Dragon Ride

ed_m · June 2007

so... there's a few hills round there then.... [:0]

i hurt.

<center>____________________
www.ultrarunner.co.uk
</center>

schmiew1 · June 2007

Cant get over the weather.. no rain apart from at 7:00am. The ride was good and was happy to have finished the 200km in around 6h 20ish, and only on 2.5 months worth of training too.... well happy... but even happier to be back home to rest the weary legs..

pedalrog · June 2007

Yes it was good, but with reservations.
The route was pretty good if you like hammering down A roads all day, I was quite happy with this but prefer lanes but then a sportiv is meant to offer some competitiveness which you can't do in the lanes. All with good surfaces so that was good.
The marshals and signage was faultless.
However, there was no food to collect at the start, absolutely nothing at the finish except some food stalls; this is free at all other sportivs. I also object to paying for a shower after forking out œ25 to ride, the venue is, in that respect pretty rubbish, coupled with the fight through all the traffic lights and civvies in Bridgend. It would be far better to finish away from town.

vermootencp · June 2007

Enjoyed that. My time wasn't helped by the fact that I spent 10-15 minutes having a dump at the final feed station. Too much information? I'm amazed at how ncredibly well-organised it was too. The thing about the degreaser shaped like a gel is priceless, did someone really eat it? Wouldn't surprise me.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"I'll do what I can to help y'all. But the game's out there, and it's play or get played. That simple."

wildmoustache · June 2007

I almost ate that thing. As you say Vermooten, it looks incredibly like a Go Gel, which are crap, but in the absence of ANY carbs in the 'goody' bag I very nearly scoffed the degreaser.

I love that area for cycling - nice steady climbs and descents and great scenery. Marshalls and signposting were great. Like pedalrog I have a few complaints though - the food stops were pretty poor. staffed by great people, but just bananas and cakes is pretty 2005 nowadays! we want fig rolls! Also, it helps to put more than 1 part High5 in with 1 million parts water ... I had banked on the High5 supply for energy and found myself in a bit of trouble at 80miles having been drinking the watery 'energy drink' for 40 miles.

Agree it would be better if it started and ended out of town.

Finally, the route is becoming a bit contrived ... going over the same roads twice ... just to try and claim the UK hardest sportif title? Go back to the 2006 route please!

oldwelshman · June 2007

Erm yes I did eat the grease as did 4 others who ended up in hospital !! I managed to spit it out.
Who tf needs de greaser after 120 mile ride!! It was in my pocket with my sis gel in exactly same packaging!!! very smart that.

Feel free to browse and donate:
http://www.justgiving.com/davidbethanmills
My winter and summer bike pics

http://oldwelshman.myphotoalbum.com

julianhumphrey · June 2007

First time Dragon Rider, sportive veteran. Agree totally with the above comments.

I was trying to get round in under 7 hours (6.45 ish in the end)and was relying on the High 5(flavoured water)! No wonder I felt so crap at the end!

I though the food at the feed stations apart from the bananas was a bit naff. Sponge cakes and jam tarts!! Where were the flapjacks?? How about of few cans of coke for the last few feed stations??

IMO the organisers need to have a considerable rethink about a few of the off road aspects of this course!

vermootencp · June 2007

Disgaree julianhumphrey - as a sportive veteran I thought it was very well organised. Feed stations were strangely positioned but at least they gave us energy drink. I've been on some e.g. Polka Dot where you just get water. Signage was superb, plenty fo marshalls about the place. Cans of coke? What planet you on boy?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"I'll do what I can to help y'all. But the game's out there, and it's play or get played. That simple."

ed_m · June 2007

who takes gels after a race anyway ? [8)]

most of the feed stations were devoid of food by the time i got there, managed to get the 2nd to last jam tart at the bottom of the bwlch second time round.
so yeh agree the term 'feed' station was a bit of an exaggeration, especially compared to some of the long distance running events i've done.

fortunately i had a back pocket full of gels & powerbars to see me through.

<center>____________________
www.ultrarunner.co.uk
</center>

hevipedal · June 2007

It was me that got the last flapjack at the last feed station, I thought the organisation was excellent, my only request for next year is find a different drink supplier or at least make it up in the right concentration. I used my own drink powder after the first stop. Food was fine, love those welsh cakes.
The rain on the drive back to Watford was frightening. It took me over 5 hours for what should normally be no more tha 3.....

 Hevipedal 
Phrase of the week - I've got a bike. You can ride it if you like.
It's got a basket, a bell that rings and
Things to make it look good.
I'd give it to you if I could, but I borrowed it.
 
51yrs old and Proud of it - Made it to 87kg 2 more to go for the target.
Pedal to Paris Sept 2007

SteveR_100Milers · June 2007

Jeez, I can hardly walk this morning..!! My knees are wrecked!

Time! Time! It's always too long and there's never enough!

Unknown · June 2007

Managed to get one decision right: took the "best" bike down and enjoyed the dry roads after 15 miles. Tights and long sleeve base layer may have been the wrong choice though...

6hr 50m ride time in the end. Felt a bit queasy on the 2nd climb over the Bwlch (I blame the fairy cake from the feed station[;)]) but finished quite strong in the end.

Enjoyed the ride - most of the climbs could be taken at a nice steady pace with no honking out of the saddle. Rode with some cheery folk which makes a nice change from being on my own.

I use PSP so took my own powder with me. Given the experience here, I think i'll do the same on the British Etape next week, despite SIS providing the drinks....

See you next year....

Rich

hevipedal · June 2007

I got up did my usual 18 mile commute.................... 1hr 11min instead of close to the hour. Kept to the 39 ring and my heart rate down. It was hard to get going but I feel a lot better in my legs for having done it.

 Hevipedal 
Phrase of the week - I've got a bike. You can ride it if you like.
It's got a basket, a bell that rings and
Things to make it look good.
I'd give it to you if I could, but I borrowed it.
 
51yrs old and Proud of it - Made it to 87kg 2 more to go for the target.
Pedal to Paris Sept 2007

topcattim · June 2007

I agree with many of the previous comments. When I heard the announcer say "don't drink the degreaser, it's for your bike", I thought she was mucking around until I saw the packaging. Crazy, crazy idea.
Also thought the route was well chosen and well marshalled. The 12 or so miles to the start of the climb was a good way to warm up, and the final 15 miles down from the Bwlch were brilliant.
However, its always the little things that get remembered:
* they were out of cakes at the second "feed stop" and out of everything by the second time at the Bwlch. My time of 7h 26 can't have been that bad, surely there were loads more behind me
* they were out of cycling jerseys to buy on the day, even though I drove down early on the Saturday especially to buy one. You can never tell what size they will be (the "large" t-shirt I got mail-order from them was more like XXL), so I think its pretty reasonable to expect people to be trying to buy on the day.
* flipping cheek for the leisure centre to charge œ1-05 for a shower - surely the organisers should have come to an arrangement in our signing-on fee?
Having said all that, it was a brilliant day, weather was amazing, and I'll be back again!
Oh, and another thing - when people post their times on here (some seriously fast times quoted so far!) are they time elapsed, or time on their bike? (For me, there was a 30 minute difference, due to time in "feed" stops, and at traffic lights)

Stuck on a Giant · June 2007

Enjoyed the ride, but as one of the slower participants, I did find some aspects of the organisation seriously lacking -
1. No food or WATER at the second stop
2. Only water at the 3rd stop
3. Got the last jam tart the second time on the Bwlch
And how about some razzamataz at the finish and a decent Goody bag.

There were good elements - the signage was very clear, and I liked the signs just after each turning so you knew you'd gone the right way, and individuals were enthusiastic.

Compared to Dartmoor and Highclere I thought the organisation was surprisingly poor. For the money, and given that this isn't the first time they've run this, I think they could have done a lot better.

jimmoffatt · June 2007

First time Dragon rider and I thought the hills on the course were good. Nice long climbs.

Negatives for me were:-

Too many traffic lights and the finish into the centre was a bit dangerous.
Food was poor. I only had food at one feed stop and it was a Welsh cake because there was nothing else. I normally like these because my wife is Welsh and we eat them at home but it was so dry it was like eating chipboard and I spat it out.
The High 5 drink was too diluted.
No drink at the finish except the free bottle of water. Burger type bar and a coffee vendor but both with massive queues. Could have been predicted with 2500 riders [:(] Surely a free cup of tea could have been included.

Positives were good course generally and very well signed and marshalled. Helpers were all friendly.

I had a rear wheel puncture when with a good group after the monkey sanctuary at about 80 miles and then another good group sailed past. (Thanks Bronzie for asking if I was OK [:)]) Pumped my tyre up with the useless clip on pump and rode the rest of the way on my own. At least they had a track pump at the next feed so was not sliding all over the place for long.

Did a 6.35 on my computer but don't know what the total time was.

I rode the Cotswold last week and thought that it was better organised and the food and drink was certainly better.

Jim

oldwelshman · June 2007

Some of the comments on here are very valid.
I enjoyed the route as the climbs were steady and not too difficult (compared to the cymru gran fondo)
The majority of the roads were in good condition and the marshalling was very good, including the bike riders.
I was pleasently surprised by the number of motorists who actually stopped to let us through roundabouts, thought it was noticable they were older drivers.
Whilst climbing the lower part of Bwlch there were some parked cars we passed and some young txat shouting "get off the road". So I passed a comment to him and I think the sight of all the tattoos on my legs put him off so he appologised [:D]
With respect to the food I enjoyed the welsh cakes (being welsh) but as Jim said they were dry and it took a bottle of water to wash down :-) I even managed to inhale part of a cake and I eventually blew it out of my nose [:D]
On the negative side the finish was silly with too many roundabouts and traffic lights. I saw loads going through red lights to "save time" especially the last one and at this time the traffic was quite busy, there are many areas they could finish in bridgend within 2 miles of liesure centre with no such obstacles.
My biggest grip is obviousl the free gift of the de greaser in the gel sachet [:D]
With respect to fast times, on my computer it sadi 6:30 but I forgot to stop it at the end so was probably 6:25 but I started about 08:06 and passed finish 14:47 so guess my time to be 6:41 including stops.
I would like to thank the BBC and met office for getting the forecast wrong and making me carry all that extra weight in my back pockets[:(]

Feel free to browse and donate:
http://www.justgiving.com/davidbethanmills
My winter and summer bike pics

http://oldwelshman.myphotoalbum.com

hevipedal · June 2007

oldwelshman, which route did you do?

 Hevipedal 
Phrase of the week - I've got a bike. You can ride it if you like.
It's got a basket, a bell that rings and
Things to make it look good.
I'd give it to you if I could, but I borrowed it.
 
51yrs old and Proud of it - Made it to 87kg 2 more to go for the target.
Pedal to Paris Sept 2007

Gran E. Gear · June 2007

Nobody's mentioned the climb out of Glyn Neath yet, or that git of a hillock off the common towards the end. They were surprises to me. Unlike the climb out of Glyn Neath, I wasn't verbally absued every two minutes by a passing car on the short common climb.

As a relatively newcomer to sportives, I was very impressed with it overall, especially the marshalling at the T-junction on the descent off the Bwlch.

As regards the last two miles, I agree with the points made: I was hurtling towards Bridgend on the adrenalin of being within a sniff of the finish, and couldn't help but notice I was coinciding with half of Bridgend going shopping with their cars.

I too had a close shave with the degreaser, but spat out my first mouthful wondering what kind of flavour this was ...

I appreciated the mechanical backup pulling over to check I was OK, even though I was only stopping for a pee. (They left me to it.)

I've never climbed mountains like that before, am more used to the short, sharp variety. It was great stuff. I found that final hairpin at the top of the Bwlch a mystery - it felt so easy, and had me flicking to the big ring against all visible evidence that the gradient hadn't eased off. Weird.

I was delighted with the weather, and have sunburned thighs!

hevipedal · June 2007

Originally posted by Gran E. Gear

Nobody's mentioned the climb out of Glyn Neath yet,

That's because we were all trying to foget the bastard and then you had to go and remind us............
Rhigos and the Bwylch were nothing comapred to this.

 Hevipedal 
Phrase of the week - I've got a bike. You can ride it if you like.
It's got a basket, a bell that rings and
Things to make it look good.
I'd give it to you if I could, but I borrowed it.
 
51yrs old and Proud of it - Made it to 87kg 2 more to go for the target.
Pedal to Paris Sept 2007

MartinL · June 2007

I made the mistake of believing the weather forecast and ended up overdressed for the conditions.

The first 94.33 miles were fun and everything was looking good for a sub 7 hour ride. Then I got to the climb through Cimla [:(!] cramp in both legs! The final ascent of the Bwlch was interesting (40 mins from Cymmer to the top!). After hitting every red light on the run into Bridgend I finally scraped across the line with 7-14 on the comp [V]

http://www.abertillery-wheelers.com

hevipedal · June 2007

Just seen the provisional results; I was given 6h 4m 34s - for the short route.

 Hevipedal 
Phrase of the week - I've got a bike. You can ride it if you like.
It's got a basket, a bell that rings and
Things to make it look good.
I'd give it to you if I could, but I borrowed it.
 
51yrs old and Proud of it - Made it to 87kg 2 more to go for the target.
Pedal to Paris Sept 2007

jalapeno · June 2007

I enjoyed it despite a broken front mech forcing me to ride the last 60km on my big ring. Managed the 200km in 6hrs20, the Bwlch was OK on the big ring but that last little 'nip' in the sand dunes near the ned... thought my legs would fall off, only had 53x23!

http://www.mikesbikepages.me.uk
http://www.mikesimagination.net
http://mikesimagination.wordpress.com

oldwelshman · June 2007

Hevi.
I did long route and just checked the site, I did 6:35, not bad for a 46 yearold who started in November [:D]
That cimla climb is a good one, I knew it was coming up.
I was going doen the old road to Neath and was caught by a fast group who were pushing hard, I was doing about 705 knowing the climb was coming so I sat in their group. When the climb cam there were only 2 out of about 20 that got up before me. Some of them went off too fast at the start of it and they blew big time by the top and they had the Bwlch to come!!

Feel free to browse and donate:
http://www.justgiving.com/davidbethanmills
My winter and summer bike pics

http://oldwelshman.myphotoalbum.com

Gran E. Gear · June 2007

Originally posted by jalapeno

I enjoyed it despite a broken front mech forcing me to ride the last 60km on my big ring. Managed the 200km in 6hrs20, the Bwlch was OK on the big ring but that last little 'nip' in the sand dunes near the ned... thought my legs would fall off, only had 53x23!

You went up the Bwlch twice, and once on 53x23?

You nutter.

I was in bits with 34x29!

oldwelshman · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by MartinL

I made the mistake of believing the weather forecast and ended up overdressed for the conditions.

The first 94.33 miles were fun and everything was looking good for a sub 7 hour ride. Then I got to the climb through Cimla [:(!] cramp in both legs! The final ascent of the Bwlch was interesting (40 mins from Cymmer to the top!). After hitting every red light on the run into Bridgend I finally scraped across the line with 7-14 on the comp [V]

http://www.abertillery-wheelers.com
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
I did 26 minutes from Cymmer to top, only about 3 minutes slower than first time.

I took 62 mins from bottom of cimla to top of bwlch according to my garmin stats. Thats quite a hard stint!!

Feel free to browse and donate:
http://www.justgiving.com/davidbethanmills
My winter and summer bike pics

http://oldwelshman.myphotoalbum.com

oldwelshman · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by jalapeno

I enjoyed it despite a broken front mech forcing me to ride the last 60km on my big ring. Managed the 200km in 6hrs20, the Bwlch was OK on the big ring but that last little 'nip' in the sand dunes near the ned... thought my legs would fall off, only had 53x23!

http://www.mikesbikepages.me.uk
http://www.mikesimagination.net
http://mikesimagination.wordpress.com
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Mike, you did 6:25:44 [:D]

Feel free to browse and donate:
http://www.justgiving.com/davidbethanmills
My winter and summer bike pics

http://oldwelshman.myphotoalbum.com

jalapeno · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by oldwelshman

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by jalapeno

I enjoyed it despite a broken front mech forcing me to ride the last 60km on my big ring. Managed the 200km in 6hrs20, the Bwlch was OK on the big ring but that last little 'nip' in the sand dunes near the ned... thought my legs would fall off, only had 53x23!

http://www.mikesbikepages.me.uk
http://www.mikesimagination.net
http://mikesimagination.wordpress.com
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Mike, you did 6:25:44 [:D]

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

sorry, hadn't looked at the site, the 6.20 was my computer time. 6.25, faffing around with front mech couldn't have taken as long as I thought, that and the bl00dy red lights. I'm happy with that.

http://www.mikesbikepages.me.uk
http://www.mikesimagination.net
http://mikesimagination.wordpress.com

jalapeno · June 2007

hey Oldwelshman, what bike were you riding? would be funny if we'd met? I can never remember faces on bikes, only the machinery, there's one chap I shall forever remember as 'that bloke with the lovely vintage Record titanium seatpost'. very shiny.

http://www.mikesbikepages.me.uk
http://www.mikesimagination.net
http://mikesimagination.wordpress.com

PutneyJoe · June 2007

I thought it was a great sportive, one of the best this year. The main reasons for this were the route and the number of riders. I thought it was a stroke of genius to do some of last year's route backwards, really good fun. I liked doing the 'bleeugh' or whatever it's called twice too. I like the fact it was larger roads, and less steep climbs. The Fred Whitton and Etape du Dales are great too, but enough already!
I wish they wouldn't mix times up for the short and long rides, it makes it harder to judge how you've done against the field.
But to oldwelshman I'd say, as a 42 year old who's been doing this for 2 years now, that the fact that you were an hour faster than me after only a few months and 4 years older is truly sickening. ;-)

Dragon Ride

Comments

Categories