Her First Time Bikepacking - Wild Camping , Wales

A beginner bikepacking / bike touring trip for the first time. Using a cheap bikepacking setup we test out gravel , single track, and road riding.
On an overnight wild camping UK trip we find out how well a cheap bike set up does.
For this one, we head to Brecon, in South Wales UK.

[@buggur]

You are so mischievous, letting Aya ride downhill in the rain with no brakes! Haha. She is such a trooper. Well done, Aya, we are glad you survived your first bike ride.

[@FindingTrails]

Haha the problem is …try to stop her!! 😂 luckily we’ve now kitted her out with a new bike … video coming soon!

[@axlent123]

Love it! Canals and bikepacking!

[@FindingTrails]

Thanks for watching!! :)

[@Bruce2518]

The first place that you stopped to have lunch was absolutely beautiful! I would love to visit wales.

[@FindingTrails]

We loved it! Wales is beautiful. Thanks for watching ☺️

[@grumpy-dad3701]

Wales is amazing. You should go.. 1 of my favourite places to visit.

[@andrewdunmore]

Awesome video guys! A great insight into bikepacking, and a lovely spot for a wild camp and fire! 🏕🔥

[@FindingTrails]

Thank you Andrew! It was a good time for sure.

[@tonypaddler]

I'm glad that Aya enjoyed her first bikepacking trip 🙂🏕🚴‍♂️👍

[@FindingTrails]

She loved it!! Thank you for watching :)

[@grumpy-dad3701]

What a memory maker bikepacking is. I'm itching to get back out on my 2nd trip. So many routes I want to ride and camp.

[@FindingTrails]

Go for it!! Thanks for watching :)

[@beastedsabaallen2285]

Awesome video.

[@FindingTrails]

Thanks for watching and glad you enjoyed it :)!!

[@YIM3333]

Great vid 👌👌

[@FindingTrails]

Thanks man

[@dpierre]

Hello from Switzerland! What a beautiful region. It's a shame that your camera gives very hard/contrasted images that are generally too dark (or too light) as is often the case with Gopro. Now, there's a revolution with the Insta360 X4, but it's still an investment to make. I have 2 travel bikes (one with a belt) with V-brakes rims and I recommend using BBB Tristop pads (very cheap). They even brake a little harder when it rains (you can also loosen the cable a little). Rim brakes are ideal when you're loaded and descending long mountain passes, they don't break down, they don't lock the wheels (which can cause falls) and the vintage system = durable! For the balance of Aya's bike, I'd recommend fitting small panniers at the front and avoiding a heavier pannier on one side. Bonne route^^

[@FindingTrails]

Hello!! Yes it’s beautiful - as is Switzerland! Perhaps an upgraded GoPro is in our future😄

[@gittinsoutdooradventures5267]

Awesome trip, we've actually camped in that spot next to the res.

[@FindingTrails]

Thank you!! It’s a lovely spot isn’t it :)

[@denverspin]

No brakes? Well, it added a little suspense! Thanks for movie. I enjoyed your adventure.

[@FindingTrails]

Squeaky brakes it seems haha! Thanks for watching, glad you enjoyed :)

[@ocarotap]

Nice adventure...

[@FindingTrails]

Thank you and thanks for watching :)!

[@SyneMW]

Really underrated channel, hope you guys the support you deserve!

[@FindingTrails]

That’s very kind. Thank you very much for watching!

[@julesalexandrou]

Great tour video but consider LNT re lighting fires. It's not a sustainable activity with the numbers of people doing this.

[@FindingTrails]

Thank you for watching 😊 and thanks for the advice!!

[@Rolliemoho]

Awesome video guys.... Hope you do more 👍

[@FindingTrails]

Thanks very much! That’s the plan!!

[@sspoonless]

Confirm the brake pads are not cured stiff, replace if so. Rub a bit of bar soap on the rims to lube the brakes & quiet that squeak.

[@FindingTrails]

Appreciate the pointers!

[@RyomaGG]

Looked like a tough one with that bike! Care to share your route?

[@FindingTrails]

Certainly was!! It was along part of the Taff trail and by the Pontsticill reservoir up towards Fan y Big!

[@pauledgerton1759]

Great stuff. Will Aya invest in a gravel bike?

[@FindingTrails]

Thank you! That would be sweet, we have our eye out for one

[@tonypaddler]

​@@FindingTrailsdid Aya get one? 🚴‍♂️

[@bencox2437]

Please could you post a lonk to the Strava or GPX files?

[@FindingTrails]

Ah sadly we don’t have it handy but will try to dig it out!!

[@man.bike.camp.4409]

So the big question is, will she come back out for another cycling adventure?

[@FindingTrails]

Ah yes…I think I’ve convinced her!!

[@shropshirecycle]

Where did you park, was there a cost etc ??😊

[@FindingTrails]

We parked in Brecon and had to pay for Sunday from what I can remember!

[@alexmorgan3435]

Shouldn’t be lighting open fires particularly when it’s so windy potentially blowing sparks everywhere.

[@victormuckleston]

you have never been to wales, its too wet, always.

[@alexmorgan3435]

@@victormuckleston I have been many times.

[@FindingTrails]

Yeah I wasn't so worried considering it was on a beach, after a wet afternoon. Maybe even the best time for it!

[@grahamparker9096]

Couldn't agree more. Open fires create a lot of issues with landowners for wild campers. "Leave no trace" please.

[@tonypaddler]

​@@FindingTrailsindeed it is 🔥🏕👍

[@kevinsaward2005]

how can you bike pack with no tools, not a good idea in the middle of nowhere

[@FindingTrails]

Adds to the adventure 😜

[@kevinsaward2005]

@@FindingTrails i think not.

[@kevindean9613]

I would Have hired Her a better bike to see if she liked it .

[@FindingTrails]

Definitely. That’s then plan eventually but for now we’re just trying to make do with what we have :)!

[@richardpegg9265]

so, you went to the trouble of converting her bike - but you didn't do basic maintenance on her brakes - hmm, is this some sort of life insurance scam?. sorry mate, you are a clutz

[@FindingTrails]

yeah, sounds about right, who needs brakes when you have new pannier bags.

[@carolpowell69]

Love you both bikepacking..always good to see how others do things. We all can learn from each other.❤️❤️

[@FindingTrails]

Thanks for watching and yes we agree! Always something to learn ☺️