fatbikephil wrote: ↑Sat Oct 09, 2021 5:45 pm Cheers Stu. Nay idea of the terrain obviously but my first thought is "Carry all your food as there is little or non en-route"

I scanned along the route looking for resupply points... Llandidnoes, 25 miles, OK, maybe we won't have to carry much... Oh... that's it, apart from the odd village with a pub

fatbikephil wrote: ↑Sat Oct 09, 2021 5:45 pm Can I do this on a gravel bike?

I think this was Stu's attempt at plotting a gravel route...
[Map redacted]

Isn’t it the idea that the route isn’t revealed or discussed in detail?

lune ranger wrote: ↑Sat Oct 09, 2021 9:32 pm Isn’t it the idea that the route isn’t revealed or discussed in detail?

Yes, fair point Sorry Stu. Here's somewhere the route doesn't go:

fatbikephil wrote: ↑Sat Oct 09, 2021 5:45 pm Can I do this on a gravel bike?

i rode 2018 and 2019 events on a gravel bike
42mm tyres, rigid, narrow drop bars
i was young(er) and foolish
i swore so much on the 2019, and ordered the epic shortly thereafter
didn't get to ride in 2020, so this is the first time the epic will be used for what it was bought

so, "can i do this on a gravel bike?"
most likely, yes you can, skill level depending

the more pertinent question would be "would i want to ride this on a gravel bike?"
probably not.

====
to be fair, this year should be considerably drier than 2019, so a gravel bike might be fine.
2019 was an interesting year

With regard to gravel - I'd estimate that this years route is probably in the top 3 for gravel friendliness.

Bearbonesnorm wrote: ↑Sun Oct 10, 2021 11:17 am With regard to gravel - I'd estimate that this years route is probably in the top 3 for gravel friendliness.

In which case I'll be taking the Jones. Actually I've no choice now as I'm currently installed in my parents house and the Jones is the only bike I have with me.

Bearbonesnorm wrote: ↑Sat Oct 09, 2021 6:53 pm

bacon rolls?

Of course

May I pre order 12

Weather is looking promising for some quick times.

Is still pretty soft ground in the area at the moment, but if there's no more rain over the next week then it should firm up nicely.

Richard G wrote: ↑Mon Oct 11, 2021 11:16 am Weather is looking promising for some quick times.

Is still pretty soft ground in the area at the moment, but if there's no more rain over the next week then it should firm up nicely.

Cue 7 days of torrential rain.....

Don't be silly it will store the 7 days of rain for the ride date

Lazarus wrote: ↑Mon Oct 11, 2021 1:05 pm Don't be silly it will store the 7 days of rain for the ride date

For the full BB experience, it needs to start a day before to make sure the river crossings are appropriately dangerous.

Yeah, rain on the day is neither here nor there. It's definitely the days before that make the difference.

Not too give too much away for the November riders, but there is a part time - community cafe open at 59.2k. I have dropped them a message and they are going to be prepared for hungry riders...Its CASH ONLY though as its a community cafe run by voluneters, so be prepared. £5 for botomless coffee / tea and a cake, plus sandwiches for takeaway :) Thank me later :)

Not too give too much away for the November riders, but there is a part time - community cafe open at 59.2k. I have dropped them a message and they are going to be prepared for hungry riders...Its CASH ONLY though as its a community cafe run by voluneters, so be prepared. £5 for botomless coffee / tea and a cake, plus sandwiches for takeaway :) Thank me later :)

Good stuff. I did mean to give them a call and warn them

Alexinthepeaks wrote: ↑Mon Oct 11, 2021 1:50 pm Not too give too much away for the November riders, but there is a part time - community cafe open at 59.2k. I have dropped them a message and they are going to be prepared for hungry riders...Its CASH ONLY though as its a community cafe run by voluneters, so be prepared. £5 for botomless coffee / tea and a cake, plus sandwiches for takeaway :) Thank me later :)

that's brilliant.
thanks!

is this the cafe we went past a few years back?

Has been closed the last two times I went past it. :(

On that general note, there is a roadside cafe at 45km (ish).

Richard G wrote: ↑Mon Oct 11, 2021 2:25 pm Has been closed the last two times I went past it. :(

On that general note, there is a roadside cafe at 45km (ish).

anything at 100 to 120 ish km?
a few pubs that i might ask for snacks

as has been mentioned, might be a case of carrying all necessary food

Yes, off route. Wont say the name of the town as November spoilers.

Just a pub though (and there aren't many of those on the route, at least not open at the times you'd likely get to them). Oh, and one that shows on the map has been closed since 2018.

Theres an option to do a 4k or so detour at 125.5k, but the shop in the town closes at 8pm, so i imagine that youll have to be on the faster side to reach it in time. I plan on getting a supply pack at the Community Cafe, and drinking river water from there on out!

Alexinthepeaks wrote: ↑Mon Oct 11, 2021 2:42 pm Theres an option to do a 4k or so detour at 125.5k, but the shop in the town closes at 8pm, so i imagine that youll have to be on the faster side to reach it in time. I plan on getting a supply pack at the Community Cafe, and drinking river water from there on out!

have seen a few off-route places
might be the same
carry all i need

extra bacon rolls at the end.

There's an app called refill which shows where you can get water. Obviously not a lot of places on route, but it might come in handy.

Obviously not a lot of places on route,

Mid-Wales, there's no shortage of water, just carry a filter. It's a lot lighter than 3L.

On that subject... is it safe to use (filtered) the water near sheep / cow farms? Because there's a sh*tload of them on route.

Richard G wrote: ↑Mon Oct 11, 2021 3:24 pm On that subject... is it safe to use (filtered) the water near sheep / cow farms? Because there's a sh*tload of them on route.

You’ll probably get away with it without incident or you could get any number of nasty infections including ones that make you sub standard so much your kidneys fail…
How much of a betting man are you

Well, given I've got sick pretty badly twice after BB200/300 events... I'd say I'm not a betting man at all any more.

The Cafe at 59km have just emailed me to say:

"This year we are putting together packs for you that include the following.
Unlimited tea/coffee/ herbal tea etc. Just help yourself from the urn
1 x homemade cake from a selection or homemade scone , jam and cream
2 x sandwiches from a selection
1 x flapjack
1 x banana
All this for £13.00 cash only please bring the right money if you can – many thanks !
Vegan and gluten free options available please ask.
All the food will be wrapped so you can take it with you. Just select which cake and sandwiches you would like on the day.
As always all proceeds go to help maintain our little community centre thank you in advance for your support !
We will be open 11.30 am to about 5 pm or when the last person is through.
Have a great ride X"