A weekend to remember??? Profile Here. Gallery here

Team members. DT DM IT CT PR AJ NG MB MT BB

I don't know if DM's computer will show it (Ed.actually recorded a total of 1995m to the finish - but then we climbed back to the Holiday Inn, so more than 2000m in the day), but I suspect that we climbed more than the 2100M that was indicated.  I struggled all the way round, but of course was not the only one.  My heart rate was too high, my cold was ebbing, but I take great pleasure in reporting that my back was OK.  Something that seemed very unlikely just 24 hours before.

The heat was a critical factor.  Nanu cramped, Pierre was getting symptoms, and I may have done if I'd not kept spinning on the descents.  Max temperature was a reported 34 degrees, and I personally felt all of that on one or two of the climbs.

All seemed pretty benign when we set off at 09:42, but none of us realised that we were going to have to jump ditches and traverse Huge lumps of rock.  I note that the 1st obstacle on the course got many reaching for their only spare tubes, yet by the grace of god, some judicious braking, and sheer luck, not one of us punctured… just as well really… we were going to need all the tubes we had!

The 1st notable incident was Nanu's initial puncture, and resultant "off" at the roundabout, giving Pete and I a chance to amble off at low speed for the next 5-10 miles.  The route to Glynneath proving nice and gentle with no major climbs or issues.  All was calm.

The water stop at the junction of the 100/150 routes was just a melee.  Water rations were low, and all the bananas had gone.  We all knew that the route would get serious from here, that we'd done little climbing to this point, and were 30 miles in.

This is where it gets serious… ignoring the very, very short 20% section that we'd already traversed.

1st climb was a moderate affair.  Probably 4-6 percent, and not too long, being 2-3 miles or so.  The rest of this section is unmemorable to me, but I cannot say the same for the next section.

Waterstop 2 was a little less manic, and we were all able to re-hydrate and relax.  Not for too long though, we knew we had to press on.  This is where we hit our 1st wall.  The sign stated 18%, DM recorded 17%.  The bloke in front of me  clearly thought is steeper when he chundered.  I could see at least two people traversing the road, which I thought particularly dangerous with a blind summit ahead.  Reaching the top of this short but monstrous 1/4 mile I decided to thank myself for getting a compact chainset.  The 34" gear did the job well.

So the dragon had bared its teeth, and we were not found wanting.  Trouble is, we did not know what was coming!

From here we turned down into a single track lane, the panorama around us was magnificent, but I was becoming deeply aware that the proximity of the mountains all around us was an ominous sign.  I thus present to you what we now know within the club as the "Shepherd's track".

My eyes at this point were being deceived.  I was again on my smallest gear, but all other senses seemingly indicated that this was just a gentle climb.  I had received no forewarning for the severity of what we'd just started.  Again I decided to tempo the climb at my own pace and ensure that I got to the top.  I was beginning to pass riders on foot, even though this was the bottom.  By now the heat was intense, and the lack of road speed was telling. 

Secretary's note:  We need half length zips on the club jersey's, and we need them now!   I want this brought up at the next committee meeting.  We need a call to arms to address this matter!

Imperceptively, the climb rose up steeper.  I don't know what the gradient was, but it was bloody steep. (Ed circa 16%)  Martyn pulled off into a shaded area, but I was here to seek solace only at the summit, and had set a cadence to ensure that.  This was truly hell, but though the sun continued to beat down on us inexorably, there was no way that this route was going to beat us.  It tried though, it certainly tried.

We reconvened at the top and told tales of woe, and hardship, all pleased to be at the summit and not still at the bottom.  It was from here that Nanu's resolve would be severely tested.  Within 2 miles of this crest the cramp set in.  I think Mark and Bob could probably have heard the cry of pain from where they were.  

(Looking Down from Close to the top)

Nanu later recollected that it was the worst ever pain that he'd experienced and he could only undertake a controlled fall (much like his earlier incident).  With two cramped legs there was little chance of finishing, but we let the broom wagon go past whilst the healing commenced.  There was only one way to address this, and that was to keep spinning.  The pace slowed slightly, but we were able to progress none the less. 

Nanu, clearly going for a record of stoppages, hit a stone in the road and punctured again.  Thankfully a marshal came past just at the right time with a track pump, and saved what could have been a further 5 minutes inflating the tyre to a paltry 60-70PSI.

We all re-convened at the next ice cream van.

My plan was to set off immediately to keep warm (if that was at all required in this stifling heat), to prevent the onset of cramp again.  This seemed to trigger the cue for all to go… leaving Bob in the queue with an order for two 99's, a handful of coins, and a bemused look.

I recollect at this point that DM was pointing out that we'd yet to complete half of our climbing, and there was just 30 more miles or so to do it in.  We all knew what that meant.

We all (well mostly all) hit the next climb together.  Clearly Clive was in the best form, but there were a few of us that would treat the next few climbs with respect.  I for one was going to set myself a steady pace and just focus on the fact that this was a glorious day for us all.  I'm not entirely sure but this was probably the longest climb, again at about 4-6%.  This was assailed at a lowly 7MPH, which was 3MPH faster than the "Shepherd's track".  The summit of this climb was to be the next water stop.  We dined on banana and finest Welsh water.

I determined that a toilet stop was required, and dutifully emptied the bladder, then setting off with DM and Martyn down the descent.  We caught Nanu close to the bottom, whom was now clearly deliberately aiming at obstructions, and had hit something else.  Yet another puncture… for which Martyn came to the rescue.  Thankfully.

The descent complete, it was time for the final (we hoped) assault on this route.  Another long grind, not too steep, but still with the beating sun overhead.  It felt good getting to the top of this one and better still, likely the final climb.  A long rest ensued (for me at least).  All pressed on, with Mark and I staying with Bob for the final flurry to the finish.

I vividly recollect Bob's words when he saw the final, final little climb.  It could only have been a 15M rise, but it was leg breaking.  Thankfully it was the last and it was all downhill from here.

I had a riding time of 6 hours 22.  DM recorded 6 hours 12, and an overall duration of an hour longer than that.

Ultimately this had been SOME ride.  An expedition of torture for some, and a day out for others.

I for one will be commending the organisers.  This was well organised, and well thought out.

All in all, a good Sunday club run.

Note:  It was good to see Julie and Mathew's welcoming faces at some of the more scenic stops that the Bridgend locality could provide.  I suspect that there had been a considerable amount of waiting on their part and I'm sure a few of us enjoyed the opportunity to discuss how punishing the last few miles had been.