Ras de Cymru 2009: 2,3,4 Welsh Stage Race

[Toks]

What are you doing between July 1st and July 5th this year? Last year myself and three other 3rd cats did the Ras de Cymru stage race. Guys it was fantastic - 5 days of fairly tough riding. We were based in Newport at the university campus. Food and accomadation were incuded in the price (£200 per rider) I'll definitley be doin it again - since it was a brilliant experience. Anyone fancy it? If there aren't many intrested I'll do as part of a composite team.
http://www.welshcycling.co.uk/

[-Adam-]

Another race to be sewn up by the Paragon...

[Sylv]

Ah go on ..

I like our Surrey roads but Welsh mountains have got to beat that surely?

Need a 3rd or 4th rider ..

[Toks]

[quote="Sylv"]Ah go on ..

I like our Surrey roads but Welsh mountains have got to beat that surely?

Need a 3rd or 4th rider ..

[Andy E]

Ooh, i could be interested in this instead of the SL 5 day Jaunts in June. Works out much better work wise too. Will have to run it past the boss tonight (the real one at home ) but don't see why not. Would be truly excellent if we could get 5 or 6 of us going down

[Andy E]

Ah, i quick squiz at the details and I see it's 20 teams of 4 riders.. So we just need one more now?

[Toks]

[quote="Andy E"]Ah, i quick squiz at the details and I see it's 20 teams of 4 riders.. So we just need one more now?

[Toks]

Just to give you a flavour of the event here's my write up from last years Ras
http://theademerckxfiles.blogspot.com/2 ... -race.html

Another 3rd cats view

“So I enormously enjoyed riding the Ras; the company, the racing, the
organisation, that justified whooping swoop downhill to the valley from
the finish - it is as serious and committing a bike race as I have found in
these islands for a humble, 3rd cat road racer. The racing was
consistently hard but I didn't ever feel completely out of my depth
though I had to adopt a low-key, damage limitation style of riding to
survive intact to the end. The standard of riding was high and I have
very few complaints about fellow riders - all were fit and focused and
fair. There were undoubtedly a few outstanding riders in the field, male
and female, young and old, who are destined for great things (like
rainbow banded shirts and pure gold medals!) but the majority were just
toughing it out and, like me, were into uncharted territory come the 4th
day.
It was an enthralling taste of the all-enveloping world of stage racing
that I'm proud to have been part of. The organisation of the race was
amazing, with every detail taken care of by a remarkable group of
people. From the South Wales NEG motorcycle outriders to the
Caerleon Campus canteen ladies, from race organiser Simon Bray to
the many marshals, pushers off and behind the scenes administrators -
these people made sure the racing happened in a healthy, safe and
high profile manner. They really did everything possible to allow us
riders free reign to race, a phenomenal situation to find yourself in - I am
truly grateful to them all.”

Still not convinced. Here's more and a picture of me
http://theweering.blogspot.com/2009_01_01_archive.html

[Andy E]

Ok, I've officially got a pass for this now

Unfortunately I won't have a car so will need to share..

Anyone else taken that 4th spot yet?

[Sylv]

I am negotiating at work as i've realised it's just at a time i am super busy, it should be ok hopefully but i won't be able to take anymore time off than the 1-2-3 July so it would make for a tight schedule

[Andy E]

That's pretty much all i can take off too, so fingers crossed it works out

[Keith]

Toks, I've only just seen this message. Could be tempted. I'll check my diary and get back to you.....

[Toks]

It would be great to have you part of the four man team Keith. If I get an official thumbs up from you guys (Sylv, Andy and yourself) then we can get the ball rolling in the next couple of weeks

[Sylv]

Hello, I am going to have to ask real nicely for this time off, so do you think we could have a team?

[Keith]

After my pained expression throughout Sunday's race at Chilham, I don't believe I could currently do much more than "make up the numbers" in these hilly races. I think that's a no from me.