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

That's exactly what I mean. Thanks.

yep. was discussing this with pit the other day. it might be good.

the plan is, wait until tomorrow (monday) evening 6pm.
we will then decide whether wales will be "bad but with good spots" or "really bad".
if it's "really bad" then we will decide between

• North downs, end to endish or
  
• New forest, gravel kinda ride
  depending on the forecast in each place.
  
  

pray4wales indeed.

If STW did it with Cycling UK and Cycling Weekly then here is the CW write up,

https://www.cyclingweekly.com/routes/south/search-gravel-bike-adventures-englands-green-pleasant-land-396116

Bike update - lucky I decided to look at the mountain bikes tonight. My front wheel needs basically rebuilding...so fingers crossed I can get that done this week. Although 90% chance of rain all day on Saturday in Brecon isn't looking too inviting :/

Weather forecast for the spot nearest our bothy

lozzles.

I mean, it doesn't sound horrendous....

yeah, agreed.
hmmm.

My inner wuss says no.

ugh I'm having second thoughts about this

It changed to 80% rain at noon. Are we in or out?
Climbing on those wet rocks will be "fun".

Wales is not happening, weather is too bad and we won't have fun. It's so lovely in sun.
Don't be sad, we'll do it in 2019.

What do people think about the other locations. New Forest or North Downs or wherever. Thanks.

Saturday looks grim all over England, Sunday possibly a little better. I haven't seam sealed my tent yet and doubt will be able to this week. If the forecast is "mostly rain" by Thursday then I'm out :(

Fair call, but disappointing (not you, the weather) - very keen for a non-chilly-mudfest version of this ride. I'm afraid I don't think we'll be joining you in the alternative locations, but the New Forest is superb for gravelness. Although @yakut's weather map suggests possibly even worse weather right over the New Forest!

Would be up for the North Downs. My mother lives close to the route where it goes past Barham perhaps I could ask her about camping spots and dropping in for tea? and there are some nice trails in the woods there for a diversion.

North Downs Way gets my vote. If the weather turns on us we can always bail and ride back to London.

jesus this weather map is grim!
let's wait a few days and see if anywhere is ok.

cheers, that would be ace.
also if she knows anywhere that we can camp under shelter - bothy, abandoned building, barn, etc?

Saturday looks horrible, Sunday not so much. I think I'll just ride as far as I can on North Downs way on Sunday and give the camping a pass this time.

Currently North Downs looks like this :-! https://www.instagram.com/p/BqpC6-fFKz1/
I think maybe this is not the weekend for any cycling at all, sadly.

I don't mind getting wet when I know that I'll have access to hot bath when I'm done with riding :)

Given the cost and the likely conditions, I'm gonna sit this one out and stay home. Hope fun is had in some way!

yeah same unfortunately. i'm oot! i'll keep my eyes peeled for the next welsh one though. route and bothie looked lovely!

where are we at with this? I was thinking we might camp/bed down in a village sports ground if you still wanted but I can't get my head around the route. are we likely to actually be in the vicinity of my mum's place at sleepy time? It is over half way I think but i don't mean it isn't do-able. I also think there might be a wires-crossed situation because you might have read Barham and thought I meant 'Burham' where the Cycling Weekly folks camped. tthey are in different parts of the rout though.

I am not riding this weekend at all, anywhere, this event is cancelled.
should have updated you already, but I think everywhere in the UK will be miserable due to weather.

Neither am I. May go for a spin around richmond park tomorrow morning.