Any question answered...

Looks like a stunning route and it's going to be interesting if you're carrying camping gear (by the looks of your stops at various campsites).

Perfect route from North of Bristol over the Severn Bridge. It can be a bit tricky to get in the right place to cycle over the Severn Bridge, you want to aim for here http://goo.gl/maps/PG3oE

Most A-roads in Wales are generally lovely although the A40 between Raglan and Abergavenny has a suitable alternative that you're already using.

The A465 from Merthyr is another one to avoid given the useful non A-road alternative, but there's plenty of chances to switch between the two if the A465 this out to single carriageway.

No idea about the section from Abergavenny to Machynlleth but the A487 North from Machynlleth is very nice. Done that road a few times. The A470 from Dolgellau is stunning, shame you're not going as far as Llanberis (just for the views of Snowdon from Pen-y-Pass).

No reason not to use the section of A5 you've used past Capel Curig through Betws-y-Coed to Corwen. More stunning views (if you're lucky with the weather) if you look back at Snowdon.

You'll notice the difference in roads the minute you go back over the border into England. Don't know much about the roads from that point on.

For the Peak District I'd gladly use any of the roads from this ride again: http://www.strava.com/activities/162788637

Get some nikwax tech wash.

Wrong thread...

Until it rains

You one eat too many roast hazelnuts?

much appreciated, cheers for the suggestions @Greenbank. we're certainly going to incorporate as many not-to-be-missed places as we can

looks like we're going to get an ace route with lfgss forum help :-) we will have a support vehicle for any necessary camping gear and some luggage, the group will be about 8 persons I think

Goldeneye Guides are a great back-up on the road: National, regional and unofficial cycle routes with notes. I met the author when he was out this way: he's cycled most of the country (but keeps coming back to Suffolk, natch).

Would the bubbled/corroded paint in this picture put you off buying the frame/does this look like anything to worry about structurally? Looks cosmetic to me but I am no expert.

I would be very tempted to start the route with a slight diversion into the Cotswolds; Stroud, Fairford, Lechlade, Cheltenham etc - some really beautiful English countryside around there, lovely quiet roads, still plenty bumpy but not compared to what you've got scheduled for later. Is also riddled with charming pubs.

Anyone tried one of these handlebar phone mounts. Looks to get decent reviews but I'd have some concerns about how secure it is
http://getfinn.com/

Re: hazelnuts

Yes, yes you can eat too many.

foffa thread >>>>>>>>>>>

With equal number of spokes what's the most aerodynamic arrangement?

Radial, X3, x4?

I've used one of these since christmas to put ny phone on when i'm strava-ing around the countryside, its always been great.
makes you wonder how garmin etc are still in business....

top tips, @Scilly.Suffolk & @owl - country lanes are what we're after, esp. in pub riddled regions ;-)

Radial

Tnx and wouldn't they be more efficient were they at an angle rather than pointing to the centre you think?

1. You'd need one side leading, the other side trailing for that to even stay still
   
2. The torque through the hub shell would end painfully.
   

I'm not sure. I said radial beacause the spoke length will be shorter. Realistically though if you want an aerodynamic wheel you'll be using ≤ 24 spokes so you'll struggle to build that with three crosses.

You need Sheldon's POWerwheels

Makes sense. Maybe some kind of star pattern then, without any crossings. In reality I guess radial wins, though

I don't think you get wheels.

@Snottyotter
Spiral lacing is pretty aero, no?

Probably, yeah.

Wheels are one of these things, were you can imagine lots of wonderful ways how things could work, and you wonder "Why hasn't this been done before?"

Until you finally realize "Wait. That doesn't work at all." and reality gets you back.

Yeah, i still have to get my head round the invention of fire