Sly
Reged: 07/02/2008
Posts: 732
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Upon emerging from the Ludlow Travelodge at 6:45am I seriously wondered if I really fancied riding at all. Driving through floods to reach Knighton I wouldn't have been surprised to have arrived at the start to find it cancelled (and I wouldn't have been disappointed, given my complete lack of training and preparation!)
However, despite being soaked to the skin within 5 miles and having fingers so frozen that I had to change gear using my entire fist, the ride turned out to be a terrific experience. The run to the first feed stop featured one hairy descent (where someone appeared to be receiving medical attention - hope they are ok) and some minor hills, but nothing out of the ordinary. The rain meant that you couldn't fully appreciate the surroundings, but they were mostly car-free quiet lanes and some nice fast sections.
Setting off towards the Elan Valley was just spectacular - seeing the riders dotted up the hillside and the raging torrent rampaging down the other side made for one of my most memorable moments on the bike this year. The valley itself was beautiful, and thankfully the rain subsided and let us get a good look around this most picturesque corner of the route, but how deep was that flood we rode through?! The valley was my favourite section, and I had a fast run all the way until the "real" hills began...
65 miles and a steep winding hill with many walking. This must be Glascwm, I though... Pleased that I had conquered it, my legs felt tired as my lack of training kicked in, but surely the worst was done? Then the sign that read 4 miles to Glascwm - huh? Worst fears were confirmed a few minutes later as the frightful horror of the real Glascym climb stretched up long and skywards before me at an impossibly steep gradient. As I was going up I did not see a single person NOT walking up here, it was so severe. My 29 granny got me up it without walking, but only using wild zig zags and all the energy left in my weary body. That was my undoing. Had I walked I may have had the legs to get home easily, but instead I had to crawl along at snail's pace (especially up that final never-ending sould destroyer of a hill) to collect the great goody pack and meal.
Very well organised event and excellent helpers at the start/finish and feed stations - most impressed with the safety officers on motorbikes who were very visible throughout. Congrats to those who made the effort to ride given the awful conditions on Sunday morning - worth it in the end!
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bfergie
Reged: 19/04/2008
Posts: 3653
Loc: Sticks ,Scotlandshire
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Well done Sly. I told you the 130mile Ullapool would be good preparation for you but did you listen..nooooooo!!! Do we get times, distances etc?
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I now accept PAYPAL!!!!
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El_Cid
Reged: 02/08/2007
Posts: 1499
Loc: Ilkley, Yorks
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Good report Sly - so you will be up for the Mega after all - its the logical next step after this. Good Effort Sir.
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"TODAY, WE RIDE"
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Sly
Reged: 07/02/2008
Posts: 732
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The funny thing is that the "bail out" route on the Epic missed out the Elan Valley, which I thought would have been like missing out the Bwlch Y Groes on the Dave Lloyd. The difference being that 94 miles is a bit easier to scrape round than 145. I suppose I could pay the extra tenner and opt for the realistic Midi on the day if I'm unable to cope.
A few more weeks of chipping away and I might consider it!
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Sly
Reged: 07/02/2008
Posts: 732
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94 miles, 6:33 ride time (av 14 on my comp). Had a big stop at the first feed station to warm hands, eat, and use facilities, and then a few more mins wasted wondering why my rear der kept jumping every chain rotation, so overall time was 6:45.
Was heading for 16 av when before legs went, but I was just pleased to complete - it's amazing what you can do with little or no training! I haven't ridden more about 5 times since the Rocko Roller a month ago, and 35 miles was the most on any one ride.
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wuverley
Reged: 16/05/2008
Posts: 4046
Loc: Man of Kent
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Well gone sly, sounds like fun, sort of.
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Invicta
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