10:30 YUP! steeper than looks I recall some wales hills and places like that if not that same path... screaming to myself this is a crazy trail for a gravel bike, amazing scenery total gravel paradise no doubt.
Saw a lot of Wales when in Hereford for 2 years, it’s beautiful. Now living in Australia, you’re a braver man than I, no way would be riding over 100k’s in 30 degree heat, never mind your over 100 mile route touching 40 degrees. Still an amazing experience 😎
Fantastic video again David. I’m definitely going to do that one. I rode the KAW with my Welsh buddy so I know he’ll be up for it. Keep it coming, love the channel. J
I rode a version of the north downs way in June. Maidstone down through Canterbury then Dover across to felixstowe and back up. Loved the ride, had major mechanical issues, but the hills were killers for me. Next year something flatter for me.
GREAT footage, David! Really enjoyed watching this one. LOVE your bike as well. Two questions about the rear tire; 1) could you even get a wider tire on that back wheel and still avoid rubbing against that front mech? And 2) did you bring a spare tire with you on that trip or did you have to manage with that torn and tattered one? At any rate, thanks for sharing!
Not sure you’d really have space with the front mech battery - 1x might give more space as there’s 6mm between tyre and frame. Didn’t take a spare tyre but luckily the plugs and inner tube got us home
Great video, GMBN did this route on an XC bike a few months ago, so a good comparison. I see the WTB puncture fairy was in attendance, their gravel tyres seem to have a reputation fro being fragile.
Great video!!! Seemed like sections of that route really stretched the definition of gravel. I'll be honest, if given the option, I'd much rather do the journey on a mountain bike with the best tires made for dealing with savage road surfaces.
Great video and proving to be very helpful to me as I'm planning this ride later on this year. While you were doing this I was taking on the Icknield Way and Peddars Way so nowhere near as brutal as this. Most people go east to west so how did you find it going the other way? Reason I ask as I too want to do it the same way and then ride the rest of the way home, approx another 200 miles. I have a 29er with plus tyres so hope I don't suffer to the flints.
Got it. On David’s next video there’s a shot of him going along the trail and the label is slightly showing… “ordel”. A bit of Googling reveals it’s a brand call “Cordel” based in Spain who make custom cycle luggage… looks like it could be the “Durum Evo” model….
Good effort! I mostly ride on a gravel bike but sometimes the extra wide tyres, lower gearing and suspension of an xc bike just seem to be more suited when it’s really chunky. Is this one of those routes?
I was happy on a gravel bike but you could equally do it on a mountain bike, some people might be better off with a mountain bike due to lower gears, geometry and bars and bigger tyres
Yes east to west seems more popular but then you have to get train or taxi back to Knighton - we liked the idea of being able to ride home from Knighton and get the train out of the way at the beginning. Think I need to ride it east to west just to see how it compares. But those gates give me nightmares!
Have done it both ways, but I prefer East to West there are no hike-a-bike sections whereas the other way round sections like Foel Fadian cannot be ridden up and can be tough on the legs walking a heavy bike up.
We managed to top up with water through some remote farms but luckily were able to reach towns for food in the evening, and carried enough during the day to keep our legs turning - we also had cooking equipment and space food just in case
You need to use higher quality tyres. WTBs are really on the worse side. Good ones would be Pirelli (although not comfy), Rene Herse, Maxxis, or Ultradynamico (robust casing). Hurts my eyes too see these great bikes on poor rubber :D
Ah I see, I'm guessing, hoping, that's just due to supply issues rather than not ever being available aftermarket. I did do a quick google and found one UK retailer apparently has them in stock
It doesn't officially start at Dovey Junction. The route was designed to be ridden the other direction, which you would know if you'd bothered to buy the guide book. And it was designed to be a three day route, staying at B&Bs. If bike packing 4 days is sensible; and then it's pleasurable not brutal especially as you are not climbing the downhills. Brainless machismo......
Relax! I know it’s meant to be ridden in the other direction, I said that in the video, and there are no rules about what direction you do it in or how long you take to do it, that’s the great thing about bikepacking there are no rules!
Crikey mate, calm down - in what way are there ‘rules’ to this and in what way are you in charge? I’d suggest whatever caused you to write this comment in this way has nothing to do with David, the video, bikes or the route - it’s a much deeper thing. I hope you manage to get that sorted out…
It's a shame you've taken this stance Jeremy. I've been informed you actually created this route? Could have been a nice opportunity to do a video or podcast chat about the history of the route and how it's become popular in recent years, but as the self-appointed gate keeper of this route the attitude you've shown isn't for me
Great video Dave! Really enjoyed getting a close look at some of the Welsh countryside!
Wonderful video, so full of life & joy! More, please ...
Thank you! Will do!
More of this thanks
Perfect video Dave!
i live like 10mins from Dyfi juntion, its pretty hilly around here especially on back roads and gravel road so that was a great effort in that heat!
10:30 YUP! steeper than looks I recall some wales hills and places like that if not that same path... screaming to myself this is a crazy trail for a gravel bike, amazing scenery total gravel paradise no doubt.
Saw a lot of Wales when in Hereford for 2 years, it’s beautiful. Now living in Australia, you’re a braver man than I, no way would be riding over 100k’s in 30 degree heat, never mind your over 100 mile route touching 40 degrees. Still an amazing experience 😎
Fantastic video again David. I’m definitely going to do that one. I rode the KAW with my Welsh buddy so I know he’ll be up for it. Keep it coming, love the channel. J
Thanks John, KAW is a great route isn’t it
Great video, serious fitness level for a ride like this too well done.
Good on ya for your epic ride. Great video 🚴♂️🚴♂️🚴♂️🚴♂️🚴♂️👍👍👍👍👍
I rode a version of the north downs way in June. Maidstone down through Canterbury then Dover across to felixstowe and back up. Loved the ride, had major mechanical issues, but the hills were killers for me. Next year something flatter for me.
GREAT footage, David! Really enjoyed watching this one. LOVE your bike as well. Two questions about the rear tire; 1) could you even get a wider tire on that back wheel and still avoid rubbing against that front mech? And 2) did you bring a spare tire with you on that trip or did you have to manage with that torn and tattered one? At any rate, thanks for sharing!
Not sure you’d really have space with the front mech battery - 1x might give more space as there’s 6mm between tyre and frame. Didn’t take a spare tyre but luckily the plugs and inner tube got us home
Excellent video, thanks for the upload. Can you do a video on the fizik shoes.
Thanks and Fizik review coming soon
Great video, GMBN did this route on an XC bike a few months ago, so a good comparison. I see the WTB puncture fairy was in attendance, their gravel tyres seem to have a reputation fro being fragile.
Hi Dave I enjoyed your adventure immensely it encourages me to have a few of my own down here in Australia ,,great stuff !
Thanks Alan
Great video David can tell which bar bag it is you were using please
more of this! i love your country-side and you can mix it with testing new bikes and fun-fact: i live around the corner where your snack was made...
Great video!!! Seemed like sections of that route really stretched the definition of gravel. I'll be honest, if given the option, I'd much rather do the journey on a mountain bike with the best tires made for dealing with savage road surfaces.
Similar experience with tan wall tyres, great video.
I love your vids mate
Thanks George 👍
Great video, enjoyed it. 😉
Great video and proving to be very helpful to me as I'm planning this ride later on this year. While you were doing this I was taking on the Icknield Way and Peddars Way so nowhere near as brutal as this. Most people go east to west so how did you find it going the other way? Reason I ask as I too want to do it the same way and then ride the rest of the way home, approx another 200 miles. I have a 29er with plus tyres so hope I don't suffer to the flints.
Great video, what’s the bar bag… been searching for my Goldilocks bag. Not too big, not too small, not droopy. That one looks nice!
Got it. On David’s next video there’s a shot of him going along the trail and the label is slightly showing… “ordel”. A bit of Googling reveals it’s a brand call “Cordel” based in Spain who make custom cycle luggage… looks like it could be the “Durum Evo” model….
Hi David can i know the name of the bag hoocked to the sheaths of the rear stay??
Thnks
Good effort!
I mostly ride on a gravel bike but sometimes the extra wide tyres, lower gearing and suspension of an xc bike just seem to be more suited when it’s really chunky. Is this one of those routes?
I was happy on a gravel bike but you could equally do it on a mountain bike, some people might be better off with a mountain bike due to lower gears, geometry and bars and bigger tyres
Enjoyed the video, I've ridden parts of this route.
Most people seem to go from East to West, which I reckon would result in a bit less hike-a-bike.
Yes east to west seems more popular but then you have to get train or taxi back to Knighton - we liked the idea of being able to ride home from Knighton and get the train out of the way at the beginning. Think I need to ride it east to west just to see how it compares. But those gates give me nightmares!
@@davidarthur Yep. There's a ton of gates! Soul destroying when you are on your own & flagging a bit!
Have done it both ways, but I prefer East to West there are no hike-a-bike sections whereas the other way round sections like Foel Fadian cannot be ridden up and can be tough on the legs walking a heavy bike up.
Bin those WTB tan walls! Paper thin and you just need to look at them and they puncture.
Great video David. What brand of bar bag are you using? Looks perfect for what I’m looking for.
Thanks Dan. It’s a Cordel bag
Hi David, are the WTB tires the lightest option or the light with their newer slash guard option? ps. Your doing a great job all around!
the slate slicing into tyres and the frequent gates put me off this
Nice adventure
very remote, what did you do for food and water?
We managed to top up with water through some remote farms but luckily were able to reach towns for food in the evening, and carried enough during the day to keep our legs turning - we also had cooking equipment and space food just in case
You need to use higher quality tyres. WTBs are really on the worse side. Good ones would be Pirelli (although not comfy), Rene Herse, Maxxis, or Ultradynamico (robust casing). Hurts my eyes too see these great bikes on poor rubber :D
More of this but better video transition dave. Keep it up
What is that rear storage system called? Looking to get something similar!
It's a Tailfin, small British company been doing it for a few years now, definitely recommend it
What's your light on your bike and how is it so low mounted?
It’s the Cannondale SmartSense light and mounted down low with a GoPro extender bracket
I took the WTBs off my Topstone found them rubbish sidewalls like paper never held the pressure and the stock wheels also wtb never stayed true.
COOL.
How did you get battery. We have been told they are not available.
Battery was fine. What do you mean you've been told they're not available?
@@davidarthur my wife’s bike was supplied without battery and we have been told by treads and another shop that you cannot yet buy the battery.
Ah I see, I'm guessing, hoping, that's just due to supply issues rather than not ever being available aftermarket. I did do a quick google and found one UK retailer apparently has them in stock
David could you upload gpx of this route please. I would like to try that on my gravel bike
This is the route we used www.komoot.com/collection/899090/welsh-border-to-irish-sea-bikepacking-trans-cambrian-way
@@davidarthur thank you
Come to Canada
Sitting in the USA, title is crazy.
better off with a Mountainbike for sure 😎
No. Ride a gravel bike with a 2.35in tyres and full suspension.
Some people will be for sure but i was happy on a gravel bike 👍
Experienced WTB tyres myself. Leaky sidewalls and paper thin. Stay away from them.
I would do this route on a mountain bike tbh.
Those tan sidewall tyres look very chic to run errands around town! But now you learned they are not as nearly strong for an endeavor of such caliber.
I would love to take this challenge. Can you provide me with a plane ticket to Monaco?
😂
WTB tan walls are just shitty tyres.
That slate looks nasty, I'll stick with pavement thanks!
Gay
country-site! sorry...
It doesn't officially start at Dovey Junction. The route was designed to be ridden the other direction, which you would know if you'd bothered to buy the guide book. And it was designed to be a three day route, staying at B&Bs. If bike packing 4 days is sensible; and then it's pleasurable not brutal especially as you are not climbing the downhills. Brainless machismo......
Relax! I know it’s meant to be ridden in the other direction, I said that in the video, and there are no rules about what direction you do it in or how long you take to do it, that’s the great thing about bikepacking there are no rules!
@@davidarthur No you didn't. It would have been fine if you had.
Crikey mate, calm down - in what way are there ‘rules’ to this and in what way are you in charge? I’d suggest whatever caused you to write this comment in this way has nothing to do with David, the video, bikes or the route - it’s a much deeper thing. I hope you manage to get that sorted out…
It's a shame you've taken this stance Jeremy. I've been informed you actually created this route? Could have been a nice opportunity to do a video or podcast chat about the history of the route and how it's become popular in recent years, but as the self-appointed gate keeper of this route the attitude you've shown isn't for me
@@davidarthur And you making false statements isn't for me either.