LFGSS Bikepacking Weekend 3: Dec 1st/2nd, South Wales

The first and second installments of these trips were very fun, and so I will be running another one.

The quick info:

When: Saturday 1st Dec to Sunday 2nd Dec
Where: South Wales, the Brecon Beacons and Black Mountains. Train to Merthyr Tydfil/Abergavenny
What: 50-60km each day of doubletrack, singletrack, tiny roads. Bring an MTB if you have one. Otherwise a lightly packed cross/allroad bike with 40c tires might work. I need to check snow level!
Overnight: We will stay in this beautiful secluded bothy overnight. It's not large so let's hope there's not already 10 people inside when we rock up.
Am I welcome: Yes, if you have a positive attitude and enough half-decent kit to come round
Mood: Open and supportive, stopping to chill often, making a grand old fire in the evening

Route idea:

Suggested trains (do not book these yet! the event is not finalised):

Tempting, the following weekend would be ideal, but I might get this too

This looks grand! Provisionally in!

Following with interest

Following with interest too.

Thanks everyone.
My research suggests it won't be that snowy (that pic at the top was taken in Feb this year).
One fewer thing to worry about!

So it'll just be knee deep bogs instead ;)

this is wales not epping!

Yeah, I did some excellent bog walking with my bike (and two panniers) on the way to Merthyr Tydfil earlier this year...

some more pictures for the moodboard, bring a better bike than my friend here:

ascent to bothy:

bothy spot:

10min no pedalling descent to Hay-on-Wye:

phwoar

10min no pedalling descent to Hay-on-Wye:

While cycling backwards, no less. Impressive!

No cheeky laps of BPW while you're in Merthyr?

skills to pay the bills

I did actually think about doing this.
if anyone wants to ride a lap or two of Bike Park Wales I am well up for it, probably would be something to do on Sunday afternoon.
Either on your own bike or rent one for half a day or so.

frantically digging pinkbike and ebay ads for a hardtail

The bothy looks great but like you might have to stand up and wedge in to sleep - hardly looks long enough to lie down in! Possibly gf and I are both keen, coming from Bristol so not too far a journey.

there's a "loft" area at the top which could take 3 or maybe 4 lying down.
and a smaller platform underneath for one. or maybe two extremely friendly people.
then the floor which could fit a few more on sleeping mats.
stove is downstairs, so those people get the most of the warmth.
let's hope there's not loads of people inside when we arrive!

So a tent just in case is a good idea?

probably good if one of us takes a tent/tarp in case.

I only have a one man tent.

I'll bring a 3 man tarp then. just need to finish sewing it together!

Nice one!

Keen to see this!