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S2NORTH Wales

A self-supported fatbike adventure into the welsh unknown

By Mountain-Forecast.com

January 21^st, 2019

IT had niggled away at Craig for 20 years could he get to north wales on a bike mainly offroad and scale the big mountains?

Then when Craig mentioned over a coffee to Paul could it be done, they instantly began planning out a route!!!

Day one was hard mainly because even with all the training nothing quite prepared the guys for the feeling of the weighted bike riding up the first hill heading for Merthyr Tydfil. Plus the heavy weight on their shoulders of what were they to expect - this was the biggest un supported event the guys had ever done... The push up the side of Pen Y Fan ( 886m ) in a very harsh head wind took its toll but a quick cheese burger the other side made them feel more human again. By late afternoon the guys knew the big climbs were done and were heading into Builth Wells just as the sun was setting.

DAY1 - They covered 54.1 miles and 5,144 feet of climbing and lots of that was carrying the heavy bike up the mountains.

Day2

Having slightly fallen behind on day one with mileage the guys knew they would need to push the pace to scale Cadair Idris before sunset. This put added pressure on already tired legs however their spirits weren't deterred and they pushed on ( Stopping for tea and cakes in Rhayader though ). It was tough a day with a 10 mile deter as the guys were confused which way to go meant they took an even harder route through the Elan Valley with more climbing!!! They made it to Dolgellau feeling slightly shell shocked and as if they were dreaming, unfortunately ( or fortunately ) they didn't make it there before sunset, meaning they would need to scale Cader Idris ( 893m ) at sunrise...

DAY2 - They covered 72.2 miles and 6575 feet of climbing two tea cakes, plenty of protein bars, water and a lovely Chicken Curry with friends in Dolgellau.

day 3 & 4

The guys wake up feeling less burdened ( until they sit on the saddle! ), so an early morning hike up Cader Idris was actually stunningly breathtaking, followed by an amazing cooked breakfast before heading off for Snowdonia. The coastline heading into Barmouth and Harlech was truly majestic in the warm North Wales sunshine... The guys realise now this is going to be a 4 day adventure, so just sit back and spin the legs and arrive at Beddgelert for a well earned rest before heading up Snowdon at sunrise.

The next morning is a 5am start to scale the final mountain ( 1085m ) with pretty battered legs they could feel it hurting but the finish is now in their sight... They have done it, what took months of planning and training is now complete, but still not done in three days ( but they believe it can be )