Trans Cambrian - Postponed! - Date TBD

[KamelTrek]

Hi Everyone,

I'll be leaving London by train towards Knighton on December 18th in the evening to start first thing in the morning on Dec 19th. Plan to finish Sunday afternoon / evening. I plan to camp over night on Saturday, but happy to follow the lead of any experienced rider who knows the trail. I don't have any goals except to have fun and get out there.

I'll download the GPX on my gramin and follow it out. That's all I know for now. Any advice / questions or interest, please register that below.

Any ride share options from London, I'm in! And happy to split expenses.

P.S> Although a long shot, the forecast looks sunny and cold. Not sure if it's a trick by the Welsh ministry of tourism, but it worked on me and inspired me to plan this trip.

[Scattamah]

Have informed Mrs Scattamah of this...she asked me if I'd like to be sectioned now or later (after my terrible first attempt). :)

Should be fun.

Greetz

S.

[KamelTrek]

My mrs. said 'Go For it' which may or may not mean the dog house. While on the trail, such issues don't matter, which is the magic of bike packing.

[KamelTrek]

I'm sure you can all use search, but thought i'd make it easier. Here are some links to write ups by other riders who did this trail:

http://www.mbswindon.co.uk/mountain-bik ... brian-way/

http://uninspiredramblings.com/2014/04/ ... -cambrian/

http://www.bikepacking.com/routes/trans-cambrian-way/


Long term forecast still saying sunny. Hope it stays that way.

[Scattamah]

Forecast ain't looking that hot at the moment depending on where you look. *grins* Accuweather (are they ever accurate?) seems to say 3 days of dry weather before the crap hits, which is good for underneath the wheels. Given how much water is coming down between now and then, I'd say there'll be plenty of swimming pools to deal with.

Wet fun approaching.

Greetz

S.

[Bearbonesnorm]

I'm struggling to think of a time it's rained so much for so long. Since Nov 5th, it's rained every day bar one. Sometimes, just drizzle (usually backed up by high winds) and other times a proper continual downpour for hours on end (usually backed up by high winds).

[Scattamah]

'Tis kinda rubbish eh? :) The wet I don't mind...but that relentless wind - it grinds the soul down. Can't imagine it will be any worse than my last attempt, just a little cooler on the temps.

Greetz

S.

[KamelTrek]

South Spain sounds very appealing right now. Might be worth holding off till Dec 11 (Weekend prior) to see what the weather looks like and make the final call as I am not keen on riding through thunderstorms.

Wondering if a three day plan is more reasonable given that days are so short? I'm riding for the scenery :)

[Scattamah]

Don't let a little bit of weather scare you off - you can still see through rain. :)

2 days is acceptable with an early start...I started at 11am a few weeks back and with abysmal conditions made it half way on the first day. An early start on the 2nd day and we should be done before the last train back to Shrewsbury.

Greetz

S.

[KamelTrek]

OK - that makes me feel better as I'd love to be home Monday morning and start my xmas break properly.

[KamelTrek]

Train gets to Knighton at 7:15 p.m. on Friday Dec 18. I'll Bunk there overnight and hit the trail first thing Saturday at dawn.

I wouldn't mind some wild camping Saturday night. It will have to be somewhere 50-60 miles into the route. Let me Know if you have a spot in mind.

[Scattamah]

Claerddu bothy is @ 50 miles...Nant Rhys bothy is @ 70 miles. If it's wet like it's promising, I'd say use the bothies and dry out kit. If you're dead keen on a night out on the ground, that's ok too - I have a 5" bathtub on my tent so I'll be dry :)

Greetz

S.

[KamelTrek]

Good to have options at 50 and 70 miles. I say Bothy if wet. Will save me the weight of a tent and morning faffing around to pack up.

But if my wish comes true and it's sunny / dry-ish (you must think I'm crazy by now) then it's out in the stars with a fire to warm up.

[Bearbonesnorm]

then it's out in the stars with a fire to warm up.

Why would you light a fire and leave yet another unsightly scar on the landscape? ... apologies if you can do it without leaving any trace of you presence but I've yet to meet anyone who can(be arsed).

Sorry if that sounds a little forthright but campfires for no reason other than to 'enhance' the outdoor 'experience' really bother me. If you need a fire to keep warm, you're carrying the wrong kit.

[Scattamah]

For reference... http://bearbonesbikepacking.blogspot.co ... fires.html

I'll be in my tent wrapped up in dry kit...no fires for me :)

But in a bothy...it'll be raging...given my ignition doesn't fail me again! *laughs*

Greetz

S.

[KamelTrek]

Sorry guys. Dumb Canadian wondering if the world is like back home. I totally respect local etiquette and can see your point. Appreciate the candidness.

Bothy it is then, and will bring a few ignition options.

[Scattamah]

Hah! That's ok...don't sweat it. But you've just missed out on something...imagine my shock that a user from London sounds like a Canuck! Would've been worth a photo *grins* This'll be funny...two foreigners cruising the backblocks of Wales hollerin' about the UK weather :)

Greetz

S.

[KamelTrek]

Don't let a little bit of weather scare you off - you can still see through rain. :)

2 days is acceptable with an early start...I started at 11am a few weeks back and with abysmal conditions made it half way on the first day. An early start on the 2nd day and we should be done before the last train back to Shrewsbury.

Greetz

S.

[KamelTrek]

That's hilarious! Looking forward to Dumb and Dumber do Wales kinda of thing.

Think we can catch the 15:53 back from Dovey?

[Bearbonesnorm]

There's an Englishman, Canadian and an Aussie in a bothy ............

[Bearbonesnorm]

Claerddu bothy is @ 50 miles...Nant Rhys bothy is @ 70 miles

Realistically ... which do you think you're likely to make on Sat night? I know much will depend on the conditions but I thought I might join you for a few miles.

[Scattamah]

Bare minimum - Claerddu. Sniff out Nant Rhys...if we're not there, carry on...it's only 20 miles in horizontal rain to look forward to, right? :)

Greetz

S.

[Scattamah]

Think we can catch the 15:53 back from Dovey?

As long as we're out by 7am and we're not being beasted by a headwind, I would've thought we stand a good chance.

Greetz

S.

[Scattamah]

Ya know...just a thought...we should look at the prevailing winds and take the direction that will cause us least impedence. If it's blowing from the west, let's start @ Dovey Junction...otherwise start from Knighton.

Thoughts on a postcard.

Greetz

S.

[Bearbonesnorm]

It's likely to be a westerly ... 9/10 it is. If you were out today you really wouldn't have to pedal