Returned to this event for the second year. Last year I did the 600, this time I opted for the 200F & 200G (basically the 400 split into two). The focus was the bivi and seeing how a fully loaded bike would handle.
The rear hub gave a lot of grief. The bike shop in Llanidloes let me use their tools. I took it apart and put it back together. Still a bit flakey, but it held to the end.
Superb route as before. There were only 6 of us riding the 200, we mixed in with the 400 riders. All of us finished around the same time...very close to the time limit!
I bivied with two of the others on the banks of the estuary. It was
f&^&ing grim an interesting learning experience.
The midges launched their attack as soon as we climbed off the bikes. I got very hot hiding in the bag, but cooled down a bit when it rained on my face.
Needless to say I didn't sleep a wink. Exhausted I opted to DNS the 200G and ride back to Llandrindod Wells directly. Strava's route planner punished me with a ridiculously hilly return route, but I took it slow.
Some photos and videos:
https://flic.kr/s/aHsmEoxyarI can't overstate how good these events are. I believe that there were about 11 different rides. Long, short, road, mixed terrain & MTB.
A hog roast and lots of beer at the end.
2020 do it!Many thanks to Mark and James and the others working behind the scenes.
It should be made know that James drove all the way out to Barmouth, slept in his car just so that he could be there at 06:00 to hand out brevet cards to 6 people! (much appreciated...even if I didn't take the card)
Thanks also to mattc for rescuing my cap from the pub. Sunday just wouldn't have been the same without it