El-an Back ... Entry closed and GR sent.

[crewlie]

Yes, thanks for the Travelodge link. That's now booked and should make the journey a bit easier. Route planning is fun when you have no idea of the trails or conditions, isn't it?

[Bearbonesnorm]

Route planning is fun when you have no idea of the trails or conditions, isn't it?

The GR should point you in the right direction. They're in places where there are *rideable trails/tracks (or near to).

*Some people may dispute this after the WRT last year

[johnnystorm]

I think I included some of the GRs..... I think we're planning to kip in a burial ground.....

[FLV]

I wonder how many bivi's versus tents there will be at this time of year.

I am potentially going to be having a more or less full nights sleep so considering the tent

[Taylor]

I'm considering my TN Laser Comp but that's only because I've got to justify the ownership of it.
Not used it for over 18 months now.

Or should I spread out in spacial luxury in the Trailstar.

[slarge]

Going to use a bivvy this year (tent last year) as I need to justify it now I have it. Plus it should be just as comfy as a tent in a cold wet windy Welsh hillside.

[johnnystorm]

As I'm riding with a mate we'll use my Argon. But I bought a Tarp today, he does have a Bivi bag too...

[FLV]

Stu, or anyone I guess.

Partly after reading a comment frome someone else on the WRT thread.

Is there anything at the grid refs no note down or stamp or anything?
Incidentally, I'm not fussed either way, just wondered like.
Cheers

[Bearbonesnorm]

Is there anything at the grid refs no note down or stamp or anything?

No ... the GR are there to give some ideas / inspiration when it comes to planning your route. You will however know when you've got to the compulsary one, as it's a very obvious landmark.

[FLV]

top stuff, thanks. didnt want to be forraging about in the undergrowth looking for something thats not there :D

[99percentchimp]

johnnystorm wrote:Oh, and I've plotted a route today with my mate. 106k all in.

Sounds like a good distance. I've had a brief look at the grid refs but I have no clue on the local trails (except ripping off what we rode on the BB200 so who knows what sort of random route I'll come up with. My mates didnt enter so I'm flying solo.

I'm in - route coming out at around 110km depending on a couple of variations that will depend on ground conditions and weather before and on the day.... route is looking very figure of 8 shaped. Some tracks are a bit of a gamble and one hill crossing could be 'interesting' if the weather gets up.
Longer first day to include cafe and pub stops and a shorter return on Sunday. Hopefully the weather will be like last year - cold and clear skies (kiss of death there then!).

[Bearbonesnorm]

Hopefully the weather will be like last year - cold and clear skies (kiss of death there then!).

It's not looking too bad so far, even the promise of snow

http://www.yr.no/place/United_Kingdom/W ... /long.html

[johnnystorm]

Yay!

/goes off to check what he's packed

[Ian]

Weather forecast downgrades the snow to common or garden rain.

Haven't finalised my route yet, but contemplating travelling light and stopping in a bothy on Saturday night.

[Bearbonesnorm]

contemplating travelling light and stopping in a bothy on Saturday night.

Taken from the GR email

Again the overnight GR are soley there to give you some ideas, you're free to spend the night where you like, so long as it's outside.

[FLV]

Route now planned. Looking forward to it now.

Tarp hasnt arrived yet from borah so I may be forced down the tent route it seems at the minute.

[Chew]

You have friends in high places Stu. Mild december, winter conditions on the right weekend :)

Recon about a 110k route, hopefully with pub and breakfast cafe stop.
If anyones looking for a riding buddy let me know

[Ian]

contemplating travelling light and stopping in a bothy on Saturday night.

Taken from the GR email

Again the overnight GR are soley there to give you some ideas, you're free to spend the night where you like, so long as it's outside.

Fine, I'll sleep outside it then

[Bearbonesnorm]

Fine, I'll sleep outside it then

:D

[Clink]

Forecast is a tad chilly, possibly -4/5 at night. :)

I'm planning on taking Finisterre Etobicoke and Montane Prism jackets - I figure that together they will be warn enough with baselayers etc?

Or should I get a down jacket?

[Bearbonesnorm]

I reckon you'll be fine clink. For much of the year I only use a RAB Generator and it's not bad ... the great big down jacket only really comes out a couple of times a year.

If you can pitch up in the trees it's surprising how much warmer you'll be

[Clink]

Ta - credit card can breath a sigh of relief!

[Bearbonesnorm]

However if I'm wrong and you die, can I have your bike?

If you do decide to take the plunge on a jacket, these don't look bad for the cash ... L only though.

http://www.theoutdoorshop.com/showPart.asp?part=PN620

[slugwash]

Right, I've now got two of the three maps in front of me so I'll start marking the GRs and plotting the northerly section of the route. Hopefully, Jim, who has the OS200 map, will get to work on the Elan end this evening.

Not taking a bivi bag this time, but taking a tarp and a 3 season bag with a Drilite outer. I was going to tinker with the absolute minimal clothing but after cross referencing the latest weather reports, I'll err on the side of caution. I still haven't got around to cobbling together a half decent bar harness so will probably put anything not on the back rack in an OMM 32L backpack. This will hopefully make me look a bit more hardcore compared with previous excursions sporting an ill fitting drybag hanging dischordantly off my handlebars on two, different sized, multicoloured bungees :)

[johnnystorm]

I think I ought to just go and see if everything fits ok on my bike before its too late.....