Something Welsh for summer - Big Bear.
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- Bearbonesnorm
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Something Welsh for summer - Big Bear.
Just a little introduction to something I've been working on, that's now, nearly complete.
It's a 500+km circular route through Wales, that should hopefully be both challenging and enjoyable depending on your definition of both words. It could be started from any point but there are train stations at 4 points, so you can let the train take the strain should you wish.
As you can see, it goes both up and down, so those who don't like climbing needn't worry.
A final test ride to complete before putting it into the public domain.
It's a 500+km circular route through Wales, that should hopefully be both challenging and enjoyable depending on your definition of both words. It could be started from any point but there are train stations at 4 points, so you can let the train take the strain should you wish.
As you can see, it goes both up and down, so those who don't like climbing needn't worry.
A final test ride to complete before putting it into the public domain.
May the bridges you burn light your way
- whitestone
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Re: Something Welsh for summer.
Hmm.
I looked at the max and min elevation and had an evil thought Could you find somewhere below nominal sea level, i.e. somewhere only accessible at low tide but not subject to tidal races or anything dangerous, it would make pacing and timing interesting
I looked at the max and min elevation and had an evil thought Could you find somewhere below nominal sea level, i.e. somewhere only accessible at low tide but not subject to tidal races or anything dangerous, it would make pacing and timing interesting
Better weight than wisdom, a traveller cannot carry
- BigdummySteve
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Re: Something Welsh for summer.
More down than up
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I woke up this morning but I’m still in the dark
I woke up this morning but I’m still in the dark
- Bearbonesnorm
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Re: Something Welsh for summer.
Let's call it flatMore down than up
Mike and myself are going to ride it next week. Once I'm sure it all works as intended, I'll release the details.
May the bridges you burn light your way
- johnnystorm
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Re: Something Welsh for summer.
Bonzer.
A big round route that can be completed along with the Cambrian 500 and Trans Cambrian . It'll look like crosshairs....*
* cue having it in your sights comments.
A big round route that can be completed along with the Cambrian 500 and Trans Cambrian . It'll look like crosshairs....*
* cue having it in your sights comments.
Re: Something Welsh for summer.
It's like 5% gradient on average. Pffft. EasyBearbonesnorm wrote:Let's call it flatMore down than up
Are you going to make a full week of it and ride the Cambrian Trail too?Bearbonesnorm wrote:Mike and myself are going to ride it next week. Once I'm sure it all works as intended, I'll release the details.
Re: Something Welsh for summer.
Ian, is the Cambrian 500 route the same as published? (I seem to remember you talking about updates?)
I was planning a ride in April, but this has the advantage of logistics - an update after Stu and Mike have test ridden this loop will give another option.
What did we do before all these ITT routes?
I was planning a ride in April, but this has the advantage of logistics - an update after Stu and Mike have test ridden this loop will give another option.
What did we do before all these ITT routes?
Re: Something Welsh for summer.
Steve, yes Cambrian 500 = Cambrian Trail. Website has the final route GPX available to download. Possibly a tiny bit more accurate than the one you had last time, but no route changes as such.
- Bearbonesnorm
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Re: Something Welsh for summer.
No, Mike will have to return to work at some point. The entire west mids fire service will grind to a halt without himAre you going to make a full week of it and ride the Cambrian Trail too?
May the bridges you burn light your way
- Dave Barter
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Re: Something Welsh for summer.
You mean the section in charge of the holiday booking formsBearbonesnorm wrote:No, Mike will have to return to work at some point. The entire west mids fire service will grind to a halt without himAre you going to make a full week of it and ride the Cambrian Trail too?
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- Bearbonesnorm
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Re: Something Welsh for summer.
Happy to report that this is very nearly ready for 'release'. A couple of slight alterations have increased the length to just over 530km but have probably made the going easier.
So far, the consensus seems to be that 3 days might be possible but they would be very long, hard days and require good conditions but 5 days should be achievable at a brisk(ish) pace. You know me, I like badges so hopefully, I'll make a momento of completion available for anyone making it round in one go.
More to follow
So far, the consensus seems to be that 3 days might be possible but they would be very long, hard days and require good conditions but 5 days should be achievable at a brisk(ish) pace. You know me, I like badges so hopefully, I'll make a momento of completion available for anyone making it round in one go.
More to follow
May the bridges you burn light your way
Re: Something Welsh for summer.
I did a test ride of the first 300km, and it is a corker. Some wildness, civilisation, food, water and the odd hill thrown in. Thoroughly recommended!
- Bearbonesnorm
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Re: Something Welsh for summer.
Can't be bad, only a couple of weeks on and already fond memoriesI did a test ride of the first 300km, and it is a corker. Some wildness, civilisation, food, water and the odd hill thrown in. Thoroughly recommended!
May the bridges you burn light your way
Re: Something Welsh for summer.
Shame I have no space on my calendar this year or I'd give it a go.
I guess I could do it on a whim later in the year if I find myself with a block of good weather though.
I guess I could do it on a whim later in the year if I find myself with a block of good weather though.
Re: Something Welsh for summer.
I was loving it whilst riding Stu. Scenery, wildlife, nice weather, dry trails, how can that not be a perfect ride. Plus a lovely lady in the pub at somewhere. Must find my way back there...Bearbonesnorm wrote:Can't be bad, only a couple of weeks on and already fond memoriesI did a test ride of the first 300km, and it is a corker. Some wildness, civilisation, food, water and the odd hill thrown in. Thoroughly recommended!
- Bearbonesnorm
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Re: Something Welsh for summer.
Perhaps that'll motivate a fewPlus a lovely lady in the pub at somewhere.
May the bridges you burn light your way
Re: Something Welsh for summer.
I'd be interested Stu, may do something to re-ignite my enjoyment of riding post Divide.
Re: Something Welsh for summer.
Is the route available to download yet?
Zazen - nothing happens next this is it.
- Bearbonesnorm
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Re: Something Welsh for summer.
Not yet but soon, very soon.Is the route available to download yet?
May the bridges you burn light your way
- Bearbonesnorm
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Re: Something Welsh for summer - Big Bear.
Okay, I'm still trying to put this into some slightly formalised context but for now, if anyone would like a copy of the gpx file, email me and I'll forward it across.
The route will show the start / finish point as Knighton but there's no reason why you couldn't start at any point. It passes through a number of places with train stations and decent parking but remember the route runs clockwise.
Expect a good mixture of terrain and reasonable re-supply.
The route will show the start / finish point as Knighton but there's no reason why you couldn't start at any point. It passes through a number of places with train stations and decent parking but remember the route runs clockwise.
Expect a good mixture of terrain and reasonable re-supply.
May the bridges you burn light your way
Re: Something Welsh for summer - Big Bear.
Send it on Stu. Will be interested as part of CTR Training.
- Bearbonesnorm
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Re: Something Welsh for summer - Big Bear.
Electronic mail incoming.
May the bridges you burn light your way
- In Reverse
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Re: Something Welsh for summer - Big Bear.
Oh really?Bearbonesnorm wrote: remember the route runs clockwise.
- Bearbonesnorm
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Re: Something Welsh for summer - Big Bear.
Always one ... always youOh really?
May the bridges you burn light your way
Re: Something Welsh for summer - Big Bear.
Yes please, have pmd you.