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NOT the Trans Cambrian Way.

Posted: Fri May 17, 2019 11:32 am
by Bearbonesnorm
I think the TCW is a great route and a really good introduction to multi-day stuff but I've always felt the end to be a proper anti-climax and that it should finish at the sea rather than a nondespript railway station.

Having threatened for some time to add a 'new' ending, I've finally pulled my finger out and am close to finishing a route which while sharing some TCW sections isn'r simply the TCW with a bit added. Anyway, my thought is, what should I do with it? Just send the gpx file to anyone interested? Stick a page up on the interweb? Turn it into some kind of event? I feel it'd be a shame for it not to be ridden / used.

Re: NOT the Trans Cambrian Way.

Posted: Fri May 17, 2019 11:39 am
by Dave Barter
Ride it on your shopper bike as a priority

Re: NOT the Trans Cambrian Way.

Posted: Fri May 17, 2019 11:43 am
by fatbikerbill
possiby add it to gpsies.com & tell us where ?

Re: NOT the Trans Cambrian Way.

Posted: Fri May 17, 2019 11:48 am
by Lazarus
I found parts of it to be a bit pointless - there for the distance rather than anythign interesting to see- so would love to see an alternative toute

Secondly there are multiple coast to coast routes in England so why not in Wales?

Given that put it up as a "rival" and see which becomes the most popular?

Re: NOT the Trans Cambrian Way.

Posted: Fri May 17, 2019 11:49 am
by PaulB2
One option is to add a routes section to the website with this and the big bear route as a start.

Re: NOT the Trans Cambrian Way.

Posted: Fri May 17, 2019 11:53 am
by techno
Whatever you end up doing with it a double could be a "Bear and back again".



I'll get me coat.

Re: NOT the Trans Cambrian Way.

Posted: Fri May 17, 2019 12:08 pm
by faustus
I agree that maybe a routes page on here or somewhere would be good, with a downloadable gpx. I think it's a good idea to have a reworked route, and I for one would be happy to give it a go. I'm planning on doing the TCW in June, so would happily look at a re-jigged alternate routing. Agree the ending doesn't work.

TBH i've always preferred the idea of a more wiggly south-north route covering what I think are the interesting bits of the south cambrian mountains. Bit like what's included in the Big Bear in that portion of it, but I guess a north/south route would miss some of the good stuff further east? Bit like a Cambrians Divide route, even though it wouldn't strictly be a divide.

Re: NOT the Trans Cambrian Way.

Posted: Fri May 17, 2019 12:11 pm
by Bearbonesnorm
One option is to add a routes section to the website with this and the big bear route as a start.
Website is due a full overhaul, so that could be on the list.
Whatever you end up doing with it a double
I had considered making it a double / loop but thought if there's decent train links it shouldn't need to be.
Ride it on your shopper bike as a priority
I've got a new shopper with 5 gears and a basket - can I use that one?
I found parts of it to be a bit pointless
I think any long route will always have bits in that appear so but I do know what you mean.

Re: NOT the Trans Cambrian Way.

Posted: Fri May 17, 2019 12:28 pm
by techno
Bearbonesnorm wrote: Fri May 17, 2019 12:11 pm
Whatever you end up doing with it a double " could be a "Bear and back again"."
I had considered making it a double / loop but thought if there's decent train links it shouldn't need to be.
It was meant as joke stu, clearly it was a completely sub standard one :lol:

Re: NOT the Trans Cambrian Way.

Posted: Fri May 17, 2019 12:33 pm
by ton
make it a event. I loved it when I rode it.

Re: NOT the Trans Cambrian Way.

Posted: Fri May 17, 2019 12:58 pm
by middleagedmadness
It's done before August Stu me and the boy will do this one instead of the original with the bit added on to the seaside what you were going to do for us :-bd

Re: NOT the Trans Cambrian Way.

Posted: Fri May 17, 2019 1:09 pm
by jameso
Post the route on bikepacking.com with some photos, tips and notes? A link-back to BBB page could be useful for traffic.

Re: NOT the Trans Cambrian Way.

Posted: Fri May 17, 2019 2:26 pm
by mechanicaldope
I'm looking for something to do this summer so this could be a contender. Any excuse to ride in the welsh hills!

Re: NOT the Trans Cambrian Way.

Posted: Fri May 17, 2019 3:16 pm
by ootini
Is the selfsupported.co.uk site not about anymore ?

Re: NOT the Trans Cambrian Way.

Posted: Fri May 17, 2019 3:35 pm
by javatime
+1 for a new "Routes" section with gpx in the forum

Maybe the genuine BB articles get a sticky (Bigbear, BB200s, those Bearstock routes etc all in one place)

Individual posts for other routes with any notes, like direction of travel if a circuit and any good cafes !

Re: NOT the Trans Cambrian Way.

Posted: Fri May 17, 2019 4:05 pm
by whitestone
ootini wrote: Fri May 17, 2019 3:16 pm Is the selfsupported.co.uk site not about anymore ?
It is but it's certainly been a while since it was updated. Ian Barrington's Cambrian Trail and the Big Bear route aren't there nor has the time for the fastest TCW double been updated.

Re: NOT the Trans Cambrian Way.

Posted: Fri May 17, 2019 6:23 pm
by Gregsie
Following with interest.

Planning on doing the TCW in July over two days with a bit added on as the rest of the family are staying on the coast.

Would your version be starting at Knighton or somewhere else on the border ?

Re: NOT the Trans Cambrian Way.

Posted: Fri May 17, 2019 6:38 pm
by Bearbonesnorm
Would your version be starting at Knighton or somewhere else on the border ?
Yes Knighton. It makes a good starting point with decent rail links to the coast.

Re: NOT the Trans Cambrian Way.

Posted: Fri May 17, 2019 10:34 pm
by Robster
Sounds great. I liked the TCW and a bikepacking variation on it would be a wonderful alternative.

Re: NOT the Trans Cambrian Way.

Posted: Sat May 18, 2019 8:41 am
by slarge
I'd be very interested in seeing the new bits Stu. The TCW is now about 10 years old as a set route, and things have changed (even the trails have changed in places). The finish is an anticlimax - I always thought the clock tower in Knighton and Mach would be the ideal start and finish points, but a seaside finish would give the route everything - mountain, forest, moorland, fields and beaches.

Publish it, you never know IMBA might be interested in updating the official TCW (not sure what Colin is doing now, but he might have handed over to someone...). After all, the yellow paint markers have pretty much gone now, so a repaint for a new version could be a win.

Re: NOT the Trans Cambrian Way.

Posted: Sat May 18, 2019 10:38 am
by Lazarus
i rode it dovey to knighton as at least you arrive somewhere. I assume that arriving at dovey must feel like you have run out of land rather than arrived anywhere.

Re: NOT the Trans Cambrian Way.

Posted: Sun May 09, 2021 7:06 pm
by Charliecres
I’m close to persuading a couple of MTB mates (new to bikepacking but reasonably fit and technically adept) to join me on a relaxed ride of the TCW.

I’d be very keen to include a better ending and any other improvements along the way.

Stu, is your alternative route finished, available or published anywhere? And if not, can anyone offer suggestions?

Ta v much.

Re: NOT the Trans Cambrian Way.

Posted: Sun May 09, 2021 7:10 pm
by Bearbonesnorm
I'll send you the alternate ending Charles - takes you to the seaside proper.

Re: NOT the Trans Cambrian Way.

Posted: Sun May 09, 2021 7:36 pm
by Charliecres
Thanks very much! :-bd

Re: NOT the Trans Cambrian Way.

Posted: Sun May 09, 2021 7:39 pm
by JohnClimber
Bearbonesnorm wrote: Sun May 09, 2021 7:10 pm I'll send you the alternate ending Charles - takes you to the seaside proper.
Makes me wonder which direction the WRT grid refs will be going this year?