lune ranger wrote: ↑Mon Oct 05, 2020 12:09 am

ScotRoutes wrote: ↑Mon Oct 05, 2020 12:00 am

htrider wrote: ↑Sun Oct 04, 2020 11:02 pm This is great, I haven't a clue where you are all talking about. For all the routes I've done in Scotland I've gone in with a fair bit of knowledge. For this I know pretty much hee haw and I'm looking forward to taking it all as it comes. I'm not even going to do much / any route home work

Based on my one experience, expect lots more gates and lots more sheep's hit than you are used to.

Gates with sub standard hinges held shut with plastic twine is the usual arrangement in mid Wales.

Luke... you'd be surprised. Before I met Alex the last gate was this masterpiece...







Took a few minutes of head scratching before I realised how it worked, but it did work wonders and so effective/smooth. This was off the route though, on which I probably met about 7 gates (in 20 miles).

Only one held together with string AFAIR but none were the variety that one (like Karl for example who was once impressed that I got off at every gate) could open and close whilst still on bike. They mostly required your undivided attention and respect

Null

He's had a quite a rough, slow day by the sounds of things, including a 45 minute diversion due to an uncrossable river...

Did he not look at the forecast?

Should have been a T shirt

redefined_cycles wrote: ↑Mon Oct 05, 2020 3:14 am No... this bit I believe as it leaves the paved road, straight through that stream and up a 4x4 track. Pretty sure ita this as there was definitely houses/a house on my left AFAIR



Dullas Brooke must be what became Dullas River for Andys mate ?!

This is the crossing by the looks of it.

https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/3757563

There's a footbridge over it apparently.

https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/3757556

I can't for the life of me work out where it is though (satellite view).

Heatmap doesn't show anything obvious:

Though if it was very close to the main track it wouldn't show up.

Cause I'm in too deep, and I'm trying to keep
Up above in my head, instead of going under

Bearbonesnorm wrote: ↑Mon Oct 05, 2020 8:30 am

He's had a quite a rough, slow day by the sounds of things, including a 45 minute diversion due to an uncrossable river...

Did he not look at the forecast?

I believe he's "closing an aqueduct" for the rest of the month. Don't think that's a euphemism but who knows?

Those contrasting photos capture a moment beautifully

Those contrasting photos capture a moment beautifully

Quite obviously all done with photoshop

Looks more like a pic from the Cairngorms 300 !

Bearbonesnorm wrote: ↑Mon Oct 05, 2020 12:31 pm

Those contrasting photos capture a moment beautifully

Quite obviously all done with photoshop

Photoshop has done wonders to match that lovely red / brown / ochreous / hematite colour so perfectly

It's graphic representation of expectation vs reality as well - placid tranquil stream to dangly your toes in whilst resting in the dappled shade (expectation) to raging torrent that's going to make you so cold and wet it'll last for the rest of the ride (reality).

Happy with my plan on giving it a couple of days to dry out then...

Richard G wrote: ↑Mon Oct 05, 2020 11:10 am

redefined_cycles wrote: ↑Mon Oct 05, 2020 3:14 am No... this bit I believe as it leaves the paved road, straight through that stream and up a 4x4 track. Pretty sure ita this as there was definitely houses/a house on my left AFAIR



Dullas Brooke must be what became Dullas River for Andys mate ?!

This is the crossing by the looks of it.

https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/3757563

There's a footbridge over it apparently.

https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/3757556

I can't for the life of me work out where it is though (satellite view).

Yes... thats the one Rich. Was quite happy with myself that my plan of getting the weather window worked (for this tiny 20m section that is) then looked back in pity at anyone coming behind me in the coming days...

Whilst I was doing that there was an elderly couple stood at what must've been that gate. They looked they were considering the stream and how it'd look in the coming days...

Stop this route discussion now. The surprise is being ruined.

Dave Barter wrote: ↑Mon Oct 05, 2020 1:56 pm Stop this route discussion now. The surprise is being ruined.

Sorry Dave. It was Rich. For the 20 miles I managed it was all rather beautiful

Also, I've ridden through the storm already so hopefully anyone else should experience the pleasant weather

Dave Barter wrote: ↑Mon Oct 05, 2020 1:56 pm Stop this route discussion now. The surprise is being ruined.

The surprise will be if you have to paddle, wade, or swim!

redefined_cycles wrote: ↑Mon Oct 05, 2020 1:59 pm Also, I've ridden through the storm already so hopefully anyone else should experience the pleasant weather

Hmmm - Heavy rain forecast for Friday (by YR at least):
https://www.yr.no/place/United_Kingdom/ ... /long.html

I know it's easy to comment from the comfort of my home-office chair but that stream looked wadeable but fully understand I don't have all the facts and the power of moving water is not to be underestimated.

I wouldn't want to drink the water mind - it did not look very appealing - possibly all that foam is from discharging storm sewer overflows.

After that insane BB300 ride I wont be wading anything in a hurry again.

Perhaps Stu should market BBB carbon poles as having double usage as a yard stick for measuring the depth of fords

Dave Barter wrote: ↑Mon Oct 05, 2020 1:56 pmStop this route discussion now. The surprise is being ruined.

I was going to say something similar

Half of the "fun" is not knowing what you're going to find en-route.


Going to suggest that any ride reports are left until November?
(potential safety issues aside)

Maybe a separate thread then. That way anyone who wants to avoid route discussion can stay out of it.

Yes, separate thread with a spoiler alert a good idea. Would be a shame not to hear people's stories throughout the month.

It troubles me somewhat that people concern themselves with gps devices, battery packs, dropper posts, specially formulated food and drink ... and yet, it's a mere gate that foils them.

I'll send you one of these so you can have a practice Shaf.

I've seen hundreds of those type of gates. I can't be the only one!