I've just noticed that Pat packed after this leg:
7. St. David’s – Cilgerran (53km, 737m climb / 13.8m/km)
St David’s – Fishguard – Newport – Nevern – Cilgerran (577km)
So that's after the coastal "lowlands" stretch we've all been dreading ...
See prior...
There's something about me'n'John riding together (as he inferred at Pete's); every time, we obviously piss off the weather gods, and he gets the lurgy...
Some new bits of route, and some old bits; some new bits I liked, and some were just rehashes of other rides (e.g. climb from Dolgellau), caused by moving the central control.
The first day was much of repeat of last year's
FAIL - Persistent headwinds and squally bands of rain. 1st to Vyrnwy, but nothing open, so we carried on over to Bala for breakfast. Wet going over Bwlch, sunny in Bala, and wet going over Ysbyty Ifan; the drop down into Penmachno looked as gorgeous as ever. Everybody regrouped at Pete's, where John looked as white as a sheet, and sensibly packed, so down to three we grumped up the climb from Llanberis (look backwards for some stunning views as you go up), where the other two disappeared over the horizon...
Pleasant ride along the Mawddach Trail. Pay attention to instructions in Dolgellau; you want to
continue down Lion St to control, not use "Y Sospan"
Once you've climbed out of Dolgellau, it is indeed rolling - but the general trend is strongly down, in a sequence of stepped valley drops; enjoy...
Craving coming into Rhyader was for Custard Creams - absolute
no chance at that time of night; GAWD BLESS THE WELSH #1 - won't hear a thing against them. Rhyader Carnival week was on, and the pub lock-in had two trestles full of enough food to satisfy even Steve's (teehtgrinder's) appetite. One free graze later, carried on waddling along the route
, to reach L. Wells.
Faff, sleep for 3 hours & out just after 7; Down to just me & Pete, as Mike K has packed with knee problems, so we continue to play tag through the persistent squalls & wind to Pendine. This is still the roller coaster ride of yore, so some 24" gearing was deployed, for variation and muscle relaxation.
Started to clear, even with threat of some sunshine, on the way to St. David's, but after leaving began to revert to form - wind picked up, and ominous clouds cuddled together.
Got to Cilgerran, called for a weather check, and heard the forecast was persistent rain and high winds by midnight; plenty of time (11 hours) for the 90km to L. Wells, but I just had a complete sense of humour failure (not like me, normally too
stoopidstubborn to give in), and locals advised against the mountain road in expected conditions...
GAWD BLESS THE WELSH #2 - won't hear a thing against them. Dan (the Man) said, "kip on my couch, I won't be at home" - no contest really. Wandered off in his car & back, to locate said premises tucked down back lane, came back for several glasses of liquid refreshment, then got a good 8 hours sleep
Up and out by 7, into sunshine (still with squelchy socks tho' - yeeuch). Appreciated the fine vista after Llandysul ridge, the wide, green verdant valley, the minor road snaking over Mynnydd Llanllwni (into Brechla Forest) that you just
knew was where you'd be heading
Long fast drop down to Beulah, and then along to Llandovery to hook up with John, Ed & Pete again for brunch. Pete was still going strong, and, accompanied by Ed cracked on round the 3rd loop; I'd gone into tourist mode, and pottered back with John to L. Wells, where we just slummed around waiting for the others to pop out of the loop.
Regrouped, revittaled, and with a quick hour's nap for Pete, we set off on the final legs - I decided to lend support, whilst John & Ed would schlep the stuffed panniers back in the morning.
Still cold, and drizzled for an hour or so, but never turned into the prior days' repetitive soakings. Shades of the Rocky Mountains on the drop into Newtown (seemed to go on forever), and it was a bummer of no hot drinks at the service station - still, we're hardened to adversity by this time
Spat out into the flatlands, we continued apace, Pete cracking 1000Km at 05:50. Finally split an hour later, as he peeled off back to John's with congratulations, and I finished the route to the hall - hate for y'all to go wrong on the penultimate instruction.
Schleped off to Shrewbury & some brekkie, then constant intravenous caffeine on the train home, so I didn't miss a change and end up on the wrong side of the country.
Still beleive it's not the terrain that's gonna be the determinant; crap weather is what's gonna do most in.
See you in [fewer days than you think...]
