Post by Rob on Aug 21, 2010 18:06:50 GMT
The Concept
Linking Stage:
The linking stages are the main part of the daily ride and link the starting venue with the finish location. Most linking stages are between 50-80km long and are not timed in the conventional way due to not being a race, so if for the day you get 6hrs to complete the Linking stage if you come in at 3hrs you still get the 6hrs on your time as its generic throughout however if you are late for ever minute you are you recieve a second penalty so 43mins late you recieve a 43sec penalty.
Special Stages:
Here is where it counts. The special stages are held on separate courses during the day where riders set off in set intervals and are timed on their efforts. This will give the riders who have certain strengths the chance to shine and to creep up the rankings as well as keeping the competition exciting throughout the week. And to really keep the tension going to the last minute we will have the final stage back in Builth Wells on the final day of the event.
Day 1 Builth Wells - Knighton Sunday 15th August 2010
Distance: 64km
Ascent: 1,850m
Descent: 1,843m
Sadle Sorness - None Yet
1st Special Stage (within): Water Breaks Its Neck
1.1km, 100m (Climbing)
The first day of the the Gore Bike Ware TransWales started on a nice day but things did not get off to a good start, less than 2miles in on a downhill decent my new Brake pads disintrigrated (top tip dont by cheap pads) so a long wait for the Merida Van to come along and give me some new ones so i could continue, by this time i was stone dead last!
The route was a challenging one from steep road climbs then over some really boggy moorland which zapped every bit of energy and then into the forest for a similar repeat to the Dyfi with large muddy lakes you could call them then out of the forest and tracked my way along more roads through loads of gates and across fields until 24km in and another climb i reached the first Special Stage only 1.1km long but by this time my legs were toast so got a time of 2min 53sec.
Then i continued up again finding more gates and some lovely fast forestry downhill 33mph before finally reaching the food stop at 48km. Then it was one more uphill before hitting some road heading for camp and finally reaching just over the 6hr mark and taking a time penalty for being late which left me in 54th place out of 57.
Day 2 Knighton to Llanidloes 16th August 2010
Total distance: 61km
Climbing: 2140m
Sadlee Sorness - Starting to get a bit tender
Another stunning morning in Knighton and another 9am start leading up a gradual Tarmac climb that warmed up my legs nicely before the gradient kicked hard to summit Bailey Hill and out into the hills proper up to the trails upon Glyndwr Way and into true big country with sweeping panoramic scenery with purple heather the moorland, the top stretches were simply stunning a fantastic route. Then from the moorland came some high speed and open descent down Moelfre Hill and into Moelfre itself.
From here a few short, sharp climbs and descents and into the trees once again with more climbing but the ascent gave way to tight yet fast rutted singletrack descent that began rocky, and views over towards Llandiloes itself then we hit the road all the way back down into Llanidloes itself but for me trying to gain much speed i put my head down and missed the right turning and ended up in Llanidloes itself entering a 30mph limit doing 41mph. So being a bit lost i had to ask for directions to the Rugby ground but thankfully today i ended up arriving under the time given so no time penalty today.
Day 3 Llandiloes to Machynlleth 17th August 2010 (including Special Stage Two – 7km downhill. Postion -26th )
Total distance: 82km
Climbing: 2430m
Saddle Sorness - Ever seen a Baboons bum
A bit of a damp morning from the overnight rain but my spirit was still good. One of my best days of the week, a nice gradual road and riding with Steve,Matt (MAD) and Brian really helped me through the day. From the road we climbed through the forest the visibility gradually decreased as the low cloudbank inched ever closer.
With the grey fog came the g persistent drizzle that would follow us through Hafren Forest, along the moorland trail of Glyndwr’s Way and over Foel Fadian. It was here we met the double edged steep, greasy and rock-slabbed monster of a descent that poped out of the mist but an awsome little tecnical piece, but also it led us down from the clouds and into the clear and dry skies below and down some really fast grassy wet and muddy decent.
Then it was off along the road towards Machynlleth before turning off and heading into the forest in search of the Climachx but we had a wait for a heard of cows being taken back along some doubletrack before hitting the forest road up towards the top Climachx singletrack before arriving at the Special Stage.
Downhill Special Stage
6km decent down which was fantastic, pushing the Bike and me to the limit but sadly i got held up twice which lost me some time and a off on the last corner saw me finish with a time of 11m 23sec and in in 26th place which made my overall placing 39th which was a big leap from 54th.
Then it was off down to the Rugby club to set up camp once again and hit the Pub and Fish and Chip shop before heading for a bit of a late night
Day 4 Machynlleth to Cwymystwyth 18th August 2010 (including Special Stage Three Position - 47th)
Total distance: 71km
Climbing: 2495m
Saddle Sorness - Seriously Tender
Another 9am start and with some light rain around to start Day 4 and climbed up the black top heading southwards. Once the beast of a climb was done it was into the woods and onto the moors once again along some really nice double track with a few river crossing and also where we hit some pretty heavy but even so the route was that nice after the rain stopped i was still smiling and muffering the word ' i ****** loved that '
We then arrived at Nant y Moch and in the wilderness taking us to the Next Specail Stage the 8.5km Nant y Arian trail centre loop. From the start line it was uphill along rocky double track that then downwards through some really nice rocky terrain, chutes, and steps.
This gave way to several sections of singletrack descent where i had a fall and knocked my Shifter which resulted in little gears so rather than fixing it i carried on with what i had rarther than loosing time then i ended up back on the valley out onto fire road on the infamous Leg Burner climb back up to the Finish in a time of 35min 20sec.
From then it was back down towards the Visitors Centre of Nant Y Arian and along some more road and some steep climbs for one last long downhill blast towards the next campsite down at Cwmystwyth.
Day 5 Cymystwyth to Cilycwm 19th August 2010 (including Special Stage Four Position - 43rd)
Total distance: 73km
Climbing: 2210m
Saddle Sorness - Stupidly sore
Day 5 started off fine but ended up on a wet one. The day started down the Cymystwyth valley, crossing the river and into the woods and climbing steeply. Then, after a fast descent, the trail meandered above the Teifi Lakes high on the moors before coming downwards on a scenic but grin inducing descent down into Strata Florida.
This was the best bit if the day a wet, Very, very wet track on a rock base, it crossed several river courses (14 to be presice), flowed through huge standing puddles and in places was little more than a flood with a few rocks breaking the surface. Needless to say you got wet.
Riding with the 2 Matt's, Josh and Lawrence we careered, cheered, and laughed along its length egging each other on to ride through increasingly deeper and longer stretches of the streams and only me and Matt and some success or failures crossing. Eventually the watery fun came to an end and the trail took us for a short stretch and the lunch stop at 41km.
After Lunch we headed of the much anticipated Doethie Valley descent, a near 7km stretch of continuous singletrack that followed the course of the River Doethie below. For much of its length it is no more than 5in wide which kept us on out toes but sadly by the time we reached this section the rain came in and it was heavy which meant that the trail became more slippery and chewed up and most bits unrideable which caught a few of us out which was sad as the decent in the dry would be awsome.
Once at the end of the Valley we then hit the road all the way to Cilycwm Farm to set up camp and by this time rain was even heavier but thankfully being in the last 10 to finish we got to set up our tents inside the farm building but i did encure the biggest penalty of the week a 1min 9 sec penalty for arriving late.
Cwm Rhayader Night Stage
Not a great start, the rain for the night stage was relentless and during the day i manged to pull my Achillies Tendon which made this even more difficult. So i arrived ready for my slot at 9pm only to find there was a delay for 15mins so sitting in the heavy rain was really quite depressing.
So at 9.15pm i was off and struggling straight away from the days injury, and as i got higher the vis was reduced to very little the rain is now even heavier adding to the already poor visibility and once finally at the top the trails were streams and super slippy, for me it was just a roll all the way back down and crossing the line in a time of 38mins 30sec not great but considering not many people did the stage this meant a small leap up the leaderboard to an overall 43rd place then it was back to camp to try and dry out and get a good nights sleep.
Day 6 Cilycwm to Brecon 20th August 2010
Total distance: 75km
Climbing: 2040m
Saddle Sorness - Numb
The day got off to the worst possibe start, my achillies has become inflamed and was painful to walk but thankfully the St Johns crew strapped my foot off and gave me painkillers for the day ahead. If that was not bad enought 10secs to the start the heavens opened and at this point it made last night rain look rather tame, the roads were floods and everyone was drenched in seconds and just to make the day that bit worse i found out the biking terms 'Bonk'
After a brief spin along the black top we hit the dirt and climbed up into the depths of Halfway Forest where a maze of forest tracks through the trees down steep chutes and slate descents and sheltered us from the worst of the weather.
Once we arrived at the first Water stop the weather took another turn for the worse, the steep, rocky and very slippery climb still headed upwards and as the rain was coming down it felt like riding up a fast flowing stream more than up a trail. Then the echoes of thunder and the vision of lightning all on the highest most exposed section of the stage on Carbon bikes and in trees did not feel very comfortable but after a while it moved off and the weather finally slackened off.
The route then the headed southwards skirting around the the Brecon Beacons and heading for Brecon along a steady descent along grassy moorland and narrow lanes. Then the finish, finally.
Day 7 Brecon to Builth Wells 21st August 2010(including Special Stage Five Position - 35th)
Total distance: 52km
Climbing: 1380m
Saddle Sorness - No longer care
Finally the day has arrived, the weather much kinder on the final day of what been a hard week and a nice easy Stage back to Builth Wells. The start of the linking stage took us along the black top to ease our tired legs into the final days riding. It then jumped off road and along Mynydd Fforest before dropping into the Wye Valley and crossing the river in preparation for the climb up Llandeilo Hill. Once at the top the trail eventually veered into a few inches wide singletrack along the ridgeline just inches away from the edge. The trail then turned back on itself and headed downwards fast with a few hairpins and rock slabs and drop offs thrown in to spice things up. Then it was back on Tarmac and a spin back on the road and a steep climb up to the end of the linking stage in Builth. Then it was time for the final and deciding special stage.
The final Special stage Using Cefnderys Woods above the campground a 2km sprint that headed straight up before coming careering downwards again with a mix of techy sections, steep and fast flat out open trail and flowey singletrack. With the final corner was the worst and slippy where it clamed me and ended up on the floor right in front of the cameraman and the sounds of heckling and cheering from the rest of the guys watching behind the line, then it was a sprint to the finish as the chain had come off and cross the line in a time of 9mins 46sec.
So 7 days riding 43rd out of 57 Solo Mens in a total time of 45hrs 09min 42sec in all weather with great company and food throughout the week where no one was left behind and people helped each other along and an amazing experience the TransWales in 2010 came to an end.
A big thanks to Extreme Hospitality for the Food, all the crews that transported our kit, the St Johns Ambulance crew for getting me through the last 2 days. Jon the photographer for some quality photos and anyone else i cant think of ao hopefully see you all again in 2011.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYF9qU6mnBg
Linking Stage:
The linking stages are the main part of the daily ride and link the starting venue with the finish location. Most linking stages are between 50-80km long and are not timed in the conventional way due to not being a race, so if for the day you get 6hrs to complete the Linking stage if you come in at 3hrs you still get the 6hrs on your time as its generic throughout however if you are late for ever minute you are you recieve a second penalty so 43mins late you recieve a 43sec penalty.
Special Stages:
Here is where it counts. The special stages are held on separate courses during the day where riders set off in set intervals and are timed on their efforts. This will give the riders who have certain strengths the chance to shine and to creep up the rankings as well as keeping the competition exciting throughout the week. And to really keep the tension going to the last minute we will have the final stage back in Builth Wells on the final day of the event.
Day 1 Builth Wells - Knighton Sunday 15th August 2010
Distance: 64km
Ascent: 1,850m
Descent: 1,843m
Sadle Sorness - None Yet
1st Special Stage (within): Water Breaks Its Neck
1.1km, 100m (Climbing)
The first day of the the Gore Bike Ware TransWales started on a nice day but things did not get off to a good start, less than 2miles in on a downhill decent my new Brake pads disintrigrated (top tip dont by cheap pads) so a long wait for the Merida Van to come along and give me some new ones so i could continue, by this time i was stone dead last!
The route was a challenging one from steep road climbs then over some really boggy moorland which zapped every bit of energy and then into the forest for a similar repeat to the Dyfi with large muddy lakes you could call them then out of the forest and tracked my way along more roads through loads of gates and across fields until 24km in and another climb i reached the first Special Stage only 1.1km long but by this time my legs were toast so got a time of 2min 53sec.
Then i continued up again finding more gates and some lovely fast forestry downhill 33mph before finally reaching the food stop at 48km. Then it was one more uphill before hitting some road heading for camp and finally reaching just over the 6hr mark and taking a time penalty for being late which left me in 54th place out of 57.
Day 2 Knighton to Llanidloes 16th August 2010
Total distance: 61km
Climbing: 2140m
Sadlee Sorness - Starting to get a bit tender
Another stunning morning in Knighton and another 9am start leading up a gradual Tarmac climb that warmed up my legs nicely before the gradient kicked hard to summit Bailey Hill and out into the hills proper up to the trails upon Glyndwr Way and into true big country with sweeping panoramic scenery with purple heather the moorland, the top stretches were simply stunning a fantastic route. Then from the moorland came some high speed and open descent down Moelfre Hill and into Moelfre itself.
From here a few short, sharp climbs and descents and into the trees once again with more climbing but the ascent gave way to tight yet fast rutted singletrack descent that began rocky, and views over towards Llandiloes itself then we hit the road all the way back down into Llanidloes itself but for me trying to gain much speed i put my head down and missed the right turning and ended up in Llanidloes itself entering a 30mph limit doing 41mph. So being a bit lost i had to ask for directions to the Rugby ground but thankfully today i ended up arriving under the time given so no time penalty today.
Day 3 Llandiloes to Machynlleth 17th August 2010 (including Special Stage Two – 7km downhill. Postion -26th )
Total distance: 82km
Climbing: 2430m
Saddle Sorness - Ever seen a Baboons bum
A bit of a damp morning from the overnight rain but my spirit was still good. One of my best days of the week, a nice gradual road and riding with Steve,Matt (MAD) and Brian really helped me through the day. From the road we climbed through the forest the visibility gradually decreased as the low cloudbank inched ever closer.
With the grey fog came the g persistent drizzle that would follow us through Hafren Forest, along the moorland trail of Glyndwr’s Way and over Foel Fadian. It was here we met the double edged steep, greasy and rock-slabbed monster of a descent that poped out of the mist but an awsome little tecnical piece, but also it led us down from the clouds and into the clear and dry skies below and down some really fast grassy wet and muddy decent.
Then it was off along the road towards Machynlleth before turning off and heading into the forest in search of the Climachx but we had a wait for a heard of cows being taken back along some doubletrack before hitting the forest road up towards the top Climachx singletrack before arriving at the Special Stage.
Downhill Special Stage
6km decent down which was fantastic, pushing the Bike and me to the limit but sadly i got held up twice which lost me some time and a off on the last corner saw me finish with a time of 11m 23sec and in in 26th place which made my overall placing 39th which was a big leap from 54th.
Then it was off down to the Rugby club to set up camp once again and hit the Pub and Fish and Chip shop before heading for a bit of a late night
Day 4 Machynlleth to Cwymystwyth 18th August 2010 (including Special Stage Three Position - 47th)
Total distance: 71km
Climbing: 2495m
Saddle Sorness - Seriously Tender
Another 9am start and with some light rain around to start Day 4 and climbed up the black top heading southwards. Once the beast of a climb was done it was into the woods and onto the moors once again along some really nice double track with a few river crossing and also where we hit some pretty heavy but even so the route was that nice after the rain stopped i was still smiling and muffering the word ' i ****** loved that '
We then arrived at Nant y Moch and in the wilderness taking us to the Next Specail Stage the 8.5km Nant y Arian trail centre loop. From the start line it was uphill along rocky double track that then downwards through some really nice rocky terrain, chutes, and steps.
This gave way to several sections of singletrack descent where i had a fall and knocked my Shifter which resulted in little gears so rather than fixing it i carried on with what i had rarther than loosing time then i ended up back on the valley out onto fire road on the infamous Leg Burner climb back up to the Finish in a time of 35min 20sec.
From then it was back down towards the Visitors Centre of Nant Y Arian and along some more road and some steep climbs for one last long downhill blast towards the next campsite down at Cwmystwyth.
Day 5 Cymystwyth to Cilycwm 19th August 2010 (including Special Stage Four Position - 43rd)
Total distance: 73km
Climbing: 2210m
Saddle Sorness - Stupidly sore
Day 5 started off fine but ended up on a wet one. The day started down the Cymystwyth valley, crossing the river and into the woods and climbing steeply. Then, after a fast descent, the trail meandered above the Teifi Lakes high on the moors before coming downwards on a scenic but grin inducing descent down into Strata Florida.
This was the best bit if the day a wet, Very, very wet track on a rock base, it crossed several river courses (14 to be presice), flowed through huge standing puddles and in places was little more than a flood with a few rocks breaking the surface. Needless to say you got wet.
Riding with the 2 Matt's, Josh and Lawrence we careered, cheered, and laughed along its length egging each other on to ride through increasingly deeper and longer stretches of the streams and only me and Matt and some success or failures crossing. Eventually the watery fun came to an end and the trail took us for a short stretch and the lunch stop at 41km.
After Lunch we headed of the much anticipated Doethie Valley descent, a near 7km stretch of continuous singletrack that followed the course of the River Doethie below. For much of its length it is no more than 5in wide which kept us on out toes but sadly by the time we reached this section the rain came in and it was heavy which meant that the trail became more slippery and chewed up and most bits unrideable which caught a few of us out which was sad as the decent in the dry would be awsome.
Once at the end of the Valley we then hit the road all the way to Cilycwm Farm to set up camp and by this time rain was even heavier but thankfully being in the last 10 to finish we got to set up our tents inside the farm building but i did encure the biggest penalty of the week a 1min 9 sec penalty for arriving late.
Cwm Rhayader Night Stage
Not a great start, the rain for the night stage was relentless and during the day i manged to pull my Achillies Tendon which made this even more difficult. So i arrived ready for my slot at 9pm only to find there was a delay for 15mins so sitting in the heavy rain was really quite depressing.
So at 9.15pm i was off and struggling straight away from the days injury, and as i got higher the vis was reduced to very little the rain is now even heavier adding to the already poor visibility and once finally at the top the trails were streams and super slippy, for me it was just a roll all the way back down and crossing the line in a time of 38mins 30sec not great but considering not many people did the stage this meant a small leap up the leaderboard to an overall 43rd place then it was back to camp to try and dry out and get a good nights sleep.
Day 6 Cilycwm to Brecon 20th August 2010
Total distance: 75km
Climbing: 2040m
Saddle Sorness - Numb
The day got off to the worst possibe start, my achillies has become inflamed and was painful to walk but thankfully the St Johns crew strapped my foot off and gave me painkillers for the day ahead. If that was not bad enought 10secs to the start the heavens opened and at this point it made last night rain look rather tame, the roads were floods and everyone was drenched in seconds and just to make the day that bit worse i found out the biking terms 'Bonk'
After a brief spin along the black top we hit the dirt and climbed up into the depths of Halfway Forest where a maze of forest tracks through the trees down steep chutes and slate descents and sheltered us from the worst of the weather.
Once we arrived at the first Water stop the weather took another turn for the worse, the steep, rocky and very slippery climb still headed upwards and as the rain was coming down it felt like riding up a fast flowing stream more than up a trail. Then the echoes of thunder and the vision of lightning all on the highest most exposed section of the stage on Carbon bikes and in trees did not feel very comfortable but after a while it moved off and the weather finally slackened off.
The route then the headed southwards skirting around the the Brecon Beacons and heading for Brecon along a steady descent along grassy moorland and narrow lanes. Then the finish, finally.
Day 7 Brecon to Builth Wells 21st August 2010(including Special Stage Five Position - 35th)
Total distance: 52km
Climbing: 1380m
Saddle Sorness - No longer care
Finally the day has arrived, the weather much kinder on the final day of what been a hard week and a nice easy Stage back to Builth Wells. The start of the linking stage took us along the black top to ease our tired legs into the final days riding. It then jumped off road and along Mynydd Fforest before dropping into the Wye Valley and crossing the river in preparation for the climb up Llandeilo Hill. Once at the top the trail eventually veered into a few inches wide singletrack along the ridgeline just inches away from the edge. The trail then turned back on itself and headed downwards fast with a few hairpins and rock slabs and drop offs thrown in to spice things up. Then it was back on Tarmac and a spin back on the road and a steep climb up to the end of the linking stage in Builth. Then it was time for the final and deciding special stage.
The final Special stage Using Cefnderys Woods above the campground a 2km sprint that headed straight up before coming careering downwards again with a mix of techy sections, steep and fast flat out open trail and flowey singletrack. With the final corner was the worst and slippy where it clamed me and ended up on the floor right in front of the cameraman and the sounds of heckling and cheering from the rest of the guys watching behind the line, then it was a sprint to the finish as the chain had come off and cross the line in a time of 9mins 46sec.
So 7 days riding 43rd out of 57 Solo Mens in a total time of 45hrs 09min 42sec in all weather with great company and food throughout the week where no one was left behind and people helped each other along and an amazing experience the TransWales in 2010 came to an end.
A big thanks to Extreme Hospitality for the Food, all the crews that transported our kit, the St Johns Ambulance crew for getting me through the last 2 days. Jon the photographer for some quality photos and anyone else i cant think of ao hopefully see you all again in 2011.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYF9qU6mnBg
In the background you can see part of the Final special stage which was super slippy so i hope that photographer got a good shot of me sliding on the floor ;D
