Mach 'n Back 2012 - a chilly start to the bikepacking year

The first Bear Bones Add-venture of 2012 has been and gone. 35 riders braved the slightly unexpected wintery conditions and set off into the hills following their route to Machynlleth … for many a show of gritty determination and stedfast resolve would be required if they were to make it before the chippy shut!

Obviously an important element of any bikepacking trip is spending the night under the stars and Mach 'n Back's no different. There were five potential bivvy spots spread over a considerable area. Not everyone managed to make the spot they'd chosen before the effects of the ever increasing cold, tiredness or plain old darkness meant that they bedded down wherever they happened to be. The warm, wet weather of the previous weeks had been substituted for dry, sunny and very cold … a rather frigid -6°C was recorded early on Sunday morning at the highest camp. Those who had chosen to hold up within the confines of the forests must be been thankful for the added insulation offered by the tree cover.

The first riders to return appeared some time around 10.30 on Sunday morning looking in need of tea, cake and a source of warmth to thaw their toes out. The second wave of returning rough sleepers coasted in an hour later and a steady stream continued right up until 4.00pm. As usual there was plenty of stories to be swapped and even more tea and cake to be consumed, no one seemed in any hurry to rush off anywhere.