IT WAS DRY
Yes, despite taking place on one of the wettest weekends in UK history, we got away with it.
It was pi***ing down 30 minutes before the start and thunderous looking skies and scudding clouds made everyone dress for the worst. Full waterproofs and overshoes on the line and little in the way of joyfull anticipation. Things looked really bad.
But amazingly it stayed dry.
The course was tough but not stupid (they missed out the first loop around Porthcawl for some reason which shortens it by about 7 miles). The climbs are all long and draggy rather than steep. Its much more of a mental battle this one. Especially up around the Crai reservoir where you can see for miles uphill into the distance and theres a tortuous headwind.
Sensibly we took it very easy for the first 50 miles, Hal and I just tapped steadily up the the Bwlch (the first time) and even at a comfortable pace we were passing hundreds of riders who looked like they were in for a long day. Descent was dodgy in the wet but 50mph was still attainable.
On the hill we'd occasionaly get shouts from other ACC riders we passed who'd started before us which was great. Over the Rhicos after 55 miles and still feeling OK. Hal was champing at the and could restrain himself no longer, pinned his ears back and went up the road hunting scalps. I wasn't sure I had that kind of form with 60 miles left so sat in with a decent working group over the ardous Brecon Beacons drags.
They couldn't stay with me up the Crai climbs though but just as I was settling in for the torture of 20 miles solo riding into the wind to Glyneath a tester from Sheffield came past and he was SMOKIN' - just managed to grab his wheel on the hill and he towed me all the way to Neath at ridiculous speed, my legs were screaming!
Then the sun came out and due to the morning dress code I was seriously overheating, combined with the pasting I'd had trying to stay with the sheffield express I was hurting bad and the second time up the Bwlch was pathetic. But there were riders dying all over the road and targets everywhere to aim at.
Half dead at the top I was revived by my mum and sister who'd come out to watch and after a ten minute break catching up on family business and drinking flat coke it was down to the last 10 miles of largely downhill racing, which this year consisted of a couple of very tasty guys from Cardiff Jif duking it out with local rivals from Velo Tefi which kept things well in the region of 25mph all the way down the valley.
120 miles dead on the clock in 6hrs 40.
Awesome day and great to see so many riders from the club milling around at the finish where, once again, we had by far the biggest pressence of any club.
Dragon Ride - Got out of jail
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• Page 1 of 5 • 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Dragon Ride - Got out of jail
by huw williams » Mon Jun 25, 2007 9:40 am
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by huw williams » Mon Jun 25, 2007 10:47 am
Very interesting - as soon as I saw that I thought it was a strange packaging idea
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by adrian » Mon Jun 25, 2007 11:47 am
Wow, talk about fortune favouring the brave.
Can't really overstate how amazing it was that we stayed dry. It's amazing any time you stay dry in Wales, but it had been so hideous the day before, and right up to the time I got to the start line, that you suspected higher forces at work. Higher than those that control the weather, even.
I'd stayed the night before in Stroud, about 70 miles away, and was completely prepared not to start - it was raining so hard, and with that in-for-the-day look about it, that I wondered if there was any point investing the £5.10 in the Severn Bridge crossing. But I thought I'd feel less craven if I saw others DNSing as well, so I pressed on.
It was still raining when I got to Bridgend, and continued as I unpacked my bike with a distinct lack of enthusiasm. Had to go and cadge some safety pins from the HQ but was otherwise ready to get into the start scrum at about 7.55 when I realised I'd forgotten my eyewear/goggles. So it was back to the car again.
Hooked up with Mike at the start and finally got going about 8.30, to the sound of bizarre Stalinist martial music to match the architecture of the recreation centre serving as start and HQ.
Mike and I got into a good rhythm early on and were flying past those early starters who had lowlier ambitions and talent than the likes of Huw and Hal (both of whom I'd spotted ahead in the queue to start). The first hour seemed to fly by - 20 miles ticked off, and we were still dry; not only that, but visibility was good, and getting better by the minute. Surely it couldn't last?
Mike and I decided to skip the first feed station on the approach to the Blwch mountain road - we were going well and were well stocked up for food and liquid. The Blwch climb itself was, the first time at least, enjoyable - long but not too steep, it didn't fill me with dread of the re-encounter later in the ride. The descent down was mercifully dry but quite cold on the hands.
The next climb - Rhigos - came very soon afterwards; it was slightly steeper than the Blwch but shorter. There we came across a couple more Agreeables (sorry, chaps - don't know your names), which was great to see. Sylvain had passed us earlier on just before the feed station looking in fine fettle. Predictably, that was the last I saw of him.
As we entered the Brecon Beacons, the sun came out good and proper and I felt great about things - the road surfaces were excellent, my new bike was running like a dream and we were making good time. The only thing was that I was now getting a little low on fluid - in fact by the time the next feed station came around, at around 65 miles, I was spitting cotton.
This feed station, at Glyn Neath, was a bit of a shambles. There was a huge bottleneck of riders, and although a couple of helpers were gamely working their way through the throng filling up people's bottles, there was precious little else left. In view of the fact that we were by no means pigeon-tapping tail-end Charlies, I thought this odd (I later discovered that Conor had already been through, which explained everything
) and the 15 minutes or so it took to pass through there had been wasted.
I had a slight cob on about this as I left the FS, and also because I'd somehow lost Mike and Mark McLaughlin, who'd also got caught up in the melee. And as I climbed up to Cray, the weather was starting to look a little iffy, as well.
But in no time the clouds dispersed and we were in sunshine again, and moving along in fine style - we being me and three Aussies I'd hooked up with. At one point I had to stop as my bottle cage was getting a little loose, and as a result was on the lookout for a new group again.
Didn't find one until after the nastiest climb of the day up the Cimla road. This was easily the steepest climb of the day and although the road surface was excellent, it went on far longer than I wanted it to. Here I felt the first - and, luckily last, early-warning signs of cramp.
At the Blwch feed station came across Mike again - he was, by his own admission, feeling it a bit and not exactly relishing the long climb to come. I cracked on and, cheered by the sunshine, the other riders either wobbling up or slumped over the railings hither and thither, and also by the prospect of a fast dash home from the summit, got up there without too much gnashing of teeth.
From here it was, sure enough, an exhilarating burst home, mostly downhill, although one more nasty kick upwards just outside Bridgend provided what ride reporters would call 'a sting in the tail'.
Managed to get caught by about ten traffic lights in Bridgend alone as I sought out the finish line, but eventually beeped over the mat and felt relieved and delighted. I had a total time of 7:40, riding time 7:10 (need to cut that feed station time down) at an average of 17mph. Pretty happy with that.
Came across Hal, Aodan, Conor and later Maria, Mark McL, Chris (minus some skin on his left leg) and Mike at the finish, and after a brief post-mortem (during which I doubt I made much sense), it was back to the car - where I saw Graham O - and away. Not even the realisation that I'd trod in dog sh*t earlier that morning and had worked it into the clutch pedal and mat
could dampen my spirits as I drove back to Stroud to pick up Mrs A - in the p*ssing rain.
The drive back from there was a hideous DVT-inducing affair and it was a mere cast of a man that ate his dinner at about 11pm that night. But it had been a fantastic day - a great ride on a hard but fair course, well signposted and marshalled and liberally sprinkled with the old gold of ACC, which was great to see. The new bike was a joy and had barely got dirty.
Will be back for this next year - can't wait for the next time out: the UK Etape this Sunday.
PS Thanks to Huw for promoting this and for the advice about the pork pie - it worked a treat.
Can't really overstate how amazing it was that we stayed dry. It's amazing any time you stay dry in Wales, but it had been so hideous the day before, and right up to the time I got to the start line, that you suspected higher forces at work. Higher than those that control the weather, even.
I'd stayed the night before in Stroud, about 70 miles away, and was completely prepared not to start - it was raining so hard, and with that in-for-the-day look about it, that I wondered if there was any point investing the £5.10 in the Severn Bridge crossing. But I thought I'd feel less craven if I saw others DNSing as well, so I pressed on.
It was still raining when I got to Bridgend, and continued as I unpacked my bike with a distinct lack of enthusiasm. Had to go and cadge some safety pins from the HQ but was otherwise ready to get into the start scrum at about 7.55 when I realised I'd forgotten my eyewear/goggles. So it was back to the car again.
Hooked up with Mike at the start and finally got going about 8.30, to the sound of bizarre Stalinist martial music to match the architecture of the recreation centre serving as start and HQ.
Mike and I got into a good rhythm early on and were flying past those early starters who had lowlier ambitions and talent than the likes of Huw and Hal (both of whom I'd spotted ahead in the queue to start). The first hour seemed to fly by - 20 miles ticked off, and we were still dry; not only that, but visibility was good, and getting better by the minute. Surely it couldn't last?
Mike and I decided to skip the first feed station on the approach to the Blwch mountain road - we were going well and were well stocked up for food and liquid. The Blwch climb itself was, the first time at least, enjoyable - long but not too steep, it didn't fill me with dread of the re-encounter later in the ride. The descent down was mercifully dry but quite cold on the hands.
The next climb - Rhigos - came very soon afterwards; it was slightly steeper than the Blwch but shorter. There we came across a couple more Agreeables (sorry, chaps - don't know your names), which was great to see. Sylvain had passed us earlier on just before the feed station looking in fine fettle. Predictably, that was the last I saw of him.
As we entered the Brecon Beacons, the sun came out good and proper and I felt great about things - the road surfaces were excellent, my new bike was running like a dream and we were making good time. The only thing was that I was now getting a little low on fluid - in fact by the time the next feed station came around, at around 65 miles, I was spitting cotton.
This feed station, at Glyn Neath, was a bit of a shambles. There was a huge bottleneck of riders, and although a couple of helpers were gamely working their way through the throng filling up people's bottles, there was precious little else left. In view of the fact that we were by no means pigeon-tapping tail-end Charlies, I thought this odd (I later discovered that Conor had already been through, which explained everything
) and the 15 minutes or so it took to pass through there had been wasted.
I had a slight cob on about this as I left the FS, and also because I'd somehow lost Mike and Mark McLaughlin, who'd also got caught up in the melee. And as I climbed up to Cray, the weather was starting to look a little iffy, as well.
But in no time the clouds dispersed and we were in sunshine again, and moving along in fine style - we being me and three Aussies I'd hooked up with. At one point I had to stop as my bottle cage was getting a little loose, and as a result was on the lookout for a new group again.
Didn't find one until after the nastiest climb of the day up the Cimla road. This was easily the steepest climb of the day and although the road surface was excellent, it went on far longer than I wanted it to. Here I felt the first - and, luckily last, early-warning signs of cramp.
At the Blwch feed station came across Mike again - he was, by his own admission, feeling it a bit and not exactly relishing the long climb to come. I cracked on and, cheered by the sunshine, the other riders either wobbling up or slumped over the railings hither and thither, and also by the prospect of a fast dash home from the summit, got up there without too much gnashing of teeth.
From here it was, sure enough, an exhilarating burst home, mostly downhill, although one more nasty kick upwards just outside Bridgend provided what ride reporters would call 'a sting in the tail'.
Managed to get caught by about ten traffic lights in Bridgend alone as I sought out the finish line, but eventually beeped over the mat and felt relieved and delighted. I had a total time of 7:40, riding time 7:10 (need to cut that feed station time down) at an average of 17mph. Pretty happy with that.
Came across Hal, Aodan, Conor and later Maria, Mark McL, Chris (minus some skin on his left leg) and Mike at the finish, and after a brief post-mortem (during which I doubt I made much sense), it was back to the car - where I saw Graham O - and away. Not even the realisation that I'd trod in dog sh*t earlier that morning and had worked it into the clutch pedal and mat
could dampen my spirits as I drove back to Stroud to pick up Mrs A - in the p*ssing rain.
The drive back from there was a hideous DVT-inducing affair and it was a mere cast of a man that ate his dinner at about 11pm that night. But it had been a fantastic day - a great ride on a hard but fair course, well signposted and marshalled and liberally sprinkled with the old gold of ACC, which was great to see. The new bike was a joy and had barely got dirty.
Will be back for this next year - can't wait for the next time out: the UK Etape this Sunday.
PS Thanks to Huw for promoting this and for the advice about the pork pie - it worked a treat.
Last edited by adrian on Mon Jun 25, 2007 1:09 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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by Graham O » Mon Jun 25, 2007 1:04 pm
All,
That was a really good ride. It was my first proper sportive and was quite an experience.
Started off with Huw and Hal; following the pace of our group. My new heart rate monitor was telling me to slow down on the way up the bwylch. Hal and Huw were going a little quick, so I let them gradually slip away. Anyhow, to my horror, I started to get some cramping twinges in my legs towards the top. At this point I started to think about taking the shorter route as there was no way that I was going to cycle 90 miles with cramp in my legs.
Whilst Huw managed 50 miles an hour on the way down, i was restricted to 40. The fear of the rain made me wear my commuter jacket, which is not the most aerodynamic of garments. When I got to the Rhigos, I put the jacket in my pocket and was instantly more comfortable. After passing Connor on the Cllimb, I had a bit of a go, and again the cramp returned, only this time it was a bit worse.
Anyhow, don't want to bore you with my cramp stories. I got to the turn off for the big ride and headed for the Brecons without really thinking. At this point, Chris Kay caught me. We started to get into quite a rythm and kept hoping that we would catch a mini peleton and get a rest. Anyhow, after 5 miles or so, Chris mentioned that the Peleton was actually behind us. Whilst they could stay with us on the flats, they were soon blown away as we started to climb.
Then Sylv turned up with his own mini peleton. He looked to be going well, but didn;t look to be getting much help from his peleton. I tried to help out and had some fun down a long straight descent. Anyhow - After this the cramp returned, this time on both thighs....ouch that hurt !!
I let Chris and Sylv go and played the peleton game all the way to the bottom of the Bwylch. There were some quite fast groups, but on the whole, they couldn't climb for toffee. I was quite easy to sit in and then jump across on the climbs.
I felt reasonably good on the second climb of the Bwylch, and in the distance I could see Chris. I set about catching him. To my surprise I was able to keep a reasonable speed going and in the end, caught Chris near the top.
We then proceeded to blast down to Bridend....I didn't care about the cramp at this point.
In the end, I really enjoyable, but painful experience and would love another go....after my legs stop hurting..
Ta,
Graham.
That was a really good ride. It was my first proper sportive and was quite an experience.
Started off with Huw and Hal; following the pace of our group. My new heart rate monitor was telling me to slow down on the way up the bwylch. Hal and Huw were going a little quick, so I let them gradually slip away. Anyhow, to my horror, I started to get some cramping twinges in my legs towards the top. At this point I started to think about taking the shorter route as there was no way that I was going to cycle 90 miles with cramp in my legs.
Whilst Huw managed 50 miles an hour on the way down, i was restricted to 40. The fear of the rain made me wear my commuter jacket, which is not the most aerodynamic of garments. When I got to the Rhigos, I put the jacket in my pocket and was instantly more comfortable. After passing Connor on the Cllimb, I had a bit of a go, and again the cramp returned, only this time it was a bit worse.
Anyhow, don't want to bore you with my cramp stories. I got to the turn off for the big ride and headed for the Brecons without really thinking. At this point, Chris Kay caught me. We started to get into quite a rythm and kept hoping that we would catch a mini peleton and get a rest. Anyhow, after 5 miles or so, Chris mentioned that the Peleton was actually behind us. Whilst they could stay with us on the flats, they were soon blown away as we started to climb.
Then Sylv turned up with his own mini peleton. He looked to be going well, but didn;t look to be getting much help from his peleton. I tried to help out and had some fun down a long straight descent. Anyhow - After this the cramp returned, this time on both thighs....ouch that hurt !!
I let Chris and Sylv go and played the peleton game all the way to the bottom of the Bwylch. There were some quite fast groups, but on the whole, they couldn't climb for toffee. I was quite easy to sit in and then jump across on the climbs.
I felt reasonably good on the second climb of the Bwylch, and in the distance I could see Chris. I set about catching him. To my surprise I was able to keep a reasonable speed going and in the end, caught Chris near the top.
We then proceeded to blast down to Bridend....I didn't care about the cramp at this point.
In the end, I really enjoyable, but painful experience and would love another go....after my legs stop hurting..
Ta,
Graham.
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by Phil L » Mon Jun 25, 2007 1:17 pm
We were dead lucky to get away with the rain. Dark clouds all around in the distance, with sun breaking through every so often. It did make it very difficult to to regulate the layers and stay at the right temperature - thers nothing worse than cold sweat gathering at the bottom of your waterproof sleeves and trickling into your gloves.
Early on in the ride I was feeling like sh*t and was half tempted to do the short route, even heading down it 100 yards, and then thought no, it is not what I have come here for - and switched back after five minutes of deliberating whilst I sorted out my waterproof (did I want it on or did I want it off - couldn't work out whether I was cold or hot). I'm not sure what was wrong with me, but I gradually felt better as the ride progressed, even surprising myself up that 'orrible misleading and purnishing hill out of Neath.
The second ride up the Bwlch was slower second time around - plenty of weary legs everywhere. I was still feeling strong considering the mileage at this stage, still able to sprint up the odd short steep bits, until I stopped at the feed station before the major climb. Grant and Adrian were there - and to my surprise Adrian pulled out a fairly large pork pie in perfect condition - most of my food in my pocket was a warmed up messy mulch by this stage (101 miles on the clock). I set off before them and now feeling the 100 miles plus on the drag up - not a nice hill at this stage - a 300m ascent up a long winding road at the side of the valley - it gave an opportunity for a lot riders to pass me. Not far up the climb Adrian shot past - his secret weapon obviously taking effect.
At the top most common question exchanged by riders was - "are there anymore hills, are there anymore hills?" - everyone had had enough of climbs by this stage. It was a fantatsic blast back down to Bridgend and surprised myself with how much more in me I could find to sprint along the final dual carriageway - topped 30mph towing a group with a similar burst of energy.
Total ride time for me was 7:22 and my official time 7:54 which matched my GPS. 32 minutes of stopping was a bit poor, partly explained by the second feed station or should I say "drink station" - a 15 minutes wait due to queuing for what I thought was food but was just for energy drink - what a shambles - I don't think they got the logistics right for the 2300 riders - I'll forgive them considering the numbers as they got everything else right. I beat my target of 8 hours (only just) - so very chuffed.
The official results are now published on the [url=http://www.raceahead.net/SearchEvents.aspx]RaceAhead[/url] website - I have pulled out all of those who registered as ACC members, though the results don't say whether the long or short ride was done and the position:
47 Richard Appleton Male 06:52:56 Addiscombe CC
954 Adrian Ashworth Male 07:39:22 Addiscombe CC
1496 Grant Barnes Male 07:44:00 Addiscombe CC
1205 Philippe Belvir Male 06:17:32 Addiscombe Cycling Club
1281 Hal Bransby Male 06:41:41 Addiscombe
563 Conor Cormican Male 06:05:56 Addiscombe CC
2073 Matthew Day Male 06:50:11 Addiscombe
2260 Sylvain Garde Male 06:36:55 Addiscombe CC
338 Mike Ingram Male 07:43:58 Addiscombe CC
2019 Ben Jones Male 07:03:40 Addiscombe
2267 Christopher Kay Male 07:26:27 Addiscombe CC
543 Philip Lambert Male 07:54:16 Addiscombe CC
851 Mark Leedham Male 06:44:48 Addiscombe CC
1096 Mark Mclaughlin Male 07:14:58 Addiscombe CC
1381 Graham Oliver Male 07:30:37 Addiscombe CC
1203 Andy Spriggs Male 05:23:39 Addiscombe Cycle Club
1405 Steve Wakley Male 05:45:56 Addiscombe CC
Early on in the ride I was feeling like sh*t and was half tempted to do the short route, even heading down it 100 yards, and then thought no, it is not what I have come here for - and switched back after five minutes of deliberating whilst I sorted out my waterproof (did I want it on or did I want it off - couldn't work out whether I was cold or hot). I'm not sure what was wrong with me, but I gradually felt better as the ride progressed, even surprising myself up that 'orrible misleading and purnishing hill out of Neath.
The second ride up the Bwlch was slower second time around - plenty of weary legs everywhere. I was still feeling strong considering the mileage at this stage, still able to sprint up the odd short steep bits, until I stopped at the feed station before the major climb. Grant and Adrian were there - and to my surprise Adrian pulled out a fairly large pork pie in perfect condition - most of my food in my pocket was a warmed up messy mulch by this stage (101 miles on the clock). I set off before them and now feeling the 100 miles plus on the drag up - not a nice hill at this stage - a 300m ascent up a long winding road at the side of the valley - it gave an opportunity for a lot riders to pass me. Not far up the climb Adrian shot past - his secret weapon obviously taking effect.
At the top most common question exchanged by riders was - "are there anymore hills, are there anymore hills?" - everyone had had enough of climbs by this stage. It was a fantatsic blast back down to Bridgend and surprised myself with how much more in me I could find to sprint along the final dual carriageway - topped 30mph towing a group with a similar burst of energy.
Total ride time for me was 7:22 and my official time 7:54 which matched my GPS. 32 minutes of stopping was a bit poor, partly explained by the second feed station or should I say "drink station" - a 15 minutes wait due to queuing for what I thought was food but was just for energy drink - what a shambles - I don't think they got the logistics right for the 2300 riders - I'll forgive them considering the numbers as they got everything else right. I beat my target of 8 hours (only just) - so very chuffed.
The official results are now published on the [url=http://www.raceahead.net/SearchEvents.aspx]RaceAhead[/url] website - I have pulled out all of those who registered as ACC members, though the results don't say whether the long or short ride was done and the position:
47 Richard Appleton Male 06:52:56 Addiscombe CC
954 Adrian Ashworth Male 07:39:22 Addiscombe CC
1496 Grant Barnes Male 07:44:00 Addiscombe CC
1205 Philippe Belvir Male 06:17:32 Addiscombe Cycling Club
1281 Hal Bransby Male 06:41:41 Addiscombe
563 Conor Cormican Male 06:05:56 Addiscombe CC
2073 Matthew Day Male 06:50:11 Addiscombe
2260 Sylvain Garde Male 06:36:55 Addiscombe CC
338 Mike Ingram Male 07:43:58 Addiscombe CC
2019 Ben Jones Male 07:03:40 Addiscombe
2267 Christopher Kay Male 07:26:27 Addiscombe CC
543 Philip Lambert Male 07:54:16 Addiscombe CC
851 Mark Leedham Male 06:44:48 Addiscombe CC
1096 Mark Mclaughlin Male 07:14:58 Addiscombe CC
1381 Graham Oliver Male 07:30:37 Addiscombe CC
1203 Andy Spriggs Male 05:23:39 Addiscombe Cycle Club
1405 Steve Wakley Male 05:45:56 Addiscombe CC
- Phil L
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by Maria David » Mon Jun 25, 2007 2:44 pm
(I'm working on a full race report, but here is my first rendition !)
The heavens definitely smiled on us during this event. Apart from a couple of spots during my second ascent of the Bwlch it stayed dry.
Still, I'd made an executive decision at 7am while it was raining, to do the short course. This meant a more leisurely breakfast. By the time I reached the race hq the weather had already cleared up - only trouble was it was almost 9am, so it was too late to start the long course even if I'd wanted to - I didn't though !
For me the course was pretty straight forward. In general the main climbs were not dissimilar to the alpine climbs you get abroad - not especially steep but just quite long. The Bwlch was not difficult, though you did begin to feel it when going up the 2nd time. The climb up to Rhigos was deceptively long.
IMO the worst climb was the one going through Neath. That was a long sharp shock ! It was about 10% - think Anerley Hill, and was almost a mile long.
The sting in the tail just outside Bridgend caught me by surprise too. Looking at the way a lot of us wobbled up it, I wasn't the only one to be surprised !
All in all, it was a good day out - I bumped into a few folks I know from London (including the De Ver crowd). The folks were friendly, especially the kind soul who paced me up Rhigos, and the 10 blokes that towed me up to the main event after my somewhat belated start !
It was good to finish in the sunshine and see alot of familiar faces (Team Addiscombe) standing near the finish line.
I did 5hrs 35 (including 15 mins stoppage time) for the short course, which I am happy with - especially as it wasn't too far behind GB international (Emma Davies)
Is this event good enough to become a Golden Bike event ? That part of Wales is pretty and the ambiance was good, so I may well be back again. The marshalls were good natured and it was very well sign posted too.
I do think they would need to run the course more into the countryside though so we don't have to go through so many traffic lights and roundabouts - especially at the finish where alot of people (myself included) wanted to really blast it home. Going through more countryside would jazz up the course abit more.
They could also revise the food policy - more food at the feed stations, more variety, High 5 at the right concentration. And something abit more substantial than water and degreaser flavoured "Go Gel" at the finish !
Still, I'm glad I was in Wales yesterday, and not London !
Maria
http://2wheelchick.blogspot.com/
The heavens definitely smiled on us during this event. Apart from a couple of spots during my second ascent of the Bwlch it stayed dry.
Still, I'd made an executive decision at 7am while it was raining, to do the short course. This meant a more leisurely breakfast. By the time I reached the race hq the weather had already cleared up - only trouble was it was almost 9am, so it was too late to start the long course even if I'd wanted to - I didn't though !
For me the course was pretty straight forward. In general the main climbs were not dissimilar to the alpine climbs you get abroad - not especially steep but just quite long. The Bwlch was not difficult, though you did begin to feel it when going up the 2nd time. The climb up to Rhigos was deceptively long.
IMO the worst climb was the one going through Neath. That was a long sharp shock ! It was about 10% - think Anerley Hill, and was almost a mile long.
The sting in the tail just outside Bridgend caught me by surprise too. Looking at the way a lot of us wobbled up it, I wasn't the only one to be surprised !
All in all, it was a good day out - I bumped into a few folks I know from London (including the De Ver crowd). The folks were friendly, especially the kind soul who paced me up Rhigos, and the 10 blokes that towed me up to the main event after my somewhat belated start !
It was good to finish in the sunshine and see alot of familiar faces (Team Addiscombe) standing near the finish line.
I did 5hrs 35 (including 15 mins stoppage time) for the short course, which I am happy with - especially as it wasn't too far behind GB international (Emma Davies)
Is this event good enough to become a Golden Bike event ? That part of Wales is pretty and the ambiance was good, so I may well be back again. The marshalls were good natured and it was very well sign posted too.
I do think they would need to run the course more into the countryside though so we don't have to go through so many traffic lights and roundabouts - especially at the finish where alot of people (myself included) wanted to really blast it home. Going through more countryside would jazz up the course abit more.
They could also revise the food policy - more food at the feed stations, more variety, High 5 at the right concentration. And something abit more substantial than water and degreaser flavoured "Go Gel" at the finish !
Still, I'm glad I was in Wales yesterday, and not London !
Maria
http://2wheelchick.blogspot.com/
- Maria David
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by Maria David » Mon Jun 25, 2007 2:45 pm
(I'm working on a full race report, but here is my first rendition !)
The heavens definitely smiled on us during this event. Apart from a couple of spots during my second ascent of the Bwlch it stayed dry.
Still, I'd made an executive decision at 7am while it was raining, to do the short course. This meant a more leisurely breakfast. By the time I reached the race hq the weather had already cleared up - only trouble was it was almost 9am, so it was too late to start the long course even if I'd wanted to - I didn't though !
For me the course was pretty straight forward. In general the main climbs were not dissimilar to the alpine climbs you get abroad - not especially steep but just quite long. The Bwlch was not difficult, though you did begin to feel it when going up the 2nd time. The climb up to Rhigos was deceptively long.
IMO the worst climb was the one going through Neath. That was a long sharp shock ! It was about 10% - think Anerley Hill, and was almost a mile long.
The sting in the tail just outside Bridgend caught me by surprise too. Looking at the way a lot of us wobbled up it, I wasn't the only one to be surprised !
All in all, it was a good day out - I bumped into a few folks I know from London (including the De Ver crowd). The folks were friendly, especially the kind soul who paced me up Rhigos, and the 10 blokes that towed me up to the main event after my somewhat belated start !
It was good to finish in the sunshine and see alot of familiar faces (Team Addiscombe) standing near the finish line.
I did 5hrs 35 (including 15 mins stoppage time) for the short course, which I am happy with - especially as it wasn't too far behind GB international (Emma Davies)
Is this event good enough to become a Golden Bike event ? That part of Wales is pretty and the ambiance was good, so I may well be back again. The marshalls were good natured and it was very well sign posted too.
I do think they would need to run the course more into the countryside though so we don't have to go through so many traffic lights and roundabouts - especially at the finish where alot of people (myself included) wanted to really blast it home. Going through more countryside would jazz up the course abit more.
They could also revise the food policy - more food at the feed stations, more variety, High 5 at the right concentration. And something abit more substantial than water and degreaser flavoured "Go Gel" at the finish !
Still, I'm glad I was in Wales yesterday, and not London !
Maria
http://2wheelchick.blogspot.com/
The heavens definitely smiled on us during this event. Apart from a couple of spots during my second ascent of the Bwlch it stayed dry.
Still, I'd made an executive decision at 7am while it was raining, to do the short course. This meant a more leisurely breakfast. By the time I reached the race hq the weather had already cleared up - only trouble was it was almost 9am, so it was too late to start the long course even if I'd wanted to - I didn't though !
For me the course was pretty straight forward. In general the main climbs were not dissimilar to the alpine climbs you get abroad - not especially steep but just quite long. The Bwlch was not difficult, though you did begin to feel it when going up the 2nd time. The climb up to Rhigos was deceptively long.
IMO the worst climb was the one going through Neath. That was a long sharp shock ! It was about 10% - think Anerley Hill, and was almost a mile long.
The sting in the tail just outside Bridgend caught me by surprise too. Looking at the way a lot of us wobbled up it, I wasn't the only one to be surprised !
All in all, it was a good day out - I bumped into a few folks I know from London (including the De Ver crowd). The folks were friendly, especially the kind soul who paced me up Rhigos, and the 10 blokes that towed me up to the main event after my somewhat belated start !
It was good to finish in the sunshine and see alot of familiar faces (Team Addiscombe) standing near the finish line.
I did 5hrs 35 (including 15 mins stoppage time) for the short course, which I am happy with - especially as it wasn't too far behind GB international (Emma Davies)
Is this event good enough to become a Golden Bike event ? That part of Wales is pretty and the ambiance was good, so I may well be back again. The marshalls were good natured and it was very well sign posted too.
I do think they would need to run the course more into the countryside though so we don't have to go through so many traffic lights and roundabouts - especially at the finish where alot of people (myself included) wanted to really blast it home. Going through more countryside would jazz up the course abit more.
They could also revise the food policy - more food at the feed stations, more variety, High 5 at the right concentration. And something abit more substantial than water and degreaser flavoured "Go Gel" at the finish !
Still, I'm glad I was in Wales yesterday, and not London !
Maria
http://2wheelchick.blogspot.com/
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by huw williams » Mon Jun 25, 2007 3:00 pm
I didn't realise about the sachets til I got home.
Opened the goodie bag, thought "ah, nice a gel sachet - that'll come in handy at next week's UK etape."
I was just putting it in the fridge when I noticed what it was!!!
Thing is I felt so bad up the Bwlch the second time that I would have eaten it anyway if someone had offerd me one
Anyway, awesome results and keep the reports coming chaps
Any reports from the short ride riders???
My time was posted as 6:52.55 which exactly ties up with my computer which said 6:42.50 (My mum kept me gassin' for exactly ten minutes).
Graham - Hal and I wondered what happened to you - cramp after that amount of time is awkward to diagnose especially as you've been used to ridding so hard recently - well done for doing the long ride after that.
Adrian - was your pie wrapped? I put mine in loose, reached for it just before Neath and my hand came out it with a congealed miasma of processed meet and crumbling pastry mixed in with dried figs.
Actually that made it easier to get it in to my mouth in large clods and the salt soon did its job.
Opened the goodie bag, thought "ah, nice a gel sachet - that'll come in handy at next week's UK etape."
I was just putting it in the fridge when I noticed what it was!!!
Thing is I felt so bad up the Bwlch the second time that I would have eaten it anyway if someone had offerd me one
Anyway, awesome results and keep the reports coming chaps
Any reports from the short ride riders???
My time was posted as 6:52.55 which exactly ties up with my computer which said 6:42.50 (My mum kept me gassin' for exactly ten minutes).
Graham - Hal and I wondered what happened to you - cramp after that amount of time is awkward to diagnose especially as you've been used to ridding so hard recently - well done for doing the long ride after that.
Adrian - was your pie wrapped? I put mine in loose, reached for it just before Neath and my hand came out it with a congealed miasma of processed meet and crumbling pastry mixed in with dried figs.
Actually that made it easier to get it in to my mouth in large clods and the salt soon did its job.
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by huw williams » Mon Jun 25, 2007 3:08 pm
QUOTE: Is this event good enough to become a Golden Bike event ? That part of I do think they would need to run the course more into the countryside though so we don't have to go through so many traffic lights and roundabouts - especially at the finish where alot of people (myself included) wanted to really blast it home. Going through more countryside would jazz up the course a bit more.
Agree entirely - I actually don't think the Dragon course is very good - The Bwlch and Rhigos climbs are great but there's far too much riding on wide-open main roads for my liking.
Organiser Lou Lusardi does this by choice because he's concerned about sending that number of riders down some of the narrower lanes in the area. But I say just do it - as in fact they will be in the Tour of The Black Mountains in the same area in a month's time.
Now there's a PROPER course - details to follow here in a couple of days but if your not doing anything on saturday (yes saturday, not sunday) 28th July and you fancy doing something which will dwarf the Dragon Ride... watch this space!
Agree entirely - I actually don't think the Dragon course is very good - The Bwlch and Rhigos climbs are great but there's far too much riding on wide-open main roads for my liking.
Organiser Lou Lusardi does this by choice because he's concerned about sending that number of riders down some of the narrower lanes in the area. But I say just do it - as in fact they will be in the Tour of The Black Mountains in the same area in a month's time.
Now there's a PROPER course - details to follow here in a couple of days but if your not doing anything on saturday (yes saturday, not sunday) 28th July and you fancy doing something which will dwarf the Dragon Ride... watch this space!
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by adrian » Mon Jun 25, 2007 3:16 pm
[quote]
Adrian - was your pie wrapped?
Adrian - was your pie wrapped?
Yes, it was still in its original (grease- and, apparently, sweat-proof) wrapping. I'd kept it in the fridge overnight but 101 (count 'em) miles in my jersey pocket snuggling cosily 'twixt base layer and 'jacket potato' gilet had brought it nicely up to room temperature (provided your room is in an old people's home in summer). Still, it was absolutely delicious, although as I set off up the Blwch for the second time, I kept inhaling bits of perfectly-preserved crust. The choking did at least take my mind off the pain in my legs.
Really impressive times from our guys and gals - great stuff.
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by Sylv » Mon Jun 25, 2007 4:14 pm
[quote="seanieh.NearlyNewCondor©"]I've heard that there is a real sh1t storm kicking up over chain degreaser being included in the goodie bags and as many as 4 people hospitalised when they took these sachets thinking they were energy gels.
Jeez we knew that might happen - where did you read that?
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