Dragon Ride 2011

simon johnson

wicked wrote:

Just trying to work out if you are brave or foolish Seriously though fair play to you.

either/or...though I'm definitely forgetful!

Times like this call for the Stallone/Rocky IV training reel.

benno68

I'm not a good climber and 34x25 is good enough for me, I have got a 27t as insurance in case I'm on an off day.

It's crept up on me all of a sudden too and I too could have done with more time in the saddle on the lead up.

Anyone fancy putting up their target time and we can report back with a not of how we've done.

I'd be chuffed with 7.5 hours but would be content with 8hrs.

simon johnson

We'll get through it I'm sure Benno.

No target time for me; actually I'm really excited and looking forward to the scenery, can't wait, having never been around there or even cycled over any 'proper' UK terrain.

No pressure, just try to enjoy it I say. Plan for me is to ride at a consistent pace and save some in the tank for the latter quarter, if there's plenty there then bury it That's the plan anyhow!

tripleo

Im more concerned with being in good enough nick on the second ascent of the Bwlch than my overall time .Especially if its hot - Ive suffered big style on that one in the past.You could lose hours on that if you start crawling up that.

Anyone know how many miles we'll have in our legs before the second ascent starts?

benno68

tripleo wrote:

Anyone know how many miles we'll have in our legs before the second ascent starts?

Looking at the profile, it's roughly 108 miles in when we'll hit the Bwlch the second time.

http://www.wiggledragonride.com/routes-200km.php

@Simon, Llangeinor (after the Bwlch) is a small climb but after 115 miles I found it tough going so I'll try to keep something in the tank to scrape up there and then see what I've got left.

oldwelshman

Compact is fine.
I use compact with straight through on the back for racing so willleave that on. I use compact with 25 on the back for marmotte.
You can never have too many gears lol just pedal faster in low gear to save legs and change rhythym a bit at times.

bendertherobot

Did the medio today, very wet. Cleared up for the last 10 :evil:

Anyway, route is fine.

But, and this is a big but, the climbs come later (not a bad thing in itself) but that last climb is later than usual.

And it's going to be hot. Very very hot. Trust me.

twotyred

And it's going to be hot. Very very hot. Trust me.

Good. Nice bit of acclimatisation before La Marmotte.

Swansea_Dave

bendertherobot wrote:

And it's going to be hot. Very very hot. Trust me.

Hope you are right. I have been riding the Rhigos for the last three weekends and it has been generally blowing a gale and wellying down with rain.

oldwelshman

Swansea_Dave wrote:

bendertherobot wrote:

And it's going to be hot. Very very hot. Trust me.

Hope you are right. I have been riding the Rhigos for the last three weekends and it has been generally blowing a gale and wellying down with rain.

Why?

Swansea_Dave

oldwelshman wrote:

Swansea_Dave wrote:

bendertherobot wrote:

And it's going to be hot. Very very hot. Trust me.

Hope you are right. I have been riding the Rhigos for the last three weekends and it has been generally blowing a gale and wellying down with rain.

Why?

Well, there was a low pressure zone into which the winds blew and the consequent upward movement of air caused cloud formation and precipitation.

And its South Wales, so when isn't it raining?

bendertherobot

Just a word of warning, do remember to turn LEFT after you've turned right at Taibach rugby club. Bound to be well marshalled etc but otherwise you'll be in the wrong valley!

http://maps.google.co.uk/?ie=UTF8&ll=51 ... 34.63,,0,0

Turn left here, signposted M4.

bendertherobot

Slightly OT, but, beat my best up the Bwlch today. In previous years have been averaging 6-7 mph. Today I was doing a minimum of 9 and between 9.5 and 10 most of the time. Was dead chuffed.

oldwelshman

Swansea_Dave wrote:

oldwelshman wrote:

Swansea_Dave wrote:

bendertherobot wrote:

And it's going to be hot. Very very hot. Trust me.

Hope you are right. I have been riding the Rhigos for the last three weekends and it has been generally blowing a gale and wellying down with rain.

Why?

Well, there was a low pressure zone into which the winds blew and the consequent upward movement of air caused cloud formation and precipitation.

And its South Wales, so when isn't it raining?

I meant why up the rhigos three weekends? I would rather check into rehab than go up there three weekends on the trot
I like the climb from Aberdare over to Ferndale,steepas fook at the bottom then steady and nice roads over the top.

slogfester

bendertherobot wrote:

http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=251139

Medio File, if you're interested. Will get round to the Gran

Thanks for posting. Your route differs a little from that posted on the Dragon website ( http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=114620688118348021879.00048d7dbccb52ce3e49b&z=10&source=embed)
especially through Porthcawl.

I downloaded the GPX from the website and after tidying the route up (it has several out of place points) found the distance to be 111 km

oldwelshman

You need the route programmed to get round? I thought that was why we pay such a large fee to have marshalls?

sampras38

Hi all

I have a Wales Dragon entry going begging if anyone's interested, for the long route.

PM me if interested.

thanks
Pistol

Swansea_Dave

oldwelshman wrote:

Swansea_Dave wrote:

oldwelshman wrote:

Swansea_Dave wrote:

bendertherobot wrote:

And it's going to be hot. Very very hot. Trust me.

Hope you are right. I have been riding the Rhigos for the last three weekends and it has been generally blowing a gale and wellying down with rain.

Why?

Well, there was a low pressure zone into which the winds blew and the consequent upward movement of air caused cloud formation and precipitation.

And its South Wales, so when isn't it raining?

I meant why up the rhigos three weekends? I would rather check into rehab than go up there three weekends on the trot
I like the climb from Aberdare over to Ferndale,steepas fook at the bottom then steady and nice roads over the top.

Sorry mate, proper answer this time. My folks live in the Rhondda so a loop from Swansea to visit them usually involves going over the Bwlch and Rhigos. I just vary the direction. Its a nice run if you avoid the A465 by going through Resolven, Glynneath etc (about 75 mi round trip). It was lashing down on top of the Bwlch today and then the sun broke through as I climbed the Rhigos from Treherbert. Great views of Pen y Fan. Then a strong breeze in my face all the way home (aaargghhh).

crom7

bendertherobot wrote:

Long range weather forecast is serious high pressure and scorchio!

We shall see.

Well done! Just looked at the forecast for the weekend and it looks pretty good....factor 40 t the ready.

bendertherobot

crom7 wrote:

bendertherobot wrote:

Long range weather forecast is serious high pressure and scorchio!

We shall see.

Well done! Just looked at the forecast for the weekend and it looks pretty good....factor 40 t the ready.

Not quite as hot as first progged when I wrote that, but should be 20 or so by mid afternoon. Which is just about perfect really

dombo6

Just checked weather.co.uk and we have light rain forecast for Bridgend, Cardiff and Merthyr on sunday.

Pirahna

Dombo6 wrote:

Just checked weather.co.uk and we have light rain forecast for Bridgend, Cardiff and Merthyr on sunday.

Light rain possible by lunchtime with wind gusting to 30mph.

3Pears

Good luck everyone, one plus is if my calculations are correct, we will probably have a favourable wind on the coastal section (ok we may pay for that somewere else)

Remember your number/timing board (more of a reminder to myself)

Have a great ride :P

benno68

Pirahna wrote:

Dombo6 wrote:

Just checked weather.co.uk and we have light rain forecast for Bridgend, Cardiff and Merthyr on sunday.

Light rain possible by lunchtime with wind gusting to 30mph.

We'll all be finished by then, won't we?

I'll be lucky to get back in time for the pasta party.

wicked

Now heavy rain. I knew it! :evil:

prb007

http://magicseaweed.com/Porthcawl--Surf-Report/29/

16 degrees with a light breeze,
which roughly translated into local (which I am),
will be cool and gusty along Southerndown/Ogmore/Porthcawl for the first quarter,
cooler and windy going up the Bwlch 1 & Rhigos climbs (poss tailwind).
warmer, but with a headwind coming down Neath valley (3rd quarter)
warm and clammy over the Bwlch 2 for the last quarter.

yours; M.Fish

Rich.H

I have taken my tubs off now which means it is bound to be dry......

Have a good one

Rich

bendertherobot

wicked wrote:

Now heavy rain. I knew it! :evil:

In places, at times, heavy rain showers. It's possible. Remember that you'll be in 120 different (mile) places during the day.

Basically get out there, start will be dry. Morning looks dry. After that who knows. They couldn't even get today's forecast right an HOUR out.

oldwelshman

WEll my legs are shot after two hard days track training and road ride so tomorrow will be interesting think I will do all climbs on 2 gear

wicked

bendertherobot wrote:

wicked wrote:

Now heavy rain. I knew it! :evil:

In places, at times, heavy rain showers. It's possible. Remember that you'll be in 120 different (mile) places during the day.

Basically get out there, start will be dry. Morning looks dry. After that who knows. They couldn't even get today's forecast right an HOUR out.

I will be there am setting off now. See you on the (wet) road!