We Went Bikepacking In Winter & This Is What Happened!

Bikepacking is usually reserved for the warmer summer months but Conor & Hank love it so much that they are up for a cycling adventure all year round! Despite the sub-zero temperatures hitting the UK, they planned a winter bikepacking trip to spend a night in an isolated bothy in the mountains of mid-Wales. Oh, and they’ve dragged bikepacking novice Alex along too!
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[@gcn]

Have you ever been bikepacking in winter?

[@apm9507]

Tempting! But is -25 C out. If I had a cabin reserved I would do it.

[@mcaxz]

Hahaha...I would die. I stop riding outside when is below 12C / 55F.

[@Songbirdstress]

Nope. Not so much because of the weather as because of lack of daylight if anything goes wrong.

[@user-pq3sb2lf4o]

In here any time when the grass is green is summer.

[@stasacab]

Actually I rode to a local lean-to shelter some 11 km from my home and slept night there. It was more welcoming than that bothy where sleeping sounds like a good start for a ghost story. It was in January and there was snow on the ground.

[@inz_uzi]

It wasn't extreme enough for Hank so he went for a dip in a frozen stream... He's a beast! 😂

[@gcn]

Child play for Hank 😂

[@charlesmcguffy]

He's a maniac

[@JUACee]

I just got ice scourched today..Im by the heater..lol🍔🥓🍇🍟

[@robclipsham33]

Excellent trip guys, bothies have made bike packing trips to remote places possible all over the UK. It would be good if you recognised and promoted membership of the MBA, as they need funds to continue to maintain bothies whilst also raising awareness of the superb network of these outdoor adventure locations. All the best Rob Clipsham

[@stevenbaker7025]

Why? Because wild camping laws are complete utter 💩 or is it that people in general don't like tents?

[@andrewoversdowsett]

Connor has clearly taken the bike-packing block of cheese concept to the next level….though where’s the debit card knife Hank?

[@gcn]

Hahaha we wouldn't want to steal your signature move 😂

[@alexandersnider734]

Hanks passion for going on bike adventures is so infectious. He's just always so pumped to do whatever is on the docket; ride around Arkansas, meet two randos to go to France, climb a mountain, etc. So awesome.

[@GeneVilleneuve]

Wonderful video! Epic riding and climbing on the icy road. As a Canadian this is fun to watch. Come to Canada and we can do a fat bike Bikepacking weekend on snowy trails.

[@gcn]

We'd love to do a snowy Canadian adventure!

[@GeneVilleneuve]

@@gcn let’s plan it! 😁

[@aGhost0o]

It's Cymru... of course there's a 25% climb! I also love Connor's unwavering enthusiasm for adventure. He makes a great bikepacking companion! Alex's river side chat, also had me feeling he had come around to the adventure slightly? Great to see he wasn't put off by what was arguably the worst conditions you could go for such a night in a bothy in Cymru.

[@recstoppauseplay]

Great video guys thanks! The bothy is such a great idea, I hope they're supported in many ways with volunteers and various forms of funding. In a tech show episode it would be fun to unpack Alex's trailer and discuss all the thing he's glad he brought and the things he wishes he hadn't. Then maybe list the items you must carry in a winter adventure and which items you can live without. Multi purpose items are always good.

[@curtvaughan2836]

As a mostly solitary rider most of my life, I've generally detested cold or wet weather. Perhaps the key to enduring such an environment for cycling is to do it with other people. Interesting video.

[@malpadgett]

We were bikepackers before we even knew we were! In the winter of 1981, myself and two work colleagues decided to ride through the Grampians National Park/Gariwerd in my state of Victoria, Australia, the bit that has Melbourne in it, on our Queen’s Birthday Holiday weekend. With brilliant weather all through the weekend, on the first day, we caught the train to Stawell from Melbourne, rode through Hall’s Gap and pitched our heavy tents at the Borough Huts Campground in the middle of the park near Lake Bellfield. Next morning, in a blaze of sunshine and rugged peaks either side of the road, we rode south and turned into Victoria Valley Rd over the Mirranatwa Gap and past the Grampians Valley Lookout which I don’t remember but it would’ve been spectacular. That night we stayed in what we called, “The Cavendish Hilton” which was the Cavendish football club rooms that had an open fireplace, plenty of wood, a running water tap and - here’s the kicker - three couches! Then to top off a perfect weekend, we had a blue sky and a smashing tail wind all the way into Hamilton the next morning, found a Chinese restaurant open in which we were the only customers in a 100 seat facility, then caught the train back to Melbourne that afternoon. If you haven’t heard of Gariwerd (the Indigenous name for the park), it is a beautiful area right at the very end of the Great Dividing Range, the line of mountains that starts a few thousand km further north at the top of Queensland, north of Cairns, and runs the entire east coast of Australia.

[@adamsteineke4661]

Bikepacking is almost always type 2 fun. :) When you're done, you realize how much fun it was, even with struggles and challenges.

[@Saydiac]

Great video lads, Hanks laughing in the background while Connor is explaining situation had me rolling lmao.

[@andrifsig]

Get thee to Iceland for some bikepacking. In the process of getting a fatbike for some winter bikepacking trips my self here on my island. Loved this video! Cycling isnt just a sport, it is a gateway into adventure!

[@Yocambio]

Videography is superb. Enjoyed the story but the visuals are the stars of this piece. Just beautiful.

[@gcn]

Thanks!! 🙌

[@MarrafaCycling]

Good to see you've used a trailer on your bike in the winter :) ). I already have a good experience in the summer with long trips with trailers, this year with a Decathlon bike I pulled a trailer, the bike weighed in total 41 kilos, I had a gear ratio out of context, I used 52/36 11/30 and it was very difficult to climb the three mountains in Italy/Swiss, "Passo dello Spluga" (2117m), "Maloja" (1815m), "Albula" (2312m)

[@kevin._.farren]

Growing up I always loved camping and getting into the wilderness, away from society and enjoy the simple pleasures. It always baffled me to come across someone who was the opposite and wanted only the luxuries in life. I’m happy that Alex gave it a good and was a good sport.

[@Joshuavoice29]

I love the idea of the bothy. I wish we had them here in the US.

[@daveslaughter8290]

The US Forest Service does have some forest service cabins which can be rented at least here in the West. Local USFS websites will have these listed. Many of these are accessible only with snowshoes or skis in the winter however. Usually they have a wood stove and propane lights.

[@joshuacurley417]

I've been winter camping in the back of my truck at -40°C and lets just say it was an interesting adventure. Good on you fellas for toughing it out. -10°C for someone not used to the cold is pretty damn chilly.

[@FlatSpinMan]

Instant classic. This looked like such a laugh, although I am totally in Alex’s camp. Thanks for another great video.

[@philipcooper8297]

Pro-tip for a night group ride in the dark: Unless you're last in the group, turn your rear bike light off. Especially if you've got a flashing one.

[@bundokatbisikleta40]

those good laughs with the gang...it never fails to make any trip, especially those tough ones, a lot easier, fun and definitely more enjoyable=)

[@aaronedgeart]

A wondrous way to round out the winter, well done and happy new year!

[@lenwilkinson8541]

Superb video. The camaraderie boils over. My favorite presenters along with Manon and Dan.

[@alexandersnider734]

You boys need to come to the Pacific Northwest for some spring or summer bikepacking, we have glorious summers and the mountains or Olympic Peninsula are like nothing else on earth. Not to mention some of the best breweries and food in the country!

[@gcn]

Sounds awesome Alexander! 👍

[@chrisbaum998]

I have notice a common theme in Connor's bike packing trips videos. Setting up camp in the dark!!! Glad you took Alex on this adventure!

[@adamwatson4625]

Loved it. I have so much fin watching these videos and getting inspired. Just bought some bike packing gear myself and I'm ready to head off but it's 39 deg C today in Melbourne. Winter sounds like a great plan.

[@danielosman3134]

Having stayed at this bothy we came up from the south following the stream and went north up to strava Florida it’s an amazing location well worth the effort of getting there

[@ffskierdune6226]

Brilliant. It's always the people that make the difference.

[@mvmadore]

I'm with Si...a warm and cozy inn at the end of a day of riding is far more desirable than a cold empty room.

[@apriljohnson6191]

Awesome video. :-). I would love to see more winter bike packing adventures! Unfortunately, in America, we don’t have Bothys. :-(

[@jacksonbangs6603]

I like the humor 😄 and excitement you cycle tourist show throughout your grand adventure!

[@russstarke6004]

Are subtitles available? If I set the volume for Hank I can't hear anyone else.

[@Joshuavoice29]

Bikepacking with Connor and Hank, how could you not have a good time.

[@gcn]

High energy! High spirits! ... shame about the low temperature 🥶

[@dylanhunt5368]

@@gcn well you definitely want to get proper sleepingbags if you're out longer. I have a comfort -15C bag under 1kg (still works fine at -30) and I reckon you can get away with half the weight and size for these kind of endeavors. High quality goosedown from westernmountaneering or similar is the way to go. Alternatively pack two sleeping bags. Having merinowool base layers on while sleeping is sort of mandatory as well!

[@junaid42465]

@@dylanhunt5368 Don't need to carry two sleeping bags, but a good quality liner (silk/fleece) helps, specially with a high density down sleeping bag. And yes, in temp below 0, wearing a thermal inside the sleeping bag is always advisable. No one likes to wake up and wear something cold when going for nature's call.

[@Joshuavoice29]

Always put the clothes you are going to wear when you get out of the sleeping bag down by your feet in the bag so you don't have to put on cold clothes when you get up.

[@brynmorgan2007]

Absolutely Love Your Channel!! Keep it up🤙🙏😆🚲

[@alexandersnider734]

I dont know what it is, but I love bike packing and touring in the winter! Glad to see GCN shares the same passion. Something about the cool crisp air in out there that feels so good.

[@238949]

This is what GCN is all about :) :)

[@gcn]

Friends having fun on bikes! What more could you want 🙌

[@238949]

@@gcn exactly, was such a fun watch

[@MildStallion1]

Alex: "It's getting dark, we better get going" **puts on sunglasses**

[@billkallas1762]

Winter?? Right now, it is -10F outside. That's -23C. I don't even want to go outside until it gets warmer.

[@zukzworld]

Wonderful video, not sure how I missed it last season!! 🤓❤️👍🏾✌🏾

[@solway17carlisle]

Wow - really enjoyed that. Love the bikepacking coverage on your channel..

[@HunterThomsonUK]

The Irfon river valley is truly one of the UK's hidden cycling gems.

[@wspmjw]

Sleeping indoors is much better/warmer than sleeping in a tent outdoors. BTW, lack of snow is another bonus.

[@hendrixinfinity3992]

Look up the footage of the milk race going up the Devil's Staircase. Been planning this exact bothy run for a while now. Good to know you can get up there with bags. Will be doing it in summer tho.

[@nightsfalling]

Alex was a good sport, you wouldn’t have convinced me to go camping in -10 degrees. Where I live is 15 and I feel cold. This is the type of adventure I will just watch from the comfort of my house. 😊

[@uncleyemen]

You've done a freezing cold bikepacking trip, now come to Texas in the dead of summer for a blazing hot bikepacking trip! XD

[@MrLuigi-oi7gm]

Although Alex laughed just once in this video (understandable), I think we can all agree he has the best laugh in the history of laughs. His laugh would make a great ringtone. 🤔🎼😊

[@geoffreyhoney122]

SUPER CONTENT this! Loved it even more than Mt Olympus. I was crying laughing at parts. I envy you Brits and your amazing Bothys!! I would consider winter bikepacking here in Ontario ifwe had those! Poor Hank always the knife to a gunfight! LOL, road bike to gravel adventure (Manon took it!). No fair making the newbie haul firewood! (Even if he had a trailer). Loved this unracing content and that it was closer to your stomping grounds! Of course Hank fell in! But at least Connor didn't lose his clothes! Hot tip fom a Canadian, if you hit ice and don't have your steel studded snow tires on, head for the grass/verge. Lots more traction. Take Alex up on his expressed interest and do a summer route in Scotland!

[@01FozzyS]

Hank standing on dry ground laughing while Alex struggles. 😂 Epic ride,boys!

[@maciejct2508]

come on guys behind you it`s not a winter where`s SNOW ?!

[@gcn]

It was everything but snow... very very cold 🥶

[@aemiliadelroba4022]

I want to go out so badly but it is -17 °c now and will get to -23 ° soon ! That is in Celsius! and it is freezing 🥶 cold and windy 🌬️ so …. Now what ? 😂😂😂

[@nmcelroy3540]

After all these backpacking adventures I’m team Alex and Ollie…Alex is in “stay ready so you don’t have to get ready” mode and Ollie likes glamping. I’m with both of them! 😂😂😂

[@SteveBrill]

Great video guys and well done to Alex for keeping his morale up. 👏👍

[@joemcnamara7934]

My group does late fall overnighters on our fat bikes in the Adirondack Mountains. We sleep in a lean to but the bothy looks better. We usually do two nights and there are brewery stops involved. Let me know if you are ever in Canada. I’ll take you on an adventure. Best video you guys have done. Very genuine.

[@kavindabandara]

Well done boys!!! Reminds me how me and my friends used to camp in the jungles decade ago

[@alycevonrothkirch8698]

Great video. I'd love to see you do one of the Eurovelo routes...

[@darthvulcanis4002]

Hank + Connor = immediate like

[@ClarkDroneFilms]

I loved this. Basically my dream. Waking up in the Welsh countryside surrounded by frost

[@gerbiepiep]

This is awesome, based in the netherlands i dont have much nature wise going on compared to a whole lot of other countries do but, dont get me wrong i have done long trips 87km the longest being on a city bike (Batavus Fines 2022) but it is quite bland, but this, being in nature, i love it, one day i hope can do the same.

[@anthonycordeiro3205]

You guys are great need more content with the 3 of you 🤙🏻

[@ketjuariittaa]

UK Winter= Morning Frost ❄️☀️💧

[@Gk9311]

I love these adventures.

[@kbc163]

What a fun video! Looks like a great adventure trip. Got to sort out that fire situation though. Pro tip -- dead fall burns much better than freshly cut limbs. Gather as much as you can to get the flames going.

[@rohanscaysbrook3364]

Come try bike packing in Australia 🇦🇺. No icy roads this time of the year

[@JSC131]

An absolute beautiful road the Abergwesyn pass with the devils staircase in between ride on to llynne brianne reservoir that's why I'm so privileged I live in Wales great episode GCN.

[@gcn]

Wales never fails 🙌

[@JSC131]

Cheers guys.

[@333wheeler]

Ah the old " Abergswyn mountai road" A classic road... That Bothy looks like a version of Tyncornel YHA with all the fixtures and fittings stripped out.. :). Yeah the old CTC section always had a primus stove and kettle on board for a stop off for a brew next to a stream.. The good old days... Good going to get up the staircase without walking the steep bit.. killer climb.

[@gcn]

Sounds like you've got some good memories! Any stand out trip? 👀

[@333wheeler]

@@gcn We did a Midnight ride to Tyncornel YHA from the midlands on a Friday Night midsummer and spent the Weekend nights there.. You missed the hungry Midges in the Winter though Eat you alive they will.

[@drsquirrel00]

That is one of the better bothys mind you.

[@mstrasser]

I would LOVE a GCN+ extended edit of the time spent in the bothy!

[@paulcook6297]

Fantastic video! I really enjoyed that one... I think I would be keen to give it a go but probably summer only!

[@timdotchin5971]

What a wonderful video guys!

[@DavidMackenzie]

What on earth did Alex have in the trailer? Can't believe he towed that for one night away in a bothy. We really need a video of unpacking his trailer 🤣🤣🤣

[@nightsfalling]

Yeah, everyone wants to know what was Alex carrying on that trailer.

[@michmastahl]

How enjoyable was that? Please can we have more of this?

[@davidf2281]

This was a fun watch, thanks for making it

[@davidackermann9666]

Great video GCN these adventures are so awesome .. you should challenge others to make videos like this and send them in from other parts of the world 😊

[@stelladavis7443]

Haha Alex ever so slightly enjoied it! That is a success. Great vid, loved it

[@lwittrock1]

What's great about being a little older and having means, is being able to ride in style and stay in style along the way on any trip! It was fun as a much younger man, to camp/rough it, but if you can go in luxury it's much better.

[@bubblesezblonde]

Loved this vid. Happy holidays.

[@TheEpieikeia]

21:25 Connor: "He [Alex] is like Bambi on ice!" -- Exactly the same spirited comment as Robbie McEwen's about Stefan Bissegger's 'slippery' time trial at the 2022 Tour de France!!😅

[@flutoki]

Alex is the Karl Pilkington of bike packing lol

[@dylanhunt5368]

Having a house with a stove and give it 1 star?? Try putting your tent on a rocky hill slope while dealing with frosty rainstorms mate. Your camp is pure luxury.

[@gcn]

They don't know how good the've got it 👀

[@matsmellberg9127]

Nice adventure, like it really much. But what bike do you ride Hank? thinking to take my Orbed Orca, but I'm little skeptical to that.

[@ladislavpecsuk4225]

That was fun to watch! Inviting adventure!

[@PumpkinVillage]

That looked like a good time and Alex was a really good sport. Thanks for the video and take care, Al

[@cmdogphotography657]

Hahaha awesome trip. I've hiked to this bothy and gravel biked to another one not far from this one. Definitely makes for an awesome adventure

[@andreanetto69]

Really exciting to see you🤩

[@rikkihiggins9244]

Epic as always GCN 👌👌

[@chrism5433]

Great fun .been there so much fun 🍺🚲🍺

[@cb6866]

Thanks to all...that looked like fun .I rode around the Grand Canyon , camping each night . All the water , and I , froze the first night, I had all of my clothes on , in JULY !! Yeah..lesson learned

[@gcn]

Wow sounds like an amazing experience... not one you're going to forget 😬

[@cb6866]

@@gcn I’m very lucky. Mm did same in Switzerland 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@darrenhunt4027]

Great video guys, although I personally don’t ride out when the roads are icy, too risky.

[@LA8OKA]

I will be happy taking you guys out for a real winter bikepacking in the forrest north of Oslo, Norway.

[@gcn]

Maybe one step too far for us 🥶

[@gvnrchmnd]

Mtb shoes, recessed cleats for any bikepacking or hiker biking trips next time. Great video as per usual.

[@barryhh8217]

Great video, really enjoyed it.

[@astonxnm9356]

Great video guys 👍 , just got me thinkin, isnt there a helmet with full face shield but still has good airflow in it such an accessory will be life changing for cycling in winters...

[@jimjim676]

Great video and well done to all of you……..but a lack of teamwork - not once did anyone offer to take Alex’s trailer!! 😀😀

[@gcn]

He made his bed, he can lay in it 😂

[@andrewmcalister3462]

@@gcn the trailer was nearly big enough for that too

[@szokrika]

Arctic, hey? Cute… we just had a cold snap for a week of -30C, that feels like -40C. 🇨🇦 I guess you call our spring your winter over there…😊

[@douglasbracken7562]

Fantastic!!!

[@richnovi]

Great stuff. I think it’s in Powys though, not Brecknockshire😂

[@dmcarthur60]

Bambi on ice. Well done Alex. You guys are hilarious!

[@MasGandus]

Fantastic bikepacking, must be very cold

[@richardprice4611]

Hank and Connor need to do the tour divide together, that would be an awesome potential series of films, Banff Canada to the Mexican border, basically down the Rocky mountains

[@gmadruga]

Another great video and AMAZING editing. Cheers from Brazil!

[@gcn]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@heathdelzell9547]

I'm a fan of the trailer!

[@MikeJones-yo8cf]

Green, freshly cut wood not too good for a fire! Search out some dead wood.