shore first aid should be fine.

The Blue Peris centre near llanberis do REC courses. They're run over 2 days and are designed for ourdoor type situations … repair a puntured lung with an innertube and gaffa tape. Lots of other outfits run them but Blue Peris will be about the cheapest as they're a non profit affair.

http://www.blueperis.co.uk/

I've done courses at a few venues over the years and in terms of value and course structure these fellas are very good. If you do book a course just tell them your situation regarding experience though … some courses will be full of folk who work in the outdoor industries doing refreshers which can mean the basics only get a brief mention.

Was indeed lucky … if you hadn't spotted it I might have been going out on thunderbird rescue 😉

Sounding like the nights will be a few degrees cooler than it was last week so I wouldn't worry about melting in your bag.

Sorry about the mis-information regarding 12/16 hours with the first aid … I'm sure that SMBLA used to specify a 16hr course (or perhaps it was BC if you wanted to take advantage of their insurance cover).

The Blue Peris centre in Llanberis run REC courses. I was there a month ago renewing my certificate, great course, very informal and laid back.

The first aid course required to pass SMBLA needs to be a 16hr not 12hr one … type REC first aid in to google and you'll get a good idea. Even if you never guide the REC courses are well worth doing.

The Milk Bar in Llanidloes is closing down 🙁 Did a cracking breakfast.

Choice is pretty limited John, however there's a Cafe in Llanbrynmair (3.5 miles from us) where you should be in time for an all day breakfast. It's on the right hand side of the main road … it will involve not turning for Staylittle and carrying on towards Mach' for 100 yards.

There are a few pubs between Newtown and us but I can't say how many will be serving food. Other than that Newtown would be your best bet …24 miles/45 mins from the start.

Thought it was impossible for you to get lost … with your gadget 😉

I was just going to say you won't go far wrong with a Vango (see above) and the prices at Gaynors are pretty good … in fact I've just bought a summer down bag from them this morning, much cheaper than anywhere else.

My uncle was knocked off his Vincent yesterday afternoon and killed. He was 65, ridden bikes full time from the age of 16, never had an accident until yesterday. The roads in the peak district are not a good place on a sunny Sunday afternoon 😕

Midges haven't arrived yet but it won't be long. Some sort of midge spray/cream would be wise.

I'm told the weather should hold till next weekend … fingers crossed. It's still about 12 degrees here at the moment @ 10pm.

Alpkit have been good enough to help us out with some prizes for the raffle so there'll be chance to get your hands on some of their dry bags … but not until you've returned 😀

Na, Dee won it and she just gives me pocket money … in coppers!

Morning, didn't think it'd take you long to arrive 😉

I take it good weather is on the cards then? … I should know this already as Iori at the next farm down predicted it in Jan/Feb.

I reckon what's in my pockets would take me over the superultralight limit.

Nick taking into account your food it looks like you're heading for the dizzy heights of "ultralight" … I'm awaiting input from flatfish who may be into minus figures.

Anyone know what their kit weighs? I'm told if it's sub 10lb excluding food then you can consider yourself "ultralight" and (god knows how) but if it's under 5lb then you'll enter the kingdom of heaven and people will fall at your feet for you will be "superultralight" 😉

Firstly why do you say yet? Clips and flats are different things, you don't move up to clipless pedals only across.

Secondly, change the pedals for something less – well sh1te really. The std flats that come with bikes offer limited grip but will still remove skin quite nicely.

Ok, shoes … 5:10s are about the grippiest shoes you can use with flats but they may not be to her taste (even the womens version) so I'd suggest some type of skate shoe, eg Vans. You're after something with a flat sole, that's why walking type shoes aren't always the best. Don't use a clipless shoe unless you don't like her much 😉

Sorry if it sounds a bit like a rant, it's not meant to but I come across the situation a lot.

Very nice too … for anyone who can't be arsed making straps I've noticed that Gelert do some. They're a few quid a pair and come in different lengths … sort of rainbow coloured.

You could just do what I saw a group do whilst on a DoE cycle expedition … every morning they gaffa taped all their kit to their bikes 😯 worryingly, the school they attended means some of them may one day be running the country.

I always take a pair of flipflops for such situations 😀

I'm with Mike, have a word with Gil. He's just done this years Welsh Ride Thing shirts and he also does our Forest Freeride ones too. Really easy to work with even when you know nowt like me and have a graphic designer GF who's known to be a bit of a perfectionist 😉

Loads of 'must do' bits Nick, ie you 'must do' them to get round and make it back 😉

Some of the views/locations alone are worth a push, carry, swearing session but I have to admit, it ain't no trail centre.

I'm starting to think it might be a good idea if I've 'left town' by the time everyone returns on the Monday … there's an awful lot of trees here you could throw a rope over 😆

Stuart

http://www.forestfreeride.co.uk

Under an hour to have her lifting her front wheel over logs, steps, etc … or your money back 😉

Stuart

We never get lost, we just lose contant with the map 😉

Tis true though … Teifi pools was a loooong way off last years route.