So after doing a few sportives towards the end of last year, I decided to find a real challenge for 2013, after looking round it seemed that the Wiggle Dragon Ride Grand Fondo was probably the most realistic at 131 miles with 11300 ft of climbing. I also decided to raise some money for prostate cancer uk as I didn’t grow funny facial hair in November, and with the charity being the official sponsor the decision was made.
Route Profile
So Sunday 9th dawned with what looked to be a scorcher of a day, temperatures would reach 26 degrees during the day.
With nervous anticipation and slight dread, questioning myself of what have I done
, 2100 brave souls rolled out of Margam Park towards the wilderness of the Brecon Beacons.
The first 50 miles were pretty tame and were mostly main roads as we rolled through Maesteg, Neath and Ystradgynlais.
Then we got down to the first major climb of the day which was up Black Mountain, this was typical of the climbs we were to face, not steep at an Average 6% but long at 3.4 miles
Then the fun bit down the other the side, the descents on the ride were awesome
, with the pick of them being the Bwlch which I topped out at 45Mph before my bottle went
.
Decent from Black Mountain
With Black Mountain ticked off it was onwards over the moors which to be honest were a little dull, this was maybe because after 60 Miles I was feeling really sick
, partly due to me forcing myself to eat and the heat which by this time was at 20 Degrees. At this point I could easily of got off the bike and found the nearest pub, as it was we hit the second feed station, and with me missing the first as I hadn’t used my bottles on the first leg, I was now completely out and stopped for a few minutes to refill bottles. It was then on to the Cray which was another shallow but long climb at 4.5% average for 2.5m
The next 20 miles were undulating but mainly on fast A roads and soon flew by, this gave me chance to regain my composure (and my stomach!) and the legs started to feel good, I was glad about this as the big hills were about to start in earnest. A short shape 20% hill up to the 80 miles feed station, and then on to the Devils Elbow, this was a timed section and the steepest of the day at an average 10% with 33% on some hairpins. Thankfully this was only 1 mile long and although looked daunting was soon dispatched.
It was then on to Rhigos Mountain at 100 miles and the Bwlch at 110 miles, these were very similar to ride, both around 6% average and 3.7 miles long, they seemed to go on forever but I managed to find a comfortable rhythm and got up them without too much fuss.
Rhigos
Bwlch
Top of Rhigos
Top of Bwlch
With all the major climbs dispatched it was time for a 15 mile decent down past Afan and back towards Port Talbot, this was an awesome alpine like descent and the road surface was pretty good so you could let it go a bit.
With 129 miles in the legs I still felt pretty good, so had a last burst for the finish over the last 2 miles, mainly because I realised where I was and knew how far I had left. So after 9hrs 18 minutes I crossed the line, I still don’t know my position yet due to good old race timing systems not being able to organise a piss up in brewery, but will update when I know officially. I make it 890 out 2100 and 169 out of 390 in the 35-39 cat, which to be honest im pretty chuffed with, with hindsight I could of gone a bit harder but wanted to get round without blowing.
Next year however will be a different matter
I would just like to thank all those who sponsored me to do this challenge, I think without your support I would of got off the bike at 70 miles and would still be in the pub, I raised £130 before the event but my page is still open and if you would like to contribute to a great cause then please follow the link www.justgiving.com/Dan-BasfordMany Thanks
Dan B
, 2100 brave souls rolled out of Margam Park towards the wilderness of the Brecon Beacons.
.
, partly due to me forcing myself to eat and the heat which by this time was at 20 Degrees. At this point I could easily of got off the bike and found the nearest pub, as it was we hit the second feed station, and with me missing the first as I hadn’t used my bottles on the first leg, I was now completely out and stopped for a few minutes to refill bottles. It was then on to the Cray which was another shallow but long climb at 4.5% average for 2.5m 
