BIKEPACKING WALES - THE HEADSTOCK 500

Hello hello helloo and welcome back to wales, are you ready for another epic welsh adventure, this week i was invited to ride the headstock 500 a new bikepacking event coming in may 2024, created by all mountain adventures. this is the headstock 500 hope you enjoy the adventure.
If you want to join the official event head over here - allmountainadv...
The ride - / strava
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If you enjoy the content on this channel and would like to help the adventures continue then head over to my buymeacoffee page where you can buy me a ginsters if you like :D www.buymeacoff...
The gear i am currently using
The tent - • ALPKIT SOLOIST FINAL T...
Framebag - • BIKEPACKING FRAME BAG ...
Seatpost bag - • TOPEAK BACKLOADER 10L ...
Jones Handlebars - • THE JONES H-BAR - BIKE...
Gravel bike - • SONDER CAMINO UPDATE B...
plus bike mtb - • BOMBTRACK BEYOND PLUS ...
gps device - • GARMN EDGE 830 - LIKES...
mtb shoes - • SHIMANO ME7 FIRST LOOK...
All the gear from GNT - • ALL THE GEAR FROM THE ...
Vest bag - • DECATHLON EVIDICT 10l ...
Ortleib bar roll • ORTLEIB HANDLEBAR ROLL...
Dynamo setup - • BIKEPACKING WITH A DYN...
Questions answered - • KEEP SMILING ADVENTURE...
Gb divide bike/gear- • THE GB DIVIDE - BIKE/G...

[@KeepSmilingAdventures]

Hey all, hope you have had a splendid week full of adventurous shenanigans, in this weeks adventure I’m back in Wales. This time I’m taking on the headstock 500 a new bikepacking route coming next year. And as you can probably guess in typical Wales fashion it had a bit of everything, hope you enjoy the adventure. If you want to hear my thoughts on this route the before you ride video is on the second channel kzbin.info/www/bejne/pKLEhGSDms6KpLM

[@Flowwideez]

Hey I just wanna say, you have really helped me with my mental health I started watching ur videos about a month ago and as soon as I started the journey through watching ur videos my head has been getting clearer it made me realise I wanted to do this for therapy, I just finished riding my mountain bike from Bath to Bournemouth and I gotta say the whole 7 hours it took me I felt alive, thank you

[@KeepSmilingAdventures]

heyy im glad the vids are helping you, thats awesome. 7 hours from bath to bournemouth is a great time as well, great effort! Which way did you go ?

[@beardedvikingmtber]

Well done bud, you keep at it. There’s no better place than outdoors 🤙🏻

[@emerald-islander]

The saddle is the best place to clear the mind 😊

[@Flowwideez]

@KeepSmilingAdventures through frome to Gillingham and wimbourne the view was amazing I don't feel ill anymore when I'm on my bike

[@thezaneo]

Keep peddling my friend 👊🏽

[@steve-r-collier]

the bike must be the worlds best invention for getting away from it all..pure freedom

[@daibolical8532]

Brilliant 👏🏻 I think the glider you seen was from a recent crash on 15/08/23, the pilot was airlifted to hospital and fortunately did not suffer life threatening injuries as far as I’m aware.

[@ericdanielson4177]

Sometimes I just want to see some suffering and your videos never disappoint me. Keep up the great work!

[@richardwebb5317]

Good to see the grass roads of Radnorshire again, I can almost smell the sheep muck off the tyres. I used to ski there as well.

[@JSC131]

Brilliant video i live in Rogerstone on the door step of some Brilliant gravel and mtb trails ive ridden the opening 20 miles off your route glorious scenery well done unbelievable effort and ive definitely subscribed to a very enjoyable channel.

[@LoverlyPerson]

I live in Blaenavon, thank you so much for showcasing the area. I know that rocky track you went down towards abergavenny, strangest bridle path ever haha. Hope you enjoyed the area. Also just an FYI it is in Torfaen and not Monmouthshire as noted on the video.

[@dylillama5203]

Just wanted to say your videos send me to a wonderful place. They’re both inspiring and instructive - and a great insight into how to mentally approach bike packing. Thanks so much for doing what you do 😊

[@francisday3187]

Congratulations on 15,000 subscribers!

[@dalj4362]

Well done mate, that looked a tough nut to crack... even for you. Loved rhe drone footage as alway.

[@KeepSmilingAdventures]

defo on harder sides as far as rides go, wales always is though

[@GarethBaines]

Thanks for this video Josh, inspired me to enter 😊

[@aAnd67]

Brilliant video mate, as usual. Nice Welsh liquid sunshine 😂. I'm off on my first ever camping/cycling adventure in September, at the ripe old age of 56, nothing as spectacular as this, but Cantii way and surrounding areas. You've inspired me. Great work buddy. Keep em coming young man. 🤜🤛

[@MdAli-z1z2r]

If this kind of chance of traveling the world through cycling comes in my life, the most desired wish in my life will be fulfilled in this and I've already started to take almost all the arrangements what are necessary to fulfill my expectation.

[@fionahunt8530]

Loved the music you've chosen. It really adds to the atmosphere rather than being annoying which is what I sometimes find in other people's videos.

[@KeepSmilingAdventures]

Music is definitely one of them things that is hard to get right, i try to, like you said go with something that fits the atmosphere, sometimes something that fits how i was feeling

[@DavidMackenzie]

You work so hard on these rides Josh. You're a star! And awesome videography as always. Thanks!

[@colinwellman9480]

Some parts I really envied you, in others I was glad I wasn't doing the ride. Thanks for sharing your trip.

[@welshbikepackingadventures]

best video you've ever made bro, loved it!!!

[@TheHiperloop]

YOU DESERVE SO MUCH MORE SUBSCRIPTIONS IN YOUR CHANNEL. Amazing job!! congrats

[@WiltshireMan]

That was certainly a tough ride Josh, even I would have to think twi...err 100 times before tackling it:)

[@paulsampson7918]

Always enjoy your adventures, but especially those in Wales. You literally show us parts of our own beautiful country that we don't have the skills and endurance to reach ourselves. I hope you keep coming back for more, despite the gradients and 'glorious weather'.

[@lewisjacksonv]

New favourite channel. So awesome. I didn’t know this was a thing, I’ll have to ask the Mrs if I can have a few days away for a ride. Im only 40 minutes from Llandovery as well. It’s pronounced Llan-duv-ree btw! Keep it up mate can’t wait for the next video

[@RoadyPacking-CyclingAdventures]

Love it mate!! Even a free shoe shine - what's not to like ;-)

[@CMZPICTURES]

That route looks extra brutal!

[@KeepSmilingAdventures]

ooo yees

[@adventuresofagravelbikerid9896]

Another truely inspiring video from the best bikepacking utuber on the planet...keep them coming Josh 👌👏

[@gsavage02]

Great review there.

[@ianphillips765]

Congratulations great ride. Great video as always.

[@simonwiltshire]

Great ride out josh, an asortment of pleasures and trials, exactley how i plan my rides out. Thanks for that mate great filming and well put together.

[@sujanrimal8539]

Man you living your best life exploring new routes that’s awesome keep it up

[@alethearobinson8132]

Spot on again, Josh. Testing out the route before it is published. ( I am sure there are other riders doing the same) The scenery is stunning, you did I fine job capturing the beauty and mood of Wales. And hey, what's a little rain😁🌧. And your music choices were were exceptionally well done. Cheers. 👍🚴‍♀️🌞

[@KeepSmilingAdventures]

a little rain 😂 Glad you enjoyed :D

[@jimbobjamber9276]

Epic! An inspiration. I thought the editing was great, showing the rough with the smooth. Great to read, through some of the comments, that your vlogs are helping people. Well done!

[@mikeclements4548]

What an adventure - thanks for bringing this to us. Some real challenges. Would be great if you could share you bike packing kit with us 🙏

[@KeepSmilingAdventures]

check the video description for all the gear

[@Oxor2]

What a top quality video! Love it!

[@willjones7132]

Nice adventure, hope to see another soon.

[@AndrewBartley]

I’m already signed up for the 200 ( or brave or fit enough for the 500!!!). This was so well done! I can’t wait for may 😁

[@KeepSmilingAdventures]

good luck, hope you have fun :D

[@wkołoMacieju]

Great job and realy nice video!

[@DL-fi5cc]

As always a great video 🌧🌧 even though it rained a lot. Note to self 'must buy leg protectors (they don't exist 😊) & more water proof clothing?'.

[@damedavidfrith55]

Wow thanks for another amazing ride,well done 🎉

[@pmcmpc]

I know it's Wales,but was this really summer? Hope the organizers manage to improve some of the trails, or I suspect there will be very few finishers. You hung in well (as always).

[@KeepSmilingAdventures]

i promise it was filmed in the "summer" 😆

[@pmcmpc]

@@KeepSmilingAdventures I think you'd have got better weather if you'd gone to the Arctic Circle.

[@surfbodi.0015]

I'm Welsh I can can safely say it has been an awful Summer weather wise 😔

[@matthewgrimm3187]

Well I live in Bristol Ride in Wales regularly.The first 18 minutes I didn’t recognise the place.after 18 minutes I was like yep there’s wales 👌😂

[@norfolkhiker1449]

Loving and following your bike adventures. I just wanted to know what angle you set your handlebar grips at, ie flat, slightly up or slightly down, as I’m having hand pins and needles on longer distances, your help will be appreciated.

[@bivibikebaggins]

Hey josh any chance you could give a review of the torrentshell and how its held up over time...

[@0Rjoseph]

A great video as usual! I'd love to know what your kit list is 😊

[@paulcomptonpdphotography]

I am doing the castle to castle by road in a few weeks time. Where is tbe new York deli so I can call in

[@stephenbrown5844]

Absolutely so love wales, been once to climb Snowdon but never on the bike, and your drone footage is brilliant 😍👊🇬🇧❤️if the welsh people expect people to visit this track,, please, please maintain the tracks so us guys can do it with out any problems 😮

[@darrenmilo9565]

Looked epic but I’ve got to ask…Ryader?? Or do you mean Rhayader? Or is this another place altogether? I only ask because me and my mates would often go to Rhayader from Malvern at weekends so I know it but couldn’t figure if you were passing by the same place.

[@PiotrAntonik]

I've watched your videos, and I have this question. In your opinion, which bike is more practical MTB or gravel?

[@fishmaster1960]

Is it the case that when these routes are "created" someone has just drawn the route on a map and said job done? There doesn't appear to be any actual work done to create better surfaces for riding on. When you say your thinking of giving up Josh I tend to think it must be almost impossible for the average cyclist. Your video showed the beauty of Wales and was a credit to you but for me they need to do more to improve the route.

[@AllMountainAdventuresWales]

When we create these routes, we spend months planning and even longer testing them. We started to plan the route in March 2022 and we have had multiple people help recce sections, all completing route testing and evaluation forms to ensure the route is suitable for riding. We test aspects like surfaces, terrain, phone reception, amenities and we make adjustments to the route accordingly. We have personally ridden the route twice in full. We rode it in May when the event will take place and we rode it in July. Two very different experiences mostly owed to ferns.

[@paulannable3734]

@@AllMountainAdventuresWaleswell said - do people really think these long distance routes have people creating pleasant riding surfaces?

[@CMZPICTURES]

The bracken (and brambles and nettles) get crazy in the summer here.

[@AB-qp6yj]

Keep it natural,can't go urbifying our countryside. It's naturalness is part of the challenge.

[@Al_Fresco]

Creating a route isn't about paving trails to make them rideable by the avg person on 28mm tyres! Having said that, some bits of the route do seem a bit silly. The overgrown vegetation definitely doesn't help (I'm aware the event is in May) this time of the year but 3hrs to cover 5miles?! Personally that's not my kind of fun.

[@amwaller59]

…gate etiquette when riding with a mate. Someone needs to define this. Whole of TCW and we never got it clear. As for a solo rider, I am sure you are right Josh as to the time it loses you it’s significant

[@mikekeogh]

Did you look at EWE the old England Wales England bike packing race???

[@WheelersAtLarge]

Do you think the route will be tweaked more? Looked more hike than bike for long periods...

[@KeepSmilingAdventures]

there might be a few changes, but it's definitely a ride for your experienced MTBer, probably wouldn't take a gravel bike 😬

[@AllMountainAdventuresWales]

There will definitely be some very minor amendments but none are owed to the ferns. The event is in May, during this time of the year the trails are clear but 2023 has been especially wet and humid which has provided optimum growing conditions for the ferns and brambles which will be at their worst in July and August.

[@TheTephigram]

Can I ask what make of handlebars on your bike in this video? They look really ergonomic on the wrists. Thanks

[@KeepSmilingAdventures]

its the Jones H bar kzbin.info/www/bejne/mpmzc4aah9eiqZo

[@emerald-islander]

Come to Ireland 🇮🇪

[@emerald-islander]

Come to Ireland 🇮🇪 josh

[@YOLOSWAG420EZ]

I'm thinking of getting in to this kind of thing. For longer distance rides would a GPS be absolutely necessary? and what's the cheapest one I could get that would still do this job

[@KeepSmilingAdventures]

i mean you can definitely use your phone or paper maps if you really want but phones are heavy on the battery and paper maps require a lot of stopping and starting. So it not absolutely necessary but they do make a big difference. id probably look on the second hand market for a garmin edge 530/830 530 isn't touchscreen.

[@YOLOSWAG420EZ]

@@KeepSmilingAdventures thanks for the reply and keep your videos coming :)

[@Al_Fresco]

Hi Josh, thanks for another fantastic and inspiring video. Quality as usual. Although I wouldnt call Wales unpredictable....in my limited experience it's almost guaranteed that the weather is going to suck haha Would you say a rigid bike with 29" like yours is a good tool for the route or without suspensions it's just too tough/painful?

[@alexk3806]

Looks soggy. Did you get trench foot?