Is This The UK’s Best Adventure Ride？ ｜ GMBN Rides The Traws Eryri Trail)

Errurri, or Snowdonia, is Wales's largest national park. Here you will find a deep history of culture, heritage and where the Welsh language is part of the day-to-day fabric of the area. Yrwyddfa, Mawddach, Capel Cyrrug, all are names familiar to the humans that explore the outdoors in this beautiful, yet sometimes intimidating countryside. But now, there is an adventure route from Machynlleth in the west to Llandudno Junction in the north, right through the heart of this domain, and where only the toughest of mountain bikers should dare. Do you want another extra hot decaf oat latte? I think we should before we start. Is there a Starbucks up there? I think it's quite a way. I don't know if I'm going to be warm enough. Are you going to be warm enough? I don't think I'm going to be warm enough. Anyway, I think we should go. Are you sure you don't want another coffee? I would love one. Right. We're here, Blake. We are at the start of the Trowserry, so Trans Snowdonia ride. It's an all-new adventure route in the UK. It's very exciting. Big day today. Yes. We've got three days ahead of us. Normally, it takes three or four days, so we've got a special bike to help us out, thankfully. We're heading in. A lot of this terrain I know quite well today, but heading into the unknown, we're heading north up into the proper mountains. Which our first night is going to be in Dalgethau. That's it. Did I say it right? I think so, but people will let us know in the comments. Dalgeth-ly. We're going to ruin some Welsh pronunciation all the way through this video. Let us know in the comments if we're doing it right or wrong. I think we need to get going. 60Ks in front of us. A lot of meters to climb. A lot of meters. Did you bring your fishing rod? No. Do you reckon there's fishies in there? There's got to be. Yes. Fishy, fishy, fishy. Isn't that new? I've been here before. It's actually super interesting. Shall we have a look around? Yes. Look how clear that water is. Look at that there, Neil. Yes. They are powered by water. The top one fills up the water tank. Yes. When it gets heavy enough, it'll drag that one up. Then when it gets to the one with empties, then that one fills up. Blimey. Clever, eh? Yes, very. Anyway, shall I let you know about the bikes we're riding today? Go on then. This is Canyon's first foray into the lightweight e-bike category. This is the Canyon Neuron OnFly. It's 140 mil travel trail bike, full 29er. It's got 64.5 degree head angle, so slack for ripping those techier trails as well. It's built around the Bosch SX motor, which gives you 55 newton meters of torque. It means they can bring that battery size down with the torque and make this bike around 16 kilograms in weight. The Bosch SX motor has a narrow Q factor. It makes it feel much more like a regular mountain bike as well. It's a super quiet motor that gives you peak power of around 600 watts. It gives you that when you're spinning quite a high cadence. The more you put into this bike, the more you get out. There's a 400 watt-hour battery inside the down tube, plus we're running the 250 watt-hour extenders to help us out on this big route for the next few days. You've got the remote up on the bars to switch between those four different support levels. That controller on the top tube shows you how much battery you've got. There's loads of tunability using that Bosch Flow app. You can tune exactly how much power and torque each mode has given you. Maybe after the end of day one, you can see what we need and tailor that for the next couple of days. These bikes are also fitted with a Kinect module. You've got an alarm and theft tracking via GPS. Although, I don't think there's many bike thieves around these woods, more sheep. First big hill now, I think. Yes. It was so far, so wet, Neil. Drowned rat. I felt like a drowned rat. River rat, to be honest. Sheep don't seem to mind, do they? No. These lambs. I don't know where we are now, really, but I know I'm getting around this climb. Yes. There's a really cool view down to the bottom of the estuary. Okay. If we get a view. We'll see. We're in to the mountains, really. It's one of the biggest mountains in this southern Snowdonia. Okay. It's just under 1,000 meters. Wow. Pretty big. That is big. I literally just started recording, and he's dying. I think I missed the start. Oh, Neil. Yes. Don't go in the mud. I didn't want to go in the water. I'm soaked. Cadair Idris, at almost 900 meters. It's one of the highest mountains in southern Nairori. It gives a taste of the landscape to come as the route passes through the biggest peaks in the final day. The sky is slippy. We found some shelter from the rain and the wind. Tell you what, we haven't seen Joey and Nick, our camera crew, for a while. They're up on the mountain still, I think. I wonder how they're getting on. Oh, my God. That's a big one. Do you reckon? Do you want me to check? How are you going to check? I'm going to chuck a big stone in it. Yes. We'll give it an hour, and then we'll call mountain rescue. We'll give it a couple of days, and then we'll see if we can find them. Geese. Geese what? We're going to cross that. Canadian geese. It's whales. I don't see no whales. I see geese, Neil. Nick, do you think you boys should take the sataphone? You guys in the van are in more danger than us on the bike. I think you are. Is the van all right? Oopsie. You know the oil can symbol, has that popped up yet? Have you sucked it? Another pint, Neil. Penn Mine Pool's wooden toll bridge was built in 1879. But it has a dark history. Fifteen people drowned on the 22nd of July, 1966, when the ferry, the Prince of Wales, hit the toll bridge. So we're leaving civilisation. Up there, the mountains, the clouds are moving so quick over that peak. It's crazy. The wind today is pretty strong. Last week a late start, but now we've got... I mean, the days are quite long, but we might have a late finish. Definitely. It gets dark about half seven. We're going to Cody Brennan, and then through there, we're cracking on to the wettest part of the country. Kappelkiru, apparently. There's the oldest puddle there. 70 years old. Apparently. No, it's older than that. 700 years old. 700-year-old puddle. Looking forward to seeing that. A bit of fire road, Neil. Winding our way up the hill, I think. So far, we've buzzed alongside the valley with a lovely tailwind because we've swapped the rain for wind. So far, it's working in our favour today. We've done 15.5 kilometers. We're cruising. 310 meters of up as well. Yeah. Doesn't feel like it. No, it feels all right now. Feels all right. Lovely. Is there a Starbucks up here, Neil? Yeah, I think there is. See that mossy tree? Yeah. Just behind that. All right. The lighter weight of the Neuron OnFly makes it move around on the trail like you're on a normal mountain bike. It's a natural feel on the trails and you almost forget you're on an e-bike. My fitness is average at best at the moment, so when the legs are feeling it and you hit muddy bog number 80 of the day, it's so nice to click it up a support level. The battery extenders are a necessity on big days like this and felt good when you know you're okay to get home to keep it in the higher levels of support. E-bikes or not, this route is a challenge. Had to wheelie across the bridge, Neil. Had to wheelie across the bridge. I'll tell you what, my Garmin's saying we're riding the St. Helen Roman Road. A bit far from Rome. It's crazy, isn't it? What are they doing up here? Don't know. Maybe they had to slay some lions in the south on a Friday and an orgy in the north on a Saturday. They thought, we need a road, let's get the slaves at work. I'll tell you what, lucky that because we just slayed some lions. Should we? Yes, go on then. Go on then, this way. Cold today. Once more, onto the fray or whatever. Is that what they're saying? Go on then. On fray, Manfrotto. Neil, it's windy. Trouse Vonday's nuclear power station dominates the view of the lake. Into a headwind now around this lake and watch out. I'm thinking we might lose a bar or half a bar. It's not very good for battery consumption, is it? Definitely not. We're at the top of our batteries at the nuclear power station. Oh, yes, nuking. Is there a cafe at Starbucks? I think there's a cafe, isn't there? They've got a massive microwave. Wow. Closed in 1991, it is now in a 100-year decommissioning phase. Excuse me, is the cafe open? Yes. They have a microwave. I know what's coming. It's a big hill, man. Starbucks? No. No Starbucks? No. I think it's all right. It's decommissioned, isn't it? It's safe. We're doing this crazy steep climb here. The battery is under two bars, Neil. And Neil's just pointed out this is the steepest road climb of the day. We've done 42 kilometers. How many have we got? 20? It's a big uphill. I'm riding in this whole fast mode all day. We've got a bit more eco, so I reckon it's going to be time if I know. Max speed was 76.5 kilometers an hour down that road. Tell you what, that was fun. It was quite a nice rest just bombing down that road there. My bum's getting a bit sore to be honest. I've sat down pedaling, so it's good. Nearly there. We're nearly there. Is it? I don't know. I'm going to check the map to see if it is alternate. I'm pretty much toast. Really tired now. We're down to 10% on the battery. I'm guessing she'll be all right, but I am going to check the map. 10% left on the battery. Big day out. We've done 76k and 2,000 meters of climbing. Not finished yet. E-bikes. Don't underestimate how hard this day is. Even though you're on e-bikes. That was the last section of woods. It was really cool. It was really good actually. Oh man, the views. We came around and you just see snow covered in snow. It was so beautiful. Look at Snowden. That's a bloody look at it. It was unreal. It was mind-blowing. I got goosebumps thinking about it. Nick, have you put the espresso machine on in the back of the van? No. Starbucks, did you get the memo? Did you get the Starbucks? No. Double espresso. Macchiato. No double. Bloody amazing views. This is so good. Worth it for that. Just full of views. I just came around all that over there. That's the chocolate. No dad jokes. No. You've been robbed. Yeah. Who parked here? See you later. Get the beers. Biggest puddle so far. Better sequoia. The gateway to Snowdonia. This magical setting has a distinctly alpine feel enhanced by the dense gridded forest surrounding Better Sequoia. Straight on. It's that one on the left. Right here. You got some bats Nick? Oh look at that beast. Nice. Done. We are done. 88 kilometers. 2,200 meters. Seven hours of riding. High five to that Neil. Day two done. Time to get cleaned up, have a nice beverage, and reminisce. We'll see you tomorrow. Some of you are probably wondering what do you carry on a big three day epic like this one we're on right now. This trip we are supported so most of our overnight stuff is in the back of the van following us around. Nick and Joey behind the cameras when they're not off-roading in the van trying to ruin the hire car they've got our overnight gear and some of the spares for the bikes so we're only really carrying essentials on us. I would say definitely some parts of this route are pretty remote so a small problem can get pretty big straight away when we were waiting for the boys when they were stuck we were cold and wet so actually I've got a come back Mule Evo backpack it's the waterproof one which is good in here I've got a first aid kit and actually a couple of those emergency foil blankets because we were getting cold very cold actually so I would say even if you've got a puncture out in the middle of nowhere it can get serious if you're by yourself I think it's a bit more serious as well. It does get a bit serious. Now because there's two of us traveling on this three day epic we're kind of traveling a little bit light so we're splitting our essentials so Neil's got the backpack I've got the Mule hip back so it's got 1.5 liter bladder built into it I've got a handsaw just in case something goes wrong a bit silly I know but I've got a pump, I've got my multi-tool and a few snacks and bars in there to keep fueled up and yeah that's about it really. Obviously we've got phones there's two of us so emergency helps but I've also got this Garmin inReach Mini so this is a satellite communicator so I've had this up on tracking so we've got people dot watching obviously you can see where I am it's got to set to update every two minutes to sort of preserve the battery but also in here I've got that SOS function so if anything really did happen it sends a message out to Mountain Rescue which is fortunately around here it's really well equipped for Mountain Rescue so I carry that on me super close not needed it for SOS obviously both carrying cameras in here I've got a CO2 so Blake's got a pump, I've got a CO2 like I said first aid kit, emergency stuff and then just snacks really inner tubes, I've got one strapped to my bike with a CO2 cartridge just in case the pump doesn't start doesn't work and all that we do have navigation that's very key when traveling around these remote areas so we've got the Garmin's, one on my bike one on your bike, so if we were to get split up for some unknown reason it's pretty easy to follow although I would say most of this route isn't way marked so I am following the purple line on here if you're going to do this route you'll need some navigation you can't rely on signs and things like that but I would encourage you if you want to get to the UK or if you're in the UK, try and plan do this Trouseroury route, it's epic and if you're not doing it supported you will be carrying a lot more than what we are right now we've planned it in three days I would maybe suggest four days if you're carrying your kit anyway we've got a day left to ride yet Blake we've got 60 kilometers to go Neil slightly less I think and actually first things first we ride up through some of the best scenery in North Wales Starbucks? No Snowdon, all the big mountains we're riding through today let's go, let's get out of town now into the Ogwen Valley and the shadows of the Glyderau the name derives from the highest peak in the range Glyderfawr and Glyderfach it's a shame you can't see the views because this is mantle through here, it's really cool you can't really see the mountains you see the cloud line, a bit of snow then it stops, you know it's so much bigger wind you'd be ok then all of a sudden there was this crazy squall you literally went off the track at once, my glasses came off I was filming, talking and I was saying hey Neil gone well they weren't hanging over your head so I was just saying we head north now down the Ogwen Valley I think we were almost at the coast then we turn east and there's a big climb it's like 4500m but there's going to be gusts 45mph wind gusts hold on to your bike there was nowhere to stop out there there was not one tree, not one rock you could hide behind just think right it'd be another cafe at the lake at the seaside let's get an ice cream donkey riding ice cream donkey riding an ice cream? have a donkey ride oh I don't want to go up there tell you what, I don't want to be them because they're going up there I bet they don't go up up there they're not made of stern stuff they're not are they right upwards then downwards oh it's warmed up has it? no can't see anything out of my glasses Neil let's go thank you very much we're out of the nasty nasty weather headwind has gone we are now going along the slate mine and it's pretty pretty pretty pretty cool anyway, we're out of the weather we're out of that headwind we're out of that horrible rain I'm slowly warming up and following Neil you stink like goat you smell like the cheese Neil that's why I don't like goat cheese it smells like goat it's our first sight of the north the north coast oh see that's cool Irish Channel Menai Straits actually because that's Anglesey just there alright our trip has finally come to an end and it's just down there so we've got one big descent to finish we've finished a place called Clapton Road Junction I've done it three solid days in the saddle we've actually done it I am so chuffed with these bikes it's unreal what they can do my mind has been opened and blown in one it's nice having just enough power we went full power all the way up this final descent then three long days that felt so good personal note whilst Neil's bombing down there I am absolutely blown away with this rig e-bikes for me was just like an uplift to having more fun on a descent whereas this has taken us 198km of epic pure outback riding and it's been epic like really epic it's blown me away how lightweight bikes will appeal back it's just they've come a long way it's opened my eyes I really like this bike I cannot believe it anyway I better catch up Neil we've still got a fair way to go we're nearly there blown away oh my gosh that's deep Neil there we have it you beautiful people we have conquered the biggest ride I've ever done on an e-bike yeah that's true thanks to Canyon for letting us do this because it's unreal ice cream in a sun lounger minus the sun lounger ice cream donkey ride I see no beach here Neil anyway if you want to see more epics like this don't forgive us to give a thumb up like and we'll see you next time cup of tea Neil I feel like I need in a hot bath world's smallest house look at that in Great Britain the world's smallest house happens to be in Great Britain is there a toilet