Cymru Gran Fondo
Comments
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They've probably all drowned [:D]0
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Very cold, very wet, very windy, very hilly/mountainous, think I enjoyed it. Wimped out of the Super Challange but did 7 hours 2 minutes (silver 40-49 group) for the Gran Fondu including two puncture stops. I think I'd recommend this event but I'll let you know in the morning.
"It's about the bike""It\'s about the bike"0 -
Well I am back, just !!
Weird ride, did about 70 miles as a 2 up as the groups were set out in 1 minute intervals so passed a lot of people but no groups to ride with!!
From 70 miles to finish of super ride, about 55 miles, I did alone, last 20 with a slow puncture as it was to blooody cold to change tyre!!!
Lots of good climbs, some really steep ones also.
One complaint, everyone was cold at finish and there were no hot drinks provided which begs the question was was event œ25.Lots of cakes at finish but no hot drinks free and most riders had no money!!
Also cold showers grrrrrr still warming up now.
I scrapped in just under 8 hours.
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Tough ride but enjoyable.
For my sins I also turned right and headed off up the Bwylch. I set off a 9am and spent all bar 10km on my own. Passed scores of people and I hope all managed to get back safely as the conditions on the mountains were tough.
The climb up the Bwylch was made easier with the roaring tailwind although the return climb was quite tough coming back into the wind
<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">I scrapped in just under 8 hours.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">
Managed to get around in just under 8hrs so we should be very close on the results sheet[;)]
PaulPaul0 -
well tried the 8 pints of guiness and gran route, managed the guinness (not such a good idea) which meant a late start and leaden legs. Afraid we packed at the feedstation at 40 miles shivering cold and wet and frankly wondering what on earth we were doing there. Missed the short circuit, so ended up doing 88 miles anyway in a pathetic 6hrs 8 minutes. The fact I didnt get my HR above 77% despite the odd nasty climb chasing down other similarly bemused riders is testament to the suitability of guiness as an exercise in carbo loading
Overall, it wasnt worth the œ25 entry fee, (not to mention the œ35 B&B, œ40 beer & food, œ30 petrol) IMO, the route was great but only if it was warmer. The white horse challenge a month earlier was much better and professionally organised. I mean, who wants Red Bull (at the feed station) FFS????? Hardly a sports drink is it!!!
<font size="1">Time! Time! It's always too long and there's never enough!</font id="size1">0 -
<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by SteveR_100Milers</i>
Overall, it wasnt worth the œ25 entry fee, (not to mention the œ35 B&B, œ40 beer & food, œ30 petrol)
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">
Yeah, seems a bit crap in that regard, you would at least expect osme decent feedstops for œ25... the difficulty of getting there and problems of accomodation were the reasons I did the 5Dales instead - only a fiver, so you can't complain!
Well done to all of you though...
Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety
Now I guess I'll have to tell 'em
That I got no cerebellum0 -
Another thing, on the challenge route I found I had a puncture, then wondered how I would contact the service car with no phone coverage if anything else had happened.!!!
Although the route was signposted, I saw very few marshalls and they were at feed stations and time points.
If anyone was going to bomb out I thought it would have been in the last 20 miles of the challenge especially as bad as the conditions were but I saw no one at all. The odd marshall would have been a boost to confidence every now and again !!
Apparently there is a dvd for each rider but you had to pay carriage charge at registration. I did not know this and was not told at registration, did anyone else pay for this?
Oh and another fine detail [:D] according to my gps garmin I ascended 2313 metres not 4618 and 119 miles not 125, but I admit I was taking straight lines on climbs climbing and descending so pehaps that accounts for my shorter distance, but not the altitude [:D]
I posted some pics of the extra 20 miles in photo album, link below.
I also went down the bwlch y groes and climed the other way, on the saturday of course.
On the day of ride, many tough and steep clims, worst of the day goes to the Hirnant Pass which is bad enough to climb on nice day, but with 25 mph head blowing wind down it into your face !!
I posted some nice pics of the extra 20 miles in photo album, link below.
I also went down the bwlch y groes and climed the other way, on the saturday of course.[:D]
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My top of the range Garmin GPS is a piece of crap. It switched itself off numerous time although still managed to record 3453m of climbing.
PaulPaul0 -
My opinion: 2 well stocked feed stations - planned to see the third but decided to do shorter route avoiding Bwlch/Hirnant. Loads of food - bananas, ham/cheese buns, cakes, water etc. Loads of helpers - who had to stand out in rain for hours - particularly the couple of people standing by the gates on the final descent on the moor from Bronaber to Bala Lake.
And I wish people would stop moaning about the entry fees - putting on an event like that is not cheap AND some of the money goes to two charities. Food, hire of equipment, time sped in putting up taking down signs, petrol money - something for all the helpers. For me œ25 is good value for money...0 -
Aha I did a typo, I ascended 4313 not 2313m [:D]
PJM my Garmin did not show entire map, but that was due to me setting for samples every second I think as I have data for entire ride.
I did have hrm problems but that might be due to the extra clothing in the rain?
I agree the food stations were well organised and stocked and I felt sorry for the poor two blokes and youg girl on top of bwlch y groes in the gale, who were great [:D]
My criticism was more general in that I would have preferred more marshalls around course. There was one point where two of us nearly crashed by some road works where cars came through and as you know, the last 20 miles you were completely isolated!!
With respect to the fee, I do not begrudge money going to charity, in fact I have raised nearly œ2000 for a charity ride I am doing, but I think for œ25 entry it is not unreasonable to expect a hot drink after such an event which would cost no more than 30p ro prepre per rider?
I did enjoy the bread pudding though [:D]
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I entered the Gran Fondo but after seeing the forecast for Sunday I wimped out and did a similar distance in the Peaks on the Saturday instead (approximation of the Spud Riley route) - stayed nice and dry and had a good day out but a bit of a waste of the entry fee [:)].
Hope I'm a bit more courageous for the White Rose and the Polka Dot coming up.0 -
Thanks to all riders who supported our event and respect to all that finished.[8D]
This was year 2 for this event and of course, all of your comments will be taken onboard if we want to run this event again in 2008. If anyone want's to drop me a line with ideas and suggestions it would be really appretiated.
Witnessing the efforts that the hardcore were making on the Super Challenge route was a genuinely humbling experience - I can't believe that some of you manged to raise a smile![8D]
Provisional results are now online: http://i-team.cc/cms/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=28&Itemid=43
Regards,
Guy Watson (Bwylch Feed & Timing)Guy Watson
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^^o¬-o-10 -
sorry to attack this thread with a random question! but what is the big wooden cross, near the top of the Bwylch there for!?
thanks, and well done on completing the ride!
_______________________________________________________________________________________
If You Can't Cut It With The Big Dogs, Then Don't Pi$$ Up The Tall Trees!
You Know It!
www.gofiddygo.com_______________________________________________________________________________________
If You Can't Cut It With The Big Dogs, Then Don't Pi$$ Up The Tall Trees!0 -
<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by big_phil</i>
My opinion: 2 well stocked feed stations - planned to see the third but decided to do shorter route avoiding Bwlch/Hirnant. Loads of food - bananas, ham/cheese buns, cakes, water etc. Loads of helpers - who had to stand out in rain for hours - particularly the couple of people standing by the gates on the final descent on the moor from Bronaber to Bala Lake.
<b>And I wish people would stop moaning about the entry fees </b>- putting on an event like that is not cheap AND some of the money goes to two charities. Food, hire of equipment, time sped in putting up taking down signs, petrol money - something for all the helpers. For me œ25 is good value for money...
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Fair comment, at the end of the day everyone would rather have an event than none so perhaps a mpore balanced critiscism is in order. FWIW, and I can only compare two sportives:
Route marking could have been slightly more obvious (orange Hi Viz signs - by the time I came past some of the signs were almost completely washed away.)
I only made first feed stop, I guess the disadvantage of coming in later is you miss all the nice food, as I only saw cake, bananas oranges, bottles water and red bull. Personally, I would prefer to see a proper sports drink, which was available on the WHC.
I was surprised there was nothing sent out in the post beforehand - just as well my PC internet connection didnt fall over a few days beforehand so was able to check the details etc.
I can sympathise with the organisers that the weather obviously put a lot of riders off even turning off, but then as many DNS's have been registered at various TT's on Sunday anyway, hats off to the folks at the feedstops who were out in the rain and cold all day.
Well done to all those who finished.
<font size="1">Time! Time! It's always too long and there's never enough!</font id="size1">0 -
<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by SteveR_100Milers</i>
well tried the 8 pints of guiness and gran route, managed the guinness (not such a good idea) which meant a late start and leaden legs. Afraid we packed at the feedstation at 40 miles shivering cold and wet and frankly wondering what on earth we were doing there. Missed the short circuit, so ended up doing 88 miles anyway in a pathetic 6hrs 8 minutes. The fact I didnt get my HR above 77% despite the odd nasty climb chasing down other similarly bemused riders is testament to the suitability of guiness as an exercise in carbo loading
Overall, it wasnt worth the œ25 entry fee, (not to mention the œ35 B&B, œ40 beer & food, œ30 petrol) IMO, the route was great but only if it was warmer. The white horse challenge a month earlier was much better and professionally organised. I mean, who wants Red Bull (at the feed station) FFS????? Hardly a sports drink is it!!!
Really pleased that I stood around in the rain for the likes of you guys, go and do your own thing as it cost most of us and our time to come and help and not even ride.
How about you guys put one on ?
Or are you better at moaning (had it of been a sunny day you would of moaned no doubt about the hot drinks).
Even better go abroad and pay hundreds.........
Well I will not bother next year to hang in the rain for hours at a time, not to mention child care etc and drive 500 odd miles for you.
Yours,
car full of wet gear
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I must be easily pleased, I was only dissapointed in the weather.
Hope the lad from reading cc who went down on the fast decent is ok I rode with him for a few miles he was good company, it was a shame his ride had to end that way0 -
moto_1:
Well I guess it was your cup of cofee that I "borrowed" as I was too cold to wait for the kettle to boil [:D] It must have been as bad for you on top of the Bwlch as it was for me on the ride as the wind up there was wicked and I was suprised the shelter was not blown away :-)
The young girl who was doing the timing was very enthusiastic out in the rain and wind and I could hardly get off the bike fast enough [:D]
With respect to the event, it is clearly one of, if not the most picturesque and challenging of the UK sportives and it is a shame about the weather.
The criticisms I have are relatively minor and easy to rectify and I welcome your willingness to learn from this year and I will be more than happy to provide constructive views to you via email which I will do later.
thamilton:
There are some valid comments in here about the forum and instead of throwing your toys out of the pram you should have same view as moto_1 in welcoming suggestions which would probably make this the best event in UK.
It is innevitable peolple will compare events they have been in and pass comment.
With respect to the hot drink issue, I do not care if weather was warm or cold, the hot drink at the end is very good, as a cyclist I am sure you know the benefits of drinking hot tea even in warm weather.
Will I be back next year? yes and probably the only UK ride I will do!!
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Was that the guy with yellow top on wearing shorts who came off close to start of decent?
If so I passed him earlier then on climb he went past me just before top, then on decent I just saw him lying on bank by side of the road with cars in both directions stopped so not sure what happened and hope he was ok afterwards.
<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by luapbear</i>
I must be easily pleased, I was only dissapointed in the weather.
Hope the lad from reading cc who went down on the fast decent is ok I rode with him for a few miles he was good company, it was a shame his ride had to end that way
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Those last 20 miles over the moor and back to the centre were pure misery for me. Despite plenty of clothing I was shaking with cold and hands so numb I could hardly change gears or pull the brakes. Had I punctured on that part I would have been in serious trouble as i could never have fixed it. I felt really rough at the finish and could only sit there shivering whilst my brother brought me coffee from the vending machine.
That aside it was a great route and (on a nicer day) would have been fairly straight forward apart from the moor section. I thought route signs were good and feed stations adequate. Well done to the cheerful people manning them in such conditions.
Slight moans..the crap weather was forecast days before, hot drinks at the last feed and the finish would have been very welcome.
Also shame on all those who ditched their red bull cans at the roadside.
Sometimes you have to lose yourself
before you can find anything.Sometimes you have to lose yourself
before you can find anything.0 -
What time did you go over there? I think 21 went over before I arrived according to the lady at the turn point.
I did puncture on last loop and tried to fix it but gave up due to freezing pinkies and cycled the last 15 miles with about 30 psi [:D]That was fun [:D]then two guys caught me and I sat behind them for last 5 miles but had to be careful due to rear wheel sliding round, it was like riding on ice but I suppose it improved my handling skills [:D]
<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by mozwyn69</i>
Those last 20 miles over the moor and back to the centre were pure misery for me. Despite plenty of clothing I was shaking with cold and hands so numb I could hardly change gears or pull the brakes. Had I punctured on that part I would have been in serious trouble as i could never have fixed it. I felt really rough at the finish and could only sit there shivering whilst my brother brought me coffee from the vending machine.
That aside it was a great route and (on a nicer day) would have been fairly straight forward apart from the moor section. I thought route signs were good and feed stations adequate. Well done to the cheerful people manning them in such conditions.
Slight moans..the crap weather was forecast days before, hot drinks at the last feed and the finish would have been very welcome.
Also shame on all those who ditched their red bull cans at the roadside.
Sometimes you have to lose yourself
before you can find anything.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">
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Yes, its very easy to be selfish and forget about the poor folks who stood out in the rain and wind all day to be there for us. And the four people (from the same family I think) who clapped me over the last moor were real gems.
Regarding the weather conditions for us riders... well, the forecasts were pretty clear from a few days out so if you were under-dressed, you can't blame the organisers or the weather for that!
Otherwise, it looks like the organiser will listen to the constructive critisisms (great attitude) but we as riders have to be more accommodating. It will never be perfect and we need to ensure we are as well prepared for the event as they try to be.
I rode the Etape du Dales the week before and while the organisation (it has to be said) was better, it's to the GFC that I'll be coming back to next year.0 -
<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by oldwelshman</i>
moto_1:
The criticisms I have are relatively minor and easy to rectify and I welcome your willingness to learn from this year and I will be more than happy to provide constructive views to you via email which I will do later.
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oldwelshman -
Thanks, I was the other guy that was timing and filling water bottles. That's the only way to establish an event like this, take onboard critisms and try to improve. We took on board and acted on quite a bit from last year, like moving the first feed and cutting out the roundabouts around caernarfon castle for instance.
thamilton -
Appretiate you may have been just trying to keep things positive for the organisers but we put the event on for the riders - so their voice counts - you just wouldn't promote an event more than once if you got upset by some negative critisms. From our perspective, overall feedback has definitely come out positive and I am sure Jonnie will want to put this event on again - we'll probably have a heatwave to contend with!
Some memorable quotes I heard from the riders (stuff like this kept me going:)
"Do you think I've caught the sun?"[:)]
"I think I've got Trench Foot!"[:)]
Can't print what Shane Sutton said but it was positive![:)]
If the general public knew how tough cyclists have to be to complete an event like this or the Dartmoor Classic the other week, I'm sure we would get a lot more respect on the roads.
Guy Watson
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^^oª-o-1
Looking for a training or riding partner? - try our 'Bike Buddy' service:
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^^o¬-o-10 -
Well, for me it was only my second sportive, having only taken to road cycling last autumn.
Overall, the weather was the biggest factor, particularly over the moors following the second feed.
Gripes:
1. No confirmatory email shortly before the event. Having paid up, it is encouraging to have some contact beforehand, if nothing else just to point to a page on the website.
2. A list of entrants would be good, so as to confirm entry. However, the above email might sort that.
3. No energy drink at the feed stops.
4. One or two extra signs along stright sections (I'm thinking of through and after Llanberis, where I almost convinced myself I'd missed a turning).
Positives:
1. Well manned at the feedstops - only gripe as above.
2. Well signed - other than as above.
3. Running it from the leisure centre was a great idea - warm changing (even if the showers were a bit wonky) was a godsend.
4. Great route - I'll be back next year to try my hand at the Super.
Tom0 -
I was out and about helping on the day and have to say <b>major</b> respect to all of you who ventured out in those conditions.0
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<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by thamilton</i>
<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by SteveR_100Milers</i>
well tried the 8 pints of guiness and gran route, managed the guinness (not such a good idea) which meant a late start and leaden legs. Afraid we packed at the feedstation at 40 miles shivering cold and wet and frankly wondering what on earth we were doing there. Missed the short circuit, so ended up doing 88 miles anyway in a pathetic 6hrs 8 minutes. The fact I didnt get my HR above 77% despite the odd nasty climb chasing down other similarly bemused riders is testament to the suitability of guiness as an exercise in carbo loading
Overall, it wasnt worth the œ25 entry fee, (not to mention the œ35 B&B, œ40 beer & food, œ30 petrol) IMO, the route was great but only if it was warmer. The white horse challenge a month earlier was much better and professionally organised. I mean, who wants Red Bull (at the feed station) FFS????? Hardly a sports drink is it!!!
Really pleased that I stood around in the rain for the likes of you guys, go and do your own thing as it cost most of us and our time to come and help and not even ride.
How about you guys put one on ?
Or are you better at moaning (had it of been a sunny day you would of moaned no doubt about the hot drinks).
Even better go abroad and pay hundreds.........
Well I will not bother next year to hang in the rain for hours at a time, not to mention child care etc and drive 500 odd miles for you.
Yours,
car full of wet gear
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<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">
I don't think anywhere I complained about the lack of support. Plus if you cared to read further down I posted more constructive comments, since upon reflection my first post was somewhat whingeing. Feedback from participants is surely better than no-one turning up next time?
That said, with the greatest respect, just because someone has to stand around in the rain does not necessarily make it a great event for the riders, yes of course it is appreciated but who pays for the service. Ultimatley, it was what it was, and the biggest disappointment by far was the weather. So, I'd like to thank the guys like you for putting your effort into it, because it was probably much less fun than riding it, and since I did actually pay the entry fee and probably will again next year, I feel I did my bit to help it keep going as an event for all of us. Whether I ride or not (parden the pun) will depend on the weather on the day. [:)]
<font size="1">Time! Time! It's always too long and there's never enough!</font id="size1">0 -
<i>Originally posted by oldwelshman</i>
What time did you go over there? I think 21 went over before I arrived according to the lady at the turn point.
I did puncture on last loop and tried to fix it but gave up due to freezing pinkies and cycled the last 15 miles with about 30 psi [:D]That was fun [:D]then two guys caught me and I sat behind them for last 5 miles but had to be careful due to rear wheel sliding round, it was like riding on ice but I suppose it improved my handling skills [:D]
I didnt do the extra loop as intened. If I had I would still be up there resembling some sort of Anthony Gormley statue frozen to the ground!
Sometimes you have to lose yourself
before you can find anything.Sometimes you have to lose yourself
before you can find anything.0 -
Hi moto.
I tried to send you mail but I got a smtp server error so not sure if you got it?
anyway just in case here is feedback again [:D]
Positives:
1) Fantastic route.
2) Good HQ venue (pity about cold showers but not your fault)
3) Well organised and managed registration.
4) Mostly well signed though almost missed one or two on fast bits [:D]
5) Well manned and stocked food stations and positioned well, loved the bread pudding [:D]
Criticisms:
1) Poor pre event communication. I only had original email confirmation of payment acceptance. A route card and entry confirmation close to date via email or snail mail would have been good.
2) Would have been better for a few more marshalls strategically placed.
eg There was a dodgy stretch of roadworks where cars came through lights towards us.
eg. Maybe somewhere along the challenge route as I felt vulnerable along there with poor mobile signal and bad weather. If some one was going to crak it would be on the Hirnant pass in the middle of no where [:D]
I am sure the extra encouragement from marshalls there would also be a boost to riders as it was with the existing marshalls.
3) Irrespective of the weather, it would have been nice to have opportunity to have hot drink at the finish. I know there was vending machine but my money was in my car a mile away [:D]
4) Personally I would have preferred re hydration or energy drink instead of red bull at feed station. (minor gripe)
Maybe you can answer a question also?
On the website it states there is a DVD available to riders and that a carriage fee was payable at registration. I did not know this and it was not mentioned to me during registration, is it still possible to pay and receive the DVD?
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You welsh guys are giving us a bad reputation bottling out [8D]
Steve only managed 8 pints of guiness and 85 miles, guess he was doing 10 miles to the pint!!
I did the Dartmorr also, I cannot wait to see what the weather is going to be like for my next event the Cotswolds !!
I am going to ask Shimano to sponsor me as I am averaging a set of brake blocks every event [:D]
<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by mozwyn69</i><i>Originally posted by oldwelshman</i>
What time did you go over there? I think 21 went over before I arrived according to the lady at the turn point.
I did puncture on last loop and tried to fix it but gave up due to freezing pinkies and cycled the last 15 miles with about 30 psi [:D]That was fun [:D]then two guys caught me and I sat behind them for last 5 miles but had to be careful due to rear wheel sliding round, it was like riding on ice but I suppose it improved my handling skills [:D]
I didnt do the extra loop as intened. If I had I would still be up there resembling some sort of Anthony Gormley statue frozen to the ground!
Sometimes you have to lose yourself
before you can find anything.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">[8D]
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Steve, did you turn back at the first feed and retrace your steps? For the few extra miles you should have carried on. Good effort all the same after 8 pints.
Sometimes you have to lose yourself
before you can find anything.Sometimes you have to lose yourself
before you can find anything.0 -
<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by mozwyn69</i>
Steve, did you turn back at the first feed and retrace your steps? For the few extra miles you should have carried on. Good effort all the same after 8 pints.
Sometimes you have to lose yourself
before you can find anything.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">
No, we followed another rider to beddgelert and then the shortest way home to Bala [:p]. We had missed the turn off for the route, and the consensus was it was quicker to carry on and skip the loop around Snowdon. The hardest part was the mind numbing drag up from maentwrog on the main road[B)], followed by the turn off to bala off the road from Dolgellau. We passed someone walking...it was still a long way back. That last 15 miles were living hell!
Total actual riding time was 5hr 40 which is a little more respectable for 88 miles...I think had the weather been ok it would have been a superb ride, the route was great, at least the bits I saw through my steamed up rain sodden glasses!
<font size="1">Time! Time! It's always too long and there's never enough!</font id="size1">0