Mille Cymru - Welsh 1000 - 23-26/07/2010

[Pete Mas]

routes/tracks for Edge 705 on Audaxes

Many thanks. panic over. I was looking in the wrong part of the menu of the garmin. I expected the routes to be downloaded in courses, but they were in saved routes instead....Big sigh of relief - but will still take several copies of the printed routesheet as well.

This ride is going to be awesome 

[mattc]

The Route You site doesn't seem to display the actual maps any more.

And these pages: Mille Cymru 1000 - 23 July 2010
don't show the route once you zoom into the lower levels of detail.

Annoying, I was checking the route errata ...

[Paul D]

Question about the drop bag for John: How big is too big?!

The info pack says one bag per rider - no problem - but as a minimum I'm going to have a sleeping bag, travel towel, a few toiletries and 3 days cycling kit. I'm also considering putting a newspaper in to dry my shoes out whilst I'm asleep.

I'm up to a fair size rucsack to fit that lot in. Is that the sort of bag you were expecting from each rider?

[simonp]

Question about the drop bag for John: How big is too big?!

The info pack says one bag per rider - no problem - but as a minimum I'm going to have a sleeping bag, travel towel, a few toiletries and 3 days cycling kit. I'm also considering putting a newspaper in to dry my shoes out whilst I'm asleep.

I'm up to a fair size rucsack to fit that lot in. Is that the sort of bag you were expecting from each rider?

Multiply that by 80, and put yourself in the position of having to transport all of that.  It'd take multiple cars/trips.

[Greenbank]

Multiply that by 80, and put yourself in the position of having to transport all of that.  It'd take multiple cars/trips.

Or a single van hire given that there are also the camp beds and food, spares and all the other organisers bumpf to transport around.

[Tewdric]

Question about the drop bag for John: How big is too big?!

The info pack says one bag per rider - no problem - but as a minimum I'm going to have a sleeping bag, travel towel, a few toiletries and 3 days cycling kit. I'm also considering putting a newspaper in to dry my shoes out whilst I'm asleep.

I'm up to a fair size rucsack to fit that lot in. Is that the sort of bag you were expecting from each rider?

I don't think it's terribly good form to put a sleeping bag in your drop bag.  

[rottenhat]

I don't think it's terribly good form to put a sleeping bag in your drop bag.  

Suggested items to include in your bag drop are:

    * sleeping bag and/or blankets. You are also welcome to bring your own camp bed if you prefer.

[Tewdric]

Fair enough!

[rottenhat]

I should perhaps have included a (!?) after the option to bring your own camp bed.  I can only assume that John is hiring a small lorry for the weekend.

[Paul D]

Yeah, I only put sleeping bag as the rider info says to bring it. I'm not trying to bring a suitcase!

For our 1300 in Scotland I carried everything I needed in my Barley with a 10litre drybag strapped to the top, although we were YHing/Travelodging in the evenings so bedding & towels weren't needed.

I'd be more than happy if John dictated a small-sized bag as it would focus my mind a bit more on what was essential (just a sleeping bag and unmpteen pair of dry socks).

[Hot Flatus]

Don't forget you'll need a pillow, your pyjamas, slippers and a selection of soft toys to help get you off to sleep.

Anyway, I'm not bothering with a drop bag. My soigneur can bring it all.

[simonp]

Surely all you need for wandering around the control while your stuff dries is a pair of rain legs?

[Hot Flatus]

I knew you be considering that.

That is why I'm booked into a hotel

[Paul D]

Surely all you need for wandering around the control while your stuff dries is a pair of rain legs?

Don't own any rainlegs; thats why I need so many socks. One at the front for modesty, and the other for wiping...

[kcass]

To take my mind off the image of simonp in nothing but a pair of rainlegs  I decided to see if I could put the gpx files from the mille website into my etrex. It took about 1 minute. Surely it can't be that straightforward.

Is it possible to follow tracks on the garmin and if so, how? Normally I use routes with one instruction per turn but it would be great if I didn't have to spend the next 4 nights sorting this out.

[scottlington]

Multiply that by 80, and put yourself in the position of having to transport all of that.  It'd take multiple cars/trips.

Or a single van hire given that there are also the camp beds and food, spares and all the other organisers bumpf to transport around.

On the subject of camp beds, the website says :

'Basic sleeping accommodation will be available at the Llanwrtyd Wells Control included in your entrance fee. Camp beds and blankets will be available but you are recommended to use the bag drop facility to transport your own sleeping bag or bedding.'

Am I to assume there are enough camps beds for all riders who will be staying overnight (so, not those who have made other arrangements) or is it more of a first come, first served basis? If I turn up at 02.00 in the morning am I likely to be told I'll need to wait for a bed? The answer will have an important bearing on what I include in my bag drop.

[Millepete]

As I have volunteered to help with the bag drop, I have followed the recent few posts with interest.
As I understand it, John has about 60 camp beds and the hall in Llanwrtyd Wells was specifically chosen to be able to accommodate them all so we should be able to offer everybody a space. *
He has hired a van to transfer it all so should be able to fit it all in ( if not, we have time to make a second trip)
I would suggest ensuring your label is easy to spot and is fixed on securely as I suspect we will load and unload the van with all the finesse of an airport baggage handler.

Finally, although I suspect most of you use dynamoes, how many riders intend to run rechargeables and may want to recharge their batteries, particularly before the final leg.
Putting a charger in your drop bag is no problem but the number of sockets could be.
Maybe a quick straw poll would indicate whether this is going to be problem.

*If I have got it wrong I'm sure John will correct me

[JohnHamilton]

The Route You site doesn't seem to display the actual maps any more.

I'll have a look when I get home tonight

[scottlington]

As I have volunteered to help with the bag drop, I have followed the recent few posts with interest.
As I understand it, John has about 60 camp beds and the hall in Llanwrtyd Wells was specifically chosen to be able to accommodate them all so we should be able to offer everybody a space. *
He has hired a van to transfer it all so should be able to fit it all in ( if not, we have time to make a second trip)
I would suggest ensuring your label is easy to spot and is fixed on securely as I suspect we will load and unload the van with all the finesse of an airport baggage handler.

Finally, although I suspect most of you use dynamoes, how many riders intend to run rechargeables and may want to recharge their batteries, particularly before the final leg.
Putting a charger in your drop bag is no problem but the number of sockets could be.
Maybe a quick straw poll would indicate whether this is going to be problem.

*If I have got it wrong I'm sure John will correct me

Thanks MillePete.

On the subject of rechargeables etc, i was working on the assumption that I would not be able to charge any devices (as per LEL) but I may bring a charger just in case. It's not vital to me though.

[JohnHamilton]

Question about the drop bag for John: How big is too big?!

The info pack says one bag per rider - no problem - but as a minimum I'm going to have a sleeping bag, travel towel, a few toiletries and 3 days cycling kit. I'm also considering putting a newspaper in to dry my shoes out whilst I'm asleep.

I'm up to a fair size rucsack to fit that lot in. Is that the sort of bag you were expecting from each rider?

OK. At Llanwrtyd I've got approximately sixty campbeds available. That should probably be enough to go round given some will make their own arrangements and others will ride through. So there shouldn't be a need to bring your own, although if you wish to bring a mattress as insurance you're welcome. The hall is big enough to sleep everybody and I've hired a van to transport stuff, plus there'll be helpers with cars going down to Llanwrtyd.

There's a similar number of blankets so a sleeping bag isn't essential but is useful.

So the items above are what I would expect you to bring. Maybe add into that refills of energy drink powder etc. and spares if you've got anything unusual (I'll have all the normal stuff but if you've got odd size wheels or disc brakes you'll be out of luck). I can't guarantee availability of sockets for charging stuff so I'd plan on that not being available.

At registration you'll get a tag and a ziptie to attach it to your bag. We'll transport everything down on Friday. You'll have the option of having your stuff returned to Upton Magna either on Sunday evening or on Monday morning.

[Weirdy Biker]

For info, I was planning on packing a mummy sack (i.e. sleeping bag liner) amongst other things (such as change of clothes, hygiene stuff and spares).  It's only a 600+400.  No biggie 

[Hot Flatus]

Just a suggestion...

maybe Helpers could bring a few 5 socket extensions to overcome charging issues

[phil d]

Given that battery chargers are fairly low current, they lend themselves to multi-outlet extensions.  Subject to John's agreement I could bring several 4 and 6 point extension leads, though they won't be there until Saturday afternoon.

[Paul D]

Brill. Thanks John.

I'm not including my usual energy bars in the dropbag; I figure I can buy all the Magnums I need on route.

[TOBY]

Brill. Thanks John.

I'm not including my usual energy bars in the dropbag; I figure I can buy all the Magnums I need on route.

They'll be at tourist prices, I'm packing a couple of multipacks in my drop bag to reload with each night