Welsh Ride Thing Preparations

With the Welsh Ride Thing (WRT) around the corner I have had to think seriously about the amount of riding I’m doing and what will be achievable over the nearly 3 full days. I have mapped around 12 of the way-points and initially covering a distance of approximately 110km with nearly 3000m of climbing. I have added an extra 15km loop on the last day which incorporates an additional way-point should I be feeling up to it, Its on forest track and passes a nice lake. If I can get there Sunday night I will be over the moon!

So my route has been split into 3 sections (30km/40km/40km) for each day but if I can push on I will. There is a mix of forest tracks, paths, A roads, B roads and country roads with about 40% of it offroad.

So much is spoken about kit choice, I thought I would list out my kit and where it is stored. The picture above shows my (unconventional) Salsa Vaya which I feel is wholly appropriate!

Components are:

Osprey Talon 22L Backpack | Revelate Designs Frame Bag | 9L Seat Pack | 8L Bar Bag | 2 x Salsa Anything Cages (5L/ea)

9L Seat Pack    

• Mountain Hardware sleeping bag (1002g)
• Rab Storm Bivi
• Expedition Foods Meals x4 (700g)

• Terra Nova Competition Tarp + pegs/guys (weather dependent)
• Thermarest 3/4 (482g)
• 1 x  wicking layer (bottoms) for camp
• 1 x wicking layer (ls top)

• Primus Eta Express Stove+ gas canister (480g)
• Lighter
• Alpkit cutlery (37g)
• Mountain Equipment Matrix Paclite jacket
• Berghaus Paclite trousers
• Berghaus Ignite Jacket

• Fleace hat
• Oakleys
• Gerber mini multitool
• Maps (printed on A4)
• Leica D-Lux 3 Compact Camera
• RAB jacket (279g)
• quick food
• pump|2 tubes| tools
• 4000mah Battery pack (190g)

• Snow Peak Mug (68g)
• Petzl Headtorch
• Coffee
• Garmin Geko GPS (backup)
• 1st aid kit
• Buff
• 2 x socks

The Salsa will also be carrying 3 water bottles ~2L and a Memory Map GPS.In its original guise its not the ideal bike for steep, hilly Wales fully loaded with kit. I have dropped the gearing to a respectfull 28/39 up front which combined with a MTB cassette puts me not far off low MTB gearing. I will also be running 29×1.6 tyres that are larger volume so should provide some comfort. Bars have been changed for woodchippers as fitted to Salsa’s Fargo. These are super comfy on and off road.

If the weather is looking good I will leave out some of the above kit and just take a bivi bag. Ifs its looking really bad I will likely put in my new Terra Nova Laser Competition to try out in place of a bivi bag and tarp.

So, all that is left is to keep an eye on the weather, pack and report back (with pictures) when its all done and dusted for another year. Wish me luck!