bikepacking in the Elan Valley
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- whitestone
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bikepacking in the Elan Valley
This video https://bikepacking.com/plog/bikepackin ... les-video/ popped up on bikepacking.com. Many will recognise the trails. I'm not convinced by the "is it actually bikepacking if you don't have a dangling mug?" comment - I'll wait for the Krakatoa like explosion from Stu
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- Bearbonesnorm
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Re: bikepacking in the Elan Valley
Past caring Bob ... although I will continue to slip rubber dog turds into any dangling mug I happen across 'cos it makes me laugh.
May the bridges you burn light your way
Re: bikepacking in the Elan Valley
Watched that a couple of days ago, f**kin mug dangling comment riled me right up, maybe I'm turning into stu.
She attempted the Tuscany trail a couple of months back too and that was hard to watch as well.
She attempted the Tuscany trail a couple of months back too and that was hard to watch as well.
- Bearbonesnorm
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Re: bikepacking in the Elan Valley
I've learnt to let it go fella. I've also learnt how to squat over a parked bike and crap into a dangled mug. I've become quite accurateWatched that a couple of days ago, f**kin mug dangling comment riled me right up, maybe I'm turning into stu.
She attempted the Tuscany trail a couple of months back too and that was hard to watch as well.
Ooh also, can anyone explain to me what a 'freelance creative' is. I wonder if it might be like my job, only I call it 'nobbing about'.
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- RIP
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Re: bikepacking in the Elan Valley
I think the emphasis is on the "free" bit - it's the "remuneration" that people seem to expect you to do things for if you're offering a service or goods that an alternative, but equivalent, "professional" person/outfit would charge them loads for .
Last edited by RIP on Thu Sep 05, 2019 8:31 am, edited 1 time in total.
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The sign outside the asylum is the wrong way round.....
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The sign outside the asylum is the wrong way round.....
"At least you got some stories" - James Acaster
Re: bikepacking in the Elan Valley
the mug didnt offend me, but that dudes black vestwas shocking and her voice grates but other than that it was ok.
- summittoppler
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Re: bikepacking in the Elan Valley
I was actually asked by 'bad back' Tom to guide these guys on this trip. However I couldn't make it as I went back to work the day before after a 6 week summer break!
At least the weather was kind and for them...
At least the weather was kind and for them...
BAM: 2014, 2018 & ......
2024 Bikepacking nights: 5
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- Bearbonesnorm
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Re: bikepacking in the Elan Valley
Strangely ......... I wasn't. Kind of odd considering I was a guide for 12 years and it's sorta my back gardenI was actually asked by 'bad back' Tom to guide these guys on this trip.
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Re: bikepacking in the Elan Valley
A black vest and sandals in the Elan Valley in that weather? Do me a favour.
I’ve been abart a bit
- macinblack
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Re: bikepacking in the Elan Valley
I saw this the other day and wondered when it might apppear here.
It made it funnier expecting the anticipated remarks it would prompt.
It made it funnier expecting the anticipated remarks it would prompt.
Re: bikepacking in the Elan Valley
As much as I appreciate a good write up, photo set and some route info.. most videos of riding said route just don't hold my attention. I'd rather leave it a bit of a mystery and get out there eventually, rather than watch some youtube esq vlog.
Still props to Tom (interesting attire aside) as he is generally a top bloke and at the head of one the better shops in the South
Still props to Tom (interesting attire aside) as he is generally a top bloke and at the head of one the better shops in the South
- Bearbonesnorm
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Re: bikepacking in the Elan Valley
In fairness, I think this and things like it probably aren't really aimed at 'us' and by us, I mean those that have already spent more than a single night out there* - which I suppose is fairly obvious judging by most of the comments.
*look at me being all reasonable
*look at me being all reasonable
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- Dave Barter
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Re: bikepacking in the Elan Valley
I thought it was OK needs more swearing and I need to get a sleeve done
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- Bearbonesnorm
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Re: bikepacking in the Elan Valley
These could save you a lot of expense Dave. If you bought a few you could chop and change as the mood took youI need to get a sleeve done
May the bridges you burn light your way
Re: bikepacking in the Elan Valley
Like the 2nd from right! Just need to build my arms up so they look tight and manly otherwise it will be all baggy
- Bearbonesnorm
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Re: bikepacking in the Elan Valley
You'll be fine ....... these are ladies ones.
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- Bearbonesnorm
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Re: bikepacking in the Elan Valley
Actually, are you sure you like the second from the right? That skull appears to be wearing a tea cosy
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Re: bikepacking in the Elan Valley
It's watching this type of video that makes me wonder if doing my Diary of a Randonnuer thing is actually a good idea. I guess there will be a lot less whooping and being "on trend" but hmmm...
It's funny how you can watch a minute of this before looking at how much is left or get to 50mins in of Daves epic before you realise what the time is. The one video I have ever made where I actually spoke to camera ( ) the feedback was that people liked the honesty. That goes for Ride the Dave-ide IMO. Maybe it's the sense of feeling like I'm watching people who seem so hell-bent on showing what a great time they are having and "living their best life". Man, I've become a proper grumpy curmudgeon since passing 40.
I guess this goes back to Stu's point about experience. We all know there are plenty of bits of bikepacking and long riding that aren't all smiles and can be a bit sh1t. It's not as bad but this video is a bit like a British version of those Salsa bikepacking videos that are really just adverts.
On another note where is that bit of single track at 6:30?
EDIT: To be fair I thought I'd watch it again this morning over a coffee and actually it was fine. I was not having one of my best days yesterday.
It's funny how you can watch a minute of this before looking at how much is left or get to 50mins in of Daves epic before you realise what the time is. The one video I have ever made where I actually spoke to camera ( ) the feedback was that people liked the honesty. That goes for Ride the Dave-ide IMO. Maybe it's the sense of feeling like I'm watching people who seem so hell-bent on showing what a great time they are having and "living their best life". Man, I've become a proper grumpy curmudgeon since passing 40.
I guess this goes back to Stu's point about experience. We all know there are plenty of bits of bikepacking and long riding that aren't all smiles and can be a bit sh1t. It's not as bad but this video is a bit like a British version of those Salsa bikepacking videos that are really just adverts.
On another note where is that bit of single track at 6:30?
EDIT: To be fair I thought I'd watch it again this morning over a coffee and actually it was fine. I was not having one of my best days yesterday.
Last edited by composite on Thu Sep 05, 2019 5:35 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Re: bikepacking in the Elan Valley
1952 has been on, they want their bikepackers back...
Right miserable bunch of blokes you lot are on here sometimes
Right miserable bunch of blokes you lot are on here sometimes
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Re: bikepacking in the Elan Valley
It did felt like selling the dream rather than telling a story to people who have lived and breathed the reality of that dream. Nowt wrong with making a video like that to fund a lifestyle of cycling as long as you are reasonably clear that that’s what you’re doing which the hyperlinks and look at my bike!! Bits sort of did
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Re: bikepacking in the Elan Valley
At least they showed a bit of hike-a-bike, so at least that’s something like the brutal reality.benconnolli wrote: ↑Wed Sep 04, 2019 11:19 pm It did felt like selling the dream rather than telling a story to people who have lived and breathed the reality of that dream. Nowt wrong with making a video like that to fund a lifestyle of cycling as long as you are reasonably clear that that’s what you’re doing which the hyperlinks and look at my bike!! Bits sort of did
I’ve been abart a bit
Re: bikepacking in the Elan Valley
I get the impression the way that the ride is presented that they have taken on board comments made previously on this forum or are of the same mindset as some people on here. It's not greatly glorified and reflects pretty real conditions.
I also get the impression that the dangling mug thing is a very deliberate kind of humour. Surely? I mean, a mug is a useful container when packed inside a bag and I prefer mine not to be splattered in bovine effluent and roadkill
I also get the impression that the dangling mug thing is a very deliberate kind of humour. Surely? I mean, a mug is a useful container when packed inside a bag and I prefer mine not to be splattered in bovine effluent and roadkill
We go out into the hills to lose ourselves, not to get lost. You are only lost if you need to be somewhere else and if you really need to be somewhere else then you're probably in the wrong place to begin with.
- Charliecres
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Re: bikepacking in the Elan Valley
Yes, it suffers from the relentlessly cheery - “this is vaguely exciting” - presentational style of the Instagram adventurer but other than that I couldn’t see anything to be negative about. Not entirely my cup of tea but we can’t all be miserable old sods.
There was hike-a-bike, getting lost, arriving after dark, appreciation of the landscape and a positive response to less than ideal conditions. Hopefully it will inspire people to step outside their comfort zone and try something similar.
There was hike-a-bike, getting lost, arriving after dark, appreciation of the landscape and a positive response to less than ideal conditions. Hopefully it will inspire people to step outside their comfort zone and try something similar.