Planning a week or so of cross country/downhill/bike packing (not all on the same bike)

I'm spending a day riding Forest of Dean then a day at Bike Park Wales. If I survive the downhill mayhem I'm heading to over for a short overnighter on the Gower Loop http://www.bikepacking.com/routes/gower ... king-loop/
then pressing onto Shropshire for the start of the Trans Cambrian Way http://www.bikepacking.com/routes/trans-cambrian-way/on July 14th. Been looking forward to doing this for a long time

Have you considered doing it backwards? Dyfi junction is a total anti-climax, there's nowt there. Knighton has shops and feels more like a destination.

Also, W to E will likely put the wind at your back and remove the draggy grassy climbs out of Knighton.

Bearbonesnorm wrote:Have you considered doing it backwards? Dyfi junction is a total anti-climax, there's nowt there. Knighton has shops and feels more like a destination.

Also, W to E will likely put the wind at your back and remove the draggy grassy climbs out of Knighton.

Seconded. I really recommend last train to junction and bivy at station for early start. Worked a treat for me

Bearbonesnorm wrote:Have you considered doing it backwards? Dyfi junction is a total anti-climax, there's nowt there. Knighton has shops and feels more like a destination.

Also, W to E will likely put the wind at your back and remove the draggy grassy climbs out of Knighton.

Hmmm ... hadn't considered it TBH. I've got the maps from IMBA UK and the directions start at Knighton.... shouldn't be a probem reversing it though thanks for the tip

The only downside to a W-E run is Foel Fadian but it's pretty short lived and near enough to the start that you'll have fresh legs.

West to east does sound better, though i love the foel fadin descent on my cross bike and the climb out of Knighton isn't that bad either.

I did it early last year when it was very wet http://bobwightman.blogspot.com/search/ ... s-cambrian If the ground conditions are anything like they are round here then I'd seriously consider a full suspension bike as hoof marks, etc. are rough as to ride over.