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Post by Rupert on Oct 9, 2011 19:40:02 GMT
Well that was a long and very windy day out. Plenty of people were out supporting us and using anything they could find to make a noise including saucepan lids and cow bells. Thanks to Pete (Ponti), Pete (Thistle) and apparently Gwyn for cheering us on (although I didn't see you, sorry)... oh and Mrs Rupert with her own personal feed station just for me at the top of the Bryneglwys climb. Just as well really as the words "pissup" and "brewery" come to mind with the other feed stations. They'd run out of the promised pasta at the finish line, and even water seemed to be in short supply! A lot of us, me included missed a turning after Bryneglwys gliding club and ended up doing a couple of extra miles, but then they short changed us of about 8 miles by turning right after horseshoe instead of going into the vale of Clwyd to do "the Shelf".... elf and safety or some such nonesense. Total mileage 92 miles in a bit less than 7 hours 50 for me (no official time yet), and I did lose about 15 minutes queuing for water at the Carrog feed station The cars coming over horseshoe did confuse me, as I was riding on the wrong side at times only to find cars coming towards me. Later on I was also almost taken out by a woman towing a horsebox with her 4x4, who also caused the rider behind to crash quite badly, and then said "I couldn't slam on the brakes because my horse would fall over". Would I do it again... yes probably, but they need to learn a lot of lessons with the organisation for next year. I think Bev finished in front of me, and Ben was 10 seconds behind, but had a load of mechanicals.... and an 8 mile shortcut ;D Here is my log of the route: sportypal.com/Workouts/Details/1647014?key=8944347c2876538f9b8b266053aa364489709979&ms=1And one photo of me that Elizabeth took on the Bryneglwys climb, and no I haven'd developed a new bizarre pedalling technique, I was unclipping to stop at the time!
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Post by thistle on Oct 9, 2011 19:46:42 GMT
but then they short changed us of about 8 miles by turning right after horseshoe instead of going into the vale of Clwyd to do "the Shelf".... elf and safety or some such nonesense. There was one guy who rode all the way up to the Ponderosa and decided to quit as he'd had enough. I nearly went over and told him he had a good few miles of wonderful downhill and he may as well ride down there to get something back for all his effort - glad I didn't now! One of the ambulances stationed at the top went off down in that direction - maybe there was a crash on the Nant Y Garth bends which is why they cut it out? I think it was going the wrong way for the poor guy who hit the sheep Highlight of the day was someone coming up to the timing station at the end of the hill climb shouting "12 minutes, I disagree Thomas" ;D (haha swear filter won't allow that)
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Post by Rupert on Oct 9, 2011 19:56:11 GMT
maybe there was a crash on the Nant Y Garth bends which is why they cut it out? Oddly the route was never supposed to go down Nant Y Garth, but down the back road to Graigfechan
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Post by oldgit on Oct 9, 2011 20:19:43 GMT
Well done Rupert!!! Flat bars didn't slow you down after all. Sounds like they have to improve for next year. Did my own "Etape de Selattyn" with a 4 miles climb out of Glyn. Again well done to all who rode from MBNW
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Post by woody on Oct 9, 2011 20:38:46 GMT
If it wasn't for the fact that I'd already coughed up £65 for this ride then I'd have given it a miss due to not having touched a bike since early July. The thought of spending all that cash for nothing meant that at 8am there I was lining up with hundreds of others dreading what was in front of me. I'd managed to join up with Gaz from the forum who was riding with a mate and so set off with them. Throughout the ride we kept getting separated then somehow managing to find one another again, usually at the feed stations.
The early part of the ride seemed reasonably well organised, but once we hit the lanes on the way to Corwen about 50 of us ground to a halt at a t-junction because there was no arrow telling us which way to go! Eventually a marshall on a motorbike showed the way but throughout the day I'd say there were 5 or 6 junctions were we had to make an informed guess on the right way to go.
As for my ride, the horseshoe pass finished me off and from there to the end I was running on empty. If I'd had to go up the shelf I'd have probably ended up pushing, so if we were short changed then I for one was glad.
About 7 hours for me I think.
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Post by dyls on Oct 9, 2011 20:39:11 GMT
Well done everyone, 100miles is not easy.
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pete
Have-a-go Hero
age is a barrier,and it's a damm nightmare
Posts: 170
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Post by pete on Oct 9, 2011 20:45:14 GMT
Went up to the Panorama on a proper bike. It was windy,but warm and dry,the sun even made an appearance. Didn't see Ben at all. Bev came through with a very cheery hello. Missed Matt altogether. Only just spotted Rupert,and a few other people that I know. There were shouts of "wow" by quite a few riders as they rounded a bend and took in the view towards Llangollen,with Dinas Bran overlooking it. Rode home over the mountain on some great singletrack, to watch them all on the return leg past my house. Glen stopped for a chat while he waited for his mate. Here he comes,in his Tweeks colours. Just spotted the rear of Rupert(on the back left of this group) Bev,chasing down the guys in front of her. Sorry for this shot Bev,you were too quick for me. Here comes my regular riding buddy,Tony,not sure about the Pink top though. Rupert again,not convinced that he knew who I was when I said hello. Here's Tony again,just been passed by Father Christmas. ;D That pink top has got to go. And it's a cross bike. Bev, how can you still sound so bubbly after 90 miles.? Sorry it's a pic of your rear again, these Box Brownies are so slow. Enjoyed my day out spectating,think that I got the best of the weather. Mrs Ponti wants to get a road bike in the Spring,so you never know,Etape Cymru next year. ?
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pete
Have-a-go Hero
age is a barrier,and it's a damm nightmare
Posts: 170
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Post by pete on Oct 9, 2011 20:54:38 GMT
p.s. Well done to all you guys and girls,it must have been tough with all that wind today.
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Post by oldgit on Oct 9, 2011 20:56:33 GMT
What great pics!! and of Bev derriere
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pete
Have-a-go Hero
age is a barrier,and it's a damm nightmare
Posts: 170
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Post by pete on Oct 9, 2011 21:29:18 GMT
What great pics!! and of Bev derriere Don't say that, people will know that I've got a fetish.will think that I've got a fetish. ;D
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Post by motoxman on Oct 9, 2011 21:35:07 GMT
Walked Cader Idris today and on the way home had to take a diversion at the roundabout close to Llandegla. Even the copper on duty at roundabout made a comment about how badly organised it was Was going to ask him if he thought it was more badly organised than the policing of the recent riots but couldn't be arsed with the inevitable once over of the car and condascending attitude
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Post by BenKMV on Oct 9, 2011 21:46:01 GMT
Great pics Pete, I must have been to fast for you Pete the Panorama view was simply stunning.Strong winds at times but the rain get off.Just can't till next year to do it all over again
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Post by priceyla on Oct 9, 2011 22:17:26 GMT
What great pics!! and of Bev derriere Easy tiger!
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sharon
Have-a-go Hero
Posts: 213
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Post by sharon on Oct 10, 2011 6:00:01 GMT
Well done to all, who rode in the race. We went up to Degla and tried to get our 11 year old daughter up the hill and it wasn't nice ,so i wouldn't have liked to be on the rode with all that wind.
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Post by oldbird on Oct 10, 2011 6:16:39 GMT
Good effort all, I was riding round Worlds end and Erddig, Saw Ben flying through, Was riding with some lads at one point,[downhill] and they thought id rode it on my H/T, Well done Bev,
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