Ride the Spine

In September 2021, ex-professional rugby player, Chris Knight, bikepacked 230 miles down the ‘spine’ of Wales with two friends over six days.

Starting on an ancient Roman road in Conwy, in the north, they cycled over Snowdon, Cadair Idris, and Pen-y-Fan, through Welsh slate mines, and National Parks down to Worms Head on the south coast.

Carrying their bikes wherever they could not ride them, they clocked an impressive 20,000ft of ascent. To keep their weight to the minimum, they packed ten Firepot meals with them over the course of six days. 

Chris' challenge was, in part, planned as an opportunity to raise money for mental health charity, Mind. Having been forced into early retirement from rugby, Chris has coped with his own mental health issues by spending time in the outdoors. Coming out of the pandemic, he knew that filming his adventure would be a great way to showcase how time spent outdoors can benefit those struggling with their own mental health challenges.