Yet Another Cycling Forum

General Category => Audax => Topic started by: rabbit on 08 January, 2014, 04:36:27 pm

Title: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: rabbit on 08 January, 2014, 04:36:27 pm
I have just got some Brevet cards through for the lovely Cambrian series, and am most excited  ;D

I was just wondering, though, can I ride these routes with others (friends/family) or do they have to also pay to ride or be an Audax UK member?
Title: Re: Permenants - riding with others
Post by: Somnolent on 08 January, 2014, 04:43:33 pm
Are you trying to tell us that you've not yet persuaded ALL your cycling firends and family to join AUK ?
Tsk. Tsk.
Title: Re: Permanents - riding with others
Post by: L CC on 08 January, 2014, 04:46:15 pm
You can ride ahead or alongside others but not take any assistance from them, no drafting, no using tools, no letting them buy the coffee.
AUK are watching. ;)
Title: Re: Permenants - riding with others
Post by: jamesld8 on 08 January, 2014, 04:49:02 pm
which Cambrians are you doing ?
Title: Re: Permenants - riding with others
Post by: Bairdy on 08 January, 2014, 05:21:14 pm
Thanks for the reminder, I've got a Cambrian 2B card somewhere that needs using.

I rode the Cambrian 2C a couple of years ago with Hammerman, that's a really nice ride.
Title: Re: Permenants - riding with others
Post by: Hummers on 09 January, 2014, 08:41:39 am
I have just got some Brevet cards through for the lovely Cambrian series, and am most excited  ;D

I was just wondering, though, can I ride these routes with others (friends/family) or do they have to also pay to ride or be an Audax UK member?

I thought there was already a lot more posted in response to this request  ???

In summary, it depends on the organiser of the Cambrian perm series (Colin Bezant - AKA CrazyEnglishTriathlete) and I suggest you direct this request towards him. He will be the person validating your rides, not us.

H
Title: Re: Permenants - riding with others
Post by: rabbit on 09 January, 2014, 09:08:07 am
Thanks for the replies all. 

It's not really a big issue tbh as I doubt I would have been able to drag the other half along anyway and I plan to do the rides as part of my training which I always like to do solo.  I will mail Colin and see what he says though.

Oh, and even if he did come along, I'd be up front pacing as I always have to be.  He is too fast for me and I can't hold his back wheel for long, he isn't great at realising I've been dropped, and junctions would no doubt get missed. :P

Plus I always carry all my own kit, even on local training rides, as you never know when you may get separated.

It was more a thought than anything.  You know, nice summer day, some sunshine, a bit of chatting and a few pub stops.  But I guess that yes, this isn't the spirit of Audax.  I mean, where is the pain, suffering and hard man ethic ;)

Quote
which Cambrians are you doing ?

Well...at the moment I have the five 100 kms (as can hopefully fit them in round work if over that way) and 2a 2b 2c 2d and 3a.
Title: Re: Permenants - riding with others
Post by: jamesld8 on 09 January, 2014, 09:23:30 am
Best wishes for the 100s !!!

 FWIW I`ve ridden 1A and 1B so far and the 1A was 5 hr 40 min riding time so stops will be limited at these speeds---I clocked up 2 200 m climbing during it; 1B was easier about 5 hr riidng time---maybe I`m just slow now :( but beware the hilliness and roads slow you down
Title: Re: Permenants - riding with others
Post by: caerau on 09 January, 2014, 09:31:56 am
I did the 3A last year - it's *very* tough.  Of course you may well be tougher than I but it's a real tough grimpeur (I'm fairly sure they all are) - it's 4.25 AAA points belie more than 6000 m of climbing if you do it the purest route.


So be warned.


Stunning, stunning scenery though - the most scenic audax I've done by a country mile.   One of the rides that really broke my spirit at times though.
Title: Re: Permenants - riding with others
Post by: rabbit on 09 January, 2014, 09:47:14 am
Thanks guys.  I know that area of Wales pretty well so figured they would be very very hilly and was expecting 5 to 6 hours for the 100 km with stops. That is what I want though.  Need to toughen up a bit, seemed like this would be a great way to do so as the scenery will take my mind off the pain, somewhat!
Title: Re: Permenants - riding with others
Post by: jamesld8 on 09 January, 2014, 10:59:01 am
Thanks guys.  I know that area of Wales pretty well so figured they would be very very hilly and was expecting 5 to 6 hours for the 100 km with stops. That is what I want though.  Need to toughen up a bit, seemed like this would be a great way to do so as the scenery will take my mind off the pain, somewhat!

5-6 with stops  ::-) see this http://connect.garmin.com/activity/427042903

OK I stopped 45 min @ Tregaron for a fabulous burger @ Y Talbot but the leg Beulah > Tregaron took nearly 2 hours riding !

and it`s an over distance 100km as it seems several of the other 100km are---but a fantastic route---thinking of 1D this Saturday (Bwlch Y Groes loop) but worried that snow level / ice  may affect the higher roads
Title: Re: Permenants - riding with others
Post by: caerau on 09 January, 2014, 11:11:24 am
Thanks guys.  I know that area of Wales pretty well so figured they would be very very hilly and was expecting 5 to 6 hours for the 100 km with stops. That is what I want though.  Need to toughen up a bit, seemed like this would be a great way to do so as the scenery will take my mind off the pain, somewhat!


All good then, enjoy  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Permenants - riding with others
Post by: rabbit on 09 January, 2014, 11:19:09 am
Thanks guys.  I know that area of Wales pretty well so figured they would be very very hilly and was expecting 5 to 6 hours for the 100 km with stops. That is what I want though.  Need to toughen up a bit, seemed like this would be a great way to do so as the scenery will take my mind off the pain, somewhat!

5-6 with stops  ::-) see this http://connect.garmin.com/activity/427042903

OK I stopped 45 min @ Tregaron for a fabulous burger @ Y Talbot but the leg Beulah > Tregaron took nearly 2 hours riding !

and it`s an over distance 100km as it seems several of the other 100km are---but a fantastic route---thinking of 1D this Saturday (Bwlch Y Groes loop) but worried that snow level / ice  may affect the higher roads

Ooh, would you mind terribly if I download this as a course to save me faffing and creating my own? 

Let me know if you do the 1D and what conditions are like as may try and get over in the next few weeks or so  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Permenants - riding with others
Post by: jamesld8 on 09 January, 2014, 11:34:13 am
You`re most welcome to use it----this is though a very straightfwd route with little choice (although you could choose extra km @ Pont yr Elan to go around the reservoirs, avoid summit mountain road and cut down lanes to Llanwrthwl --but mountain road has 4km cracking 6-10% descent :) :) , other cambrian 1 seem have more choices.
 After Tregaron keep something back for climb after Pont Rhyd Y Groes---enough said :(

My route started @ Llandrindod Wells lake---plenty roadside parking and at least 500m FLAT to enjoy :)
Title: Re: Permenants - riding with others
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 09 January, 2014, 11:54:29 am
Although in theory AUK riders are not supposed to have outside assistance (eg pacing from other riders) on Audax events, I would be the last person to stop anyone from doing it on the rides I organise.  The biggest barrier to riding in company on these rides is the terrain - as its much harder to ride in a group over lumpy ground.  And there aren't many flat bits in the Cambrian Series  :)

But of course I would welcome new AUK members and entries, especially if, having ridden one or two they get the bug.   ;D

(After all, I was so impressed by the [Cambrian Series] that I bought the company {took over the organising from Peter Coulson})
Title: Re: Permenants - riding with others
Post by: Hammerman on 09 January, 2014, 01:27:16 pm
"I rode the Cambrian 2C a couple of years ago with Hammerman, that's a really nice ride."
Thats not what you said at the time Bairdy lol
Title: Re: Permenants - riding with others
Post by: caerau on 09 January, 2014, 01:55:58 pm
I can well believe that  ;D


(not cos it's Bairdy I stress, just that I know how tough the 3A was)
Title: Re: Permenants - riding with others
Post by: hillbilly on 09 January, 2014, 01:59:54 pm
Have fun. 

As hinted at below, the climbing on this series of rides is such that the AAA points will often feel hard won.

The 2C was one of the hardest 200s I did last year, which was not what the AAA points suggested.  My legs felt it was on a par with the Tregaron Dragon in terms of challenge.  This might have been a result of the roads I chose, although I suspect not.  Lovely bit of the UK though (well, other than Lampeter, which was a bit meh).  I can share my route/track with you, if of interest (at the very least, it might suggest where to try and avoid hills).  PM me with your email address if you want it.
Title: Re: Permenants - riding with others
Post by: caerau on 09 January, 2014, 02:08:56 pm
I still have a slight lurking sense of 'hard done by' for only getting 4.25 AAA for the 3A.  It was definitely more than that.


The points are based on the fact that riders can choose to go around some of the hills as there are no set routes, so if you do go over them you get no extra AAA points accordingly.  I certainly did my bit of avoiding truly horrendous amounts of climbing in certain stretches - I recall that if you route the 3A through Painscastle it adds about 1500 m of climbing to the ride - however, there was no avoiding The Devil's Staircase or Tregaron mountain road...
Title: Re: Permenants - riding with others
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 09 January, 2014, 02:40:17 pm
I've always thought that Painscastle is so appropriately named.  However, if you route a Hay/Monmouth - Llandrindod section through it you are rewarded with a magnificent ride.

I am looking at some of the AAA points and mail the AAA man occasionally.  The ascents were originally calculated by Peter Coulson way back when and some of them feel a bit stingy.  However, GPS nearly always give a 10 - 15% greater figure than contour counting which was the only method Peter had - and this is also a factor in how rides feel.

But then any permanent is 10 - 15% harder than the equivalent calendar ride becuase you don't (a) have company and (b) someone to sort out all the controls for you.
Title: Re: Permenants - riding with others
Post by: rabbit on 09 January, 2014, 02:44:10 pm
Although in theory AUK riders are not supposed to have outside assistance (eg pacing from other riders) on Audax events, I would be the last person to stop anyone from doing it on the rides I organise.  The biggest barrier to riding in company on these rides is the terrain - as its much harder to ride in a group over lumpy ground.  And there aren't many flat bits in the Cambrian Series  :)

But of course I would welcome new AUK members and entries, especially if, having ridden one or two they get the bug.   ;D

(After all, I was so impressed by the [Cambrian Series] that I bought the company {took over the organising from Peter Coulson})

Ah, thank you CrazyEnglishTriathlete  :thumbsup:

This thread is making me think I am in for some serious pain!
Title: Re: Permenants - riding with others
Post by: caerau on 09 January, 2014, 03:38:21 pm
At least you're warned  ;D , before I went on the 3A I though the Devil's Staircase was in the Brecon Beacons (no, that's the much easier, Devil's Elbow).  I knew there was a climb between Llanwrtydd Wells and Tregaron but was most shocked when presented with the almost vertical wall of the staircase.


I recall writing a ride report here afterwards including mention of that [expletive self moderated] climb!  What the heck was that?
Only when I looked at my Strava segments afterwards did I discover its identity.  :facepalm:


Anyway, aside from that you will be in for a massive treat on the scenery.  Even after my sufferfest up the staircase I was wowed by the Elan Valley.  You will not be disappointed.  I must do another CS ride myself sooner rather than later.
If you want real pain - try the 10A  :demon:
Title: Re: Permenants - riding with others
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 09 January, 2014, 03:57:45 pm
At least you're warned  ;D , before I went on the 3A I though the Devil's Staircase was in the Brecon Beacons (no, that's the much easier, Devil's Elbow).  I knew there was a climb between Llanwrtydd Wells and Tregaron but was most shocked when presented with the almost vertical wall of the staircase.


I recall writing a ride report here afterwards including mention of that [expletive self moderated] climb!  What the heck was that?
Only when I looked at my Strava segments afterwards did I discover its identity.  :facepalm:

The Devil's Staircase is only the third hardest climb on the 4C!!   (after climbing this, Bwlch y Groes and Allt Gwernant, Llangollen equipped with a 27" gear)
Title: Re: Permenants - riding with others
Post by: caerau on 09 January, 2014, 04:10:47 pm
Yes I've read your reports, you have my sincere awe and respect  :thumbsup:

I'm not a good climber it has to be said - far too heavy.


I'm going for a second bite at the Staircase this year though on the Elenydd.  I did the 3A on a silly bike to be fair and have been trained up a lot in climbing since.  The 3A was only my 3rd audax and 3rd 100+ mile ride at the time. 
I managed to get up the Devil's Elbow without putting my foot down on the Transporter 200 in November against storm force winds so I'm a lot more confident than I was then and I will use a much lighter bike with better gearing.


*bet I still end up walking though*
Title: Re: Permenants - riding with others
Post by: rabbit on 09 January, 2014, 04:26:36 pm
I will use a much lighter bike with better gearing.

Which will be??? 

I am hoping to have my Audax bike built up by the time I get to some of the longer ones.  But if not m current easiest gear is a 40 upfront an 28 on the back.  This may HAVE to change asap from the look of it!
Title: Re: Permenants - riding with others
Post by: caerau on 09 January, 2014, 04:33:37 pm
34 * 28  - my roadbike is a BMC Streetracer - nice light racing machine albeit not carbon.


I tried and failed the Staircase on a 34*26 as Wiggle sent me a replacement cassette of the wrong ilk far too close to the date of the ride so I had little choice but to use it (the old one had worn out on my previous audax).  The bike I used was my much heavier Hybrid I use for commuting.  It should have had a 34*34 lowest gear and I might have been alright on that.


Personal preferences and all that but I'd definitely recommend a compact chainset if you're doing hilly rides in Wales.  20%+ gradients are not uncommon around the parts there be dragons! ;)
Title: Re: Permenants - riding with others
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 09 January, 2014, 04:35:56 pm
14% and 16% will be encountered on Cambrian Series rides, usually 3 or 4 times per 100km.  20%+ like the Devils Staircase are actually unusual (the 4C is the toughest).  I find a 30" gear ideal (the 27" was installed with Bwlch-y-groes in mind) - so I'd recommend a triple rather than a compact - as this allows a 30-granny ring to be used. With a compact, the 34" will require a dinner plate on the rear to get up the hardest hills comfortably.  (I did do the Devil's Staircase on a compact once and nearly expired at the top).  On the plus side a triple also allows a bigger big ring (eg 52 or 53) which means you can take advantage of some of the lovely long fast descents that are available - probably the closest you can get to real alpine descending in the UK.  (Although please descend the Devil's Staircase with care..... :demon:)
Title: Re: Permenants - riding with others
Post by: rabbit on 09 January, 2014, 04:37:23 pm
34 * 28  - my roadbike is a BMC Streetracer - nice light racing machine albeit not carbon.


I tried and failed the Staircase on a 34*26 as Wiggle sent me a replacement cassette of the wrong ilk far too close to the date of the ride so I had little choice but to use it (the old one had worn out on my previous audax).  The bike I used was my much heavier Hybrid I use for commuting.  It should have had a 34*34 lowest gear and I might have been alright on that.


Personal preferences and all that but I'd definitely recommend a compact chainset if you're doing hilly rides in Wales.  20%+ gradients are not uncommon around the parts there be dragons! ;)

Okily looks like I may have to change sooner rather than later.  Was going to go lovely 11 spd on the new bike but that's a few months or so away financially for me so may have to see what I can sort for the current machine :)
Title: Re: Permenants - riding with others
Post by: caerau on 09 January, 2014, 04:37:49 pm
Yeah I was probably overegging the 20% ones.


They can be found quite easily if you look for them though.  Within spitting distance of where I live (Cardiff) there are 21% slopes up the Senghennydd and Caerphilly mountains and (at least) 27% up the Penheol Ely road in Pontypridd.
And I live in a relatively flat part of Wales.
Title: Re: Permenants - riding with others
Post by: caerau on 09 January, 2014, 04:38:55 pm
I didn't want to get insulting recommending a triple ;)
Title: Re: Permenants - riding with others
Post by: caerau on 09 January, 2014, 04:40:10 pm
(I did do the Devil's Staircase on a compact once and nearly expired at the top). 


You've no idea how much better that makes me feel.  ;D :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Permenants - riding with others
Post by: rabbit on 09 January, 2014, 04:41:37 pm
14% and 16% will be encountered on Cambrian Series rides, usually 3 or 4 times per 100km.  20%+ like the Devils Staircase are actually unusual (the 4C is the toughest).  I find a 30" gear ideal (the 27" was installed with Bwlch-y-groes in mind) - so I'd recommend a triple rather than a compact - as this allows a 30-granny ring to be used. With a compact, the 34" will require a dinner plate on the rear to get up the hardest hills comfortably.  (I did do the Devil's Staircase on a compact once and nearly expired at the top).  On the plus side a triple also allows a bigger big ring (eg 52 or 53) which means you can take advantage of some of the lovely long fast descents that are available - probably the closest you can get to real alpine descending in the UK.  (Although please descend the Devil's Staircase with care..... :demon:)

I don't know what these hills are like in terms of what I have already ridden.  Edge Hill was a bit of a stiff one with the current set up - what's that % wise, anyone know?  That's probably the limit.  I can't see me struggling up anything with a 34 upfront and 28 on the back though, other than maybe a proper 1 in 4.  I am not going triple.  I'll never live it down - I get enough abuse about being a roadie now from my MTB buddies.  If I go with a triple I'll have no roadie friends left either ;)
Title: Re: Permenants - riding with others
Post by: caerau on 09 January, 2014, 04:42:36 pm
Sorry I should really respond to your posts in one go CET.


I managed nearly 60 mph on my compact descending the Preselis in Pembrokeshire last year - how much faster does one want to go on a bike?  :hand:
(That *was* fun though)
Title: Re: Permenants - riding with others
Post by: caerau on 09 January, 2014, 04:50:50 pm
Well I just looked it up on Strava - looks a reasonable toughie.  Aside from the real killers like the Staircase (which as CET says are only occasional on these rides and won't feature at all I don't think on the shorter 1 and 2 series rides) that's probably as hard as anything you'll typically encounter.


What the main problem was was the frequency of them - it's not flat flat flat, BIG BILL, flat flat flat - they can just be relentless.


The worst bit of the 3A for me was actually towards the end  - being knackered didn't help at all of course  - but the rolling nature of the countryside between Hay on Wye and Monthmouth meant a rollercoaster of downslopes and steep upslopes on tired legs.  That's when my spirit broke and I phone my missus wailing that 'I can't DO this anymore! Waaaah'


Then of course i got over it and did actually manage to finish.  If you've got company that will help you get through such things :-)  And the 3A is 300k - 200k rides don't do that to me - at least not yet.
Title: Re: Permenants - riding with others
Post by: caerau on 09 January, 2014, 04:55:24 pm
I saw 18% and 25% on that Edge hill plot on Strava by the way.  That's steep.  But it didn't looks sustained.  The Devil's Staircase has a really sustained 25% slope - it doesn't relent for a good couple of hundred feet.  It's nasty nasty nasty.


http://100hillsforgeorge.blogspot.co.uk/2011/04/hill-no-4-93-devils-staircase-powys.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-qCNTlFTGM
Title: Re: Permenants - riding with others
Post by: rabbit on 09 January, 2014, 04:58:21 pm
Well I just looked it up on Strava - looks a reasonable toughie.  Aside from the real killers like the Staircase (which as CET says are only occasional on these rides and won't feature at all I don't think on the shorter 1 and 2 series rides) that's probably as hard as anything you'll typically encounter.


What the main problem was was the frequency of them - it's not flat flat flat, BIG BILL, flat flat flat - they can just be relentless.


The worst bit of the 3A for me was actually towards the end  - being knackered didn't help at all of course  - but the rolling nature of the countryside between Hay on Wye and Monthmouth meant a rollercoaster of downslopes and steep upslopes on tired legs.  That's when my spirit broke and I phone my missus wailing that 'I can't DO this anymore! Waaaah'


Then of course i got over it and did actually manage to finish.  If you've got company that will help you get through such things :-)  And the 3A is 300k - 200k rides don't do that to me - at least not yet.

This is true.  It's one thing doing a 200 km which is just like a day out on the bike.  But I have yet to even consider a 300 km (tentative plans for March/April) which I have heard is actually a big ol' step up, nevermind with that kind of relentless climbing!  Still, the 3A will be there waiting for me when I (and the new bike) is ready :)

I'm not sure having company is a good thing for me.  I am better off on my own when things get bad so I can curse and moan and not offend anyone in the process.  Plus, being genuinely scared of not being able to make it back does tend to focus the legs somewhat!
Title: Re: Permenants - riding with others
Post by: rabbit on 09 January, 2014, 04:59:41 pm
I saw 18% and 25% on that Edge hill plot on Strava by the way.  That's steep.  But it didn't looks sustained.  The Devil's Staircase has a really sustained 25% slope - it doesn't relent for a good couple of hundred feet.  It's nasty nasty nasty.


http://100hillsforgeorge.blogspot.co.uk/2011/04/hill-no-4-93-devils-staircase-powys.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-qCNTlFTGM

Ooof, looks like a challenge in the making there then!

Thanks for the linky :)
Title: Re: Permenants - riding with others
Post by: jamesld8 on 09 January, 2014, 05:00:03 pm
Use a compact and a decent wide cassette--I`m now using an IRD 12-32 cassette, 34x 32 is very useful even though can just manage DS on bigger gear--in summer did it on 34 x 26 just to avoid using the 29 as it was at time. IMO there`s no shame in a small gear only knee pain on a bigger one !
Title: Re: Permenants - riding with others
Post by: caerau on 09 January, 2014, 05:05:23 pm
Well I would tell you that 300 km is just a long 200 km and not that much harder - that's the general advice given around here.


But the 3A is the only 300 k I've yet done. So I won't ;)


Having said that I've done 400km and 600 km too - the 400 km was as bad as the 300 for breaking the soul (worse actually I think).  Oddly, I just went and did the 600 km with nowhere near the same level of mental breakdown.  It did have its tough moments but not like the other two.


<Plus, being genuinely scared of not being able to make it back does tend to focus the legs somewhat!>


Oh I sooo know what you mean.  ;D
Title: Re: Permenants - riding with others
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 09 January, 2014, 05:11:23 pm
Love the Milk Race video - even Gethin Butler struggling up it.

And the quote at the end
"What do you think of the Devil?"
"That's not normal....!"

I heard they took the Milk Race up Bwlch y Groes as well - which is not quite as steep but five times as long....

Having said that, the professionals still looked like they were riding up it.  I'm sure I've never gone up it at the speed.  But then I've always done at least 75 miles by the time I've got to the foot of it.

Would be great to see the Tour of Britain take in this stretch of road but it would probably fail a risk assessment for the hairy descent on the other side.

Oh - and the shame in recommending a triple is less than the shame of walking up a hill and watching others ride past.  The Prescelis and also the Lampeter - New Quay road offer great opportunities for high speed descents but these can be done with any gear ratio except fixed....
Title: Re: Permenants - riding with others
Post by: caerau on 09 January, 2014, 05:21:59 pm
Yeah that might be true to be fair, I think I was spun out long before I stopped accelerating.  My weight was definitely not a disadvantage at that moment in time.  :-)


I know what you mean about going a long way before you get to the bottom of the target slope.  I keep trying to do the Tumble just outside of Abergavenny which they do use on the ToB regularly but I've designed the route to have 6000 ft of climbing including two horrible climbs (the aforementioned Penheol Ely Rd in Ponty and another sustained 18%er north of there) before I get there.
Hence I'm always completely burned out by the time I reach its foot.  I've yet to do anything except grovel up the Tumble.  I haven't walked but I haven't done it in anything like one go yet either.
Must design an easier route to it...

The Transporter 200 showed me, since many people did some walking up the Devil's Elbow that day, that cycling up it ain't necessarily quicker than walking up a slope like that ;)
Title: Re: Permenants - riding with others
Post by: jamesld8 on 09 January, 2014, 06:06:39 pm
Love the Milk Race video - even Gethin Butler struggling up it.

And the quote at the end
"What do you think of the Devil?"
"That's not normal....!"

I heard they took the Milk Race up Bwlch y Groes as well - which is not quite as steep but five times as long....

Having said that, the professionals still looked like they were riding up it.  I'm sure I've never gone up it at the speed.  But then I've always done at least 75 miles by the time I've got to the foot of it.

Would be great to see the Tour of Britain take in this stretch of road but it would probably fail a risk assessment for the hairy descent on the other side.

Oh - and the shame in recommending a triple is less than the shame of walking up a hill and watching others ride past.  The Prescelis and also the Lampeter - New Quay road offer great opportunities for high speed descents but these can be done with any gear ratio except fixed....

I can`t remember what year --early 90s I think---watching Milk Race on lower section Gamallt and a few had succumbed to walking, incl Russian junior world champion---but then looking at their gear setup of bottom 42 x 23 probably small wonder !
But the pace of the first few is amazing---rather like ToB this year on the `20%` section onto Epynt they were powering up in the saddle at a fair pace too. It would be really good to include Tregaron Mtn rd in ToB yes !! maybe go around llyn Brianne too  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Permenants - riding with others
Post by: rabbit on 13 April, 2014, 06:51:01 pm
Well, I rode the Cambrian 1A yesterday and it was absolutely stunning.  By far my favourite road ride that I have ever done. 

Set off from Llandrindod at around 10:20 am with moody grey but dry skies and it didn't take long for the climbing to start.  I had created my own GPS file, by chucking the controls into bikehike and letting it do it's thing, and set my mind on following the route, no matter how stupidly hilly the little lanes became, and how many little offshoots it sent me round from the main A roads (more about that later.....)

There was an absolutely gorgeous stretch that looped alongside the A44 on the way to Rhayader and I grabbed a quick pic, not realising this would only be the start of the increasingly epic and verging on mythical scenery.  Already by this point I was glad to be on a new bike, with the compact on the front and an 11-32 on the back (although I couldn't actually use the 32 sprocket...more about that later too...)

(http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b80/littlegirlbunny/10003474_10152408511812845_6266452183748873814_n_zps6b6ed131.jpg) (http://s17.photobucket.com/user/littlegirlbunny/media/10003474_10152408511812845_6266452183748873814_n_zps6b6ed131.jpg.html)

Got in to Rhayader pretty quick, as it's not far from Llandrindod, so didn't need supplies and controlled at the Museum. A lovely lady signed my card and was very much in shock when I explained the route.  You all know what it is like, non-audaxers think 100 km is a MILLION MILES when to an audaxer it's just a short day out.  With her warning of "Tregaron? It's pretty 'wild west' out there you know" I headed off up the mountain road into a ferocious headwind.  This was, of course, all part of the plan as it would be a lovely tailwind on the way back after all those hills, so I smiled to myself, revelled in my new-found low gears and carried on spinning steadily upward. 

Eventually, the GPS pink line turns left.  Left?  There is no road left?  Oh *heart sinks.  There is a byway.  Guess who hadn't redone the Cambrian1A file when she realised that bikehike in openstreetmap is happy to send bikes up green lanes and bridleways unless you tell it otherwise?  Yes, that would indeed be me.  It did go a long way to explaining why my original 105 km was significantly under the 113 km predicted for the ride.  So I had some choices a) Panic, cry a bit and head back the way I came in a sulk  b) Panic, but appreciate all the lovely riding done so far that day, and head back the way I came and even possibly ride some of the 1B I had done previously as I know that area well c) Don't panic, head onwards and see what happens.

Sometimes A would have been the most likely option, but not yesterday, not in such a beautiful place.  B very nearly happened, I was having such an enjoyable time I actually stopped caring about getting the audax done and was just happy to have got out so did consider it. 

In the end I went with C.  What's the worst that could happen? All roads lead to roads and I would eventually end up either rejoining my pink line, or rejoining the A44.  If I met the A44 first I decided I'd just turn round, and smash out a Strava time to the best of my ability back over the mountain road to Rhayader.  If the absolute worst happened and I got totally lost and knackered, I could stay at the first hotel I found and sort it out in the morning.  It would be fine!

As time went on, I realised the road was heading south and, flicking out the GPS map, I would eventually re-find that pink line.  Not that I cared.  I could have been 50 miles off course at that point...I have never ridden such a stunning little lane in my whole life.  Running alongside a totally deserted mythical valley with a gushing stream, kites overhead and just complete tranquillity.   I thought about getting photos but realised with the headwind, climbing, long stop trying to work out where I was going to go if I kept following the road, and a sixth sense telling me the climbing was only just beginning, I pressed on.  Not with the normal innate urgency I seem to have that prevents me from appreciating the surroundings though, just calming soaking everything in whilst cruising past.

A brief interlude for an amazing bit of descent put an even bigger smile on my already-smiled-to-the-point-of-aching face.

On entering a wee village I managed to grab a postie and get confirmation I was on the road to Tregaron so this settled me a bit as I was beginning to get concerned about my lack of fluids.  The new bike didn't come with bottle cages so I just stuck an old one on thinking it would be more than enough to get me between stops.  The stretch between Rhayader and Tregaron was a lot longer than expected and was very hungry and very thirsty for the last 10 km.  Straight in the Spar to control with two bottles of Oasis and a carton of orange juice.  Bliss, utter bliss! At this point I see a few riders coming into Tregaron "they look so much like audaxers" I chuckled to myself.  "No, hang on, that one has a Carradice, they MUST be audaxers"......heading out toward Beulah I start seeing more and more, and then the familiar faces appear.  "Ahhh the Elenydd 300!"  It's funny, when you are on an event, you can ride for miles without seeing anyone else, but when heading in the opposite direction the gaps between riders are no where near as big as you would imagine.

The climbing started again pretty quickly and became increasingly challenging, even with the new gearing, at one point I had to weave back and forth across the road to keep from stopping.  Right at that moment I really wanted that chain to sit on that top sprocket, but it was having none of it.  Bastid thing!  Still, I made it up all the climbs, without stopping at any point, across that mountain road.  What a road, it's immense! Who the hell thought putting that there was a good idea, well, thank you.  So hard, yet so rewarding getting up to the top.  If I am honest, I wasn't overly fond of the descent down what I now understand is the devils staircase.  Now, I like going downhill very fast on a bike, but a mountain bike, with big tyres and lots of grip.  Riding a skinny tired roadie down a narrow exceptionally steep gravelly and slightly potholed road, especially with a whole number of riders coming up (meaning no cheating and taking corners superwide) was not really my idea of fun.  Still, looking at the faces of those riding up, it was still the better option heh heh. 

At the bottom of the Devils Staircase was a control for the 300 km and the volunteers were most kind and refilled my water bottle meaning I had plenty of fluid to get me to the next control.   I couldn't stop for long though as was getting increasingly concerned with the ticking clock.  The 'normal' 100 km time of 4 to 5 hours clearly wasn't going to apply to this one and I did wonder whether I would be back in the limit.  Then I had an epiphany - who cares if I don't make it back?  The ride wont be validated....but it wouldn't take away from what an amazing day and ride it had been so the whole thing had already been worthwhile.  The audax validation would just be a bonus.

Once the mountain road was over it was nicely undulating to Beulah.  Or was it?  I did ponder several times on the way back to the van whether things I was now considering to be 'small hills' were so because my perspective on what constitutes a climb had changed so much in the few hours preceding that point. All that climbing made me hungry but not for decent food.  Oh no, on arriving at Beulah services the only thing I wanted to eat was a giant sized grab bag of Walkers crisps.  These are becoming my audax food of choice.  I carry all sorts of 'suitable' riding food (most of which returned with me to Llandrindod) but none of it compares to crisps for getting me back blasting along again.  I don't ever eat crisps at home etc, so why I do on audaxes I don't know, but they work, and that's fine by me. The tailwind back from Beulah to Llandrindod was a blessing and picked up the pace considerably along the decent B roads meaning there was no danger of being out of time and arrived back at just gone 4. 

 :)
Title: Re: Permenants - riding with others
Post by: chris asher on 13 April, 2014, 07:04:51 pm
Glad you had a good day out jo :)Nice write up.
Title: Re: Permenants - riding with others
Post by: Ruth on 13 April, 2014, 07:09:43 pm
What a lovely ride report rabbit, that's how I feel on an audax, it's a good day out and getting back in time is just a bonus  :)

It sounds like you had a fabulous time  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Permenants - riding with others
Post by: jamesld8 on 13 April, 2014, 08:39:42 pm
Well done  :thumbsup: Thought that was you coming out of Tregaron as I headed into Tregaron on Elenydd. Nice report on a great route, now all you need do is ride it other way around and enjoy cruisng up Elan Valley and climbing up along teh gushing stream and blasting down the hill into Rhayader  ;D ;D .  I managed 75kph on sat down it  :)
ps you`re not alone with bikehike `issues` and byways done same a couple months ago
Title: Re: Permenants - riding with others
Post by: caerau on 15 April, 2014, 11:04:32 am
Good job Rabbit, yes the scenery around their is STUNNING isn't it.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Permenants - riding with others
Post by: rabbit on 01 June, 2014, 07:32:04 pm
No time for an epic ride report from today atm.  However, here is a picture taken at 7 am this morning an hour out of Monmouth on the Cambrian 2A.  Another stunning Cambrian ride, would recommend.   :thumbsup:

(http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b80/littlegirlbunny/1941616_10152524421762845_7157808969409241405_o_zps65b1170a.jpg) (http://s17.photobucket.com/user/littlegirlbunny/media/1941616_10152524421762845_7157808969409241405_o_zps65b1170a.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Permenants - riding with others
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 01 June, 2014, 10:10:35 pm
No time for an epic ride report from today atm.  However, here is a picture taken at 7 am this morning an hour out of Monmouth on the Cambrian 2A.  Another stunning Cambrian ride, would recommend.   :thumbsup:

(http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b80/littlegirlbunny/1941616_10152524421762845_7157808969409241405_o_zps65b1170a.jpg) (http://s17.photobucket.com/user/littlegirlbunny/media/1941616_10152524421762845_7157808969409241405_o_zps65b1170a.jpg.html)

I liked the 2A too.  Liked it so much I bought the company  ;D.  Looks like the edge of the Black Mountain running north past Longtown.  Nice photo.
Title: Re: Permenants - riding with others (aka the Cambrian Series thread)
Post by: rabbit on 02 June, 2014, 08:50:58 am
The piccy was taken near Cross Ash as shown HERE (https://www.google.co.uk/maps?q=cross+ash&hl=en&ll=51.890001,-2.940559&spn=0.031572,0.084543&sll=52.8382,-2.327815&sspn=7.914514,21.643066&t=p&layer=c&cbll=51.893252,-2.945815&panoid=DTfXrubk5n_qqWYqe41vHg&cbp=12,313.31,,0,0.18&z=14)

Ok, brief write up. 

Woke up at 4:45 randomly,and figured it would be good practice for the P&K to get out of bed.  Was at Monmouth for 5:45 am and most surprised to find the public toilets open at this time on a Sunday.  Otherwise, of course, everything was closed so it was a cash-point control to start at 6 am. 

The leg over to Hay was fabulous.  The lanes are mostly traffic free (although I guess it was a Sunday) and the scenery is stunning.  Of particular note is the lane from Craswell to Hay.  It's been patched and is fully open again.  Definitely worth every stiff climb up. 

Although, if I am honest, I found the climbing on the 2A easily manageable throughout.  It's notably less challenging than the 1A in terms of hills.

I was most surprised to find I had easily covered 50 km by the time I reached Hay.  It was the biggest stretch of the day and it was good to do it first I think.  Hay to Llandrindod was again, utterly stunning.  Just love the moors (Begwns?).  Tiny little lanes across massive open vistas. Random sheep everywhere.  In fact, all day I had sheep running in front and alongside the bike.  I had to stop completely as a whole flock was being herded up the main road somewhere on the B4520.  Sat by the lake in Llandrindod after getting very lost trying to follow JamesBradnors GPS, until I realised I had probably reached his parking area as he would have started from there and not Monmouth.  Later in the ride I realised that my laziness in checking the GPS was a very bad thing....as I found myself contraflow on every one way system in the towns and nearly missed the A40 junction.   :facepalm:

Llandrindod to Llanwrtyd meant a change in direction and straight into the oncoming S'westerly. It was a challenging stretch in this direction, the road is proper 'big rollercoaster' but the ups are very steep (15%+) in places and the headwind was reducing a lot of the run in speed from the downs.  Not a particularly attractive road either, and, like many of the B-roads, takes a lot of traffic. It was, however, only a short section and Llanwrtyd is a lovely town.....now with a vegan friendly cafe that stocks vegan biscotti and does amaing soya lattes.  I stopped and had a proper meal of beans on toast here. 

Llanwrtyd over to Brecon was by far my favourite section.  The climb out of the town and up over the MoD land to 465 meters was a challenge, but a pleasant one, especially in the sunshine.   Properly epic.  There is no other way to describe it up there.  It is like being on top of the world.  Treeless moors with open views for miles to the West.  Red flags warning of military activity, kites, good surface.  Everything! 

From the very top, the gradient was lost incredibly slowly.  I was so glad I did the ride in this direction.  It felt like I was very subtly descending all the way through Brecon where I bounced the control with a fly-by-cash-point) to Abergavenny (another cash point).  It almost felt like cheating. 

I was glad when the climbing started again as I knew I would have some climbing karma to pay back and the spiky road over to Rockfield was a challenge, mostly due to the nasty road surface which was so weathered it seemed almost unpaved in places.  The bike was being kicked about and all the speed on the descents lost before the steepies.  It was a hard, but rewarding, section of 'gain 40 m, loose 40 m, repeat) and the final descent into Monmouth was very much appreciated.

Overall though, I was surprised at how easy I found the ride, I didn't struggle at any point with the climbs (mostly thanks to taking it steady and making a lot of use of that lovely 34*32, and the weather) and definitely had more in my legs on returning to Monmouth. 

My arrivee was the Coffee #1 on the High Street where I sat cooling off and, like most of the day, getting approached by random people asking about the ride. 

It was a great day  :)
Title: Re: Permenants - riding with others (aka the Cambrian Series thread)
Post by: tonyh on 02 June, 2014, 09:11:26 am
Quality of writing matches high quality of riding! Thanks.
Title: Re: Permenants - riding with others (aka the Cambrian Series thread)
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 02 June, 2014, 08:38:55 pm
I can set up a separate Cambrian Series thread if you would like.  I've been thinking about it….
Title: Re: Permenants - riding with others (aka the Cambrian Series thread)
Post by: caerau on 03 June, 2014, 12:02:16 am
I'm looking at needing a perm for my July RRTY as *shock horror* there doesn't appear to be an appropriate calendar event nearby.  Hmm, hmm, the 2A it might have to be...
Title: Re: Permenants - riding with others (aka the Cambrian Series thread)
Post by: caerau on 03 June, 2014, 12:02:48 am
I can set up a separate Cambrian Series thread if you would like.  I've been thinking about it….


This is pretty much that already is it not?
Title: Re: Permenants - riding with others (aka the Cambrian Series thread)
Post by: sojournermike on 03 June, 2014, 12:10:13 am
I can set up a separate Cambrian Series thread if you would like.  I've been thinking about it….


Yes please - might be up for one in the summer
Title: Re: Permenants - riding with others (aka the Cambrian Series thread)
Post by: jamesld8 on 03 June, 2014, 07:55:16 am
Nice write up Jo, and yes I had parked for my start @ L`dod Lake  ;D---hence you getting a bit wayward if you completely followed my GPS track.

Rode the 2H on Saturday another evry good Cambrian series one, enjoyed it and coming DOWN MOD Epynt @ 70kph was fun  ;D. (I hate that climb uphill, avoid like plague)

As with Jo @ 2A I also found it `surprisingly easy` --avg ride speed 23.5 kph plus stops (maybe though slightly `cheated` by A44 / A470 section R`yder > Llani avoiding Twylch HILLS, and avoided Gladestry hills by going via Brilley--but did add about 15 km with these `diversions`) . Maybe BCM has given me new legs---or mindset to these distances :thumbsup:

Perhaps will do short ride report when have time.

And CET def YES to a Cambrian Series thread standalone, and how about `awards` for completing say all Cambs 1s, Cambs 2s etc ???
Title: Re: Permenants - riding with others (aka the Cambrian Series thread)
Post by: Hummers on 03 June, 2014, 07:59:45 am
James, isn't this thread about the Cambrian series?

Otherwise I can try to split it...

H
Title: Re: Permenants - riding with others (aka the Cambrian Series thread)
Post by: caerau on 03 June, 2014, 08:32:47 am
Why not just adjust the title ???
Title: Re: Permenants - riding with others (aka the Cambrian Series thread)
Post by: Hummers on 03 June, 2014, 10:11:59 am
Why not just adjust the title ???

I can do either but saw CET's to create another thread.

Am waiting to hear (via CET) what Rabbit wants to do.

H
Title: Re: Permenants - riding with others (aka the Cambrian Series thread)
Post by: caerau on 03 June, 2014, 10:47:40 am
Well this has pretty much been a discussion about the cambrian series rides from the beginning.  I doesn't seem to me that anything needs to be done - less work for everyone - but hey ho I'm easy :)
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: rabbit on 03 June, 2014, 11:00:25 am
I'm happy with whichever option. :)
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Hummers on 03 June, 2014, 11:07:51 am
Done  :thumbsup:

H
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 03 June, 2014, 08:40:02 pm
So here is a full list of the Cambrian Series permanents. Some of the climbing figures are conservative.  But that is part of the charm. 

100s
CS1A:   (AAA 2.25, 2,240m)   Llandrindod Wells – Beulah – Tregaron – Rhayader – Llandrindod Wells (113k)
CS1B:     (AAA 1.50, 1,580m)   Llandrindod Wells – Clun – Newtown – Llandrindod Wells
CS1C:     (AAA 0.00, 1,760m)   Llandrindod Wells – Llanidloes – Machynlleth – Llanidloes – Llandrindod Wells (129k)
CS1D:     (AAA 1.50, 1,560m)   Bala – Llanfyllin – Mallwyd - Bala.
CS1E:     (AAA 1.75, 1,650m)   Cardigan – Haverfordwest – Newcastle Emlyn – Cardigan (109k)
200s
CS2A:   (AAA 3.25, 3,200m)   Monmouth - Hay - Llandrindod Wells - Llanwrtyd Wells - Brecon - Abergavenny - Monmouth.
CS2B:     (AAA 1.50, 2,320m)   Monmouth - Chepstow - Abergavenny - Brecon - Builth Wells - Hay-on-Wye - Monmouth. (1500 in 100km stretch)
CS2C:     (AAA 3.25, 3,240m)   New Quay - Newcastle Emlyn - Fishguard - Carmarthen - Llandeilo - Lampeter - New Quay.
CS2D:     (AAA 3.50, 3,540m)   New Quay - Tregaron - Rhayader - Llandrindod Wells - Builth Wells - Llanwrtyd Wells - Tregaron - Lampeter - New Quay.
CS2E:     (AAA 3.75, 3,820m)   Bala - Llanidloes - Knighton - Newtown - Bala.
CS2F:    (AAA 3.00, 3,110m)   Bala - Machynlleth - Llanidloes - Llanfyllin - Llangollen - Bala.
CS2G:    (AAA 2.75, 2,800m)   Bala - Festiniog - Conwy - Mold – Ruthin - Llangollen - Bala.
CS2H:    (AAA 3.25, 3,315m)   Hay-on-Wye - Knighton - Llanidloes - Llandrindod Wells - Llanwrtyd Wells – Brecon – Hay-on-Wye.
CS2J   :       (AAA 3.75, 3,650m)   Dolgellau – Machynlleth – Llanidloes – Knighton – Clun – Dolgellau
300s
CS3A:    (AAA 4.25, 4,230m)   Monmouth - Chepstow - Abergavenny - Brecon - Llanwrtyd Wells - Tregaron - Rhayader - Hay-on-Wye - Monmouth.
CS3B:    (AAA 4.75, 4,800m)   New Quay - Newcastle Emlyn - Fishguard - Carmarthen - Llandeilo - Brecon - Llanwrtyd Wells - Lampeter -New Quay.
CS3C:    (AAA 4.50, 4,500m)   Aberystwyth - Tregaron - LLanwrtyd Wells - Hay-on-Wye - Knighton - Newtown - Machynlleth - Llanidloes - Aberystwyth.
CS3D:    (AAA 0.00, 3,285m)   Bala - Pwllheli - Bethesda - Llanrwst - Conwy - Mold – Prestatyn - Bala.
CS3E:    (AAA 4.50, 4,620m)   Bala - Llanfyllin - Llanidloes - Machynlleth - Bala - Ffestiniog - Betws-y-Coed - Denbigh - Bala.
400s
CS4A:    (AAA 5.50, 5,400m)   Llangollen - Prestatyn - Mold - Conwy - Ffestiniog - Bala - Llanidloes - Machynlleth - Llangollen.
CS4B:    (AAA 5.50, 5,515m)   Monmouth - Chepstow - Hay-on-Wye – Llanwrtyd Wells - Tregaron - Lampeter - New Quay - Llandeilo - Brecon -  Monmouth.
CS4C:    (AAA 7.00, 7,055m)   Knighton - Brecon - Llanwrtyd Wells - Tregaron - Aberystwyth - Llanidloes – Bala - Llangollen – Llanfyllin - Llanidloes – Knighton (434km)
CS4D:    (AAA 5.75, 5,805m)   Monmouth - Hay-on-Wye - Tregaron - Fishguard - Llandeilo - Brecon - Monmouth.
CS4E:    (AAA 6.00, 6,000m)   Brecon - Knighton - Welshpool - Bala - Machynlleth - Rhayader - Tregaron - Hay-on-Wye- Brecon
CS4F   :       (AAA 6.75, 6,800m)   Aberdare – Hay-on-Wye – Knighton – Llanidloes – Devils Bridge – Builth Wells – Aberaeron – Llandeilo – Aberdare
CS4G   (AAA 6.75, 6,670m)   Llanidloes – Bala  - Montgomery – Corwen – Llansannan – Llanberis – Machynlleth - Llanidloes
600s
CS6A:    (AAA 9.50, 9,425m)   Monmouth - Llandeilo - Fishguard - Tregaron - Llanfyllin - Bala - Rhayader - Monmouth.
CS6B:    (AAA 0.00, 6,575m)   Chepstow - Hay-on-Wye - Montgomery - Mold - Conwy - Ffestiniog - Montgomery – Llanwrtyd Wells – Hay-on-Wye - Chepstow.
800
CS8A:    (AAA 13.75, 13,670m)   Llanidloes – Devils Bridge – Builth Wells – Aberaeron – Llandeilo – Aberdare – Hay-on-Wye – Knighton – Llanidloes – Bala – Montgomery – Corwen – Llansannan – Llanberis – Machynlleth - Llanidloes
PLus the mighty C10A (Details on Application)
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Lars on 03 June, 2014, 09:10:17 pm
What is the history and origin of those rides? The work of one person?
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 03 June, 2014, 10:01:08 pm
Peter Coulson was the originator of the rides.  He was a prolific rider (before my Audax time) in the 80s and 90s and when I joined AUK was the events secretary, dealing single-handedly with all of the organiser (calendar and permanent) and also doing a lot of work to pull all the results together.  In addition to the Cambrian Series he set up the now defunct DIY mesh permanents as well as the Badby permanents and peneperiphery series.  He retired from this quite colossal workload in 2006.

I'd just ridden the magnificent Cambrian 4D and, hearing that he was giving up his permanent rides, felt that they were too good a series to lose (in the words of Victor Kiam - I was so impressed I bought the company).  At Peter's suggestion (and with the incentive of the AUK Reunion being held at Llandrindod Wells) I added the 5 100km rides in 2007.  One rider was looking for a Cambrian equivalent of the Maniac Grimpeur but after a lot of searching for routes, I could only come up with Cambrian 8A and its two component halves, the 4F and the 4G, which has so far had one very impressive completion.  Around about the same time I had an enquiry from an American Audax rider about setting up a ride that started in Dolgellau so he could do an Audax ride when visiting his sister (to my surprise it was one place that wasn't represented) so I set up the 2J (in the event he wasn't able to ride it).  Then, a couple of years ago, in one of those lateral thinking moments I finally worked out how to create the Cambrian equivalent of the Maniac Grimpeur and with extensive searching of Google Maps, backed up by the riding I'd done on the ground on events such as the Bryan Chapman and other Cambrian permanents, the Cambrian 10A, all glorious 1009km and 18km of ascent was born.  THis has had two completions.

But it is chapeau to Peter Coulson, who dreamed up the original series, with, I presume, a lot of research on the ground, in the days where everything had to be measured by hand.  In my opinion, the 400s in particular are the PhDs of Audaxing - when you think you have done everything that long distance cycling has to offer - pit your wits against 400km of Welsh tarmac, endless hills, and limited time to stop to sleep (even if you can find a spot to sleep).
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: jamesld8 on 04 June, 2014, 07:19:08 am
2H---I`ve had this and 2J cards sitting around a few months now so on Saturday having duly consulted with CET about `proper` route (thanks Colin input here, I`d really got it wrong first time  ::-) set off early from a start point @ Rhayader with aim being back by 6pm.

Being just 7am teh A44 / 470 were quiet---not motor-biker time yet  :thumbsup: On smooth tramac and a sunny and still beautiful late spring morning I made rapid progress to Llanidloes encountering very little traffic and a few errant ewes / lambs on the road. Groups of turquoise clad riders were heading south, with plenty of escort vehicles and flashing lights--soem charity event maybe    ???

Having ATMed @ Llani after an easy ride there the ride started in earnest with a hard 10-15% climb on the B road towards Tylwch. At the top a lane headed off left rolling up and down through valleys and woods to Bwlch Y Sarnau. Although familiar with the MTBing around Red Lion / Abbetcwmhir these lanes were unknown to me and very pleasant riding. Early sun had now disappeared and it was quite a `chilly damp` feel in the air and I was glad to have kept layers on.

On through the lovely Castle Vale and the next challenging climb out of Llanbister a good km + of 15-20% straight up onto the open moor---chapeau though to the young mum who was pushing her pushchair up there with a toddler in it  :o
On reaching Knighton a braaekfast stop was in order --so a full English @ Clock Tower cafe saw me restored after about 70km riding. I wasn`t particularly looking forwards to the next section---I know and have ridden the Gladestry roller coaster hills too often now.

The narrow lane leading up and out of Knighton was damp and graesy and despite using Open Paves (normally good grip tyres) I found the wheel spinning out on the steep 15% climb. On down then to Whitton, up and over Beggars Bush and a swooping run down to Walton. Here I decided that despite extra km I would avoid the Glasdestry set of hills (perhaps not in full spirit of a Cambrian ride... ??? ) and headed towards Hay via Brilley--still a good climb though.

The Hay festival was a `mud fest ` --the town full of welly shod muddy liererates wandering aimlessly across the road everywhere, oblivious to cars and bikes  >:( . No place to stop for long, a bottle of flavoured sparkling water mixed well with zero caffeine electrolyte tablets and some chocolate were my only sustenance.

I`d expected Hay to Brecon to be gentle and easy....initially it was, but turning onto Sustrans 8 after Talgarth onto lovely but very narrow lanes the road reared up at Llanfilo to crest out on a beautiful open lane across open Common land with grazing ponies and wildflowers amass. And great views out and across to the Beacons, Wye valley and mid Wales hills. A little gem of a section  :thumbsup:

I quite enjoy the ride up to Upper Chapel and MOD Epynt, and today was no exception, the warm sunshine made crossing the Epynt very pleasant---I`ve ridden it though a couple of time in rain and wind and `vile ` then describes it. Stunning views from the escarpment north of Wye valley and the Cambrian mountains (maybe the `best view in Wales?? ;D ) before a 70kph descent down to Llanwrtyd.

Just the final hills now over the Beulah - Newbridge road, the steep ups adequately compensated for by fast downs, trying to keep my speed up for the next `up`. After a  slightly tedious detour into L`dod for a control ATM the last 15km passed smoothly to Rhayader and I finished  slightly before my self imposed 6pm deadline.....all ready for a good meal and several  beers out that evening ;D I can highly recommend `my` beer @ The Triangle (Reverend James  ;D ;D )

Next ---2J  :thumbsup:
 
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: rabbit on 04 June, 2014, 09:41:54 am
Thanks for posting up the info about how the Series began CET.  Most interesting indeed.  So thanks to Peter and to you for all the work in developing the routes.  :thumbsup:

Great write up about the 2H James.  Sounds like another one for me to pencil in.  I love the area around Llanbister.  Know what you mean about Hay - there were people aimlessly walking around at 8 am on Sunday too.  Bealuh-Newbridge works well.....Newbridge to Bealuh not so much haha.

I am hoping to fit in the 2E and 1D back to back next time the better half is racing up at Bala.   :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: jamesld8 on 04 June, 2014, 06:00:02 pm
Could this excellent thread be used to assist with routing eg what`s thoughts of those who`ve ridden 2J on this potential over kmage route

 http://ridewithgps.com/routes/4927993 Have I missed a shortcut thro`?

many thanks
 :thumbsup:
J
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: tonyh on 04 June, 2014, 06:13:31 pm
Magnificent!

(It seems to go over the same bit of road three times just before 200km... went back to find something dropped?)
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: jamesld8 on 04 June, 2014, 07:12:45 pm
Magnificent!

(It seems to go over the same bit of road three times just before 200km... went back to find something dropped?)

Thanks Tony--hadn`t noticed that---cuts 10km off  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 04 June, 2014, 10:28:43 pm
Its a bit of doozy this one isn't it.  There have been two previous completions in very good times given the ascents, but knowing one of the riders (a sub 60 hour PBP man) I guess that's not a surprise. 

A couple of thoughts on the route - Turn left in Kerry and you will get into the centre of Newtown.  That will trim a kilometre or two off the route and get you actually into the control town.  The Llanidloes to Knighton section can also been enlivened by crossing Bailey Hill rather than knicking through the valley close to the railway line.  That saves a couple of Km and gives you a nice hill to finish.  I got held up there for a minute or two by a large peloton of sheep last year.

On the Llandod AUK reunion a group of us did the 1B that does Knighton - Clun, probably the biggest set of undulations in the Cambrian Series.  On the Clun to Newtown leg we weren't sure of the left turn to Kerry as it comes onto you quite quick on the descent.  We made the turn anyway and saw a passerby, who got accosted by five mock Oirish accents asking "Is this the way to Kerry"  ;D
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: jamesld8 on 05 June, 2014, 06:46:34 am
 ??? Newtown isn`t shown as a control town on 2J route ? but you refer to it as such above /\
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 05 June, 2014, 03:02:47 pm
??? Newtown isn`t shown as a control town on 2J route ? but you refer to it as such above /\

Doh!  You are right.  Still, it gave me a chance to tell the story about Kerry  ;D
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: rabbit on 05 June, 2014, 03:36:42 pm
I've just tried to put together the route for the 2E, but bikehike has managed to generate it to 249 km.  Anyone else had this problem?
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: tonyh on 05 June, 2014, 04:27:51 pm
I've just tried to put together the route for the 2E, but bikehike has managed to generate it to 249 km.  Anyone else had this problem?

Googlemaps gives 210
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: rabbit on 09 June, 2014, 08:42:04 am
I've just tried to put together the route for the 2E, but bikehike has managed to generate it to 249 km.  Anyone else had this problem?

Googlemaps gives 210

It was me being numpty and changing the bikehike settings to driving not walking  :facepalm:

Right, I have done a version and loaded into ridewithgps (as can't work out how to link to bikehike direct) - CAMBRIAN 2E (http://ridewithgps.com/trips/2797549)

Any comments anyone?  Which way round is best? Who's done this one?
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: tonyh on 09 June, 2014, 09:02:38 am
Clockwise, to avoid having to descend the south side of Bwlch y Groes? (1st summit after Bala, anti clockwise.)
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: rabbit on 09 June, 2014, 10:34:47 am
Which means riding up the Bwlch the steepest way, right? Sounds like a challenge to me!
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: tonyh on 09 June, 2014, 11:17:49 am
Indeed. But you do get some payback on the descent, instead of "wasting" the height you've gained by descending slowly on the brakes.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: rabbit on 09 June, 2014, 11:22:48 am
Plus I'll be nearly back by then so the fact my legs will be totally destroyed is less of a worry, right ;)
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: tonyh on 09 June, 2014, 11:33:24 am
You'll romp up it with several gears to spare!

Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 14 June, 2014, 03:03:01 pm
Which means riding up the Bwlch the steepest way, right? Sounds like a challenge to me!

What other way would you want to ride up it.  It was the most memorable bit of riding I did last year, 300km into the 4C at 5am, having already got 5500m ascent in my legs, and had only 3 roadside catnaps.  I did the whole thing in a 27" gear (30-30) sitting down wherever I didn't feel that the front wheel would rise off the tarmac.  All the way into Bala this mantra was going through my head "I climbed Bwlch y Groes, I climbed Bwlch y Groes….."

Just as a guide, the 2E has been completed 4 times in my tenure (2008 onwards).  Helpfully three of the riders who did complete it also did the 2A and generally they took about an hour longer to do the 2E than the 2A.  It is probably the hardest of the 200s.  The best value attempt was a rider who started at Bala, rode clockwise and reached Bwlch y Groes in the dark on the day that only comes around every 4 years, fearing that he would be out of time, only to finish with 4 minutes to spare.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 14 June, 2014, 03:47:18 pm
Thinking about a Cambrian 400 sometime in August, riding from lunchtime to lunchtime, probably starting on a Friday

Top of the list is the 4F (never ridden) Aberdare – Hay-on-Wye – Knighton – Llanidloes – Devils Bridge – Builth Wells – Aberaeron – Llandeilo – Aberdare, as I can get to Aberdare quite quick and cheap by train.

But may also consider the 4A (Llangollen - Prestatyn - Mold - Conwy - Ffestiniog - Bala - Llanidloes - Machynlleth - Llangollen.) starting from LLangollen or Machynlleth or even the 4G (Llanidloes – Bala  - Montgomery – Corwen – Llansannan – Llanberis – Machynlleth - Llanidloes)

Any thoughts?
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: rabbit on 15 June, 2014, 06:36:08 pm
Which means riding up the Bwlch the steepest way, right? Sounds like a challenge to me!

What other way would you want to ride up it.  It was the most memorable bit of riding I did last year, 300km into the 4C at 5am, having already got 5500m ascent in my legs, and had only 3 roadside catnaps.  I did the whole thing in a 27" gear (30-30) sitting down wherever I didn't feel that the front wheel would rise off the tarmac.  All the way into Bala this mantra was going through my head "I climbed Bwlch y Groes, I climbed Bwlch y Groes….."

Just as a guide, the 2E has been completed 4 times in my tenure (2008 onwards).  Helpfully three of the riders who did complete it also did the 2A and generally they took about an hour longer to do the 2E than the 2A.  It is probably the hardest of the 200s.  The best value attempt was a rider who started at Bala, rode clockwise and reached Bwlch y Groes in the dark on the day that only comes around every 4 years, fearing that he would be out of time, only to finish with 4 minutes to spare.

Which other way would I want to ride up it?  Erm, via a 30 mile detour on the main road? Does that count?   :P

Clearly Bwlch is Welsh for 'truly brutal climb of epic proportions that you can barely spin up even in a 34*32 and you can see coming from a distance only to realise it is only part of it and it gets even worse when you get round the corner as evidenced by the GPS contour lines'

I did get up the bugger in one, albeit it slowly and not helped by my tail heavy luggage rack.  I did only have 100 km in my legs when I hit it as I started from Knighton for time reasons (closer to get to in the morning as my plans to be in Bala on the Friday evening didn't happen)

I did not, however, have "I climbed Bwlch y Groes, I climbed Bwlch y Groes….." running through my head on the way to Bala, but rather "please, God, destroy that mountain before the end of June so I don't have to do it again in two weeks"  ;)

Rest of the ride was hilly, but pleasantly so I thought and I did enjoy it a lot - another STUNNING Cambrian ride. I will write a report in a bit, but I do agree harder than the 2A.  Took me 11 (!!) hours which is a stupid amount of time for a 200 km without a huge amount of dossing about so the hour extra sounds about right.  It's a combination of the steep climbing, the state of the lanes, surface dressing, a Northern headwind which cruelly changed direction and came from the East when I was heading back to Knighton and the sheer technicality of some of the descents (i.e. tiny little lanes with blind corners meaning very little speed to carry up the next incline, and those inclines keep coming).

PS - 4a sounds bestest as that must go near the coast?
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: jamesld8 on 15 June, 2014, 07:14:28 pm
Chapeau Jo  :thumbsup: somewhere I have a 2E card to control fill.....

alos bear in mind that Bwlch Y Groes scores an 11/10 in Britains top 100 cycle climbs..........although last week crawling up The Lecht on Snow Roads 20% > 10% into a 20mph headwind I`d score lecht 20/10 ...
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: tonyh on 15 June, 2014, 07:27:51 pm
Chapeau Jo  :thumbsup:
+1!
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 15 June, 2014, 08:10:18 pm
This is the 4A.  Looking at it I might the best way to tackle it might be to start from Mold, as this should mean the overnight section would be on good roads from Machynlleth to Llangollen (although Llangollen was a desert before 8am on the 4C).

http://goo.gl/maps/msa9F

Well done on the 2A - 11 hours is a good time.  And for staying upright on Bwlch y Groes.  No other hill in the UK has as many chevrons on an Ordnance Survey map, including Bealach na Ba which is the other 11/10 hill.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: caerau on 16 June, 2014, 09:30:16 am
Great stuff Rabbit, you'll slay the Dragon on the MC I'm sure -  fantastic effort.


 :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: rabbit on 16 June, 2014, 10:02:52 am
After initial plans to camp in Bala from Friday were kyboshed by general work hassles, I set out relatively early to arrive at the closest control from home, Knighton, to get parked up in the long stay, use the trainspotting-esq facilities (at least they were open) and finally found a cash machine willing to give out receipts.  I have noticed the lack of cash point workability is actually pretty high and I regularly have to attend two, or even three, to obtain a printed receipt. 

It was already a blue-skied day and I was glad to be on the road and pedalling, although slightly more nervous than normal about things maybe not going according to plan.  The bike rescue service (aka the better half) was heading North to some hidden hills outside of Bala with absolutely no phone signal.  Still, at least there was a bailout option if it all got too much.

I had an inkling that it would be pretty much straight up and out of Knighton and I wasn’t far wrong.  After a short jaunt on the main road, the pink line started to shift left and up into the first of many tiny little lanes.  These are the staple of this ride (if you ride the ‘pure’ route).  It wasn’t long before I was on the high farmland with the stunning views over Shropshire, Herefordshire and Powys.  I had a real treat at the top, my first sighting of a hare on an Audax.  They are huge creatures up that close, and surprisingly he was in no hurry to disappear off, probably realising that I was in no hurry to be getting anywhere either.   A lovely cruising section followed, with buzzards sat on posts, voles scurrying across the road, distance kites calling and the sun really starting to warm up.  I was glad I had packed the softshell and shower jacket into the dry bag, along with my extensive food stash (two hummus and falafel rolls, vanilla and strawberry flap jack, two vegan chorizo style sausage things, sweets, chocolate bar, two banana bars and a real time banana), plus 2x750 ml bottles of water.  It was weighing me down somewhat no doubt, but better that than to come up short in the middle of nowhere. 

With the exception of a very short stretch on the A438, it was mostly tranquillity complete all the way to Llanidloes.  Looking back it was my favourite section.  The gravel covered pot holed lanes made for hard going at times, but the friendly waves and hellos from farmers on quads, scenery and flower lined verges were worth every near-puncture.  Before I knew it I was in Llanidloes, a wonderful wee town, chatting to the guy in the Spar and buying liquid to fill up the bottles.  “Have you been far today” “Oh, not really, just about 30 miles so far I guess” “30 miles? I’d die if I rode that far”. I sat on the shop windowsill drinking cold squash and eating a sandwich in the blazing sunshine thinking life was just wonderful.

There was a black cloud on the horizon though, in the form of the Bwlch-y-Gros.  I knew it was dominating somewhere between me and Bala, but I wasn’t sure where.   I wish I had known as I spent the next 40 km worrying about it whilst working into the unusual Northerly wind.  I kept telling myself to just enjoy the scenery, and ‘it is what it is’ ‘take it as it comes’ and luckily it is difficult not to with everything being so stunningly beautiful.  However, a climb doesn’t get a reputation like the Bwlch without deserving it, so every time the road veered steeply upward  (and it did, very steeply, on a few occasions) I was expecting it to begin, only to flatten back out and cruise for a bit.  I had mistakenly expected it to be pretty much wooded, but there was no doubting the Bwlch’s identity when it appeared, open and lay out before me as a Ferrari overtook and disappeared upwards, seemingly halfway to Heaven. 

It looked tough from the bottom, but so often climbs look worse in the distance than the reality.  This was not the case with the Bwlch.  It was every bit as bad as it looked, and then some.  It may have admittedly coincided with a difficult, erm, time of the month for me, but I did struggle up it, no denying it.  There were no spare gears. Thank goodness the sky had clouded over. Halfway up the visible slope my jelly legs were only just strong enough to turn the pedals at such a slow cadence whilst sat in the 34*32.  I tried to spin faster but my lungs complained.  The fatigue was already setting in and I would soon tire of spinning.  I tried standing but the worn summer gloves were slippy on the hoods and I struggled for grip with blistering hands (note 1: get new gloves).  The poorly distributed luggage was making the back of the bike heavy (note 2: get better luggage system). My knee kept knocking on my bonk-rations top tube bag that had been so valuable earlier in the ride for instant sugar supplies. I was struggling, but I could see a corner ‘that must be the top’.  I looked at the GPS screen only to find the contours tighter and the climb continuing after it.  There was nothing I could do other than keep my head down and keep working as steadily as possible without allowing the bike to stall.  Eventually I saw a junction.  ‘Just get to that’ I told myself, that’s an acceptable place to stop.  Once there, though, it was just too close to the summit to fold, no matter how fatigued. I topped out the same time as a hiker, who made the predictable, but friendly, comment of “I thought I was mad”.  “Still” she said “at least you must know it’s all back downhill from here”

(http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b80/littlegirlbunny/topbwlch_zps1a402755.jpg) (http://s17.photobucket.com/user/littlegirlbunny/media/topbwlch_zps1a402755.jpg.html)

Too right.  After an obligatory photo at the top whilst waiting for the worked-hard-buzzing in my head to pass, it was payback time.  Effortless cruising to Bala, although, even knowing I needed to be prudent with stopping, I couldn’t resist another couple of photos on the way. 

(http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b80/littlegirlbunny/bwlch2_zps65426b25.jpg) (http://s17.photobucket.com/user/littlegirlbunny/media/bwlch2_zps65426b25.jpg.html)

(http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b80/littlegirlbunny/bwlch1_zpsa3c24288.jpg) (http://s17.photobucket.com/user/littlegirlbunny/media/bwlch1_zpsa3c24288.jpg.html)

Bala is another lovely little town, albeit typically North Wales touristy rather than Mid-Welsh local.  I sat outside the shop, refilling, yet again, my bottles and eating a giant bag of crisps whilst four other riders were close by on a bench.  One of the ladies came and spoke and asked where I had come from.  When I explained I got a slight blank expression.  I’m not sure she believed me.  Either that or my poor Welsh pronunciation had her dumfounded. 

(http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b80/littlegirlbunny/bala_zps43405d98.jpg) (http://s17.photobucket.com/user/littlegirlbunny/media/bala_zps43405d98.jpg.html)

I text the other half, pointlessly really, as he wouldn’t have had a signal, to say I was safely at Bala and had got through the hardest bit, was over halfway and should have a tailwind home.  Incorrect on two of the three counts, it became apparent later.  The wind changed direction and started to come from the East. How cruel! The hardest section (in riding terms) was definitely Bala to Newtown which was truly undulating, with small lanes and technical descents preventing good run in speeds to the next incline.  There was also a long climb back up to Lake Vrnwy I hadn’t expected, but enjoyed thoroughly.  Much nicer gradient than the Bwlch and I was glad to find my legs were still working just fine.  I overtook a few ladies pushing hybrid bikes on this road, and felt a bit guilty when one said “I don’t know how you are doing that”.  Then I thought about it, and realised it was 6 months of hard training and spending money on a decent road bike with good climbing gears.  It is that simple.

It was also a very long section and I had to stop to refill those bottles, yet again, at a garage around 15 miles from Newtown.  Although I had checked the GPX file over, I had missed two short ‘off-road’ sections including a forest road somewhere around Lake Vrwny, which I managed to avoid easily.  After the garage stop though, the GPX sent me into a ‘no through road’ and I began to worry.  The track began to deteriorate into an unsurfaced lane.  Then I came to a ford, also bouldery and unsurfaced, but luckily with a little timber bridge.  I scrolled out the GPX screen and my panic subsided, about a 100 meters or so and I’d rejoin the main road.  It was quite fun in the end, riding up a proper bridleway on a vastly overpriced plastic bike……

Eventually Newtown came, but, for once, I didn’t need to refill the bottles, especially with just 32 km left until Knighton.  I sat in the shade cooling off and finishing off the food supplies, and was most pleased with my efforts. 

(http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b80/littlegirlbunny/newtown_zps892a5830.jpg) (http://s17.photobucket.com/user/littlegirlbunny/media/newtown_zps892a5830.jpg.html)

I knew there was a huge climb over to Knighton, but I was ready for it and feeling tired but ok.  I hadn’t checked this bit of the GPX, just glanced at it to see it was on main road and mistakenly assumed it was sending me up the A438 and Dolfor.  It was a pleasure to find this was not the case and I would instead, be on the very hilly Clun road (a real challenging drag at times with the new surface dressing) before finally reaching the wonderful little lanes again, my favourite Mid Welsh lanes with the knitted wire fencing, short wooden posts and views extending for miles.  The sun was back out and the blue skies lit up the still-spring fresh vistas and roadside foxgloves as I rolled back to Knighton. 

The Cambrian 2E - another grand day out.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: rabbit on 16 June, 2014, 10:06:28 am
Thanks for the kind words folks - maybe we could do a Cambrian 200 forum ride one day?

I love the look of that 4A, much coastal visiting  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: U.N.Dulates on 16 June, 2014, 10:27:58 am
Quote from: rabbit
Clearly Bwlch is Welsh for 'truly brutal climb of epic proportions that you can barely spin up even in a 34*32 and you can see coming from a distance only to realise it is only part of it and it gets even worse when you get round the corner as evidenced by the GPS contour lines'

I did not, however, have "I climbed Bwlch y Groes, I climbed Bwlch y Groes….." running through my head on the way to Bala, but rather "please, God, destroy that mountain before the end of June so I don't have to do it again in two weeks"  ;)

You don't anyway. Mc1k goes up the other side, from Bala. Then left at the junction to drop down to Vyrnwy. Otoh, you will have 900k in the legs at that point...
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: rabbit on 16 June, 2014, 11:22:46 am
Quote from: rabbit
Clearly Bwlch is Welsh for 'truly brutal climb of epic proportions that you can barely spin up even in a 34*32 and you can see coming from a distance only to realise it is only part of it and it gets even worse when you get round the corner as evidenced by the GPS contour lines'

I did not, however, have "I climbed Bwlch y Groes, I climbed Bwlch y Groes….." running through my head on the way to Bala, but rather "please, God, destroy that mountain before the end of June so I don't have to do it again in two weeks"  ;)

You don't anyway. Mc1k goes up the other side, from Bala. Then left at the junction to drop down to Vyrnwy. Otoh, you will have 900k in the legs at that point...

Do you have any idea how happy this has made me?

THIS HAPPY

(http://www.volunteerweekly.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/Mr-Happy-Man.jpg)
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: U.N.Dulates on 16 June, 2014, 12:37:55 pm
Just don't miss the left turn to Vyrnwy!

(Mel Kirkland went the wrong way there on my Irish Mail a few years back. Climbing up from Vyrnwy, then R to go over the top. Mel managed to turn L instead and went all the way down to Dinas before realising his mistake, turning round and climbing all the way back up).
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: caerau on 16 June, 2014, 05:48:25 pm
That's a classic audax mistake.  If in doubt, check your routing *before* you descend.


In fact any nice looking descent should be viewed with deep suspicion ;)




If nothing else tells one how tough Bwlch y Groes is then the Mr Happy post says it all  ;D


Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 21 June, 2014, 05:20:18 am
Saw on my emails that two riders were attempting the 2E yesterday which makes three in a week.  They'll need to resurface the tarmac on some of the roads with all this wear and tear.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: caerau on 21 June, 2014, 09:33:00 am
And I'm planning the 2B tomorrow.  Look out of more mail :)
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: caerau on 23 June, 2014, 09:44:53 am
Well that was an interesting ride - kind of persuades me that I was right to not opt for the Mille Cymru - this (the CS2B) is allegedly the easiest of the 200s in this series and I was only just inside the time limit (assuming it's 14.3 kph minimum?)


I did this to keep RRTY going as my 300 earlier in the month was a DNF due to a blowout descending into Tregaron, but also to test out the new machine.  Just got myself a custom built Enigma Etap with a road triple as I know how tough I find climbing (er… remind me WHY I then try these Cambrian Series rides?  :facepalm: ).  How would my new bikey be? :)


So routewise I used Philip Whiteman's route on Bikely as the basis for ths.  This (sorry Philip) was a big mistake at the beginning as about 8 or so km in it launched into this large climb on very small lanes with an absolutely bob-awful surface (grass down the middle, gravel, rubble, potholes you name it).  I'm *very* glad it was dry as the descent on that stuff was frightening  going as it turned out to Raglan.  Of course I now discovered that the casualty of this horrifically steep descent was my rear inner tube which punctured at the bottom.  So I had to spend quite a few minutes putting a new one in, and repairing the old tube as I had no spares.  I'd found the ride hard going from the start, wasn't feeling it and so this contributed to a very slow pace up to this point.  The first 15 miles took me 2 1/2 hours - average of 7.5 mph at this point - ooops.


I noted later with bitterness/irony that the road surface peeps then clearly took the mick as I later encountered no less than 3 extended stretches of roads with that infernal top-dressing that is the killer of tyres and inner tubes (amazingly I got away with it though).


So I struggled on and as it turned out the rest of the route had much better surfacing, so Philip you are forgiven for the rest of it. :-)


Got myself though Abergavenny and Brecon at a better pace but I never achieved 10 mph even by the end . 9.9 mph average is way my slowest audax I think.  This owes mostly to the relentless climbing just about all the way on this route.  I walked my first hill going north out of Upper Chappel to get to Builth Wells.  Even 29*28 lowest gear didn't save me yesterday although it was noticeably easier than 34*28 (my old lowest gear).  After Builth I now regretted my choice of route here.  In a fit of optimism ('hey I've got 29*28 here) I thought what the heck and routed it through Painscastle from Builth to Hay  - a rather notorious route that I  specifically avoided going through on the 3A last year.  Now I know why it's notorious  :facepalm:   Wow, just wow, that's a nasty nasty climb before Painscastle - at least three 25%ish switchbacks that - yes - I walked :(
After that I got to Hay and had to go to three cafes before I could find one with the sense of urgency I needed (note to Hay Cafes, simply ignoring customers standing at your counter doesn't improve your takings) - I was behind time, I needed service that was not glacial.
Hay to Monmouth I've done before and was rather dreading it, there's some big lumps there.  However, I had now warmed up it seems and only walked one of them.  Coming out of Grosmont was fun, this is a place built at the bottom of a bottomless pit, there are no easy ways out of it (bit like Painscastle I suppose) and right at the top of what was probably the easiest (but still toughish) route out of there I encountered a road close sign.  Oh FFS I though, I am NOT descending back to Grosmont in order to reclimb an even tougher route out again - especially when I'm right up against the time limit.


So I soldiered through the road closed sign and had to haul the bike using a very tired body over several large piles of rubble/aggregate the workers had dumped there to block the road (no way around the edge) and through the pit where they were fitting a large pipe. Up the steep slope from that and then past loads of diggers, bulldozers and stuff.  But I made it, not with a  mood improvement though.  Back on the bike I hauled my tired ass up the further lumps to Monmouth (I did walk one of them) and from there used the Bryan Chapman route to Chepstow.  I was so tired by this point that even the climb up from Tintern was arduous, even on the BCM I found this a piece of cake, but not yesterday.


So all in all, that was kind of mega-tough yesterday.  Began about 6.07 am and finished 7.39 pm.  Perms are much harder than calendar events as there's noone to help get you out of low points and I now genuinely realise that I'm just slow on Grimpeurs.  I cannot climb quickly and on relentlessly hilly rides I have nowhere to make up time.  Only between Hay -Monmouth-Chepstow yesterday was there anywhere to get my head down an snake it along the flat as I rather enjoy.  At least these bits did allow me to get inside the time limit.


So that's enough miserableness.  Damn that was hard, but the weather was fabulous and the scenery was stunning at times  :thumbsup:   I shall make renewed efforts to lose more weight and get fitter again, this ride should not have been that tough.
And of course, I DID it  ;D   RRTY rescued and its rides like this that are the biggest sense of achievement.


Got in major doghouse with the missus however.  I'd told her I'd probably finish about 3-4pm  - my phone battery died en route and I couldn't warn her I'd be later.  Not happy when I got home :(
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: rabbit on 23 June, 2014, 02:51:36 pm
Sounds like you had a real epic Careau, but you did get round so well done.  Those are the days that matter the most  :thumbsup:

The little lanes are my favourite bit, verging on off road, with moss and grass in the middle....but I do always have that worry in the back of my head about flatting.  I struggle to get the tyres off the road bike (weak hands from too many MTB injuries) so it would take me a long ol' time to fix a flat.  And, like you say, there really isn't a lot of time buffer on the grimpers. 

I would have done the same with the diversion there I think.  I was lucky on the 2A, my file sent me round a slightly different way so I missed the closure.  Things like that always make me panic a little as I never have a map with me.  I really should sort that shit out.

They are real tough rides but great hill training and the scenery definitely numbs the pain for me.  I would have definitely struggled at the start of the year to get round the 200s, but hill training has done wonders.  For the first time ever I actually like climbing, but it has been a LOT of climbing over the last few months, both on and off road, to get to this point. 

How was the new bike overall? 

CET - did the two 2E riders enjoy it?  They must have had stunning weather too :)
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: caerau on 23 June, 2014, 03:21:24 pm
Oh yeah I didn't get back to the bike did I?  ::-)


It's perhaps not the best time to comment as I don't really think I enjoyed yesterday all that much, it was mostly a sufferfest all the way around. :sick:
I'm still getting used to a bike that actually fits me properly - hence it feels like it doesn't  ;D   Having handlebars that are wide enough for me is awesome (even when I bought wider ones for my BMC it turns out they weren't really wide enough) though and the number one comfort improvement.  Not overly blown away by the test saddle I have to say - it was good enough though.  My main issue fit-wise though is that I was generally riding with saddle too high and got used to pedalling with my toes down. With the saddle lower I feel rather scrunched up but that feeling is dying already having gone a long way in one ride.


After 200 k on lots of hills I think I'm getting used to it already.  The frame and 25mm tyres make for a lovely smooth ride and it feels nice and stiff, I think when I'm more used to it and bolder it will corner extremely well at speed.  Nice to have a 50 tooth chainring back after Fred but not so much use did it get yesterday also nice to have the 29 tooth small ring - that saw far too much use, it seems to be true that if you fit lower bail out gears then you WILL use them.


Nice and happy with the bike overall, just need to get used to it a bit.


One thing that irks me slightly with it is that I specifically asked for tough robust wheels to be built.  It seems to fit my budget the shop has used good quality Hope hubs but have used pretty cheap rims (Ryde Jumps) which I am not so pleased with.  I would have paid a bit more for better rims if they'd asked.  Guess I'll use them until they wear out then get the wheels rebuilt with better ones.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: jamesld8 on 23 June, 2014, 05:40:59 pm

Guess I'll use them until they wear out then get the wheels rebuilt with better ones.


----alternatively just find a nice series potholes and ride into them  :demon:---like wot i did today near Devils Bridge writing off rear tyre, RR415 rim , buckling wheel and consequently binning any idea of a descent down Devils Staircase as part of a DIY 100km ; and now have big bill to get them fixed  >:( >:(
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: caerau on 23 June, 2014, 06:02:26 pm
Oops, commiserations.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Glover Fan on 23 June, 2014, 06:34:50 pm
I fancy a foray into the Cambrians. Might start with the 2B. Could you post a route Caerau?
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: jamesld8 on 23 June, 2014, 06:55:26 pm
Oops, commiserations.

thank you and also much solace was to then be found on return in pints of excelelnt ale @ Cornhill in Cwmddaudwr
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: caerau on 23 June, 2014, 08:48:18 pm
Yes, my fellow DNFer and I had a nice pint in Tregaron after our ride ended miserably, it does help to dull the pain  ;D


Here you go Gloverfan, this was my route http://ridewithgps.com/routes/5093400 (http://ridewithgps.com/routes/5093400)


I think I said somewhere above that I wouldn't personally recommend the bit through Painscastle nor the bit at the beginning (first big climb) - particularly the latter as the lanes are terrible, but then you might be (almost certainly) be better at climbing than me and Rabbit had a different perspective on the lanes  - so up to you  - and I hope you enjoy it more than I did (it's starting to grow fonder in my mind now)  :thumbsup:

[edit] Why do emoticons here now introduce random html after them these days...?
[edit2] That promptly vanish when you moan about them ::-)
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: jamesld8 on 23 June, 2014, 09:06:48 pm
I fancy a foray into the Cambrians. Might start with the 2B. Could you post a route Caerau?

IMHO i consider you should start alphabetically  ;) ;)---- as the 2B is far too `easy` and the 2A a very good introduction to hills, pain, suffering and Wales (not that generically latter is linked to former attributes) and the section on 2A l`dod to Hay has some particularly entertaining ascents around the aptly named (for those of cycling fraternity) Painscastle  ;D

Whatever you do enjoy (and grimace)
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Glover Fan on 23 June, 2014, 09:07:47 pm
Yes, that Chepstow to Abergavenny route is not the one i'd take. I'd go up past Llangwym on the Usk road and at Usk turn north towards Abergavenny. Only one significant climb and it is about 3% all the way.

From Talybont to Hay, I don't know the routes, so would be an adventure. Might pen this in for late July sometime.

Jamesbradnor, the 2B appeals because you can start in Chepstow. I only live 8 miles from there.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: caerau on 23 June, 2014, 09:19:13 pm
Well if you want pain, why not start at A and go down from 10 ;)


The 10A looks particularly 'interesting' a mere 10 vertical miles of climbing I believe...
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: jamesld8 on 23 June, 2014, 09:28:15 pm
2E this Friday is my pain.... Bwlch y Groes hard way--see jo`s report !!
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: caerau on 23 June, 2014, 09:35:49 pm
Good luck :) 
Yes she offered that to me as company but I didn't really have either the time or inclination last weekend (I got in enough trouble with HI starting at Chepstow yesterday!) - Bwylch y Groes calls to me from afar as I *do* like the challenge of climbing but... I'm just not capable yet (and i *do* mean *yet* - *is determined*)
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: rabbit on 23 June, 2014, 10:28:30 pm
Sorry about your Wheel James, but hopefully not too expensive to fix? 

Glover Fan - I've not done the 2B so can't comment on whether it's a good one to start with, but I can definitely, whole heartedly, strongly recommend the 2A.  It is hilly, but without any real nasties like the Devils Staircase or Bwlch.  Pleasantly hilly and, like James says, a great intro to the Cambrians.  So many best bits on that one.  There's a ride report from me a few pages back if you can be arsked to read it  :thumbsup:

2E this Friday is my pain.... Bwlch y Groes hard way--see jo`s report !!

Ha!  Have, erm, fun??   ;)

TBH I think you'll really enjoy it.  It was a cracking route overall and the Bwlch was the only struggle for me, and it wasn't the best of days for my legs physically after a pretty intense few climby weeks and other factors.  I think if you have reasonably fresh legs you'll work hard up the Bwlch, but not to the point of 'please please make it stop' !! 

Where are you starting from?  If I was to do it again I'd be tempted to start from Llandiloes so I could finish with the magical stretch over from Knighton. 

Careau - I'd like to do the 2E again later in the year, or even the 100 that goes via the Bwlch - maybe you could come along then? I want to put a decent time in up it with fresh legs!
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: jamesld8 on 24 June, 2014, 07:00:39 am
Where are you starting from?  If I was to do it again I'd be tempted to start from Llandiloes so I could finish with the magical stretch over from Knighton.

Starting @ Rhayader head up to Pant Y Dwr then to Llani , then around; R`yder start (slightly off shortest route)  adds about 10km but saves drive to / from start in Llani
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 24 June, 2014, 08:41:19 am
Yes, that Chepstow to Abergavenny route is not the one i'd take. I'd go up past Llangwym on the Usk road and at Usk turn north towards Abergavenny. Only one significant climb and it is about 3% all the way.

From Talybont to Hay, I don't know the routes, so would be an adventure. Might pen this in for late July sometime.

Jamesbradnor, the 2B appeals because you can start in Chepstow. I only live 8 miles from there.

+1 - this is the same route as the first leg of the Bryan Chapman and is usually reeled off at a relatively high speed by both ends of the peleton, the road has not been that busy, even when we did this in reverse on the Rough Diamond last year when it was about 2pm.  Painscastle is also more optional on the 2B than it is the 2A which goes from Llan'dod rather than Builth.  When I rode the 4D I rode through Glasbury and Boughrood and up the east side of the Wye Valley on the Hay - Builth leg.  I suspect that taking these two route would have saved you an hour.

PS - the 10A is 18000m of climbing or 11 imperial miles or 2 x Mt Everest plus a quick trip up the Shard.

Whilst thinking of the 4D:  Tregaron - Lampeter - Fishguard is a stunning leg on a summer evening as with the late evenings you get the sun shining on the north coast with the Presceli Hills on the left and Cardigan Bay on the right.  Worthwhile considering, although it is a constant rollercoaster.

Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: caerau on 24 June, 2014, 09:49:48 am
Yeah unfortunately for me I didn't check the track that carefully on the initial route, I was fully expecting to take the BCM route and was a bit disconcerted when I didn't recognise it.  I shall make sure I do that next time.
Painscastle was my own fault - I knew what I was letting myself in for there, I just thought I'd handle it better.  Still I got round so  wth :)
I'm recovering a bit now and starting to feel the benefits, I thoroughly enjoyed my commute this morning on the new Etap - whizzy speed on the flats of central Cardiff - it's just as quick as my BMC I reckon  :thumbsup:   Should be even quicker when the legs have fully recovered.


Those who've seen my Facebook pics will have seen the selfies where I tried to look cheerful.  My better half commented that in fact I look thoroughly pissed off  ;D   Pereceptive, I wasn't a happy bunny at that point  :sick:


I might be up for that Rabbit, not sure I'd be much of a companion to you on that ride, more of a burden slowing you up i think.  Get me on the flat, then I'll show you who's boss ;) ;);) I rather like the idea of a forum group perm you had earlier also :)
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: jamesld8 on 24 June, 2014, 01:43:35 pm
+1 for forum group ride and +1 also for the 100 with Bwlch y Groes  ;D
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Bobby on 24 June, 2014, 01:46:49 pm
+1 for forum group ride, on the assumption I can sort my bike & fitness in time  :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

It's about time I met some real people  - even if I'd only see them until the first hill 8) 8)

Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: caerau on 24 June, 2014, 03:48:25 pm
I will take pity and lead the autobus ;) ::-)
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: jamesld8 on 24 June, 2014, 04:29:27 pm
I will take pity and lead the autobus ;) ::-)

but we will all shelter behind you as you churn out your 50x11 on teh (non-existent??) flats
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: caerau on 24 June, 2014, 04:40:15 pm
Lead all the way then - *smirk*  not
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 26 June, 2014, 09:14:30 am
FYI I will be in the Alps on a col-bagging expedition with Zigzag for the next week.  So any brevet cards or entries en route to me will take a week or two to turn around.  Apologies in advance for any delays.  Hope to still make the occasional post to provide updates  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: caerau on 26 June, 2014, 11:14:42 am
No problem - thanks for the warning.

I see you've done mine already :)  Thankyou sir!

Enjoy the Alps  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: rabbit on 26 June, 2014, 11:17:08 am
Yes, have a good time!

I am pondering the potential of squeezing in a 400 before the end of the season now.   :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Bugloss on 26 June, 2014, 02:49:08 pm
Any chance you can get paypal entries sorted for these rides ?
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: jamesld8 on 27 June, 2014, 09:09:22 pm
Any chance you can get paypal entries sorted for these rides ?

Why ?  ???

Colin`s been pretty quick with the old cheque and return brown envelope with brevet cards in it---just bulk order a few with a cheque, sae and enjoy their arrival in the post  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Bugloss on 27 June, 2014, 09:27:22 pm
No UK cheque book anymore.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: jamesld8 on 27 June, 2014, 09:33:26 pm
No cheque book anymore.

oh---fair point !! postal order or carefully folded tenner ?
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Bugloss on 27 June, 2014, 09:35:37 pm
I was thinking of ordering the whole set in one go, so that I can do them at my leisure when I'm in the UK for work.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Nephi on 28 June, 2014, 08:37:38 pm
After much to my surprise on day 2 actually surviving the blacksheep monster that was Mr Pickwick yn mynd i chwilio am ddreigiau and having messed up the peacocks and Kites with a a DNS I find that i am in need of a 300 to complete a Cymru SR.

As the 3 rides completed so far have given me 15 AAA points I do not think I have any need for further suffering in the hills and was thinking of going for the "easy" 3D as an option (no AAA points only 3000m of climbing).

Has any one got a route for this i can have a play with and / or any recomendations on routing given this skirts some busy areas at time.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: rabbit on 02 July, 2014, 09:49:07 pm
I'm thinking about the 2B for this weekend.

Careau is there any chance I could have your GPX route?   :)
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: jamesld8 on 02 July, 2014, 10:04:20 pm
After much to my surprise on day 2 actually surviving the blacksheep monster that was Mr Pickwick yn mynd i chwilio am ddreigiau and having messed up the peacocks and Kites with a a DNS I find that i am in need of a 300 to complete a Cymru SR.

As the 3 rides completed so far have given me 15 AAA points I do not think I have any need for further suffering in the hills and was thinking of going for the "easy" 3D as an option (no AAA points only 3000m of climbing).

Has any one got a route for this i can have a play with and / or any recomendations on routing given this skirts some busy areas at time.

surely  not ? does not the thought of a Cymru AAA-SR entice you ?? ;D ;D
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: rabbit on 03 July, 2014, 08:48:51 am
Ok I seem to have developed a free weekend at the end of July (26/27) and am strongly considering this as a potential Cambrian 400 weekend. Anyone else interested?
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: jamesld8 on 03 July, 2014, 09:02:48 am
Ok I seem to have developed a free weekend at the end of July (26/27) and am strongly considering this as a potential Cambrian 400 weekend. Anyone else interested?

I`d really like join you on this but have to go down to Plymouth that w/e so sadly can`t (if I could I surely would----and then be looking for a 600 again ?? )
Would do w/e after though
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: rabbit on 03 July, 2014, 09:17:19 am
Ok I seem to have developed a free weekend at the end of July (26/27) and am strongly considering this as a potential Cambrian 400 weekend. Anyone else interested?

I`d really like join you on this but have to go down to Plymouth that w/e so sadly can`t (if I could I surely would----and then be looking for a 600 again ?? )
Would do w/e after though

lol the reason I'm doing it that weekend is because I'm not going to Plymouth! Wanted to race 24:12 solo but all the solo spots are gone!
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: caerau on 03 July, 2014, 10:23:33 am
A 400 is going to be a bit much for me.  I've only just calmed my loved one down after taking rather longer than I said on the 2B - I'm going to limit myself to 200s for the rest of the year I think (maybe the Rough Diamond as an exception).  One does occasionally have to balance the family life and I have rather spent a lot of time on the road this year - it is occasionally a bit unfair on her.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 03 July, 2014, 11:29:06 pm
After much to my surprise on day 2 actually surviving the blacksheep monster that was Mr Pickwick yn mynd i chwilio am ddreigiau and having messed up the peacocks and Kites with a a DNS I find that i am in need of a 300 to complete a Cymru SR.

As the 3 rides completed so far have given me 15 AAA points I do not think I have any need for further suffering in the hills and was thinking of going for the "easy" 3D as an option (no AAA points only 3000m of climbing).

Has any one got a route for this i can have a play with and / or any recomendations on routing given this skirts some busy areas at time.

Bala - Pwllheli - Bethesda - Llanrwst - Conwy - Mold – Prestatyn - Bala

Hasn't been done since I took over the rides in 2007.  As the routes are free I just put things into Google Maps and see what it comes out with.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 03 July, 2014, 11:30:52 pm
Any chance you can get paypal entries sorted for these rides ?

Will look into it.  Probably won't be for the next few weeks as having taken a week out of family life to go to the Alps for my 50th cycling will be a thoughtcrime.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Bugloss on 04 July, 2014, 06:58:35 am
Any chance you can get paypal entries sorted for these rides ?

Will look into it.  Probably won't be for the next few weeks as having taken a week out of family life to go to the Alps for my 50th cycling will be a thoughtcrime.

That's brilliant, but theres no rush whatsoever as I wasn't thinking of starting till November time.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: teethgrinder on 04 July, 2014, 12:36:22 pm
Ok I seem to have developed a free weekend at the end of July (26/27) and am strongly considering this as a potential Cambrian 400 weekend. Anyone else interested?

Yes. :)
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Revellinho on 04 July, 2014, 03:58:50 pm
I am in possession of an empty 10A brevet card and was going to try and fill it in back end July/early Aug - prob mid-week and only if it isn't persisting down.  Will be dragging the caravan down to Llandrindod Wells to be basecamp.  I go slow (not out of choice!) and will be aiming for just a few hours sleep between loops with quite a lot of night riding.  I doubt that anyone else wants to ride and anyway I can't see how riders could stick together on a ride like that.  Just thought I'd mention it all the same.  Looks similar to doing 2 laps of the Swan with 2 necks - bit more climbing but shorter. 

It's my replacement ride for having my Grosse Bayern Rundfahrt plans ruined.

Win or lose, I'm planning an obscene amount of beer and unhealthy bbq food at the campsite afterwards.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: marcusjb on 04 July, 2014, 04:14:47 pm
Not this year, but the 10A is certainly eating away at me as a concept.  I've also an eye on the 8A at some point.  Stupid amount of ascent in only 800km!

I look forward to hearing tales of beer and barbecues when you've done this Revellinho!
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: rabbit on 05 July, 2014, 07:47:07 am
Ok I seem to have developed a free weekend at the end of July (26/27) and am strongly considering this as a potential Cambrian 400 weekend. Anyone else interested?

Yes. :)

Really?  Awesome  ;D

The only thing that may put the kabosh on a Cambrian is doing a DIY 400 from home to Plymouth starting Saturday early.  You would, of course, be welcome to join me on that one.  It'll be pretty hilly via the FoD, Quantocks and Cornish Coastline :)
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: caerau on 05 July, 2014, 12:39:16 pm
Where are you thinking of doing this 400 Rabbit - I might consider designing a DIY or do another CS200 that coincides with it for a while...
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: tonyh on 05 July, 2014, 12:53:15 pm
DIY org standing by...
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: teethgrinder on 05 July, 2014, 01:18:07 pm
Ok I seem to have developed a free weekend at the end of July (26/27) and am strongly considering this as a potential Cambrian 400 weekend. Anyone else interested?

Yes. :)

Really?  Awesome  ;D

The only thing that may put the kabosh on a Cambrian is doing a DIY 400 from home to Plymouth starting Saturday early.  You would, of course, be welcome to join me on that one.  It'll be pretty hilly via the FoD, Quantocks and Cornish Coastline :)

I'd only do a ride that I can ride to and from, so it'd have to start from the Welsh border (about 100 miles from home) and preferably on a Saturday morning for a 400 or possibly early Saturday afternoon.

Plymouth sounds good, but for me it would mean either a train ticket to get home, which would be too expensive for me, or would use up holiday from work, which I have very little of and would like to keep.
Unless I can find a very cheap train ticket from Plymouth to Milton Keynes that is.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 05 July, 2014, 08:28:59 pm
Charter a boat from Bude to Swansea and ride up to Aberdare.  You can do the 4F from there  ;D  And probably make Audax history. 
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: rabbit on 05 July, 2014, 09:05:06 pm
Where are you thinking of doing this 400 Rabbit - I might consider designing a DIY or do another CS200 that coincides with it for a while...

July 26th/27th - I was going to solo 24:12 MTB race but all the places sold out.  The other half is racing it as part of a team so my current thinking is to leave Malvern very early Saturday, ride down via the FoD, Quantocks, Cornish Coast and get to the race and sleep until he gives me a lift back home.   :thumbsup:

DIY org standing by...

 ;D  I am plotting atm.....


I'd only do a ride that I can ride to and from, so it'd have to start from the Welsh border (about 100 miles from home) and preferably on a Saturday morning for a 400 or possibly early Saturday afternoon.

Plymouth sounds good, but for me it would mean either a train ticket to get home, which would be too expensive for me, or would use up holiday from work, which I have very little of and would like to keep.
Unless I can find a very cheap train ticket from Plymouth to Milton Keynes that is.

It would be starting from Malvern early on Saturday morning, but yes, I can understand the logistics problem.  I couldn't believe how expensive tickets were when I got one from York to Ipswich. 
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 07 July, 2014, 06:33:00 am
Cambrian Series should now be set up to enter via the website and Paypal.  However, I'm never convinced about things until they have been properly tested so let me know how it works and be prepared to fall back to a conventional process.

I've also put in possible start points on the website but, as always the rides can be started from anywhere on the route or marginally off it.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Bugloss on 07 July, 2014, 07:56:26 am
Cambrian Series should now be set up to enter via the website and Paypal.  However, I'm never convinced about things until they have been properly tested so let me know how it works and be prepared to fall back to a conventional process.

I've also put in possible start points on the website but, as always the rides can be started from anywhere on the route or marginally off it.

OK, I'll test it out for you now.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Bugloss on 07 July, 2014, 08:04:42 am
I wanted to have the cards at hand and do the rides when I can fit them in, but when I enter on line it wants me to fill out a date and I can't get any further if I try to leave it blank.

Plus the 6A has got some funny message about the price:

£To be confirmed Warning: number_format() expects parameter 1 to be double, string given in /srv/www/aukweb/aukcms/events/detail.php on line 261   ( £ when paying via PayPal.  )

Edit 1: It will let me enter if I put the date format as 00/00/2015 or 00/00/2016 etc. Would this be ok if I did the ride at any time in that year or shall I just do a bank transfer or paypal for the full set ?
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: caerau on 07 July, 2014, 09:21:30 am


I'd only do a ride that I can ride to and from...



Teethgrinder you disappoint.  If I thought I'd learned anything here in the last year and a half it's that you can ride to and from anywhere ;)

Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Glover Fan on 07 July, 2014, 01:29:51 pm
I might ride the 2B starting from Chepstow on Saturday 19th July. Early 6am start.

Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: caerau on 07 July, 2014, 02:34:55 pm
Be wary of coming through Grosmont to Monmouth - there's a road out with no real warning - don't expect they've finished it since I was there a couple of weeks back.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: jamesld8 on 10 July, 2014, 08:48:22 pm
Anyone ridden 4F ? and have a route .gpx to share?

ta
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: rabbit on 12 July, 2014, 08:31:35 am
3A next weekend for me. Anyone got the file for that one?  Looking for the pure ( probably hilliest!) route.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 12 July, 2014, 04:38:14 pm
I wanted to have the cards at hand and do the rides when I can fit them in, but when I enter on line it wants me to fill out a date and I can't get any further if I try to leave it blank.

Plus the 6A has got some funny message about the price:

£To be confirmed Warning: number_format() expects parameter 1 to be double, string given in /srv/www/aukweb/aukcms/events/detail.php on line 261   ( £ when paying via PayPal.  )

Edit 1: It will let me enter if I put the date format as 00/00/2015 or 00/00/2016 etc. Would this be ok if I did the ride at any time in that year or shall I just do a bank transfer or paypal for the full set ?

I think I've fixed the problem.  A lot of the Cambrian perms that I inherited when I took on the series had a fee £to be confirmed - which resulted in "does not compute" when translated into Paypalese.  I've gone in and set all the fees to £3 so hopefully this problem won't recur.  I've had a successful entry for the 4F which did have a fee.   ;D
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: rabbit on 13 July, 2014, 07:38:20 pm
Question for those who have done the 3A....did you do the dull as dishwater A40 between Abergavenny and Brecon?  I hate that bit of road, but it does seem to be the straightest/shortest route. 
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: rabbit on 13 July, 2014, 08:03:45 pm
Classic example of Bikehike playing sillybuggers on the 3A folks.  Check your files well, or you could end up riding this  (https://www.google.co.uk/maps?q=tregaron&hl=en&ll=52.289871,-3.728271&spn=0.01575,0.042272&sll=47.73855,12.508827&sspn=35.296762,86.572266&hnear=Tregaron,+Ceredigion,+United+Kingdom&t=m&z=15&layer=c&cbll=52.290304,-3.731906&panoid=oreD502TolwPUi-_Fa-Fgg&cbp=12,238.29,,0,9.41)
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: jamesld8 on 13 July, 2014, 08:26:53 pm
With ridewithgps / mapmyride I now switch prefernces to `driving` to avoid such incidents ! Seem then to avoid the unpaved options
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 13 July, 2014, 08:33:04 pm
Question for those who have done the 3A....did you do the dull as dishwater A40 between Abergavenny and Brecon?  I hate that bit of road, but it does seem to be the straightest/shortest route.

Use the A40 as far as Crickhowell and then cross the river and follow the B4558 through Talybont on Usk.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: αdαmsκι on 13 July, 2014, 08:48:43 pm
This is pretty much what I did when I rode the 3A in 2010: click (http://bikehike.co.uk/mapview.php?lnk=https://sites.google.com/site/youngadamski/gpx/perms/C3A.gpx). Chepstow start, then up to Hay, Brecon etc.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: rabbit on 13 July, 2014, 08:55:24 pm
This is pretty much what I did when I rode the 3A in 2010: click (http://bikehike.co.uk/mapview.php?lnk=https://sites.google.com/site/youngadamski/gpx/perms/C3A.gpx). Chepstow start, then up to Hay, Brecon etc.

Ah, this is fabulous!  Thanks  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: caerau on 14 July, 2014, 07:57:40 am
Here's the route I used, was lovely :)


http://ridewithgps.com/routes/2437846
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: caerau on 14 July, 2014, 07:59:07 am
Hmm, looks somewhat identical on that particular stretch :thumbsup:

Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: jamesld8 on 14 July, 2014, 08:18:17 am
Isn`t the first 60/70 km pretty well a mirror image of last 60/70 km on Brev Cymru too?---need to be wary of road erosion if so due to so many cycle tyre passages  :D
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: caerau on 14 July, 2014, 09:23:38 am
It's got a lot in common with Yr Elennyd too iirc.   :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: jamesld8 on 17 July, 2014, 09:43:05 am
I`ve put together a potential 4F route ---http://ridewithgps.com/routes/5305922?privacy_code=jaCchbuzq6UEKIJu --and it comes out at 420km---I will start @ Knighton and can trim a km or two off by not going via Bleddfa to Llangunllo but via Knucklas etc.

Any thoughts on modifications, in particular the bits around Aberdare / Heads Valley Road which I can`t seem to find alternatives on. My expected schedule would see my @ Aberdare / Merthyr around 9-10pm---on a Saturday night too  ??? ---before heading up to Talybont / Hay / Kington on home leg
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 17 July, 2014, 11:51:37 am
I`ve put together a potential 4F route ---http://ridewithgps.com/routes/5305922?privacy_code=jaCchbuzq6UEKIJu --and it comes out at 420km---I will start @ Knighton and can trim a km or two off by not going via Bleddfa to Llangunllo but via Knucklas etc.

Any thoughts on modifications, in particular the bits around Aberdare / Heads Valley Road which I can`t seem to find alternatives on. My expected schedule would see my @ Aberdare / Merthyr around 9-10pm---on a Saturday night too  ??? ---before heading up to Talybont / Hay / Kington on home leg

There is a road that runs parallel to the Heads of the Valley road between Glynheath and Hirwaun that I'd always assumed people would take.  You may be able to trim some distance off on the Aberaeron - Llandeilo leg by going through Llansawel (my quick look on Google Maps suggests 7km).

The shortest route out of Knighton goes over Bailey Hill as you've pointed out above.

Otherwise looks good.  Overall distance on the shortest route I could find on Google Maps is about 407km.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: jamesld8 on 17 July, 2014, 01:26:11 pm
Thanks for that---I see The Rhigos road and note the `cut through` via Lansawel; now should I ride it on 26th July or not... ???
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: jamesld8 on 26 July, 2014, 09:25:21 pm
Well---ended up riding 2E anti clockwise instead, ie going down really steep side Bwlch y Groes. At moment all I can say is that it was very very very hard ride entirely " relentless hills " is a very fair description; Newtown > lake Vyrnwy, 40 km was L1000m alone and I now realise why i`ve only once ever ridden the New mills > Llanfair Caerenion road  :o--clocked up      4 300m ascent and it was relentless; temps to 25c + were trying and a lot of time spent stopping to refill body and bottles on drinks. Fuller report soon
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 26 July, 2014, 10:19:07 pm
Well---ended up riding 2E anti clockwise instead, ie going down really steep side Bwlch y Groes. At moment all I can say is that it was very very very hard ride entirely " relentless hills " is a very fair description; Newtown > lake Vyrnwy, 40 km was L1000m alone and I now realise why i`ve only once ever ridden the New mills > Llanfair Caerenion road  :o--clocked up      4 300m ascent and it was relentless; temps to 25c + were trying and a lot of time spent stopping to refill body and bottles on drinks. Fuller report soon

It's a strange thing about a circular ride that the ascent on the clockwise direction is the same as that in the anti-clockwise direction - so what you gain by descending the steep of Bwlch-y-Groes you must make up somewhere else!
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: jamesld8 on 27 July, 2014, 06:12:45 am
Well---ended up riding 2E anti clockwise instead, ie going down really steep side Bwlch y Groes. At moment all I can say is that it was very very very hard ride entirely " relentless hills " is a very fair description; Newtown > lake Vyrnwy, 40 km was L1000m alone and I now realise why i`ve only once ever ridden the New mills > Llanfair Caerenion road  :o--clocked up      4 300m ascent and it was relentless; temps to 25c + were trying and a lot of time spent stopping to refill body and bottles on drinks. Fuller report soon

It's a strange thing about a circular ride that the ascent on the clockwise direction is the same as that in the anti-clockwise direction - so what you gain by descending the steep of Bwlch-y-Groes you must make up somewhere else!

indeed  ::-)  and as other posts have indicated going down steep side means LESS time descending  :o as it`s over so quickly---need to remove melted rubber off rims today !!! ---but going DOWN to Bwlch Y Gle dam @ Clywedog was wonderful, 85 kph reached  :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

Slightly more pleasurable memories of it this morning !!!-wasn`t that bad after all
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: jamesld8 on 27 July, 2014, 04:29:44 pm
OK--2E.
w/e before having ridden up Bwlch Y Groes on Barmouth Blvd decided to do an anti-clockwise circuit start @ Knighton.
The climb out of the Teme valley towards Anchor was very pleasant, a nice staedy 6-10% gradient and not too hot--even at 9am I had to remove arm and knee warmers. The fields were looking parched after the run of dry weeks and the extensive views across the rolling hills

(https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2928/14570278997_7252c61cb6_z.jpg)

 A fabulous descent down to Newtown, losing nearly 400m height brought me to control 1 in good time before I set off towards Llanfair Caerenion / Lake Vyrwny and Bala. This turned out to be a really tough section indeed---the road reared staright up out of Newtown on a 16% slope, and this continued up, down all the way to Lake Vyrnwy, taking in some narrow and steep but scenic lanes on the way --theme of the morning section  ::-)

(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3860/14754376124_eb5b8bbfcb_z.jpg)

Reaching Lake Vyrnwy I was able to relax , recuperate and enjoy after the gruelling hot slog from Newtown--certainly IMO the hardest section of the whole 200km---and the 8km flat along the reservoir road in shade was very good indeed :thumbsup:

(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5569/14753554951_7842504fc9_z.jpg)

Hirnant pass out of Vyrnwy was a good steady climb, just a couple of sharp 10+% sections before an excellent fast descent down

(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3867/14756404762_1eab3d0dd9_z.jpg)

I was very glad to reach Bala and get some food in, and more importantly stock up on more fluids--with the temp now near 25c it was proving to be a hot ride, but fortunately not as hot as recent days.
In contrast to the south (Dinas) climb of the Bwlch y Groes the northern side I find a pleasant climb and within an hour of leaving Bala I had reached the summit, enjoying graet views on the way up

(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5593/14756712975_9c177090d2_z.jpg)

With little traffic around the descent went smoothly, no cars / sheep to interrupt a rapid but controlled freewheel down to the baking valley and a pint of shandy at Red Lion in Dinas.
With the two `signature` climbs now completed I felt more confident of finishing having thought before Vyrnwy that a shortcut might be in order as hill after hill assaulted me.

having ridden the llanbrymair > Knighton section many times before I knew what was in store around Clywedog and slowed right down to pace myself---signs of "Araf-Slow" on the road were unnecessarily appropriate at many points but I very much enoyed teh downhill swoops of 16% reaching a new maxm speed of 85 kph on the Bwlch y Gle descent  ;D

(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3840/14754375214_494552b446_z.jpg)

The Society Preservation Audax Riders (aka SPAR) @ llanidloes provided a control point but also teh opportunity to get 2l of sparkling water to rehydrate; couple with a ham sarnie, 4 chocolate muffins and a 20 minute sitdown this helped me to summon energy for the final 40km roller coaster into Knighton.

Dark thunder clouds were gathering now on the skyline and I fully expected a thorough soaking

(https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2906/14776597313_13b01ba084_z.jpg) 

 A stiff breeze had also picked up but luckily this was a tailwind  ;D which assisted me along towards Llanbister and the final big hill of the day, a 1km section of 15% to gain the open moorlands.
Nearing Llangunllo it was clear that 1, there`d been some serious rain and 2 I had also missed it  :thumbsup: Deep roadside puddles and gravel across teh road was evidence of a tremendous recent downpour. But at least it cleared the air for the final half hour back into Knighton just under 12 hours since leaving.

A very hard ride, my Etrex showed 4 300m ascent !!! and the added heat made this one of the toughest rides I`ve done this year   --- but it`s all part of the fun isn`t it  ??? ::-)
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: rabbit on 28 July, 2014, 08:26:15 am
Brilliant write up James!  Sounds like you were very lucky missing that storm.   

Not sure which way I'd rather do the Bwlch.  The climb from the South is horrendous and would have been terrible in the heat, and the climb from the North is, indeed, pretty nice.  But I'd hate to loose all that height descending south, it's not like it's an A or B road with loads of room for to let the speed roll out. 
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 29 July, 2014, 10:20:28 pm
There are three ways up it (one from the East as well) - a bit like Mont Ventoux.  Come to think of it there is a challenge for climbing Ventoux three ways - I am sure I could do something for Bwlch y Groes if there was the interest....!
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: jamesld8 on 30 July, 2014, 06:34:40 am
There are three ways up it (one from the East as well) - a bit like Mont Ventoux.  Come to think of it there is a challenge for climbing Ventoux three ways - I am sure I could do something for Bwlch y Groes if there was the interest....!

Could be quite convoluted to get all three sides done though ! Can think of eg Llanuwchllyn> BYG north> Vyrnwy> Hirnant>Bala>Dolgellau> Cross Foxes> Dinas> BYG south> Llanuwchllyn ---which would be a about 110km / 2000m ascent I`d estimate, but how to fit in east climb from Vyrnwy  ???
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Glover Fan on 30 July, 2014, 09:12:43 am
"Bwlch three goes" sounds like a cracking challenge!
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: jamesld8 on 30 July, 2014, 09:28:38 am
"Bwlch three goes" sounds like a cracking challenge!

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/5474522

Bala > BYG north ascent> Vyrnwy> Dinas> BYG South ascent >Bala>Hirnnat > Vyrnwy> BYG east ascent >Bala,

avoids going DOWN the south side 2 x north side descents, 1 x east side descent

c 128km, 2 400m ascent
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: rabbit on 30 July, 2014, 10:12:31 am
"Bwlch three goes" sounds like a cracking challenge!

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/5474522

Bala > BYG north ascent> Vyrnwy> Dinas> BYG South ascent >Bala>Hirnnat > Vyrnwy> BYG east ascent >Bala,

avoids going DOWN the south side 2 x north side descents, 1 x east side descent

c 128km, 2 400m ascent

Ooh nasty

I like it  8)
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: caerau on 30 July, 2014, 10:48:17 am
The Bwlch near me - south of Treorchy can be ascended from 3 sides - they do this on the Dragon Ride.

Quite a famous climb in it's own right - but pleasant rather than Brutal - alpine style gradients. I'll stick with that for the time being ;D

It's in the top 100 British climbs too but - iirc - got 1/10 as opposed to Bwlch-y-Groes' 11/10 - a bit unfair I think as it's great - not massively challenging (even I can sail up it) but great views nevertheless - you can combine it with Rhigos, Maerdy (that *is* brutal) and many other climbs nearby too. There's a calendar ride that does these if it still exists - the Rhondda Traverse grimpeur I believe
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Glover Fan on 30 July, 2014, 01:17:40 pm
The standard Bwlch is a 6/10 I believe. It's a cracking climb, although unlike the book, I think the climb from Treorchy is the poorest out of the 3. I especially like the climb from the West as you are gradually climbing at 1-3% for about 5 miles, before the lovely surface ramps up to 6-10% towards the top, as close to an alpine climb I have ridden.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: caerau on 30 July, 2014, 01:37:09 pm
I've only been down that side and up the other 2 - out of the 2 sides I've done the most challenging is from Ogmore Vale as that does get quite steep a couple of times.
I only recently discovered the side descending to Neath this month- I always thought I'd been to the top - but turning off towards Neath at 'the top' reveals that  - 'Oh no you haven't  ::-) '  Still quite a lot to go I discovered.  Yeah it's a long descent that way, I'd be interested to go up it that way for sure.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: jamesld8 on 30 July, 2014, 03:25:44 pm
"Bwlch three goes" sounds like a cracking challenge!

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/5474522

Bala > BYG north ascent> Vyrnwy> Dinas> BYG South ascent >Bala>Hirnnat > Vyrnwy> BYG east ascent >Bala,

avoids going DOWN the south side 2 x north side descents, 1 x east side descent

c 128km, 2 400m ascent

Ooh nasty

I like it  8)

perhaps this then could be a Camb perm forum ride as a DIY ? Such jolly fun I might try to ride it....
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: rabbit on 30 July, 2014, 04:25:05 pm
"Bwlch three goes" sounds like a cracking challenge!

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/5474522

Bala > BYG north ascent> Vyrnwy> Dinas> BYG South ascent >Bala>Hirnnat > Vyrnwy> BYG east ascent >Bala,

avoids going DOWN the south side 2 x north side descents, 1 x east side descent

c 128km, 2 400m ascent

Ooh nasty

I like it  8)

perhaps this then could be a Camb perm forum ride as a DIY ? Such jolly fun I might try to ride it....

Yes, although, I suspect getting it done in the time limit for a 100 with that much over distance and that much brutal climbing may actually be tough...when you think the 1A with 2200 was pretty tough?? We could extend to a 200?
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: jamesld8 on 30 July, 2014, 04:27:42 pm
"Bwlch three goes" sounds like a cracking challenge!

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/5474522

Bala > BYG north ascent> Vyrnwy> Dinas> BYG South ascent >Bala>Hirnnat > Vyrnwy> BYG east ascent >Bala,

avoids going DOWN the south side 2 x north side descents, 1 x east side descent

c 128km, 2 400m ascent

Ooh nasty

I like it  8)

perhaps this then could be a Camb perm forum ride as a DIY ? Such jolly fun I might try to ride it....

Yes, although, I suspect getting it done in the time limit for a 100 with that much over distance and that much brutal climbing may actually be tough...when you think the 1A with 2200 was pretty tough?? We could extend to a 200?

from what I understood a 100km DIY gets BP timings ---so this would have a 12hr limit; -----10kph minm speed
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: rabbit on 30 July, 2014, 04:30:38 pm
"Bwlch three goes" sounds like a cracking challenge!

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/5474522

Bala > BYG north ascent> Vyrnwy> Dinas> BYG South ascent >Bala>Hirnnat > Vyrnwy> BYG east ascent >Bala,

avoids going DOWN the south side 2 x north side descents, 1 x east side descent

c 128km, 2 400m ascent

Ooh nasty

I like it  8)

perhaps this then could be a Camb perm forum ride as a DIY ? Such jolly fun I might try to ride it....

Yes, although, I suspect getting it done in the time limit for a 100 with that much over distance and that much brutal climbing may actually be tough...when you think the 1A with 2200 was pretty tough?? We could extend to a 200?

from what I understood a 100km DIY gets BP timings ---so this would have a 12hr limit; -----10kph minm speed

Ah that's alright then, I could probably walk it at that pace  ;D
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: tonyh on 30 July, 2014, 05:03:03 pm
a 100km DIY gets BP timings......  .....10kph minm speed

Correct. Not always known. Often worth bearing in mind, eg for very hilly rides, and when you want to ride further than the shortest (counting) distance.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: jamesld8 on 30 July, 2014, 09:53:11 pm
a 100km DIY gets BP timings......  .....10kph minm speed

Correct. Not always known. Often worth bearing in mind, eg for very hilly rides, and when you want to ride further than the shortest (counting) distance.

----I didn`t know eitehr until you pointed this out to me recently---thanks !! :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 01 August, 2014, 08:59:52 am
Looks like there is enough interest.  The key will be finding controls. 

As an aside Zigzag and I did a route around Le Bourg d'Oisans last month - Le Bourg d'Oisans - Col du Sarenne - Les Deux Alpes - D211a - Garde D'Huez - Le Bourg d'Oisans - Villard Notre Dame - Col de Saulude - Villard Raymon - Le Bourg d'Oisans which managed 3600m ascent in 108km which is my new gold standard.  But I don't think we had much over 11% on that route.  We had an hour for lunch and a bit of faffing to top our water supplies so if we'd set our minds to it we would just have got round at 15kph.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: tonyh on 01 August, 2014, 09:29:56 am
33.3m/km!
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: zigzag on 01 August, 2014, 10:37:18 am
As an aside Zigzag and I did a route around Le Bourg d'Oisans last month - Le Bourg d'Oisans - Col du Sarenne - Les Deux Alpes - D211a - Garde D'Huez - Le Bourg d'Oisans - Villard Notre Dame - Col de Saulude - Villard Raymon - Le Bourg d'Oisans which managed 3600m ascent in 108km which is my new gold standard.  But I don't think we had much over 11% on that route.  We had an hour for lunch and a bit of faffing to top our water supplies so if we'd set our minds to it we would just have got round at 15kph.

what a fantastic day it was!.. btw, strava suggests there was much more climbing http://www.strava.com/activities/161873055 (http://www.strava.com/activities/161873055)

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-yHW1Nk5Q50c/U7gs2EMgmBI/AAAAAAAADi0/JjT9aIWpSDY/s640/20140630_182118.jpg)
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: marcusjb on 01 August, 2014, 10:43:10 am
33.3m/km!

Indeed.  I can just scrape above that with 6700m in 190km - 35.2m/km - but no way I could have done it at 15kph!
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 01 August, 2014, 01:38:39 pm
The STRAVA profile of the Bourg d'Oisans epic explains why I'm suspicious of GPS based ascent ratings.  4979m over 107.5km is 46.3m ascent per kilometere.  We started and finished at the same point so we must have done the same amount of descent as we did ascent.  So we also average 46.3m descent per kilometre.  That means the average gradient of the ride is 92.6m per kilometre or 9.26%.  I've seen various published figures of the average gradient of Alpe d'Huez and Les Deux Alpes but none of them get anywhere near 9.26%.  Given that the last 3km were pan flat (Zigzag easily won the sprint) that means that the Col du Saulude would have had to have been pretty vertical, which it wasn't. 

Hence my rather anal devotion to contour counts.  In the Alps these tend to work very well - you can often measure the ascent pretty accurately through spot heights as the road is either going up or down.  So the 3600m figure is likely to be quite accurate given that I checked the entire route on the excellent French topo maps.

Consequently the Cambrian Series rides have AAA ratings based on contour counts and not GPS based ratings.  If you are used to using GPS based ascent figures and then use the published Cambrian Series ascents as a guide you will find the rides significantly harder than you were expecting.  As you can see from the above Strava is giving a figure of 35% higher than the actual.  This is quite an extreme factor - its usually more like 15% but even 15% on a 3500m ascent ride is 525m you weren't anticipating - which is coindentally close to the height of Bwlch y Groes from sea level  :thumbsup: :smug: :smug: :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: caerau on 01 August, 2014, 02:17:20 pm
Well Strava can be a joke - here in Cardiff it has a segment it claims as a cat 4 climb. - except it's the cardiff Bay Barrage (walk across the harbour from Cardiff Bay to Penarth) - it's hard to be more as flat as a pancake than that.


it does have the Tiger Bay docks on one side though - I suspect there's some sort of conning tower there that farks up the GPS devices :D
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: swiss hat on 06 August, 2014, 07:55:26 am
Cambrian 8A on 16-17 August from Llanidloes anyone? A nice post Mille Cymru warm down ;D
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: rabbit on 06 August, 2014, 10:32:10 am
Cambrian 8A on 16-17 August from Llanidloes anyone? A nice post Mille Cymru warm down ;D

Weekend after would be tempting - would have BH to recover!  ;D
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: swiss hat on 06 August, 2014, 12:35:53 pm
Cambrian 8A on 16-17 August from Llanidloes anyone? A nice post Mille Cymru warm down ;D

Weekend after would be tempting - would have BH to recover!  ;D

BH may be a possibility if the weather is, shall we say, "Welsh" on 16-17th. But it's still summer and I've been lucky on my Celtic rides so far this year....
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 06 August, 2014, 01:18:38 pm
Cambrian 8A on 16-17 August from Llanidloes anyone? A nice post Mille Cymru warm down ;D

Not me this time.  Red Bull Air Race at Ascot that weekend and CET Junior's first 200k the following weekend.  Two wheels will be just for recreation this year as the Dorset Coast Ultramarathon has been extended to 45 miles will have to use up my Brownie points for running training  :(
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: jamesld8 on 06 August, 2014, 04:03:33 pm
Cambrian 8A on 16-17 August from Llanidloes anyone? A nice post Mille Cymru warm down ;D

Weekend after would be tempting - would have BH to recover!  ;D

would be tempted but am away in Ireland consuming Guiness in a camper van  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 16 August, 2014, 06:46:52 pm
Have found a neat Excel formula so have put together some stats on the Cambrian series rides from 2008 onwards (effectively when I took them over).   There have been 243 brevets issued and 117 rides completed.  The events waiting a completion are:

3D, 4A, 4D, 4E, 4F, 4G, and 6A (although there is an attempt happening very soon on the 4G).  I rode the 4D in 2006 and the 4F and 4G have effectively been ridden as together they make up the 8A.

The most popular events by completion are the 2B (38 completions - although a high proportion of these are by one rider), 1B (12 completions), 2A (12 completions)

The 3A is the most popular longer ride (6 completions) - although there are a quite a few brevets out there not completed - remember there is no time limit on the cards - if you have one I've sent out you can use it whenever you like (up until I give up organising).
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: caerau on 16 August, 2014, 10:33:51 pm
Wow, that makes me feel rather better about last years ride.  I didn't realise I was one of only 6 who've done the 3A


I find that rather hard to believe in fact - presumably more people did it before you took them over...?

Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Lars on 17 August, 2014, 12:15:40 pm
I'm toying with the idea of a Cambrian series weekend sometime in Sep consisting of:

Train London Paddington to Bristol Parkway. Roll down to Severn view Travelodge, arriving
Friday evening.

Then on Sat get up 4 am. Do 3A picking Chepstow as start (obviously). Finish in time to go to sleep
at the Travelodge at midnight-ish.

Then get up Sun at 5 am. Do the 2B, once again picking Chepstow as start (obviously). Finish in time
to catch a train back to London from Parkway at around 8 pm.

Does that sound reasonable? Or would that be no, dumb, stupid idea, don't do it. You'd suffer
immensely?
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: jsabine on 17 August, 2014, 02:15:21 pm
Does that sound reasonable?

Or would that be no, dumb, stupid idea, don't do it. You'd suffer
immensely?

I don't understand - you seem to be suggesting that these two options are in some way mutually exclusive.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: caerau on 17 August, 2014, 02:56:37 pm
I'm toying with the idea of a Cambrian series weekend sometime in Sep consisting of:

Train London Paddington to Bristol Parkway. Roll down to Severn view Travelodge, arriving
Friday evening.

Then on Sat get up 4 am. Do 3A picking Chepstow as start (obviously). Finish in time to go to sleep
at the Travelodge at midnight-ish.

Then get up Sun at 5 am. Do the 2B, once again picking Chepstow as start (obviously). Finish in time
to catch a train back to London from Parkway at around 8 pm.

Does that sound reasonable? Or would that be no, dumb, stupid idea, don't do it. You'd suffer
immensely?

Well only you know your own capabilities so it's a hard one to answer.

But... It just so happens those are the two rides in this series I've done (from Chepstow) Both are very very tough - be not unaware of this. But that's coming from a big boned chap with poor climbing ability.

Several people are doubling up the élan and ystwyth and Tregaron dragon this weekend and that's possibly tougher.

I just bumped into Swiss Hat in Tregaron - he's 500k into the 8A as I write! Nice to meet you sir and good luck with the rest.  Sadly I am bailing the Tregaron dragon.got nasty cramps in both thighs whils WALKING the Devils Staircase - to much wind and icy rain did for my legs. :(
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: mattc on 17 August, 2014, 03:47:51 pm
I'm toying with the idea of a Cambrian series weekend sometime in Sep consisting of:

Train London Paddington to Bristol Parkway. Roll down to Severn view Travelodge, arriving
Friday evening.

Then on Sat get up 4 am. Do 3A picking Chepstow as start (obviously). Finish in time to go to sleep
at the Travelodge at midnight-ish.

Then get up Sun at 5 am. Do the 2B, once again picking Chepstow as start (obviously). Finish in time
to catch a train back to London from Parkway at around 8 pm.

Does that sound reasonable? Or would that be no, dumb, stupid idea, don't do it. You'd suffer
immensely?
Sounds to me like riding very hilly 500k in the same time as a 600 (I.e.40 hours). So if you usually get time for a good sleep on a normal 600, it sounds perfectly sensible.

(If it was me I'd book a later train, or at least budget for the walk-up fare.)

If you have a mare on Sat - perhaps a 3am finish! - you can have a lie-in and just do a pretty 80 miles on Sun
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: caerau on 17 August, 2014, 07:59:01 pm
There's a 24 hour garage at the chepstow end of the Bulwark - used it as start and finish control on the CS3A at 2 am (start time) last year.


https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.635737,-2.684382,3a,75y,78.91h,94.65t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1shAOezvONpxQ3KFmDqopfaw!2e0
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Tewdric on 17 August, 2014, 09:57:31 pm
The 3A is a hard ride.  I did it as my final training outing for the last PBP and the French ride was a piece of piss as a result.  I'd suggest a good nights sleep the night before and get your first stamp at Budgens on the junction of the A466 and B4235 in Chepstow at 7 am.  You can get nice munchies there too.

2B is a classic also and much easier comparatively, although not without its moments. 
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: caerau on 18 August, 2014, 08:35:41 am
Yeah I finished the 2b at that budgens - also a good shout but unlikely to be open at 3am
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: swiss hat on 20 August, 2014, 06:00:38 pm
I've just added a piece on my C8A outing last weekend in the ride reports. Legs are still talking to me!
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: marcusjb on 20 August, 2014, 06:30:08 pm
I will read that when I get back home - massive chapeau though! 
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 22 August, 2014, 09:48:43 am
Wow, that makes me feel rather better about last years ride.  I didn't realise I was one of only 6 who've done the 3A


I find that rather hard to believe in fact - presumably more people did it before you took them over...?

I've kept a log of the entries and completions from when I started, before then I would have to trail through the Audax archives on the website to see completions.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Bobby on 31 August, 2014, 10:28:47 pm
So.... Feeling inspired by this thread, I'm starting to plan a ride in mid-September, would want to start at Chepstow - Which leaves me with 3 questions:

1) which is the best option for a 200 that goes through Chepstow?
2) where do people normally park on the other side of the bridge to avoid paying the toll? :)
3) I assume I'm not too late to get a brevet with, say, 10 days notice?  :-\

Now, if only I could have learnt how to climb bastard hills by now... :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm:

Ta!
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 01 September, 2014, 07:58:42 pm
The 2B is the only 200 with a Chepstow control (Monmouth - Chepstow - Abergavenny - Brecon - Builth Wells - Hay-on-Wye - Monmouth) but you can start the series from any control town.

If you get an entry in by this weekend I can get you a brevet card in time for the middle weekend - after that it really depends on how my work pans out and whether I'm at home to post cards to you.

Not sure about car parking as the Severn View services I think operate a two hour parking scheme.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: caerau on 01 September, 2014, 08:35:24 pm
If you're travelling from Abingdon, I doubt the distance is much different if you cross over the Severn (for 'free') at Gloucester and come down to Chepstow from there
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Glover Fan on 01 September, 2014, 08:57:41 pm
Best place to park for cycling in Wales without paying the Wales Tax is to take the M48 from the M4 towards the old Severn Bridge and come of at the junction just before the bridge for Severn View services. At the end of the sliproad take a left towards Avonmouth and then take a right turn into a lane. There is parking available there to leave your car for a day on the road. You can then get on the bridge easily.

Most people do this for the Gospel Pass audax in February.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 01 September, 2014, 10:56:36 pm
If you're travelling from Abingdon, I doubt the distance is much different if you cross over the Severn (for 'free') at Gloucester and come down to Chepstow from there

If you cross at Gloucester you might as well head along the A40 to Monmouth. 

From there you can do the 2B as before, but also the 2A Monmouth - Hay - Llandrindod Wells - Llanwrtyd Wells - Brecon - Abergavenny - Monmouth.  (one of my favourite rides, especially if you go through Painscastle and Hundred House on the Hay to Llandod leg.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Bobby on 02 September, 2014, 08:23:29 am
Thanks, the closest I've been to that area is The Dean 300, and the Faffers 400, so I was struggling to spot which ones may be closest for me (from oxford way).   Both 2a and 2b sound good, I may as well do them in order so will go for the 2a this time :)

PayPal payment will be on the way later this morning  :thumbsup:

especially if you go through Painscastle and Hundred House on the Hay to Llandod leg.

The place names mean nothing to me, google maps here I come!   Need to also look up thread to see if anybody has a gpx file for the 2a to help get my bearings!
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Bobby on 02 September, 2014, 08:56:18 am
payment made, 12 days to the 2a  :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: rabbit on 02 September, 2014, 09:08:52 am
Whole heartedly recommend the 2a, as CET says, it's a fantastic ride  :thumbsup:

Free parking in Monmouth too, over the otherside of the old bridge
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Bugloss on 02 September, 2014, 01:19:14 pm
I've just added a piece on my C8A outing last weekend in the ride reports. Legs are still talking to me!

Can you provide a link to this ?
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: jsabine on 02 September, 2014, 01:42:41 pm
I've just added a piece on my C8A outing last weekend in the ride reports. Legs are still talking to me!

Can you provide a link to this ?

Currently the third thread (https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=84541.0) in, um, the Ride Reports board.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 02 September, 2014, 05:25:32 pm
Reached a milestone today, the 250th entry for a Cambrian series ride since I took them over.  6 entries from 3 riders today takes the total entries past the 50 mark for this season - a first for me (and I think for the series).

I'm guessing that news on the forum and Paypal entries have contributed to the increase in take-up.   I only wish I had more time so I could do more of the rides.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: rabbit on 02 September, 2014, 05:42:18 pm
Reached a milestone today, the 250th entry for a Cambrian series ride since I took them over.  6 entries from 3 riders today takes the total entries past the 50 mark for this season - a first for me (and I think for the series).

I'm guessing that news on the forum and Paypal entries have contributed to the increase in take-up.   I only wish I had more time so I could do more of the rides.

 :thumbsup:

Although a real shame you can't get to ride them yourself.  That seems most cruel.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 02 September, 2014, 06:56:49 pm
Its partly because I've entered a silly running race in December so that's blown my big cycling opportunities for the rest of the year.  But I did manage to get out for a sneaky trip to Beachy Head from our caravan in Selsey on Sunday morning.  3.30am start.  99.8 miles before a stonking big breakfast in Brighton (2 sausage, 2 bacon 2 black pudding 2 bread 1 egg baked beans and the best hash browns I've ever tasted plus two large mugs of tea £8.35 within a stone's throw of Brighton pier and then a nice little headwind bash back to the caravan for 11.30.  All that lovely form and no Audax points. 
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: jamesld8 on 08 September, 2014, 09:02:31 am
Not a Cambrian excatly but am planning a DIY-GPS  Bwlch Y Groes x 3 this Friday   ;D

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/5942042

any takers ????  about 9:30 start on A470 near mallwyd, hardest side first off....... :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: rabbit on 08 September, 2014, 10:02:39 am
Not a Cambrian excatly but am planning a DIY-GPS  Bwlch Y Groes x 3 this Friday   ;D

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/5942042

any takers ????  about 9:30 start on A470 near mallwyd, hardest side first off....... :thumbsup:

Unfortunately I shall be surveying a massive steelworks. However, I may just jump in the furnace a few times to replicate the pain you'll be going through.  :P
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: tonyh on 08 September, 2014, 10:16:41 am
I thought you, Jamesbradnor, CET, and select others, floated up thousands of metres without going through any significant pain at all!
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: rabbit on 08 September, 2014, 11:17:38 am
I thought you, Jamesbradnor, CET, and select others, floated up thousands of metres without going through any significant pain at all!

LOL don't include me in with the likes of the great climbers, I shuffle my way upwards in great pain and suffering in true audax hard-lady style I'll have you know  :P
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Bobby on 08 September, 2014, 05:14:05 pm
(one of my favourite rides, especially if you go through Painscastle and Hundred House on the Hay to Llandod leg.

Looking at rabbits GPS, this is one option probably the obvious option:
http://goo.gl/maps/H2FtC

However, I was considering this as an alternative:
http://goo.gl/maps/wVscE

Any opinions from people that know the area?

Thanks!

BTW - (thanks CET!) the brevet has arrived, so I'm riding it this Sunday :)
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: jamesld8 on 08 September, 2014, 08:52:06 pm
I thought you, Jamesbradnor, CET, and select others, floated up thousands of metres without going through any significant pain at all!

solely representing my own feelings here -----you MUST be joking !!! there`s no floating upwards any more--maybe 30 years ago  ::-)  A compact with a 12-32 block works wonders  :thumbsup: I think that in 3 weeks time any thoughts of `flaoting upwards effortlessly` will have been smashed by Hautacam, after Tourmalet and Luz Ardiden softeners earlier...... :o
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: caerau on 09 September, 2014, 07:46:30 am
If you don't like climbing too much Can't Climb, I'd be trying to avoid Painscastle if I were you  - there are some truly (and unavoidable) brutal climbs through there.
Having said that, if you were trying to avoid climbing then a CS ride is probably best avoided altogether.  ;D
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: tonyh on 09 September, 2014, 08:20:04 am
you MUST be joking !!!

Well yes, of course. Also taking the chance to admire the way that good riders (examples above!) usually make it look easy, even when they are working extremely hard.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Bobby on 09 September, 2014, 09:29:29 am
If you don't like climbing too much Can't Climb, I'd be trying to avoid Painscastle if I were you  - there are some truly (and unavoidable) brutal climbs through there.
Having said that, if you were trying to avoid climbing then a CS ride is probably best avoided altogether.  ;D

The first time I did the LEL it was a sufferfest of survival (my first Audax, body not ready).  Second time I did the LEL i was well prepared and fit enough to enjoy it - I got hooked  8)

In the same way I NEED to get better at climbing.  I feel it prevents me riding in groups as I often drop off the back when it get lumpy... entering a few more AAA events is my training :)

I hope to do BCM & K&SW in the next year or two, but want to be good enough at climbing to enjoy it.  I'll never fly up the climbs, but I've got my local DIY GPS 200 down to sub-9 hours, so it's time to get climbing!  Anywhere that starts Pain* has already set a clear expectation for me, so bring on the gratuitous gradients - I intend to make a leisurely day of it & have fun! 
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 10 September, 2014, 10:27:07 am
I thought you, Jamesbradnor, CET, and select others, floated up thousands of metres without going through any significant pain at all!

Oddly enough, when I'm really fit I struggle to float.  My bouyancy is almost negative and there's an imbalance of weight distribution to the legs.   ;D

PS - the secret of floating up the hills is to ride up the first bit quick and get out of sight around the first bend.  That way no-one can see you suffer.   ;D ;D
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: jamesld8 on 12 September, 2014, 07:56:42 pm
Bwlch Y Groes thrice---done today, .gpx file here http://ridewithgps.com/trips/3438766 

Quite cloudy so photos will be a bit `flat`, unlike the ride  ;D Enjoyed it all (mostly!)---got up south side in 19min, and enjoyed seeing different aspects of each ascnet route. I`ll do a fuller report in due course , but for those who like hills it is highly recommended --and Hirnnat Pass is very nice too  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Bobby on 14 September, 2014, 07:58:49 pm
Just got back to the car after the 2a.  I'm battered.  Not helped by 4 punctures and a snapped tyre lever so I had to keep stopping to pump up my last fix...

Need to check the website - I hope I had 14hrs for this, first time I've been anywhere near 13hrs (and was actually over it)

I think I enjoyed that, will write more another time :)
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: SR Steve on 14 September, 2014, 08:26:12 pm
That's a bit of a worry Can't Climb as I've just signed up for the 2A next Saturday (20/9). It seems like you have made a good effort at mopping up all the shrapnel off the road for me though, but I'll still take 4 tubes and some patches, just in case.

I am planning to start at Llandrindod Wells and going clockwise.

I'm glad you kind of enjoyed it and the time limit is 14 hours (14.3km/h) so you should be OK.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: rabbit on 15 September, 2014, 07:34:22 am
Well done Can't Climb and James!  Both pretty audacious efforts!

I'll pencil that Bwlch x 3 in for next year I think James.  Can't see me being back up that way any time before the weather changes.   :thumbsup:

19 mins up the South Side = pretty darned quick  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: jamesld8 on 15 September, 2014, 08:26:07 am
Well done Can't Climb and James!  Both pretty audacious efforts!

I'll pencil that Bwlch x 3 in for next year I think James.  Can't see me being back up that way any time before the weather changes.   :thumbsup:

19 mins up the South Side = pretty darned quick  :thumbsup:

cheers thank you  :'(

Winter would be just fine  ;)  I recall of years ago a school friend and I took train to Welshpool with bikes and rode up from Vyrnwy on a winter afternoon to encounter a few inches snow near top of Bwlch Y Groes in failing light and on tyre tread driven dynamo lighting ----THAT was audacious and not something I`d do again !
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: jamesld8 on 16 September, 2014, 05:31:37 pm
Ride report ByG x3:

A few months ago the notion of a `Ventoux style` ride up the three potential ascents of Bwlch Y Groes, @ 545m the highest road pass in North Wales, was aired. After a bit of faffing / thinking / gpxing I put forwards to Tony H a DIY route that went up the Bwlch on each of the three possible roads--it was a bit complex to plan as it felt it went round and round...but a route was developed.

So on Friday 12th---fortunately not the 13th  ::-)--I set off in cool overcast weather from Foel, just east of Mallwyd to do the circuit taking on the toughest south ascent first

Good road surfaces, gentle gradients and a favourable breeze saw me reach Dinas mawaddwy on an average speed of 30kph  :thumbsup:---which very soon dropped as I turned north up the valley road to the base of the ascent. It`s a hard approach too, short sharp ups @ 10% soften up legs for the big climb and by the time I reached the base of climb `proper` I`d already clocked up 400m climbing.

In contrast to the other two approaches the south is a no-nonsense diagonally straight up

(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3925/15031773210_081591254f_c.jpg)

the road climbs from left to right diagonally across the hill, NO letup at all---10-14% lower down soon steepens to 20-24% on the mid section.... ;D

I was glad it wasnt` sunny too---a nice breeze kept me cool as I ground my way slowly up, never getting out of the 34 x 30 crawler gear. The turn to Lake Vyrnwy gave me a morale boost, seeing the height on my GPS I knew I was 3 / 4 up, just keep going.

The view back down the valley showed just how much height I`d gained

(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5585/15074351540_4532687ea8_c.jpg)

and soon I was at the top with North Wales and the Arans spread murkily out in front

(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5566/15195431626_e55b165b64_c.jpg)

The welcome breeze was now decidedly chilly--back on with armwarmers, jacket and a 60 kph descent down to Bala Lake and the psychologically hard bit of keeping riding on knowing I`d be back at the same spot in 40km after another ascent ::-)

The approach to Hirnant Pass is really lovely, a narrow road winds up along a stream with woodlands and huge conifers towering above--difficult to tell but some must be over 40m in height  :o

Hirnant Pass adopts the same attitude as Bwlch Y Groes south--just go diagonally staright up ! But despite its foreboding slopes and a very classic mountain pass look, it is by comparison fairly moderate 10% mostly, a bit at 15% near the top and within 10 minutes of crossing the stream at the bottom I was up

(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5564/15031877858_98173cc4ff_c.jpg)

A good quick descent to Vyrnwy, more huge conifers too:

(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5560/15031746860_500b0fb874_c.jpg)

and then east up to the Bwlch for ascent number two. And very different too is the climb from Vyrnwy, after a short sharp start it oscillates up and down, meandering across increasingly open and bleak moors. Its lowest section is most scenic, a small stream, tumbling waterfalls

(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5591/15068552598_c4c50bd2c6_c.jpg)

Down again to Bala and a roll around the lakeside to a most welcome big breakfast @ Jan`s Cafe after 90 km. Fortunately the next 10km back along to Llanuwchllyn were fairly gentle to ease digestion  ;D

Now for the last climb---it is , from Llanuwchllyn, also the longest but the lower half is fairly steady; only as the open hillside is gained at about 350m does it kick up through the birch woods, touching 12% again.
An exposed `balcony` road cuts across Craig Yr Ogof---the safety barrier being a fairly recent addition ::-)

Lichen encrusted great plaques of cliff rose steeply above the road as it climbed steeply before turning onto the final moorland pull

(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5592/15195399036_212e32982f_c.jpg)


And then I was up --ascent number three done, finished--and then a good descent back down to a very placid Lake Vyrnwy, hardly a breath of wind to ripple its surface and the mountains holding Hirnant and Bwlch Y Groes vague shadows in the misty landscapes

(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5592/15254716732_85f0d228f5_c.jpg)

Befitingly the ride still had a sting in its tail--the narrow road cutting back to Foel had a good few 15% inclines to keep me working  ::-) before a very good 3km run back down to finish.

Although the route ( http://ridewithgps.com/trips/3438766 ) was a bit contorted ---and maybe wasn`t a logically satisfying journey--it turned out to be very interesting indeed, three very different aspects of climbs to the summit of North Wales` highest road pass :thumbsup: 

Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: mattc on 16 September, 2014, 07:39:31 pm
James, you've inspired me!

(Despite your post being nothing about CS Perms :-P )

I ain't promising to ever ride such madness, but your report has made it a smidge more likely ...
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Veloman on 16 September, 2014, 07:47:34 pm
What an excellent ride and ride report.

I have ridden up from Vrynwy with panniers on an old steel frame many year ago and driven the other routes; stunning part of Wales.

Did you submit for AAA and if so what was the figures?
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: tonyh on 16 September, 2014, 07:52:38 pm
Thanks James - the perfect set of pictures, and a highly evocative account. Both poetry!
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: tonyh on 16 September, 2014, 07:58:20 pm
Did you submit for AAA and if so what was the figures?

The AAA Man has already added 2.25 of his valued Points.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: jamesld8 on 16 September, 2014, 08:19:27 pm


(Despite your post being nothing about CS Perms :-P )



in my defence, yer honour, the very idea of the ride was aired in CS thread and I think that Mr CET may also have ideas about making this a CS perm. I rest my case, sir
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: rabbit on 17 September, 2014, 05:53:20 pm
What a fabulous report James!  Great photos and descriptions.   :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Bugloss on 17 September, 2014, 05:54:31 pm
Looks nice James, I might go there one day.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: swiss hat on 17 September, 2014, 06:40:08 pm
Good ride sir. The route from Bala over the Hirnant pass is indeed lovely. A little known gem.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: jamesld8 on 17 September, 2014, 07:21:28 pm
Looks nice James, I might go there one day.

Bugloss--you`ve read the man above /\ /\ /\ ---Swiss Hat---you MUST do it for Hirnant alone !!
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Bobby on 18 September, 2014, 02:32:57 pm
I can't give you a write-up like James, once the P*******s started I stopped taking photos & forgot details I may want to write down ::-)

I probably should have DNS'd the 2a... Achilles issues for a few days means I'd not ridden all week, and work exploded so I had to work until 11pm on Friday & all day Saturday - so I wasn't well rested.  That said, with only one car & family commitments I rarely get the chance to drive somewhere so didn't want to miss that opportunity :)  I left the house at 4:30 to drive 1.5 hours to the start.

I'm not going to say more about my p*******s, only that road resurfacing, going past 3 tractors cutting thorny hedgerows, and following one tractor that was merrily dumping sharp flint looking material across the entire width of the road hardly gave me the best odds!

In all honesty I was a little nervous about the hills so deliberately took it easy on the way out of Monmouth through Hay.  That said I was struggling to get on top of the gears - a ride that let me gently get into it may have been best, but not much chance of that, so I pushed on.  Monmouth to Hay was a rough road, but a lot of it was being resurfaced so will be a lot better in a couple of weeks.  Lovely sunrise just outside monmouth which gave promise of a nice day:
(https://markcharlton1.files.wordpress.com/2014/03/img_00691.jpg)

Sadly, as I started the climb to Hundred House it was foggy - over the top the fog lifted enough for me to great to get the feeling of riding in 'big scenery' - that feeling carried on until Brecon.  Appart from a couple of short streches I really enjoy it the roads, they were nice and quiet, the views were fantastic, the cake stops were superb & the weather was kind :)  the road from Abergavenny to Monmouth was silky smooth and just what I needed at the end of a long day.  Once back at the car I grabbed some food & had a rest before driving home, once home I had a shower & some more food before taking the dog out for a hours walk - by the time I finally got to bed I was shattered!

It's interesting to ride where you don't recognize any place names - given the navigation was very simple so I really took the time to look around & soak it all up.  To be honest that was the best part - it's so much more enjoyable than having your head down stressing about the next turn or your current distance/time.  Sure, I found my "tyre issue" somewhat "frustrating", but as the last fix held it didn't ruin the day  :thumbsup:

So far this year I have 27 points but 0 AAA - so it'll be nice to break the duck :) 

I will certainly be back, I want to do the 2a again & I want to ride some of the others.  Now I know what to expect I'll be better prepared :)  I really need to devise a local DIY that has some AAA points  :facepalm:
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 20 September, 2014, 11:21:15 am


(Despite your post being nothing about CS Perms :-P )



in my defence, yer honour, the very idea of the ride was aired in CS thread and I think that Mr CET may also have ideas about making this a CS perm. I rest my case, sir

It is still on the drawing board but have ideas about extending to 200km so I can find a few more climbs.  The Cambrian series is missing a 4AAA 200k ride.   

PS - (I've made up for it though - there's a tasty ride in the Alps going through the approval process at the moment that Zigzag and I did this year and was so good it just had to be put up there.  The route sheet will have less than 10 instructions.)
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: jamesld8 on 20 September, 2014, 08:56:56 pm
How`s about adding in Llanuwchllyn > Trawsfynydd> Dolgellau> Llynau Cregennen> Dolgellau > Cross Foxes, would that add enough ??
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: rabbit on 20 September, 2014, 10:43:25 pm
I had another trip round the Cambrian 1A today.  This time heading Llan'dod - Beulah -Tregaron -Rhayader -Llan'dod (aka up the staircase of the devil himself).  This was a last minute decision following on from Bank Holiday weekend.  I had driven the other half up the Devil’s Staircase just to show him the road, and the beauty of Mid Wales, as our plans for three days of mountainbiking in South Wales were a bit scuppered by a nasty virus.  At the time (sat in the car) he was not convinced at all of it being difficult and couldn’t understand what all the fuss was about…….

So, making the most of the likely last chance to do the ride in decent weather of 2014, we set out from Llan'dod at a smidge before 11 am.  As we were finding our way out of town following my obligatory cash-point start, we spot an Audax UK shirt up ahead.  Turned out to be SR Steve *waves.  Small world, these audaxing lanes of ours. 

Soon enough we were on the rollercoaster B road to Beulah and I was glad to be getting it out of the way early in the ride.  The other half doesn't mind main roads, and he was very well behaved sitting behind me rather than rushing off to the top of each crest and watching as I slogged up after.  A quick stop at Beulah for a bottle of Coke and then we headed through the magical Lord of the Rings style lanes to the bottom of the Staircase. 

I just wanted to clear it without stopping so set a steady pace once over the cattle grid whilst watching the other half disappear at a rate of knots into the distance.  Contrary to popular belief, I’d say the first steep stretch and two switchbacks is the easiest bit.  It was the kicks after that really had me blowing.  I had to cross over the road at one point to a small layby to let a car past, which then promptly stalled. I wasn’t planning on stopping though, so got back on my side of the road and kept stomping upwards listening to the car trying to restart.  Eventually he got it going before deciding to just overtake anyway.  It was close – me, with a nasty looking drainage ditch to one side and the car to the other without much breathing space.  Still, apart from that excitement, it was all plain’ish’ sailing to the top and I did manage to clear it with a big thumbs up to the other half at top.  Such a small thing for a stronger rider, but for me it was on my ‘big things to do’ list and it’s great to have ticked it off.  Even the other half admitted he may have had to work a little.....  ;)

After the well-surfaced rollercoaster to Tregaron, we stopped for good food and great coffee in Café Hafren.  It’s one of my favourite audax stops now, mainly because they do soya milk lattes.  In the middle of Wales! Who’d have thunk it? 

(http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b80/littlegirlbunny/DSC_0235_zpse07a88a7.jpg) (http://s17.photobucket.com/user/littlegirlbunny/media/DSC_0235_zpse07a88a7.jpg.html)

Some motorbikers were in the Café who had overtaken us on the mountain road.  “you didn’t ride up that 25%’er did you”.  It was great to be able to say “yes” Ha! 

We hit a surprising headwind coming out of Tregaron and I got my head down and led us over to the Elan Valley despite an offer from the other half to share the work.  “you can’t” I said.  “I’m not allowed a tow from a non-official participant”….”but I am going to get you officially signed up so next time you can do all the bluddy work and it won’t even be cheating”  :P

The remainder of the ride to Rhayader is a beautiful stretch of scenic lanes, streams, mining history, woodlands and grazing. I just love the lane through the forest which eventually heads to Cwmystwyth, it’s amazing how these small roads are just perched right on the edge of such large steep sided drops.  We watched a farmer herd his animals with sheepdogs in spectacular fashion.  He was stood on the Rhayader mountain road with the dogs were barely visible in the distance, so far away they were, but responding to his every whistle and call. The normal Westerlies were somewhat missing, but the gradual climb to the very top above Rhayader was still a nice steady spin despite a missing tailwind, followed by the cracking descent into town. 

We were both feeling it by then, it’s a tough ol’ 100 km really (2.25 AAAs) but I was determined to show the other half my favourite lane after controlling at Rhayader.  It runs parallel to the A44 but adds a fair amount of climbing.  Such a nice little lane, moss growing in the middle, great views, and numerous kites flying above due to the neighbouring feeding station. 

(http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b80/littlegirlbunny/DSC_0241_zps8e53600d.jpg) (http://s17.photobucket.com/user/littlegirlbunny/media/DSC_0241_zps8e53600d.jpg.html)

We braved another stretch on the A44, thankfully interspersed peacefully with a short loop round a residential road, followed by the bliss of lanes and quiet B roads back to Llandrindod. We rolled into town little after 5 pm all smiles after a great day in the hills  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: SR Steve on 21 September, 2014, 09:28:08 pm
I planned to ride the Cambrian yesterday, sandwiched between two overnight DIY 200s within the time allowance of a 600. It was quite an ambitious project, but I did a similar thing this time last year by ECEing the Dave's Dales Tour Plus 200 to a 600, so hoped I could get away with it.

I rode down to Llandrindod Wells on a DIY 200 starting from near home at 10pm on Friday using a route sheet from a previous Dinner Dart with controls at Tamworth, Rugeley and Bridgnorth. The first 121km were great as I was flying along quiet roads on a mild dry  night. The last 80km were quite tough as it was raining and I was getting sleepy and had a few aches and pains that were slowing me on the climbs. I slept for an hour or so in a bus shelter before Craven Arms and arrived at about 9:45am.

After a nice veggie breakfast at the Portland House Tea Rooms, I decided that I had only got 200km left in my legs rather than the two 200s that I had planned. If I rode only the Cambrian 200 it would have meant finishing at around 11pm, way too late for any trains so I would have had to find accommodation and then get a train the next day. Also, my wife had arranged a family meal out and matinee theatre trip for today that I had only found out about on Friday evening. That's why I reluctantly decided to take the more sensible and cheaper option of just riding the DIY 200 home instead.

After an ATM start it was a nice surprise to see Rabbit and her other half as they were setting out on the Cambrian 1A at the same time.

After the initial lumpy section to Craven Arms, I was feeling peckish, and found the Icon's Café at the "Land of Lost Content" national museum of British  popular culture tucked away on a side street. This pleasant stop for cheese and beans on toast and a pot of tea in interesting surroundings was the only sit down meal of my ride home. I bought a meal deal from a Tesco express in Bridgnorth, but put it in my bag for later. The opportunity to eat it arose when it started raining as I went under the M54 near Wolverhampton. Then it was waterproof on into the freshening headwind until the rain stopped on Cannock Chase and I could swap it for my reflective gilet. After two more garage stops, I arrived home shortly before 11pm, so I was able to have a full nights sleep and enjoy the family lunch and theatre trip today.

I was a bit miffed about missing the Cambrian 2A, as the route looks great and it was the last ride I needed for a SR Cymru, but at least, subject to validation, the 4 points for the DIYs should top my points up to 100 for the year.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 28 September, 2014, 12:08:44 pm
Thanks for all the write ups.  Have had a happy half hour checking brevet cards and those marvellous receipts from little parts of Wales where the time zone is completely different from the rest of the world.

This is the last weekend of the season so please get any remaining cards to me ASAP so I can them validated for this years pints  O:-)

I keep thinking about a Cambrian Series SR.  One way to do it would be to base yourself in one place for a week (such as Bala, Llanidloes, Knighton) and do the 200, 300, 400, and 600 in a week.   I suppose the best way to do it would be the first week of October so you'd be the first SR of the new season.   :smug: :hand:
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Aunt Maud on 30 September, 2014, 11:42:59 am
The Cambrian Series SR sounds like a good bit of fun to me.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 09 October, 2014, 01:36:26 pm
I'll have to see how I get a medal designed.

On a separate note, I sat down at lunch today to think about my PBP season.  I've this hankering to do a hyper-randonneur and PBP years are likely to be my best shot.  It will take some serious brownie point earning from Mrs CET, but there's a possibility that I will aim for the 8A in the last weekend of July as a PBP warm-up.  If I do it is likely to be ultrabasic - no accommodation planned, park the car in Llanidloes and kip in the car halfway round.

Or I might go by train to somewhere en route and have a midday start, continuous push until the next evening and then do as Swiss Hat did and stay in a pub the second night.  Based on experience of the 4C (434km) I reckon I could get to about 600km by 8pm on the second night, which would allow a full nights sleep in a proper bed and 12 hours to do the last 200km the next day.

As there are one or two others who have the 8A on their agenda who might be interested and this tends to be a long term plan item, thought I would share..
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: jamesld8 on 10 October, 2014, 08:05:29 pm
Yes might be interested, although I`d kip in our VW @ Llani  ;D Have selected some PBP qualifiers but apart from that and PBP general aim woudl be to get 100 AAA points---no more of the 50 x 100 challenge too!!!--so 8A would help towards AAA :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: rabbit on 12 October, 2014, 09:33:16 pm
6A done  :thumbsup:

This weekend with aunt maud.

Write up to follow

Crickey o Riley it was TOUGH  :o
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: jamesld8 on 13 October, 2014, 06:57:15 am
6A done  :thumbsup:

This weekend with aunt maud.

Write up to follow

Crickey o Riley it was TOUGH  :o

well done  :thumbsup: :thumbsup:---great achievement---look fwd to extensive illustrated write up.

Amazing to do such a ride with such reduced light hours (and frosty, fog??) too
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: teethgrinder on 13 October, 2014, 08:02:01 am
6A done  :thumbsup:

This weekend with aunt maud.

Write up to follow

Crickey o Riley it was TOUGH  :o

 :thumbsup:
600s are tough enough as it is at this time of year, let alone tough 600s.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: tonyh on 13 October, 2014, 01:07:35 pm
6A done  :thumbsup:

 :)  :)  :)

and looking forward to the write up!
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 13 October, 2014, 01:49:35 pm
6A done  :thumbsup:

This weekend with aunt maud.

Write up to follow

Crickey o Riley it was TOUGH  :o

 :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: rabbit on 14 October, 2014, 01:04:36 am
At the end of August, Aunt Maud mentioned the potential for an October 11/12th trip round the 6A.  I didn’t jump at the chance; whilst struggling from a virus, too much work and lack of motivation it seemed like a stupid idea….but the seed was planted.

Next thing I know I am buying various lightweight bivi kit and was mentally committed to the ride.  Or possibly should have been mentally committed full stop. My first ever experience of bike&bivi on [calsberg]probably the hardest 600 permanent[/calsberg] the Cambrian 6A.

This was the kit and clothing…
(http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b80/littlegirlbunny/1941548_10152839908877845_2930760021351371573_o_zpse86836cf.jpg) (http://s17.photobucket.com/user/littlegirlbunny/media/1941548_10152839908877845_2930760021351371573_o_zpse86836cf.jpg.html)

All packed up….
(http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b80/littlegirlbunny/10265525_10152840138992845_1647869566163648933_o_zps58932aed.jpg) (http://s17.photobucket.com/user/littlegirlbunny/media/10265525_10152840138992845_1647869566163648933_o_zps58932aed.jpg.html)

We started with a cash point control from Monmouth at 4:30 am to follow the figure of 8 route heading first to Rhayader.  It was dark, cold and foggy, but contrary to my initial fears, a quick 5 day taper had left my legs in ok shape and I was feeling ready for the challenges ahead. 

The climb to the gospel pass was timed perfectly to coincide with dawn and we were met by a glorious cloud invert over the Wye Valley below.  We took time to appreciate it and grab a few photos before dropping into the fog of the valleys.  It was a theme repeated several times through the weekend, trudging to the tops of the steep climbs before plunging into cold heavy air settled in valley pockets. 

(http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b80/littlegirlbunny/10653647_10152848443902845_9099881721284620539_n_zpsfa2fe562.jpg) (http://s17.photobucket.com/user/littlegirlbunny/media/10653647_10152848443902845_9099881721284620539_n_zpsfa2fe562.jpg.html)

(http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b80/littlegirlbunny/10150552_10152848444027845_96708966374859586_n_zpsc04f0d43.jpg) (http://s17.photobucket.com/user/littlegirlbunny/media/10150552_10152848444027845_96708966374859586_n_zpsc04f0d43.jpg.html)

The weather was variable on the Saturday and we got soaked on the way to Rhayader as the route trundled for a little while up the A470.  I was surprised at how little climbing we had encountered at that point, and had a feeling we would pay for it later.  There are no sections of flat on the Cambrians that aren’t paid for in climbing karma elsewhere.  However, we had made good time to Rhayader so stopped for food before heading to Bala via Llanidloes and the infamous Bwlch-y-Gros

(http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b80/littlegirlbunny/10639583_10152848443647845_6805288869118017757_n_zps4e0d8702.jpg) (http://s17.photobucket.com/user/littlegirlbunny/media/10639583_10152848443647845_6805288869118017757_n_zps4e0d8702.jpg.html)

The true nature of the ride began to show with endlessly undulating roads and we stopped for a bite to eat at the side of a lane before tackling the Bwlch.  I was low on water, but figured, once over the top, it was a roll down to Bala.  I already had a game plan in mind for the Bwlch -  to do as much as comfortable with the heavily laden bike, but nothing more, as I knew that a few minutes pushing too hard could potentially destroy the legs for the rest of the ride, especially with the weight of the camping kit.  I surprised myself and got to the crash barrier before it began to hurt and I chose to stop.  I was dreaming of endless glasses of water.  Or a kind hearted camper van owner parked on the top.  I was so dehydrated I almost filled up the bideon from the mountain stream, but decided the e coli risk was probably not worth it.   With a little pushing and more pedalling I finally got to the top to find luck was smiling on me, in the form of Vistaed (OTP) and a riding friend, both carrying Bivi kit and out for a social weekend.  Vistaed kindly provided me with a generous amount of water to  keep me going until Bala whilst commenting along the lines “if anyone else is mad enough to be up here this weekend it’s you”.  We chatted whilst waiting for Aunt Maud, who’s choice of race gears were starting to hurt somewhat.  The toil was beginning to take its toll and we were only 170 km in.

A Spar fuelled break at Bala and we were ready for the short stretch over to Llanfyllin.  Short in distance it may be, but short in time it was not.  The climbs kept coming.  But so did the views, and this was my favourite stretch of the ride. 

(http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b80/littlegirlbunny/10253777_10152848443557845_6559625489537154719_n_zps106ee365.jpg) (http://s17.photobucket.com/user/littlegirlbunny/media/10253777_10152848443557845_6559625489537154719_n_zps106ee365.jpg.html)

Aunt Maud was in need of some proper food on arriving at the town, especially as it began to dawn how little distance we had covered in the hours we had been out.  This was no surprise to me; after the summer’s introduction to the series my predications for the ride were at least 36 hours without sleep/stop time...  We stopped for a break at the chippy before setting off on the long road to the Tregaron at 330 km.  The relentless climbing didn’t stop and it began to dawn that we would need to refill food and water before Tregaron as it would be likely that nothing would remain open by the time we arrived.  The route passed back through Llanidloes on the figure of 8 and the convenience store provided warmth, a floor to sit on and coffee to help fight the dozies.  After some gorgeous moorland lanes out of Llanidloes we were on decent B Roads via Devils Bridge to Tregaron, and it was a real blessing. I was struggling with fighting sleep and being able to roll freely rather than descend precariously on narrow leaf, mud and gravel covered lanes helped it feel like progress and the kilometres ticked off…299, 300, halfway!

I had borrowed the other half’s Hope R8 battery with a smaller head unit with the plan that the battery would well outlast the potential total 16 hours night riding. It did not and started to warn low battery at 3 am on the Saturday.  Luckily, through hard experience, I always have a good second helmet light and enough batteries to run it as a main light if my bar light fails.

Tregaron had one option for control, a Natwest cash point.  Everything was shut, but luckily we were self sufficient in food and water and we kept chugging along with the hope of reaching our proposed bivi point at Newcastle Emlyn – 380 kms in.  However the dozies took hold and we started looking for potential bunk down sights through Lampter and the following villages.  There was nothing.  We needed a little shelter, being cold and damp with low autumnal temperatures.  The need for safe sleep began to become an overriding concern.  Eventually we found the open campsite shower block and snuck in, to hunker down for an hour or so. It was even clean and heated, we were blessed with good luck.  Never has lying on ceramic tiles next to a man’s toilet felt so good.  The Thermarest matt is a stunning piece of kit, possibly one of the best things I have purchased in recent years.  The OMM bag also did me proud, although it was hardly a fair test in a such a sheltered environment.  I didn’t even need a bivi bag.  I was flat out in seconds and forgot to set an alarm, but woke at 5 am with a start, and we were back on the road before anyone was awake. 

The road to Fishguard was quiet for the majority of the distance, and it was, as always, an overwhelming pleasure to see the sea.  The climb out of the harbour was, as always, cruel and savage!  So was the complete lack of open cafes.  Another cash point control.  I asked some council workers if there was anywhere serving coffee and we were pointed to a garage a short distance off route.  Bad instant coffee.  Luckily Aunt Maud, being experienced at this camping marlarky, came up trumps with some single serving filter coffee and the lovely lady in the garage let us use the hot water for free.  I even got to use my new fold up ultralight camping cup.  Glee!

(http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b80/littlegirlbunny/1798472_10152848443432845_2392431420799306299_n_zpse2c39c88.jpg) (http://s17.photobucket.com/user/littlegirlbunny/media/1798472_10152848443432845_2392431420799306299_n_zpse2c39c88.jpg.html)

After Fishguard I started to get problems with my left ankle.  The Achilles was getting swollen and was very painful every time I stood up.  On the steep lanes, there is no choice other than to get out of the saddle so it was ‘rock and hard place’ time.  There wasn’t a huge amount left in my quads for seated spinning, but stomping uphill (normally my strongest point in times of tiredness) I knew was causing more and more damage.  The lanes were gorgeous, isolated, quaint and where I wanted to be riding, but on reaching Llandeilo at 500 km I knew I was in trouble.  So was Aunt Maud as the race gearing was taking a massive toll on the hill climbs.  Ignoring the temptation of a train, knowing there was only a normal training ride back, we made the decision to follow the horrific A40.  It added only around 12 km, but made it possible to finish in time and minimise any further damage to my ankle.  I was a bit gutted, it felt wrong and not in the true spirit of a Cambrian ride. It was, however, perfectly acceptable under audax regulations and so we got our heads down and tried to blot out the traffic.  Just to make sure we retained some audaciousness, the weather gave us an easterly head wind instead of the normal westerly tail wind and the pace was dragging.  Aunt Maud is much stronger than I on the flats, and I stronger on the climbs, so we struggled to stay together.  Sense of humour went awol for a while.  It was ok until Brecon, but the single carriageway stretch from Brecon to Abergavenny is a horrid piece of road I swore I wouldn’t ride again after the 2A.  At Abergavenny there was another choice, head straight over to Rockfield the direct (true) route with the 16% climbs, or the duel track to Monmouth.  Well, there wasn’t really a choice.  I couldn’t walk properly without significant pain, or stomp on the pedals, so it was flat or nothing.  Thank goodness for the wide hard shoulder ‘sheltering’ us from the 90 mph vehicles.  Until the Monmouth tunnel which was without a hard shoulder and quite frankly, the most dangerous bit of road riding I have ever done.  Just. Got. To. Get. Back. Alive.

I was a bit dazed on arriving at Monmouth.  We controlled at the same cash points used the day before, yet so much had changed in that time, and so many things experienced.  It was a brutal ride, although my climbing muscles were good for it, my ankle paid a price.  I was just glad to finish in time so I’d never have to do it again….

(http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b80/littlegirlbunny/10391054_10152849041987845_3594947175771008349_n_zps1b5fe61b.jpg) (http://s17.photobucket.com/user/littlegirlbunny/media/10391054_10152849041987845_3594947175771008349_n_zps1b5fe61b.jpg.html)

…of course I am going to do it again, when I am even fitter and I have the ankle problem sorted.  So I can follow the true route home.   :thumbsup:

Recommendations from the weekend for anyone planning the 6A:
1)   Plan a good bivi stop if doing the ride outside of the summer.  Preferably have a bunkhouse or something lined up.  Difficult though as it is out of season this time of year and nothing is open.
2)   Have appropriate gearing for endless savage climbs.
3)   Make sure you have enough kit, back up light and food to be fully self sufficient through the long night stages as the small Welsh towns have very few long hour facilities.
4)   Hope luck is on your side, it certainly was on ours!
5)     Don't underestimate the power of home-dried toothpaste  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: teethgrinder on 14 October, 2014, 07:39:56 am
Good stuff rabbit. :thumbsup:

If you fancy a change from Wales, then the Wessex SR and K&SW 600 would be your thing. Not to mention Pendle 600.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: jamesld8 on 14 October, 2014, 07:47:19 am
Great write up & pics---and just one word AUDACIOUS :thumbsup:

Hope your ankle heals up and doesn`t deter you from TG recommendations too  ;D
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: swiss hat on 14 October, 2014, 07:59:10 am
Chapeau Rabbit  ;D

BCM will seem a lot easier after completeing the 6A.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Aunt Maud on 14 October, 2014, 08:00:57 am
Well that was an interesting weekend out trying to catch Rabbit, might get some easier gears next time.

I thought the choice of bivvi spot was 5*, I even had a lovely hot shower. We saw a big Barn Owl close up too, which I thought was fantastic.

I was just thinking that the last time we rode together Rabbit, it was me that got the nasty bruise.

Anyway the moral of Rabbits tail is: If you can't think of a stupid idea yourself, just ask Aunt Maud.

Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Reg.T on 14 October, 2014, 11:05:37 am
Chapeau both.  8)
And "Ouch" Rabbit  - hope the heel recovers quickly
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 14 October, 2014, 11:39:54 am
Great write up.   :thumbsup:

AFAIK that is the sixth and seventh riders to complete the 6A and the first lady rider to do so.

None of the other five were slouches either.

I must do the 8A
I must do the 8A
I must do the 8A....
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: vistaed on 14 October, 2014, 10:52:36 pm
Glad to have helped you out with a splash of water. My friend just kept saying "their mad" I tried to defend you but then realised that many people on hear are in fact mad, myself included. Great writeup, makes me want to head out to ride it myself.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Aunt Maud on 15 October, 2014, 11:27:26 am
New Cambrian Permanent Series Machine Ordered.

After the severe pasting dished out to oneself by the 6A and the humiliation of never being able to catch the Rabbit, I've come to the conclusion that a new mount with gears of the granny type is the only way forward.

So by the magic of the digital age, I'm now slightly poorer in sponsdoolics but have an extra and much needed N.

Which goes like so: http://www.specialized.com/gb/gb/bikes/archive/2014/tricross/tricross-elite-disc#press-and-reviews

Sporting; discs, 34x30 granny gear and muddy mounts.......just the ticket methinks.

Bring on the 4B.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: jamesld8 on 15 October, 2014, 12:51:20 pm
Good call  ;D maybe consider change alloy fork for a carbon one >>> more comfy ??

The hills will seem SOOOO easy now (I use 34 x 32 btw)

enjoy, happy Cambrianing 2015  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Aunt Maud on 15 October, 2014, 12:58:27 pm
I nearly threw a valve on some of those slopes on the 6A 39x26 was not the way to go. :face palm:

I might have to change the 32mm tyres, but I'll give them a go on one of the 2's first.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: rabbit on 15 October, 2014, 01:19:59 pm
Thanks all  :)

Ankle is on the mend.  Had some ultrasound off an osteopath friend yesterday and that should hurry things along a little. He was pleased to find no inflammation in the attachment point of the tendon (the bit that tends to snap) so it's just repetitive strain.  I have instructions for one legged calf strengthening exercises once it's fully fixed to prevent it in future.

Hoping to be fixed in time to do another Cambrian 200 for my November RRTY

Glad to have helped you out with a splash of water. My friend just kept saying "their mad" I tried to defend you but then realised that many people on hear are in fact mad, myself included. Great writeup, makes me want to head out to ride it myself.

Yup, when in association with people on here stuff like this seems perfectly normal behaviour.  Then I speak to normal people and they are very much like "you did what now???  :o :o " 

I think you'd enjoy the 6A a lot  :thumbsup:

New Cambrian Permanent Series Machine Ordered.

After the severe pasting dished out to oneself by the 6A and the humiliation of never being able to catch the Rabbit, I've come to the conclusion that a new mount with gears of the granny type is the only way forward.

So by the magic of the digital age, I'm now slightly poorer in sponsdoolics but have an extra and much needed N.

Which goes like so: http://www.specialized.com/gb/gb/bikes/archive/2014/tricross/tricross-elite-disc#press-and-reviews

Sporting; discs, 34x30 granny gear and muddy mounts.......just the ticket methinks.

Bring on the 4B.

LOL hardly a humiliation.  There aren't many people who could get up half the climbs you did with that kind of gearing....especially over and over and over and over again.  I certainly wouldn't.  I couldn't even cope on 'The Dean' with race gears!

But any excuse for an N+1 eh? ;)

4B in the spring sounds good to me.

I'd love a go at the 8A but fitting it in with everything else next year may be a challenge.....
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Aunt Maud on 15 October, 2014, 01:31:35 pm

Hoping to be fixed in time to do another Cambrian 200 for my November RRTY


Really, that's interesting, I had a cunning plan for November the 8th.

This time there'll be NO Shank's Pony.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 15 October, 2014, 03:08:00 pm
I have been an advocate of triple chain rings for a long time.  A 30 x most commercial cassettes makes a lot of sense for sustained 10%+ climbing, especially the likes of Bwlch-y-Groes after several hundred kilometres.

Interestingly enough, when Zizag and I went to the Alps ended up climbing most of those in about 30 x 23.  Neither of us are known to dawdle on the climbs.  Most of the time it was difficult for us to benchmark our speed but on Alpe d'Huez we were sailing past most of the punters who were struggling on (for them) overgeared compact chainsets.  It's not just having a very low gear that helps, but having a choice of very low gears.

I'm summoning up courage to talk to Mrs CET about next year, but likelihood is last week of July for the 8A.  That gives me 4 weeks to recover for PBP and also fits in with family holidays.  I'm interested in Rabbit's ultra-light bivi approach as that would be good on the 8A, I could then do it by train using Caersws as an additional control/start/finish point and not have to worry about a drive home.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: rabbit on 15 October, 2014, 03:20:49 pm
I have been an advocate of triple chain rings for a long time.  A 30 x most commercial cassettes makes a lot of sense for sustained 10%+ climbing, especially the likes of Bwlch-y-Groes after several hundred kilometres.

Interestingly enough, when Zizag and I went to the Alps ended up climbing most of those in about 30 x 23.  Neither of us are known to dawdle on the climbs.  Most of the time it was difficult for us to benchmark our speed but on Alpe d'Huez we were sailing past most of the punters who were struggling on (for them) overgeared compact chainsets.  It's not just having a very low gear that helps, but having a choice of very low gears.

I'm summoning up courage to talk to Mrs CET about next year, but likelihood is last week of July for the 8A.  That gives me 4 weeks to recover for PBP and also fits in with family holidays.  I'm interested in Rabbit's ultra-light bivi approach as that would be good on the 8A, I could then do it by train using Caersws as an additional control/start/finish point and not have to worry about a drive home.

Yeah, I think lower gears are often a real benefit if they are used appropriately (rather than immediately at the slightest incline!)

I run a 34 * 32 as my lowest, but I am pondering whether the compact would function well with a 32 chainring on the front instead of the 34, to give me a 1:1 ratio as I think this would give just a little more leeway without having the expense and weight of a triple. 

Last week of July would work well for me.  I have a block of 600s from end of May to Mid June (Beast of the East, K&S then Blacksheeps) so it'll give me a good week recovery and then a steady climbing block of training for the end of July. 
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Aunt Maud on 15 October, 2014, 03:27:20 pm
I've booked the Pendle for July and there's no way I'll be able too free up more time before that French ride, but I'll give the Cambrian SR a go, so you'd better get that medal sorted sharpish, coz I'll be wanting one now I've gone and done the 6A. :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: jamesld8 on 15 October, 2014, 04:51:34 pm
It's not just having a very low gear that helps, but having a choice of very low gears.


IME too for Alps / Pyrenees etc nice to have a a range low gears with a 30T backup gear --didn`t get used much, mostly the 34 x 27 or 24, ( eg  Luz Ardidnen / Superbagneres on the 27)  but knowing it was there to use was a good psychological / morale booster.... Dolomites though luvved to bits the 32 ;D

8A ?? still  maybe---but Rabbit will be off like a shot up the hills ::-)
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 15 October, 2014, 05:08:16 pm
A compact crank cannot mount a 32t chainring. The smallest standard ring for a 110mm PCD is 34t, though the rare 33t ring will also fit.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: jamesld8 on 15 October, 2014, 05:15:04 pm
A compact crank cannot mount a 32t chainring. The smallest standard ring for a 110mm PCD is 34t, though the rare 33t ring that will also fit.

PMP used to do (Campag) @ 33t but I`ve never found another one once it wore out

Otherwise it`s go to a Middleburn with their new road crankset I`d think
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: rabbit on 15 October, 2014, 05:17:22 pm
A compact crank cannot mount a 32t chainring. The smallest standard ring for a 110mm PCD is 34t, though the rare 33t ring that will also fit.

Oh, that's a shame.  I just assumed I could stick an MTB one on and all would be groovy if it didn't keep dropping the chain.   :facepalm:
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Aunt Maud on 15 October, 2014, 05:20:34 pm

8A ?? still  maybe---but Rabbit will be off like a shot up the hills ::-)

Yeah well, that's just something we're going to have to get used to.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 15 October, 2014, 05:37:36 pm
TA sell 33t 110PCD rings.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: rabbit on 15 October, 2014, 06:04:30 pm

8A ?? still  maybe---but Rabbit will be off like a shot up the hills ::-)

Yeah well, that's just something we're going to have to get used to.

Unless I get fat at Christmas of course ;)

TA sell 33t 110PCD rings.

Ta  :thumbsup:  Just found one on the wigglemachine - £26.  I may well invest to see if it works well/shifts well.  Every little helps with a fully laden bike.  I really noticed the extra weight at the weekend on the climbs. 
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: jamesld8 on 15 October, 2014, 06:24:22 pm
You could of course always ask Santa for an MTB `compact` ie one of the 44/29 combinations---with a 12 smallest cog you`d still have a high enough gear for most uses, and a 29 x 32 winching gear too ::-)

And maybe Santa could feed you up on lots weight gaining special  vegan mince pies too ;)
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 16 October, 2014, 01:56:07 pm
The other advantage of the triple is having the 53 x 11 for those long fast descents you can get on some Cambrian rides (eg the A483 between Llandod and Newtown) where pedalling gives you 50kph+ with ease and coasting only gives you 30kph.  Gives you more time for cake stops.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: bikey-mikey on 28 October, 2014, 11:11:29 pm
Congrats Rabbit & Adam !!!!

Gearing  ;)

I have a FSA chainset which is 50:33

It runs with my DI2 eleven speed chain width & 12:28 cassette

33:28 is maybe not quite a winching gear but I've had no problems with hills like Park Rash, Devils thingy, etc
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: rabbit on 29 October, 2014, 09:11:21 pm
Congrats Rabbit & Adam !!!!

Gearing  ;)

I have a FSA chainset which is 50:33

It runs with my DI2 eleven speed chain width & 12:28 cassette

33:28 is maybe not quite a winching gear but I've had no problems with hills like Park Rash, Devils thingy, etc

Thanks Mikey  :thumbsup:

I have purchased a TA 33t ring and shall be putting it on the bike for my first 200 km (fully flat DIY!) back this weekend.  Have been nursing the ankle since the 6A and it's taken, as expected, time to heal, but it is much better now.  It's fine riding the MTB, but being clipped in on the roadie is a little different.

Will be glad when I can get back to the Cambrians, but can't risk rushing it.  There is all next year to think of  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 29 October, 2014, 09:36:54 pm
The Cambrians are much better once the threat of icy stuff has gone.   There are a lot of surprising frost hollows around, especially in the area around Llandrindod Wells and Builth Wells, which are surrounded by high hills, and there aren't many people who can do the 200s in the daylight hours of November - February.    Although I had a memorable day in April 2005 doing the 2A with snow showers (not settling).  My first ever Cambrian Series ride.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: jamesld8 on 30 October, 2014, 06:59:37 am
The Cambrians are much better once the threat of icy stuff has gone.   There are a lot of surprising frost hollows around, especially in the area around Llandrindod Wells and Builth Wells, which are surrounded by high hills, and there aren't many people who can do the 200s in the daylight hours of November - February.    Although I had a memorable day in April 2005 doing the 2A with snow showers (not settling).  My first ever Cambrian Series ride.

it`s easy underestimate just how different weather / temp can be around here too--Radnorshire is one of most upland counties in UK, many roads are above 350m , temp here (in Radnor Valley) is often 2-3 c cooler than Hereford etc just because we`re at the 200m level cf Hereford 40m.

And as CET says there are plenty frost pockets, eg near Penybont it`s often 5c colder on a frosty morning than @ home on other side Radnor Hills; St Harmon was once UK lowest night low at below -25 c .  Snowfall too can be very localised--March 2013 we had over 30cm, with 25 nights belwo zero that month too, Builth had 5 cm due to easterly airflow being blocked off by Radnor Hills (which have a surprisingly big effect on weather locally)

But it`s still a great area to live , work and cycle in  ;D ;D :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Aunt Maud on 30 October, 2014, 08:35:42 am

Gearing  ;)


Gearing eh!........I've heard of that and am now on the experiment to revamp the Old Jalopy for hilly.

11-34, 8 speed rear with an XT 9 speed rear long cage derailleur combined with the new 38T inner chainring and 53T outer.

That way I can keep the shiny Dura Ace cranks, down tube shifters and other lovely 80's bits and give me an easy 1/2 hr switch and a wheel change from flat to hilly stylee.

Cancel the new bike and save the spons !!

Bill so far £41.97  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 01 November, 2014, 09:58:57 pm
8A is on!  24th - 26th July.  Agreed schedule with Mrs CET today.  Perfect time to fill the gap between PBP qualification and PBP.  If others are interested maybe can sort out some logistics..  ;D :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: rabbit on 02 November, 2014, 10:30:03 am
8A is on!  24th - 26th July.  Agreed schedule with Mrs CET today.  Perfect time to fill the gap between PBP qualification and PBP.  If others are interested maybe can sort out some logistics..  ;D :thumbsup:

What are you planning for overnight stops?
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Glover Fan on 02 November, 2014, 01:41:11 pm
To rabbit et al or anybody looking for an "easier" route from Abergavenny to Monmouth, without hitting a busy dual carriageway. I suggest the B4598 which goes to Raglan and then through Mitchell Troy. Quiet, flatish and much better than the A40.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Aunt Maud on 02 November, 2014, 03:06:26 pm
8A is on!  24th - 26th July.  Agreed schedule with Mrs CET today.  Perfect time to fill the gap between PBP qualification and PBP.  If others are interested maybe can sort out some logistics..  ;D :thumbsup:

What are you planning for overnight stops?

Toilets....You know you love toilets Rabbit.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 02 November, 2014, 03:24:53 pm
8A is on!  24th - 26th July.  Agreed schedule with Mrs CET today.  Perfect time to fill the gap between PBP qualification and PBP.  If others are interested maybe can sort out some logistics..  ;D :thumbsup:

What are you planning for overnight stops?

Not sure yet.  When I set the route up, as a figure of 8 I assumed an overnight stop at the crossover in Llanidloes.  However, unless you are Swiss Hat then whichever half of the eight you start with will take close to 24 hours so isn't an overnight stop.  Although I'm still tempted to drive to a lay-by near Llanidloes as I could stretch out in my old Volvo and get a couple of hours kip.

So my next thought was to take a train to somewhere en route (such as Caersws, which I used as my start/finish for the 4C last year), with a lunchtime start, then ride through the first night, and have pre booked accommodation for the second night (there is a Premier Inn in Aberdare).

The third option I've considered is to start early in the morning in Knighton, take a bivvy bag and find a quiet place just of the road when I get too tired to focus on the road, and then use Aberdare as the second overnight stop. 

What I've done on the 400s is to look at the distance of each leg and amount of climbing on each leg which gives me a rough idea of how long I will take.  Generally I'm best if I spend midnight to 4am asleep or not moving.  So I was going to spend a bit more time on the above three strategies to see if they make sense.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: rabbit on 02 November, 2014, 07:05:38 pm
8A is on!  24th - 26th July.  Agreed schedule with Mrs CET today.  Perfect time to fill the gap between PBP qualification and PBP.  If others are interested maybe can sort out some logistics..  ;D :thumbsup:

What are you planning for overnight stops?

Toilets....You know you love toilets Rabbit.

Well indeed, especially heated ones  :thumbsup:

Not sure yet.  When I set the route up, as a figure of 8 I assumed an overnight stop at the crossover in Llanidloes.  However, unless you are Swiss Hat then whichever half of the eight you start with will take close to 24 hours so isn't an overnight stop.  Although I'm still tempted to drive to a lay-by near Llanidloes as I could stretch out in my old Volvo and get a couple of hours kip.

So my next thought was to take a train to somewhere en route (such as Caersws, which I used as my start/finish for the 4C last year), with a lunchtime start, then ride through the first night, and have pre booked accommodation for the second night (there is a Premier Inn in Aberdare).

The third option I've considered is to start early in the morning in Knighton, take a bivvy bag and find a quiet place just of the road when I get too tired to focus on the road, and then use Aberdare as the second overnight stop. 

What I've done on the 400s is to look at the distance of each leg and amount of climbing on each leg which gives me a rough idea of how long I will take.  Generally I'm best if I spend midnight to 4am asleep or not moving.  So I was going to spend a bit more time on the above three strategies to see if they make sense.

I am interested in the 8A, but I am not sure about having the additional weight of the camp kit again.  I suspect that the additional weight on the bike was a big part of the ankle issue.  Although on a 'normal' 600 I am sure it would be fine, with the Cambrian style climbing toll I am wondering whether it would be better (for me) to have a proper bunk spot lined up, thus leaving sleeping kit etc behind.  However, it was the first time I had even tried to ride with the fully laden bike so maybe building up a bit over this season may be beneficial.  I have already started work on ankle strengthening exercises  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 03 November, 2014, 05:16:24 pm
Although I was never a good enough mountaineer to contemplate light & fast vs steady and comfortable, I think the 8A prompts the same decision.  If the weather is good I would be happy with a lightweight bivi bag, then everything could fit into a saddlebag.  I recall that both the successful 8As have been done in the dry.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: mattc on 03 November, 2014, 05:53:48 pm
"both"

 ;D

That reminds me of an interesting stat; more people have climbed Everest than have swum the channel.
If only they knew ...
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: teethgrinder on 03 November, 2014, 06:15:22 pm
Figure of 8 routes don't work very well for 800s unless it's an easy 800 and you are fast enough to comfortably ride 400km in under 20 hours.
You're committed to two nights (or 3 if you start at night)
A 6am start would mean a 6pm finish, which I think is a good compromise between not starting too early and having time on the last day to recover time lost sleeping.
You'd need to cover 320km in 24 hours. So 6am till midnight or thereabouts for 4-5 hours sleep. Then repeat, leaving you until 6pm on the last day to cover the last 160km.
Instead of bivying, maybe you could pitch tents in strategical campsites on the route.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 05 November, 2014, 10:01:36 am
The thought crossed my mind.  I am likely to be travelling back from the Holyhead Ferry earlier in the week with the two CET Juniors, so I could in theory leave a drop bag or something, but that sort of forces me to stick to a plan.  On a good day 400km in Cambrian territory would take me 20 - 21 hours, on an off-day it would take me 22 - 23.  That's why the bivi option strikes me as a good one.  I did this on the 4D many years ago - just in the emergency plastic survival bag I used to carry with me, and should have done something similar on the 4C, instead of just having a cat-nap by the side of the road.  On the lanes in Wales there are plenty of places to pull the bike well off the road and get some undisturbed kip.  And it keeps things lightweight.  But plans are still very much in the air at the moment except for the dates which are now on the wall planner and therefore CANNOT BE CHANGED  :facepalm:
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Aunt Maud on 11 December, 2014, 06:03:18 pm
Just browsing (you understand of course) the 10A and it seems to me that the time allowed is a little well........er tight, to say the least.

Is this now some kind of super duper grimp fest 1015km in 71hrs and a whole 3 minutes ?

http://www.aukweb.net/perms/detail/CB35/
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: mattc on 11 December, 2014, 06:17:22 pm
That looks like a 14.3kph time. I would have thoughtb you'd get 13.3kph min for events over 699km,  but the Organiser may get discretion.
75hrs is about the usual 1000km BRM time limit - that seems fair for a perm! Its unusal for a perm to have a higher min speed than the equiv cal event.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: swiss hat on 11 December, 2014, 07:15:04 pm
CET's guidance notes for the C10A available on the AUK website state "The total time allowed for the ride would be 76hr 19m at average speed 13.3km for 1015km". 75 hours is usual time limit for 1000km as Matt says ^^.

Enjoy the ride. But shirley you're not planning a winter attempt?!
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Aunt Maud on 11 December, 2014, 07:44:06 pm
Thanks chaps, I was getting worried there.

A winter attempt.............Now that would be a bit chilly.

Anyways, I did mention I was just browsing during an idle moment.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Charlie Boy on 11 December, 2014, 08:24:38 pm
^Just browsing?

The Cambrian Series SR sounds like a good bit of fun to me.

Methinks an attempt is in the offing. :)
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 11 December, 2014, 08:26:43 pm
The time appearing for the rides is a new thing on the AUK website and I presume that whoever set up the alogrithm didn't factor in the slower time limits for 1000km events.  I seem to be in limbo on the website probably because I've just renewed my membership so can't check if I can alter the speeds.

Rest assured that the time available is 76hr 19min.  The ride has been completed twice, once by Swiss Hat and once by Teethgrinder, both of this parish.  There have been three other attempts, one gave up with knee travel after c400km and 2 gave up 17km into the wettest weekend in Wales for a century, where a campsite in Twywn made the national news for pictures of floating tents so they wouldn't have got round without oxygen tanks and periscopes.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Aunt Maud on 11 December, 2014, 08:28:54 pm
Well, you can rule out a winter attempt as the 6A in October was cold enough.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: rabbit on 12 December, 2014, 02:42:04 pm
Well, you can rule out a winter attempt as the 6A in October was cold enough.

Well, it would have been if it wasn't for wonderful heated toilet blocks.....

*snuggles
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Aunt Maud on 12 December, 2014, 02:45:26 pm
It's all in the planning, Rabbit. ::-) #Gottoloveatoiletblock
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: rabbit on 12 December, 2014, 04:34:58 pm
It's all in the planning, Rabbit. ::-) #Gottoloveatoiletblock

^conker that  :thumbsup:

TBH the biggest problem in October/winter is the darned lack of open youth hostels. 
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Delph Cyclist on 12 December, 2014, 04:37:08 pm
I seem to be in limbo on the website probably because I've just renewed my membership ...

What?
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: teethgrinder on 12 December, 2014, 07:33:26 pm
It's all in the planning, Rabbit. ::-) #Gottoloveatoiletblock

^conker that  :thumbsup:

TBH the biggest problem in October/winter is the darned lack of open youth hostels.

I wouldn't let that put you off riding the 10A.
There's the Metropole Hotel in Llandrindod Wells, which has been used for AUK AGMs. You could use that as a base for the 3 loops. Even so, if you're ride turns out to be like mine, you'll only get one night's sleep.
My best tip is to use the main roads as much as possible instead of doing the opposite as I did, which probably cost me time.
Swiss Hat took a more sensible route than I did and rode it on gears as well. He got more sleep than I did.
It's probably in my top 3 toughest events that I've ridden.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Aunt Maud on 13 December, 2014, 04:13:42 pm
Anyone got a GPX track for the 6B ?

I may need to do a bit of a warm up. ::-)
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: SkidBr on 02 January, 2015, 11:10:26 pm
Just been looking at the 3A with a view to having a  go when things warm up a bit. Clockwise or Anticlockwise?   Both look to have their pros and cons but whats the view of the panel :-\ 
It wiil be my first time in Wales so I'd be grateful to hear the thoughts of those in the know.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: αdαmsκι on 03 January, 2015, 12:18:03 am
I did 3a anticlockwise, starting near abergaveny. Then Chepstow > Monmouth > Hay etc. Avoid Painscastle after Hay by following the B road on the eastern back of the Wye, tho it adds a few km. Anti clockwise means a long gradual descent back into Brecon and Abergaveny near the end of the ride.

This is the route I pretty much did: http://bikehike.co.uk/mapview.php?lnk=https://sites.google.com/site/youngadamski/gpx/perms/C3A.gpx
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: SkidBr on 03 January, 2015, 08:24:15 pm
Cheers Adamski. Thanks for the route  :thumbsup:

What is the short secton at about 154km like just before Pont-rhyd-y-groes that passes alongside the Ystwyth river? On the map it looks like it is an off road path with no entry signs at either end. Is it a cycle path and if so whats  the surface like?   
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Hot Flatus on 03 January, 2015, 08:27:55 pm
I think its a mistake. I've ridden the road section above it on many occasions on several audaxes but I'm not aware of a rideable path.

EDIT: just looked on streetview and there is a gate and a gravel path. It would avoid a nasty hill I think, but I'm sure Adam will be along to clarify
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 03 January, 2015, 08:53:50 pm
The Cambrian routes are free, so if you do find a gravel track that does the job then you are free to use it.  I had a look on Google Maps, limited because even the regular route up the B4343 (familiar from the Elenydd) doesn't have street view after the turn to Cwnystwyth, and would suspect that, even though the roads have 30m more climbing you'd be quicker on tarmac.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Tewdric on 03 January, 2015, 09:02:43 pm
Cheers Adamski. Thanks for the route  :thumbsup:

What is the short secton at about 154km like just before Pont-rhyd-y-groes that passes alongside the Ystwyth river? On the map it looks like it is an off road path with no entry signs at either end. Is it a cycle path and if so whats  the surface like?   

Just stick to the road.  It's steep but you won't crash...

I've only ever done the ride clockwise.  It's the best 300 route imaginable, perhaps the Scottish option aside, and were it not for the excellence and tradition of the established Elenith and its younger, and linguistically advanced, brother Yr Elenydd, I'd have probably put it on as a calendar event from Chepstow or Tintern.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: αdαmsκι on 03 January, 2015, 09:03:44 pm
Yeah, it'll be a mistake.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 03 January, 2015, 09:08:27 pm
Cheers Adamski. Thanks for the route  :thumbsup:

What is the short secton at about 154km like just before Pont-rhyd-y-groes that passes alongside the Ystwyth river? On the map it looks like it is an off road path with no entry signs at either end. Is it a cycle path and if so whats  the surface like?   

Just stick to the road.  It's steep but you won't crash...

I've only ever done the ride clockwise.  It's the best 300 route imaginable, perhaps the Scottish option aside, and were it not for the excellence and tradition of the established Elenith and its younger, and linguistically advanced, brother Yr Elenydd, I'd have probably put it on as a calendar event from Chepstow or Tintern.

The 3A was done anti-clockwise on a tandem!  I asked them how they fared on the Devil's Staircase and they said they had good disk brakes and needed them.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: SkidBr on 03 January, 2015, 09:27:36 pm
Thanks chaps. Really looking forward to this now. Roll on Summer 8)
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Aunt Maud on 24 February, 2015, 04:33:36 pm
Well, it's time to blow off the winter cobwebs and dust it down, as it's nearing Cambrian time.

First up then is a social amble, taking in the scenery of the 2A from Hay in the company of jamesld8, on the 20th March for a warm up to The Cambrian Classic on the 21st.

Anyone care to join a social outing to stretch the legs with a bit of grin and bear it thrown in?
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: rabbit on 24 February, 2015, 04:45:58 pm
Well, it's time to blow off the winter cobwebs and dust it down, as it's nearing Cambrian time.

First up then is a social amble, taking in the scenery of the 2A from Hay in the company of jamesld8, on the 20th March for a warm up to The Cambrian Classic on the 21st.

Anyone care to join a social outing to stretch the legs with a bit of grin and bear it thrown in?

Chances of me getting the time off work = slim to non-existent.  However, if I have a 'reporting day' I may be able to do a deal, and work the Sunday instead.  Let me get back to you on that.  I have a number of Cambrian Entries I can convert and the 2A really is one of the best rides out there.  Which direction you planning on? 
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Aunt Maud on 24 February, 2015, 04:56:53 pm
Clockwise looks sensible.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: jamesld8 on 24 February, 2015, 05:26:00 pm
Clockwise looks sensible.

Yes then if done in can take valley back along Wye rather than Painscastle rollers  ;D here`s my ride from March `14 http://ridewithgps.com/trips/2724143

Started with Painscastle rollers out of L`dod ---something like 1000m ascent done by time I reached Hay Weather was nice though ! Unlike the vile conditions of today frequent sleet / rain storms
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Aunt Maud on 24 February, 2015, 08:22:46 pm
OK, that looks like the option then.

I'm looking forward to getting back to Wales after ploughing a groove around The Ashdown forest for 3 months.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 03 March, 2015, 03:28:44 pm
Posted off 7 brevet cards to two different riders today.  Business is picking up.  Looks like I might have to find another weekend for the 8A. The Ramblin Man Festival in Maidstone is v. tempting.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: rabbit on 03 March, 2015, 05:14:24 pm
Clockwise looks sensible.

Yes then if done in can take valley back along Wye rather than Painscastle rollers  ;D

Cheating!   ;D

I love it around Painscastle, just beautiful area.  The Begwyns particularly make my heart sing. Did a DIY on Saturday that went from home to Stourport, Over Clee, then Clun and ran south through Knighton, Presteigne, Painscastle, and back through undulating Herefordshire. Just stunning  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Hot Flatus on 03 March, 2015, 06:14:40 pm
Doing anything the weekend of the Cambrian 200?

I can't be arsed to drive that far so might do a 300 from Chepstow
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: jamesld8 on 03 March, 2015, 07:58:42 pm
Clockwise looks sensible.

Yes then if done in can take valley back along Wye rather than Painscastle rollers  ;D

Cheating!   ;D

I love it around Painscastle, just beautiful area.  The Begwyns particularly make my heart sing. Did a DIY on Saturday that went from home to Stourport, Over Clee, then Clun and ran south through Knighton, Presteigne, Painscastle, and back through undulating Herefordshire. Just stunning  :thumbsup:

You should have called in for a cuppa ;D And I`m sure `cheating` option will be thoroughly spurned

Yes it is a lovely area and I`m well pleased to be both living and working in it; will much enjoy a 100 DIY this Friday out to Elan Valley and back from home too :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: vistaed on 03 March, 2015, 08:31:53 pm
Clockwise looks sensible.

Yes then if done in can take valley back along Wye rather than Painscastle rollers  ;D

Cheating!   ;D

I love it around Painscastle, just beautiful area.  The Begwyns particularly make my heart sing. Did a DIY on Saturday that went from home to Stourport, Over Clee, then Clun and ran south through Knighton, Presteigne, Painscastle, and back through undulating Herefordshire. Just stunning  :thumbsup:

Sounds lovely.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Aunt Maud on 04 March, 2015, 07:32:01 am
Clockwise looks sensible.

Yes then if done in can take valley back along Wye rather than Painscastle rollers  ;D

Cheating!   ;D


Yup, but don't forget rabbit dear I'm old and very sloooooooooowwwwww.

**The 4D spanning the 9-10/4 with a sleep stop at YHA Dolgoch Bunkhouse anyone ?**

http://www.yha.org.uk/hostel/dolgoch-bunkhouse

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/7113618

Looks like I might have to find another weekend for the 8A. The Ramblin Man Festival in Maidstone is v. tempting.

I have a slot in the middle of July for some Cambrian fun. No I don't.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: mattc on 04 March, 2015, 12:45:44 pm
Clockwise looks sensible.

Yes then if done in can take valley back along Wye rather than Painscastle rollers  ;D

Cheating!   ;D


Yup, but don't forget rabbit dear I'm old and very sloooooooooowwwwww.

**The 4D spanning the 9-10/4 with a sleep stop at YHA Dolgoch Bunkhouse anyone ?**

http://www.yha.org.uk/hostel/dolgoch-bunkhouse

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/7113618

From the bunkhouse page:
How to get here
From Tregaron take the Abergwesyn Mountain Road for 9 miles
...

Gulp!
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: swiss hat on 04 March, 2015, 02:30:51 pm
**The 4D spanning the 9-10/4 with a sleep stop at YHA Dolgoch Bunkhouse anyone ?**

Hmmm sounds interesting. 9-10/4 is a Thursday/Friday? A mid week ride would be ok with me.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Aunt Maud on 04 March, 2015, 02:56:03 pm
**The 4D spanning the 9-10/4 with a sleep stop at YHA Dolgoch Bunkhouse anyone ?**

Hmmm sounds interesting. 9-10/4 is a Thursday/Friday? A mid week ride would be ok with me.

<prayer> I'm riding/crawling round Yr Elenydd on the Saturday, so a lunch/mid afternoon finish would suit me fine.</prayer>
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: jamesld8 on 04 March, 2015, 07:06:02 pm
**The 4D spanning the 9-10/4 with a sleep stop at YHA Dolgoch Bunkhouse anyone ?**

Hmmm sounds interesting. 9-10/4 is a Thursday/Friday? A mid week ride would be ok with me.

<prayer> I'm riding/crawling round Yr Elenydd on the Saturday, so a lunch/mid afternoon finish would suit me fine.</prayer>

That`s one heck of a lot of climbing you`re packing into 3 days !!!---round about 11 000m I think---bon courage ;D
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Aunt Maud on 04 March, 2015, 07:22:12 pm

That`s one heck of a lot of climbing you`re packing into 3 days !!!---round about 11 000m I think---bon courage ;D

Hmmm, yes it is, best not to think about it. 8) <peril sensitive glasses on>.

I think I'd like to start in Brecon at mid morning, stop at 250 in the YHA and do the rest on friday morning for a full value afternoon finish.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: vistaed on 05 March, 2015, 01:33:52 pm
I'm tentatively thinking about using my PBP fitness, and a bit more again, to ride the 8A sometime late September/early October 15. Does anyone have GPX they could share? @rabbit Anyone want to join me?
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: swiss hat on 05 March, 2015, 01:52:52 pm
I'm tentatively thinking about using my PBP fitness, and a bit more again, to ride the 8A sometime late September/early October 15. Does anyone have GPX they could share? @rabbit Anyone want to join me?

Vistaed - If you pm me your email address I will post the gpx that I used. Great ride but take your granny gears  ;D
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 05 March, 2015, 02:19:22 pm
The 4D is the Victor Kiam ride.  I loved it so much I bought the company. 

Brings back wonderful memories of the sun setting over Cardigan Bay as I rode the north coast of Pembrokeshire, sleeping by the side of the road on a tiny lane, a magic 24 hour petrol station on the A40 that provided coffee at 4am, and red kites feasting on a dead sheep as I sailed across the Brecon Beacons for the scent of a bacon butty.  Got back to Monmouth with 4 minutes left on my 24-hour car park ticket.  Not to mention a solo venture across the Devils Staircase, cowl in the Talbot Arms at Tregaron, and fish and chips in Fishguard where I was mistaken for a Dutch football fan because of the orange half of my hi-viz jacket.

The PhD of audax experience.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: rabbit on 05 March, 2015, 02:21:04 pm
Wish I could do that mid week 4D ride in April.  Work would probably sack me on the spot if I asked for any more leave this side of PBP though!

I'm tentatively thinking about using my PBP fitness, and a bit more again, to ride the 8A sometime late September/early October 15. Does anyone have GPX they could share? @rabbit Anyone want to join me?

If I was strong enough I would love to do the 8A, especially early October again to get a big ride ticked off at the start of the season.  But, and I am sad to say it, I'm sure I'd not have the legs to keep up, even with a big summer of riding.  You do have a reputation for a reason!  Of course you could always go on ahead and get the coffee n chips ordered  :P

I don't think PBP will be good training for the Cambrians as it is just not hilly enough and I am planning on full value for that with a friend.  However, a few hilly 400's after may be enough to get the climbing legs working again.  I am very interested, I need a big challenge before 2016.  The biggest problem myself and Aunt Maud found was a decent overnight stop at that time of year as the YHA were closed so it may be Bivvying.  Not that there will be much sleep time at my pace. 
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 05 March, 2015, 04:46:06 pm
I'm tentatively thinking about using my PBP fitness, and a bit more again, to ride the 8A sometime late September/early October 15. Does anyone have GPX they could share? @rabbit Anyone want to join me?

It's a hard ask to do this with 12 hours of darkness each day as you will have a lot of big hills to do in the dark and it is hard to make up time on the ascents.  To give you an idea of the terrain in 2013 I did the 4C a week after the Rough Diamond 300k on the same bike and similar weather.  My average riding speed on the Rough Diamond was 30.0kph and on the 4C was 20.0 kph. 
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: rabbit on 05 March, 2015, 04:49:10 pm
I'm tentatively thinking about using my PBP fitness, and a bit more again, to ride the 8A sometime late September/early October 15. Does anyone have GPX they could share? @rabbit Anyone want to join me?

It's a hard ask to do this with 12 hours of darkness each day as you will have a lot of big hills to do in the dark and it is hard to make up time on the ascents.  To give you an idea of the terrain in 2013 I did the 4C a week after the Rough Diamond 300k on the same bike and similar weather.  My average riding speed on the Rough Diamond was 30.0kph and on the 4C was 20.0 kph.

But at 20.0 kph you'd still get round in the time limit as long as stops were minimised?  How much sleep did you have?  I don't find any difference descending in the dark to the light, unless it's icy.  The little lanes are just shite to descend on anyway, especially with sleep deprevation/exhaustion on top. 
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: vistaed on 05 March, 2015, 05:27:43 pm
Well as I said, it's a tentative plan. I would be bringing gears along on this one and not grinding it out on the fixie which does make Wales seem a bit flatter than usual to me. I'd probably take the Bivi option as I'm well practiced at that and my kit for wet weather sleeping is about 1.4kg, and under 800g if I use a shelter of some type. I'm also very used to riding off road at night so little Welsh country lanes at night are of no real concern, still got to be careful mind! I''ll not take the ride lightly and I'll plan to take the full 60h

Thanks for the gpx @swiss hat
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: caerau on 05 March, 2015, 09:15:57 pm
I bumped into Swisshat doing the 8A last year when I was in Tregaron on the Tregaron Dragon last year.*  A PM to him might sort you although he may not have been using a GPX file since he was asking me if I knew directions to so and so during our chat - so no promises.




*Well ish on it - I wasn't bailing at the time oh no
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 07 March, 2015, 07:37:39 pm
I'm tentatively thinking about using my PBP fitness, and a bit more again, to ride the 8A sometime late September/early October 15. Does anyone have GPX they could share? @rabbit Anyone want to join me?

It's a hard ask to do this with 12 hours of darkness each day as you will have a lot of big hills to do in the dark and it is hard to make up time on the ascents.  To give you an idea of the terrain in 2013 I did the 4C a week after the Rough Diamond 300k on the same bike and similar weather.  My average riding speed on the Rough Diamond was 30.0kph and on the 4C was 20.0 kph.

But at 20.0 kph you'd still get round in the time limit as long as stops were minimised?  How much sleep did you have?  I don't find any difference descending in the dark to the light, unless it's icy.  The little lanes are just shite to descend on anyway, especially with sleep deprevation/exhaustion on top.

3 15 minute cat naps.  The 4C is 434km so got round in 25 hours.  I had quite a long stop in Llanfyllin, which ironically was 400km - but the section from Llangollen to Llanfyllin is quite special and my legs were about to fall off.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 03 April, 2015, 08:20:52 am
Some Cambrian Series stats for you.  Since 1 January 2008 there have been 273 entries and 136 completed events (though its impossible to know how many of the missing cards are DNFs or still mouldering on the shelf somewhere).  I'll honour any card that I've issued, so if you fancy one of the best permanents rides in the best scenery possible, then empty out that cupboard, find the thing, and ride it.

The most popular events are:

C2B (41 completions - although most of those are by one rider)
C2A (14 completions)
C1B (13 completions)
C2C (9 completions)
C3A (9 completions)
C2E (6 completions) and
C6A (6 completions) - well done those riders!

The C6B, C4A, C4E, C4F, and C4G have no completions, although the C4F and C4G have been ridden twice as together they form the C8A.  The C4A is the only event that has never had an entry.  Am not sure why Llangollen - Prestatyn - Mold - Conwy - Ffestiniog - Bala - Llanidloes - Machynlleth - Llangollen isn't attractive - there's a chance for a couple of crossings of the Berwyns, the mighty Bwlch-y-Groes and some rarely explored ground in North Wales. 

The ride with the worst completion rate is the C2G (1 out of 11 brevets issued) though I suspect that is DNS rather than DNF - again it is North Wales - Bala - Festiniog - Conwy - Mold – Ruthin - Llangollen - Bala - so perhaps Northern riders have a feast of other hilly perms that they can do around the Pennines and so are not tempted into darkest Wales.

Best years for completions: 2011 (26), 2014 (25), and 2010 (24).  There were only 7 in 2013 but I think a forum place and paypal entries have helped to keep the series alive.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: jamesld8 on 03 April, 2015, 08:35:33 am
The series is still well alive as they offer some cracking good rides in tough AAA terrain too  :thumbsup:

I`ve just checked my `to be ridden ` cards and quite a few...1C, 1E, 2A,2J, 3C, 4F. Hopefully once BRM calendar rides done may get opportunity ride some of these; even the 1 series are tough with near on 2000m climbing packed in.

Thanks CET  for your continuing work on these perms and keeping it all going  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 03 April, 2015, 10:39:09 am
I have a new plan for my own attempt on the C8A, agreed provisionally with Mrs CET this morning - starting from Aberdare at 10.16am on Thursday 25th June - aiming to complete by 10.16pm on Saturday 27th June and recovering in the delights of the Premier Inn, Aberdare on Saturday night. 

Its a definite commitment now as have booked the Premier Inn for £25 + £8.75 for an all you can eat breakfast on the Sunday morning (they really shouldn't make such offers!!!!)  This replaces the plan for a month late which clashed with the Ramblin' Man Fair in Maidstone.

So, anyone who wants a half-decent test of fitness before PBP, or an epic because they can't be bothered/missed out on PBP qualifying/just love very long Cambrian Perms is welcome to join in!
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: rabbit on 03 April, 2015, 11:26:55 am
Interesting stats!

What about the 1A?  I think that has to be one of the best 100's out there and I'm surprised it's not on the popular list.

Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Aunt Maud on 03 April, 2015, 12:04:21 pm
I have a new plan for my own attempt on the C8A, agreed provisionally with Mrs CET this morning - starting from Aberdare at 10.16am on Thursday 25th June - aiming to complete by 10.16pm on Saturday 27th June and recovering in the delights of the Premier Inn, Aberdare on Saturday night. 

Its a definite commitment now as have booked the Premier Inn for £25 + £8.75 for an all you can eat breakfast on the Sunday morning (they really shouldn't make such offers!!!!)  This replaces the plan for a month late which clashed with the Ramblin' Man Fair in Maidstone.

So, anyone who wants a half-decent test of fitness before PBP, or an epic because they can't be bothered/missed out on PBP qualifying/just love very long Cambrian Perms is welcome to join in!

Sorry, I'll be washing my hair...........

Might do a double Cambrian 300+200 in September though.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: mattc on 03 April, 2015, 05:34:10 pm
Are any of these routes online somewhere in gpx/map/eparchment form? Its a logistical challenge for me to start anywhere in Wales except Chepstow (and that's non-trivial), so i'd like to look at what options are worth the effort.

(yes, I know the control town names are on the event pages - but if anyone has done the 'next step' and put it online, that would be fab!  )
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Aunt Maud on 03 April, 2015, 05:52:52 pm
6A  http://ridewithgps.com/routes/5848540
6B  http://ridewithgps.com/routes/6626509

4B  http://ridewithgps.com/routes/6177784
4D  http://ridewithgps.com/routes/7113618

3A  http://ridewithgps.com/routes/5895066

2A  http://ridewithgps.com/routes/5884696

They may need some tweaking, as they're in the planning.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: mattc on 03 April, 2015, 06:17:50 pm
Ta!
(at least 2 of those are ... "feasible" ... )
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Aunt Maud on 03 April, 2015, 08:01:36 pm
The 6B looks interesting for an October jaunt.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: rabbit on 03 April, 2015, 08:26:55 pm
The 6B looks interesting for an October jaunt.

Does it go near warm facilities?
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Aunt Maud on 03 April, 2015, 08:38:22 pm
The 6B looks interesting for an October jaunt.

Does it go near warm facilities?

Kings YHA @ 372km
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 06 April, 2015, 09:44:17 pm
Interesting stats!

What about the 1A?  I think that has to be one of the best 100's out there and I'm surprised it's not on the popular list.

15 entries but only 5 completions, so presumably lots that are sitting on a shelf somewhere gathering dust.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Aunt Maud on 08 April, 2015, 12:10:47 pm
Weather's looking good for the weekend, anyone got any Cambrian plans ?
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 09 April, 2015, 08:07:23 am
6A  http://ridewithgps.com/routes/5848540
6B  http://ridewithgps.com/routes/6626509

4B  http://ridewithgps.com/routes/6177784
4D  http://ridewithgps.com/routes/7113618

3A  http://ridewithgps.com/routes/5895066

2A  http://ridewithgps.com/routes/5884696

They may need some tweaking, as they're in the planning.

The 4D is pretty much as I rode it except that I went through Longtown rather than Gospel Pass which saves a mile or so.  I also avoided Painscastle and added and extra mile or two go go through Boughrood.  I also rode it anticlockwise.  There is a 24hr petrol station on the A40 just west of Carmarthen and the cafes in Fishguard stay open until about 11.30pm.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Aunt Maud on 12 April, 2015, 03:41:43 pm
The 4D......What a laugh!

Great ride, Paincastle was interesting. And all those sheeps...good job I took my wellies.

It's up there with the most scenic rides ever. Especially the top road from Trecastle over to Llandeilo.....WOW!

Just remember to take the bike path from Carmathen to the B4298 turnoff to avoid the horrors of the A40  :o
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Aunt Maud on 14 April, 2015, 05:25:59 pm
Ah well, 8 hours in the YHA at Dolgoch and a full English at Hay took its toll and we were 22 minutes over time.  ;)

But I blame it on the jobsworth behind the counter at Monmouth Post office, who made me wait whilst he had a chat about the Lib Dems election manifesto to some tie-dye clad hippy, then refused to stamp my card despite all the other Banks and Post Offices on the route doing so.......Post Office rules say nada!  ::-)
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 14 April, 2015, 08:06:39 pm
Ah well, 8 hours in the YHA at Dolgoch and a full English at Hay took its toll and we were 22 minutes over time.  ;)

But I blame it on the jobsworth behind the counter at Monmouth Post office, who made me wait whilst he had a chat about the Lib Dems election manifesto to some tie-dye clad hippy, then refused to stamp my card despite all the other Banks and Post Offices on the route doing so.......Post Office rules say nada!  ::-)

8 hours kip on a Cambrian 400!  People would start to think these events are an easy option  :demon:
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: swiss hat on 14 April, 2015, 08:16:00 pm
8 hours kip on a Cambrian 400!  People would start to think these events are an easy option  :demon:

Oi, I'll have you know it was cold and black outside. To set off any earlier would have meant facing the Tregaron mountain toad (TM jo) in the dark  :o
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Aunt Maud on 14 April, 2015, 08:52:31 pm
I'd already experienced THE DARKNESS on the way to the hostel, when I hit something at speed on one of the TMR's many undulations and my front light flew off and went bouncing along the tarmac in a fantastic show of blinding, flashing light.

Luckily the anchors were still good and the road was straight for a bit, although it was properly dark by then. The light survived and all was well.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 05 June, 2015, 08:01:59 pm
Just under 3 weeks to go before setting out on the 8A.  Free entry to anyone who want to keep me company.  Start from Aberdare c10.30am on Thursday 25th June.  Prep ride (and PBP qualifier) on the Kernow & SW600 proved the set up with the Nelson Longflap so all good to go.  Audax hotel for the first night, hope to make Tregaron for the second night and Premier Inn in Aberdare before setting off home on Sunday.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Aunt Maud on 05 June, 2015, 09:17:52 pm
Enjoy........... :thumbsup:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mne7FM4VJos
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 06 June, 2015, 07:42:49 am
A combination of a cancelled BA flight, a delayed Easyjet replacement (good job HRG getting me on that one) and then a 40-MINUTE-WAIT FOR GATWICK AIRPORT TO FIND A SET OF STEPS !!!! meant that I got home at 2am.  (You see, riding 600s is a perfect preparation for business travel)

Cheered myself up just now by checking three Cambrian Series brevets and validating them and getting memories of all those magic little places that people find in Wales as proof of passage.   Looks like 3 very happy riders - so you made me happy.  Keep riding!

Can't wait for the 8A.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 11 June, 2015, 03:03:45 pm
Well, the 8A will remain a dream for another year.  Work and family pressures have built up to the extent that I won't have the necessary level of emotional stability to tackle 3 days and 2 nights in the saddle.  It will become objective #1 for 2016 and I will use the space it creates to be properly ready for PBP.  You can't win them all.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: swiss hat on 11 June, 2015, 03:57:23 pm
Here's to your emotional rescue.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9iw_BE_X9sA

Family and work come first. Any possibility of a September outing?
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Aunt Maud on 11 June, 2015, 07:16:50 pm
Sorry to hear about your broken dreams.

Console yourself......at least you won't be late.  ;)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTFgEIMwAkw
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 12 June, 2015, 08:41:39 am
Here's to your emotional rescue.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9iw_BE_X9sA

Family and work come first. Any possibility of a September outing?

Problem is that I am in the US for two weeks 30 August to 11 September.  So not sure that I could persuade Mrs CET.  The best time to go is in school holidays.  So I suppose that would mean the last week in October.  I guess if we pre-booked accommodation along the way it would just about be possible and would certainly be an epic tale...
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: jamesld8 on 12 June, 2015, 05:46:53 pm
late October in Wales ????? mmm could be very interesting expedition for you---the makings of either a real classic epic or horror movie  ::-)
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: caerau on 13 June, 2015, 01:44:36 pm
If this year's shown anything it's that the time of year makes little difference to Welsh weather ;)
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: jamesld8 on 13 June, 2015, 04:43:58 pm
If this year's shown anything it's that the time of year makes little difference to Welsh weather ;)

true , true but at least in `summer` it`s cold, wet and windy rather than cold , wet , windy and dark...... ::-)
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: caerau on 14 June, 2015, 11:59:57 am
Yup
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: plod on 14 June, 2015, 05:32:21 pm
Bah, I was looking forward to that ride report! But echo sentiment re family coming first. Anybody done the 3b so I can compare route options, and am I right in assuming you can start at any control and go in either direction (but then have to follow them in that prescribed order)
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 14 June, 2015, 07:04:30 pm
Bah, I was looking forward to that ride report! But echo sentiment re family coming first. Anybody done the 3b so I can compare route options, and am I right in assuming you can start at any control and go in either direction (but then have to follow them in that prescribed order)

Its only put on hold. 

As for your question - yes you can start at any control and go in either direction (clockwise or counter-clockwise) as long as you preserve the sequence of controls.  You can also start/finish between controls if you like - I started the 4C from Caersws which was between the named control points of Llanfyllin and Llanidloes, but had the extra convenience of a train station and a Spar (Society for the Preservation of Audax Riders) shop as a start/finish control.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: plod on 14 June, 2015, 09:20:19 pm
My only other question is how do you control if no cash machine and an obscure hour of the day. Okay maybe I lied (second question); how do I go about ordering all the 100 brevet cards for a rainy day
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: caerau on 14 June, 2015, 09:43:03 pm
CET does 10 brevet cards for a discount as I recall.  I did this but still have only used two.  I didn't realise the AAAness of them intially.  I'll use them in time though.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: plod on 14 June, 2015, 10:44:16 pm
Yes but how do I order to take up the deal :)
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: caerau on 14 June, 2015, 11:06:07 pm
Talk to CET, his email address is there somewhere.


PM here works too as I recall, he's a nice bloke but don't trust his offers to ride with you, I'm reliably informed he's a monster speedmerchant ;)
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Banjo on 16 June, 2015, 10:28:57 pm
Are any of these routes online somewhere in gpx/map/eparchment form? Its a logistical challenge for me to start anywhere in Wales except Chepstow (and that's non-trivial), so i'd like to look at what options are worth the effort.

(yes, I know the control town names are on the event pages - but if anyone has done the 'next step' and put it online, that would be fab!  )

The 2b has a control in Chepstow . I rode it a couple of years ago with Hammerman it is an enjoyable ride. Perhaps unwisely we started in Brecon then had the climb over the mountain road between Builth wells and Brecon right at the end of the ride and in the dark.

If I do it again I would start either in Monmouth or Chepstow.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: mattc on 18 June, 2015, 06:47:05 pm
Thanks banjo.

As it happens, I think Phil Chadwick once took a few of us round that route (starting from Chepstow) as a January DIY (I dont think he knew about the proper Perm).

We did Builth->Brecon. Ridiculous climb, fantastic views :)

V nice route overall (apart from the ice, but hey ... )
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 20 June, 2015, 10:03:34 pm
My only other question is how do you control if no cash machine and an obscure hour of the day. Okay maybe I lied (second question); how do I go about ordering all the 100 brevet cards for a rainy day

AFAIK the only Cambrian control points without an ATM are Llansannan on the 8A and 4G and Devils Bridge on the 8A/10A and 4F.  These only have pubs and shops.  In extremis the old trick was to have a stamped addressed postcard to the organiser, write the time on it and post it, I can then check the post mark.  There are postboxes in both locations.  You can also try to collar a passerby and get them to sign a card. If you are smart with tech you may well be able to take a picture of yourself next to the town / village sign and email it to me from your smartphone.  There's nearly always a way to get brevidence.

Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 20 June, 2015, 10:04:56 pm
150th completed brevet since I started logging the rides.  Thats at least 500km of collective ascent.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 28 June, 2015, 10:57:50 am
I'm getting a lot more demand for 100k rides and so am thinking of some new routes.  Also - the rides in the South seem to be a lot more popular than those in the North.  So here are a couple of thoughts

Chepstow - Raglan - Blaenavon - Brynithel (has post offices and shops) - Usk - Chepstow - just over the 100km and 1650m ascent
Abergavenny - Hay - Tredegar - Blaenavon - Abergavenny (probably 106k and 1700m ascent

Whilst I am about it - are there any other areas of the musical principality you would like me to open up.  There is also the possibility of a 12A.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: jamesld8 on 28 June, 2015, 11:39:01 am
PM sent suggesting a couple 100s around the Presteigne / L`dod / Newtown area but visiting lesser known hills  ;D
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Banjo on 28 June, 2015, 03:07:10 pm
Vale of Glamorgan and Afan Valley area seems very sparse for Audax routes.Only a couple of Calendar rides and no perms that I know of here.

I have a 100km circular route from llantwit Major  along the coast to Ogmore where it turns inland and over the Bwlch Y Clawd pass at 530 meters before descending back to Llantwit by a different route.

Will PM you the route. If you think it may be suitable I will ride it again and check out controls etc.

(http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k5/VEGA165/Bike%20Stuff/NeathRideOct2013009_zpsa78a5e7f.jpg)
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: mattc on 28 June, 2015, 05:43:29 pm
I have a 100km circular route from llantwit Major  along the coast to Ogmore where it turns inland and over the Bwlch Y Clawd pass at 530 meters before descending back to Llantwit by a different route.
... Always seeking new knowledge
....
does that really mean "Gap In The Hedge" as the internet suggests?
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Banjo on 28 June, 2015, 07:16:20 pm
Bwlch in this case means mountain pass. Clawdd can mean Hedge or fence maybe has other meanings .Cue @Hammerman.

(http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k5/VEGA165/Bike%20Stuff/009-6.jpg)

Of course you don't allways get a view.

Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: jamesld8 on 28 June, 2015, 09:40:50 pm
Clawdd also means `dyke` as in Tref Y Clawdd, Welsh for Knighton meaning Town on the Dyke (Offas Dyke in this case).

Be careful get words in correct order though :facepalm:
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 29 June, 2015, 08:44:28 pm
Five ideas so far:

Cambrian 1F (proposed) – Chepstow – Raglan – Brynithel – Usk – Chepstow (100km) – 1640m ascent
Cambrian 1G (proposed) – Abergavenny – Hay-on-Wye – Tredegar – Blaenavon – Abergavenny (100km) – 1700m ascent
Cambrian 1H (proposed) – Hay-on-Wye – Hundred House – Knighton – Penybont – Hay-on-Wye  (105km) 2250m ascent
Cambrian 1J (proposed) – Newtown – Llanfair Caereinion – Llanbrynmair – Machynlleth – Staylittle – Newtown (110km) 1630m ascent
Cambrian 1K (proposed) - Maesteg – Treorchy – Hirwaun – Maerdy – Mountain Ash – Ferndale – Maesteg (106km) 2200m ascent

1H relies a bit on pubs being open, which will probably mean that no one ever gets to finish it.  On the grounds that if you are able to get proof of passage you won't complete the ride and if the pubs are closed you can't get proof that you did complete the ride.   ;D

Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Hammerman on 30 June, 2015, 01:48:05 pm
Sorry Banjo, I was beaten to it,

As far as suggestions for 100km perms, I'm looking into a few ideas, further West. Around the Llandeilo area, my home patch. Got some great ideas for calender events but the main problem is controls being open or even exsisting at all without going into Carmarthen (too far west). I will work something out as this area is very sparse unless you go up to the 200's and above.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: jelhinks on 12 July, 2015, 10:19:25 pm
Off to Pencader visiting family again tomorrow .. 
I think I'm the only one to do the 1E 100k this year !!
Is quite a contrast to my usual flatlands of Kent routes
I'd definately be interested in 100k perms in the Llandeilo Carmarthen area

Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: bikey-mikey on 12 July, 2015, 11:28:01 pm
Sorry Banjo, I was beaten to it,

As far as suggestions for 100km perms, I'm looking into a few ideas, further West. Around the Llandeilo area, my home patch. Got some great ideas for calender events but the main problem is controls being open or even exsisting at all without going into Carmarthen (too far west). I will work something out as this area is very sparse unless you go up to the 200's and above.

For the calendars, and not going as far as Carmarthen, don't forget INFORMATION CONTROLS, which are of course a pain, but would serve the purpose, and doubtless you can find them everywhere...
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: plod on 13 July, 2015, 12:20:45 am
Cambrian 1K (proposed) - Maesteg – Treorchy – Hirwaun – Maerdy – Mountain Ash – Ferndale – Maesteg (106km) 2200m ascent
sounds great although  some of them controls sound like hopping over and doubling back into same valleys in odd order
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Banjo on 13 July, 2015, 03:33:09 pm
Cambrian 1K (proposed) - Maesteg – Treorchy – Hirwaun – Maerdy – Mountain Ash – Ferndale – Maesteg (106km) 2200m ascent
sounds great although  some of them controls sound like hopping over and doubling back into same valleys in odd order

I tried putting the route on the map and couldn't work out exactly what CET has in mind. either the controls are not in order or theres an extra one that needs deleting.

Will be a tough old 100kms when its finalized. Enough climbing for an AAA 200.

Will have to give it a go if/when its added to the list.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: plod on 13 July, 2015, 08:44:17 pm
I know the area very well as grew up around there, in fact it will pass my childhood home
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: caerau on 14 July, 2015, 01:02:08 pm
Cambrian 1K (proposed) - Maesteg – Treorchy – Hirwaun – Maerdy – Mountain Ash – Ferndale – Maesteg (106km) 2200m ascent
sounds great although  some of them controls sound like hopping over and doubling back into same valleys in odd order

I tried putting the route on the map and couldn't work out exactly what CET has in mind. either the controls are not in order or theres an extra one that needs deleting.

Will be a tough old 100kms when its finalized. Enough climbing for an AAA 200.

Will have to give it a go if/when its added to the list.


I suspect Aberdare rather than Mountain Ash is more likely, maybe just a slip?

I.e. Maesteg, Treorchy, Hirwaun, Aberdare, Maerdy, Ferndale, Maesteg...?

Rhigos and Bwlch aren't very difficult climbs from either side though  - beautiful and worth doing I should add though  - the only climb that scares me there is the Maerdy one.  Should be doable and a fine route.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: caerau on 14 July, 2015, 01:26:05 pm
Actually, CET's route does work...


http://ridewithgps.com/routes/9273132


That is quite savage looking at it.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: SkidBr on 14 July, 2015, 01:51:20 pm
Planning to have a crack at the 3A mid August starting from Chepstow but seeing as its the summer and - hopefully - nice and warm was thinking about camping the night before and whats left of the night after. Had a quick google around but couldn't find that many obvious camps sites close by to Chepstow.
Any recommendations? 
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: plod on 14 July, 2015, 04:01:05 pm
Actually, CET's route does work...


http://ridewithgps.com/routes/9273132


That is quite savage looking at it.

you are going maesteg -> treorchy -> hirwaun -> mountain ash (not maerdy) -> ferndale -> maerdy -> offroad to the rhigos ->maesteg

as said the combination looks odd
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: caerau on 14 July, 2015, 04:03:06 pm
Yeah I didn't check it very carefully - and yeah oops, got it even more mixed up than I gave it credit for. Soz.

Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: caerau on 14 July, 2015, 04:10:57 pm
So just swap Mountain Ash and Ferndale and you get


http://ridewithgps.com/routes/9275045


(Again not checked very (at all) carefully).
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: plod on 15 July, 2015, 01:10:31 pm
yeah thats more like what I was thinking without the sketchy unchecked bit through tonyrefail, and id prob go over llangeinor and then through bettws which would prob take mileage down and add more climbing.

https://www.strava.com/routes/2818019
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: caerau on 15 July, 2015, 09:16:49 pm
3730 m climb in 100 km - ouchy wouchy - though ridewithgps climbing figures are not to be taken literally in my experience, that's still likely to be some work  ;D
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 17 July, 2015, 06:28:14 am
The tricky bit goes Hirwaun, the west side of Aberdare, over to Meardy, back over the same climb, and then down to Mountain Ash, cuts over little roads to Ferndale.  The shortest way back is then to Treorchy to retrace steps to Maesteg. 

I lost trust in Strava's climbing figures when looking at Zigzag's log of the rides we did in the Alps last summer.   It was very easy to find the total climb from topographic data (the bottom height in the valley subtracted from the height at the top of the col) as we were either going up for a very long way or down and no middling bits.  Strava's figures were always 20% higher than reality and sometimes as much as 30%.  The Cambrian series rides are calculated based on contour counts (which can understate climbing in rolling terrain and miss out those little kick ups and downs in valley roads).

I have, I think in this thread warned people who rely on GPS, especially Strava data, that they will record more climbing in the Cambrian series events on their devices than the measured amount.  I did once do a route which genuinely had 3700m of ascent in 108km.  Le Bourg d'Oisans - Alpe d'Huez, Col de Sarenne, Les Deux Alpes, D211A (that's the crazy road at the top of the cliff that joins Alpe d'Huez at Garde d'Huez), Le Bourg d'Oisans, Villard Notre Dame, Col du Saulude, Villard Raymond, Le Bourg d'Oisans.  Neither Zigzag nor i are known for our hanging around although we did spend an hour for lunch in Les Deux Alpes, and it took us 8 hours to do the distance.  To put it into context this is 6.7% average gradient up and down the whole ride.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: bikey-mikey on 17 July, 2015, 01:28:16 pm
As an aside, ref Garmin climbing figures etc, I had a route from an org, which was one of those 'very small' files. When loaded into bikehike it did indeed show the way round, though it missed the actual road most of the time, and proceeded in a series of straight lines that were more or less in the right place...

Climbing around 2,100 metres..

I then used bikehike's facility to reroute, but re routed along the same roads, doing it in many small sections, to make sure it went along exactly the same route, thereby increasing the file size from about 60 Kb to 1.7 Gb

Climbing now around 3,200 metres..

The distance for both was much of a much, but the climbing, bearing in mind both were from bikehike's same data, were enormously different.

I would speculate that the difference comes from the number of separate points being measured and how far apart they are... and of course the much larger file had its points much closer together.

Probably analogous to contour counting at 50 metre contours versus 25 metre contours, or 10 metre contours.

So if your Garmin is set to record every second, you get a higher climbing figure than if you use smart record...
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: plod on 17 July, 2015, 04:39:14 pm
The tricky bit goes Hirwaun, the west side of Aberdare, over to Meardy, back over the same climb, and then down to Mountain Ash, cuts over little roads to Ferndale.  The shortest way back is then to Treorchy to retrace steps to Maesteg.
It was that skip back i thought would be a mistake but having just planned this route, it looks absolutely brutal and I can't wait to do the proposed route. If you need a crash test dummy let me know.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: jamesld8 on 17 July, 2015, 06:12:52 pm
Planning to have a crack at the 3A mid August starting from Chepstow but seeing as its the summer and - hopefully - nice and warm was thinking about camping the night before and whats left of the night after. Had a quick google around but couldn't find that many obvious camps sites close by to Chepstow.
Any recommendations?

yes---try Beeches campsite up near St Briavels; OK it`s 8km out and downhill allway to Chepstow, obviously back up though afterwards; however I`ve used it 4x times now for 400/ 600 audaxes out of Chepstow and found it very pleasant and climb back up (200m ascent) ain`t that bad  ;D
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: jamesld8 on 17 July, 2015, 06:17:06 pm
6A---anyone got a .gpx file? I`ve just stuck route thro` RWGPS and get a 647 km / 8 400m route so there should be some shortcuts off that---rwgps is using a lot A roads eg A40 Brecon > Llandeilo

ta :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Aunt Maud on 17 July, 2015, 06:52:27 pm
You obviously didn't "stick it through" very well  ;)

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/5848540

When are you riding it ?
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: jamesld8 on 17 July, 2015, 07:13:00 pm
Thanks Adam  :thumbsup:

when ?? who knows exactly, maybe during PBP as my riding that is now looking very unlikely due to some very unfortunate recent personal events :( :( :(
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Aunt Maud on 17 July, 2015, 07:20:15 pm
Sorry to hear that James.

I found the 6A very hard, but that was partly due to poor equipment choice.

I may give it another go some time next season, as it's a really nice ride.
Title: Cambrian 2b route
Post by: Banjo on 17 July, 2015, 09:15:46 pm
I am planning to ride the 2b sometime soon.


This time I am starting in Chepstow then anticlockwise. anyone care to comment on the route I have planned for it.
http://ridewithgps.com/routes/9291991

Not the shortest possible (I drew one at 201kms) this one has slightly less climbing .
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: jamesld8 on 18 July, 2015, 05:20:38 am
Seems fine although you are, at your own admission !, missing key hill sections of Erwood> Painscastle > Hay and Monmouth > Trelleck > Chepstow which would shorten distance but add altitude ;D
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Aunt Maud on 18 July, 2015, 07:55:12 am
I thought the whole point of riding The Cambrian Series Perms, was that you actually ride/dab up and down all the hilly bits and work for the AAA's......

Maybe that's just me being weird.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: jamesld8 on 18 July, 2015, 08:15:23 am
I thought the whole point of riding The Cambrian Series Perms, was that you actually ride/dab up and down all the hilly bits and work for the AAA's......

Maybe that's just me being weird.

I would tend to agree with you (not the weird bit though.... ;D ) :thumbsup: why enter an AAA ride and then try to reduce amount climbing by choosing longer and flatter alternatives ?
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Banjo on 18 July, 2015, 09:39:42 am
I thought that all Cambrian rides are free routes .There are no "official routes"or if there are then I have never seen them?


Maybe I will re route it via painscastle if people think that will improve the ride or keep more to the spirit of the series.

if there are a list of the original organizers intended routes perhaps we should make them available to people who enter instead of just criticizing them for not guessing correctly first time....

This is another route I did for it. I will start at Chepstow though  as its easier to get to for me. Also going anticlockwise appeals for some reason.
http://ridewithgps.com/routes/8503087
Any constructive comments on this route?



 

Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Aunt Maud on 18 July, 2015, 11:23:26 am
It's entirely up to you how you ride it, but you did ask for comments on your choice of route.


I am planning to ride the 2b sometime soon.


This time I am starting in Chepstow then anticlockwise. anyone care to comment on the route I have planned for it.
http://ridewithgps.com/routes/9291991

Not the shortest possible (I drew one at 201kms) this one has slightly less climbing .

My bold.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Banjo on 18 July, 2015, 12:25:54 pm
Fortunately some of the replies have identified bits of route I should have included so I can have another look at it.

Constructive criticism is great.

Others chose to criticize but offer no advice .Takes all sorts.



Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Aunt Maud on 18 July, 2015, 02:32:20 pm
Never mind.

Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: jamesld8 on 18 July, 2015, 03:03:38 pm
I believe that with exception of the not often ridden 10A --1000km route---there are no official routes just the control points, so yes you can route it wherever you wish AFAIK but the `fun`  ;D of the Cambrian series are the hills aren`t they and the AAA points associated with them.

If you look back through this (lengthy) forum thread you`ll see occasional requests for .gpx files, or as you have done comments. As I`ve also done a few posts earlier with 6A. So I think there`s quite a bit of info contained within the whole thread as well as scope for comments on proposed routes. Colin B has also offered comments in pms to a couple of my routes  as sometimes it isn`t always too obvious what`s `best` route. Hope all this helps  :thumbsup:

As for your route looks as close as possible I`d imagine to shortest route for the 200 and I hope that the Erwood 16% hairpins (Sunnybank) will be an enjoyable experience ;). You might also consider how the option of Hay > Craswall> Cross Ash> Monmouth compares to the Golden Valley route you`ve selected in terms of overall route distance and ascent in total
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Banjo on 18 July, 2015, 04:45:16 pm
Thanks for that James I will have another look at the hay monmouth section Then all thats needed is a day off to ride it.
Cheers :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 19 July, 2015, 08:23:50 am
The routes are free - even for the 10A - there's a fact sheet for that ride which provides suggestions, just because of the length and difficulty.  When I've ridden events I use Painscastle on Hay - Llandrindod sections (and its one of my favourite legs for sheer scenery) but I've also avoided it if I am heading for Builth Wells, where I ride up the quite side of the Wye valley.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Banjo on 19 July, 2015, 08:40:34 pm
Have finally cobbled a route together that I think s a goer.

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/9360982

Takes in most of the "scenic " bits but uses the less strenuous run back to Chepstow via Usk. I think my legs will have had enough by then.

Thanks James for route advice and I guess I have to say thanks to Aunt Maud for spurring me on to do a more interesting route.

Hoping to ride it in next few days if I can ,If not will have to be next month. :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: jamesld8 on 19 July, 2015, 08:47:58 pm
Banjo---I think you`ve now put together a cracking route----` I rode the Painscastle > Erwood section this morning, it`s a hard climb to top Sunnybank but you`ll get superlative views perched high above the Wye Valley---good brakes needed for descent  ;D Likewise the Upper Chapel road will bring a host of rewards once you`re up on the Epynt

Enjoy  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Aunt Maud on 19 July, 2015, 09:13:17 pm
@ Abergavenney (163.4km) take A4143 South, under A465, left @ Roundabout onto B4269, cross A4042 onto lane (no SP) that runs parallel with River Usk, through Maerdy, Right at LLanvair Kilgeddin B4598 rejoin route.

Looks like a nice route and you're welcome  ;)

Don't forget to take some photos, so we can have a looksee.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Banjo on 19 July, 2015, 10:23:10 pm
@ Abergavenney (163.4km) take A4143 South, under A465, left @ Roundabout onto B4269, cross A4042 onto lane (no SP) that runs parallel with River Usk, through Maerdy, Right at LLanvair Kilgeddin B4598 rejoin route.

Looks like a nice route and you're welcome  ;)

Don't forget to take some photos, so we can have a looksee.

Which nicely avoids the town traffic and the horrible double roundabout thing at the A40.  Cheers  :thumbsup:    http://ridewithgps.com/routes/9367404
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: jamesld8 on 20 July, 2015, 06:40:32 am
@ Abergavenney (163.4km) take A4143 South, under A465, left @ Roundabout onto B4269, cross A4042 onto lane (no SP) that runs parallel with River Usk, through Maerdy, Right at LLanvair Kilgeddin B4598 rejoin route.

.

That` a really good `nip around`---I`ve avoided TC previously but used the roundabout thing and section Head Valley to get around TC (turning off at supermarket interchange, then cut across residential road to Neville Hall hospl) but yours is a lot safer and better  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Aunt Maud on 20 July, 2015, 08:15:39 am
You could even control at Waitrose (which has an Abergavenny address) on the roundabout and stay off the A40 completely.

Go up on the pavement on the Heads of The Valleys Road roundabout, if you don't fancy duelling with the fast traffic.

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/9372044
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: plod on 20 July, 2015, 09:32:02 am
anybody got any 3b routes to look at

currently working off this rough guide but don't want to miss out any beautys

https://www.strava.com/routes/2544480
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 20 July, 2015, 09:59:19 am
There's a funny jink through Puncheston between Fishguard and Llandeilo - unless you have a real reason to be there I'd just follow the B-road - otherwise this leg is fine. 

There are some lanes that will shorten the Lampeter - NewQuay route.  I've never been certain that you have to do the Devils Staircase for Llanwrtyd to Lampeter  (I think that's the reason why Peter Coulson, who set up the original series deliberately uses Tregaron) so you may be able to go south on main roads and avoid some pain (though the routes on the Cambrian series are free).

Between Newquay and Fishguard you can save some distance by going through Clynfyw.

Otherwise looks good to me and you've taken the splendid mountain road between Llandeilo and Brecon rather than following the main drags as some people have done - your option is highly recommended - I recall watching red kites feeding on a dead sheep riding along this section in a flat calm at 7am when doing the 4D

Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: plod on 20 July, 2015, 02:25:47 pm
route corrected for your additions, thank you very much :)
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 04 August, 2015, 08:53:06 pm
New Cambrian Series records have been set.  Entries number 55 and 56 for 2015 received today, eclipsing last years record total entries of 54.  Completed ride number 27 for the year (that's the Audax year to 30th September) beating the 2011 record of 26, with plenty of rides promised over the next month.

Its great to see such interest in these epic rides in a beautiful part of the world. 
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 08 October, 2015, 10:41:07 pm
Unless there's a couple of brevets winging their way in the post to me for this weekend, times up for rides for the 2014/15 Cambrian Series year.  A new record with 63 entries and 35 completed rides, both comfortably better than the previous bests of 54 (2014) and 26 (2011).

2015/16 looks like setting new milestones, partly because one rider is going to try to do them all, and there is a group attempt at the 2B (very Hamlet like if you ask me).  I am going to try to set up some new 100k routes for next year (even hillier than the last ones!) when I remember to send the details to the Permanent Secretary's correct email address.

Enjoy the rides and just remember, if there is one ride to rule them, one ride to bind them, one ride to find them all, and in the darkness bind them, it is indeed the Cambrian 4C with its generous 34k overdistance and 650m understatement of ascent (and that's on the contour count - you can probably Everest this ride on Strava), which is just begging for its 4th completion and second on my watch; epic adventures guaranteed.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Bobby on 11 October, 2015, 01:16:14 am
CET, would you be up for putting sample gpx files on the AUK web site if people provided the them?  Personally I think it's nicer to have gmap route overview and example gpx files on perms, and it may generate more interest...?

I really need to order some more brevets & do a few more of this series :)
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 12 October, 2015, 04:49:42 pm
I'll have a think about the gpx files.  The concern I have is that some of the routes that people have put together (from their descriptions on comments on this forum) are quite surprising and not what I would suggest.   Not being a GPS user I don't have technology to read and check the routes and would not want to publish something without checking.

However, I should be able to put in a link to a Gmap overview, and pick out an indicative route which riders can then get an idea of the routes.  It might take me a bit of time as I am insanely busy at work at the moment.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Bobby on 13 October, 2015, 11:16:31 pm
Certainly for people outside the area just a gmap overview gives a nice starting point - though I know what you mean about gpx routes - one persons nice route is anothers hell!

Cheers
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: mattc on 14 October, 2015, 10:04:56 am
Certainly for people outside the area just a gmap overview gives a nice starting point
:thumbsup:
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: rabbit on 24 October, 2015, 10:07:34 am
Does anyone have a decent GPX file for the 2J?
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: jamesld8 on 24 October, 2015, 11:57:44 am
Does anyone have a decent GPX file for the 2J?

funny you should ask that as it`s one of my `in waiting to ride `cards and I have put together a decent route methinks as here, comes in at 202.4 km so reckon it must be as close as can get. Nasty start out to Clun though via New Invention so you may not be thinking decent thoughts at that point  ;D

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/5884716
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: rabbit on 25 October, 2015, 08:35:44 am
Does anyone have a decent GPX file for the 2J?

funny you should ask that as it`s one of my `in waiting to ride `cards and I have put together a decent route methinks as here, comes in at 202.4 km so reckon it must be as close as can get. Nasty start out to Clun though via New Invention so you may not be thinking decent thoughts at that point  ;D

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/5884716

Thanks James

If the winter weather holds off a little longer I'm thinking of this one for my Nov RRTY  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: plod on 27 October, 2015, 12:38:20 pm
anybody completed 6b with a ride report. Where would your sleeping options be, not done a 600 perm before thinking of doing it early next year (March/April).
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 28 October, 2015, 08:54:26 am
anybody completed 6b with a ride report. Where would your sleeping options be, not done a 600 perm before thinking of doing it early next year (March/April).

Where are you thinking of starting from - or does that depend on the sleeping options?
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: plod on 30 October, 2015, 09:06:59 am
Chepstow, my plan is to get home from work on friday. Try to get an hours sleep and then get train to chepstow to start at midnight or earlier (There is a direct train from my village so works out quite well).
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 15 November, 2015, 10:16:42 pm
Certainly for people outside the area just a gmap overview gives a nice starting point - though I know what you mean about gpx routes - one persons nice route is anothers hell!

Cheers

GMaps loaded for all the 100 and 200 rides as website links.  The 2G gave me a surprise as it is possible to do it in 120 miles.  So from now on instead of Conwy riders will need to use Penamaenmawr or Llandudno instead of Conwy.  Penmaenmawr via the Sychnant pass would be in keeping with the Cambrian Series ethic of interesting hills.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Bobby on 16 November, 2015, 04:31:09 pm
Certainly for people outside the area just a gmap overview gives a nice starting point - though I know what you mean about gpx routes - one persons nice route is anothers hell!

Cheers

GMaps loaded for all the 100 and 200 rides as website links.  The 2G gave me a surprise as it is possible to do it in 120 miles.  So from now on instead of Conwy riders will need to use Penamaenmawr or Llandudno instead of Conwy.  Penmaenmawr via the Sychnant pass would be in keeping with the Cambrian Series ethic of interesting hills.

 :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: and anther  :thumbsup: just for luck

Thanks CET, really helpful
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 20 December, 2015, 07:55:51 pm
We've been doing some checking on the historic Cambrian series routes, and it turns out that the 4B is somewhat short (by about 14km).  Though this won't impact any previous events, I have adjusted the route to take in Rhayader instead of Llanwrtyd Wells, which brings the route to 400km

Also, please look out for 5 new routes 1F, 1G, 1H, 1J, and 1K.  AAA pts Pending.  I've received quite a few enquiries for short hilly perms in South Wales so here they are.

Cambrian 1F – Chepstow – Raglan – Brynithel – Usk – Chepstow (100km) – 1640m ascent
Cambrian 1G – Abergavenny – Hay-on-Wye – Tredegar – Blaenavon – Abergavenny (100km) – 1700m ascent
Cambrian 1H – Hay-on-Wye – Hundred House – Knighton – Penybont – Hay-on-Wye  (105km) 2250m ascent
Cambrian 1J – Newtown – Llanfair Caereinion – Llanbrynmair – Machynlleth – Staylittle – Newtown (110km) 1630m ascent
Cambrian 1K - Maesteg – Treorchy – Hirwaun – Maerdy – Mountain Ash – Ferndale – Maesteg (106km) 2200m
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Tewdric on 20 December, 2015, 08:02:41 pm
1f and 1g are particularly evil and right on the doorstep.  Be rude not to! :)

Now if only I could think of a nice route from Abergavenny to Hay.  Quiet road, bit of climbing, nice views, that sort of thing.  Must look at the map to see if there is anything suitable...
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: mattc on 20 December, 2015, 08:14:08 pm
1k sets a new standard; I havent heard of ANY of the control towns!

Which probably means I should ride it ASAP ...
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Banjo on 20 December, 2015, 09:00:45 pm
1k sets a new standard; I havent heard of ANY of the control towns!

Which probably means I should ride it ASAP ...

You are more likely to have heard of the mountains in between them. That looks a great ride to me.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: jamesld8 on 20 December, 2015, 09:27:03 pm
1H is pretty well right at my doorstep and includes some stonking ascents, 2.2:1 climbing ratio !!! that`s pushing it out a lot !

and I reckon this http://ridewithgps.com/routes/11535669 is optimised route ?--- a double ascent of Ireland Moor and Clyro Hill  :o
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 21 December, 2015, 10:48:57 am
The most evil 100k ride in ascent that I have done was 3800m based on contour counts.  Le Bourg D'Oisans - Alpe d'Huez - Col du Sarenne - Les Deux Alpes - D211A (Les Chatains, Garde d'Huez) - Le Bourg D'Oisans - Villard Notre Dame - Col du Solude - Ornon - Le Bourg d'Oisans - 108km but the last 8km were downhill or flat.  Zigazag and I did it on July 1 2014 in about 8 hours but we did sit down for lunch.

These are all BP rides so minimum speed of 12kph is allowed.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: rabbit on 24 December, 2015, 05:13:23 am
1H sounds great  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: jamesld8 on 24 December, 2015, 07:39:59 am
1H sounds great  :thumbsup:

have card, will ride , will feedback  ;D
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: hillbilly on 24 December, 2015, 09:00:52 am
1k sets a new standard; I havent heard of ANY of the control towns!

Which probably means I should ride it ASAP ...

The Welsh ones look like expletives that will be uttered by riders being divinely tortured by CETs depravity.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 26 December, 2015, 07:20:02 am
I've updated my Wordpress site with a full list of the Cambrian permanents and updated instructions

https://crazyenglishtriathlete.wordpress.com

Also - for inspiration - here's my account of the 4C - IMHO the most difficult of the 400s.

https://crazyenglishtriathlete.wordpress.com/2013/08/21/bring-on-the-dragons/

On the AUK website the five new events are now set up with Paypal for ease of entry.  Links to suggested Google Map routes are also included - so you can see how I managed to shrink the 1K into 106km by use of some interesting roads.  Routes on the Cambrian series are free - but the links show the route that I thought of when putting the rides together.

Enjoy!
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: alfapete on 26 December, 2015, 12:45:07 pm
That's a brilliant ride report. I won't be attempting it in this lifetime.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: jamesld8 on 26 December, 2015, 04:23:37 pm
That's a brilliant ride report. I won't be attempting it in this lifetime.
+1 (possibly though may attempt ) but has prompted me to fit a 12-34 cassette for 1H ride coming up  ;D
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: jamesld8 on 27 December, 2015, 03:46:26 pm
1H sounds great  :thumbsup:

have card, will ride , will feedback  ;D

SO---- a reasonable forecast for 27th, cloudy and dry with light winds saw me setting off from a New Radnor start as low clouds slowly dragged themselves over the hills but small encouraging patches blue sky were visible. From NR through to Knighton and thence Penybont reasonable progress was made, hilly yes but nothing inhumane and good B / A roads ensured speeds on descents made up for time on climbs.

Penybont @ 40 km and ~ 800m ascent was reached within 2 hours  ---a welcome cappuccino and mince pies at Severn Arms before the ride character changed totally. A narrow and mucky lane dragged up and out of the Ithon Valley to cross over the spine of the Carneddau ---15% stretches testing the climbing legs. Sheep scattered in adjoining fields as they sighted me, their squelching feet indicating just how sodden the ground was, so very different from the winter of 2010 at Penybont when temps were dropping to -20c and all , including the rivers , was frozen. Today cloudy and +9c !

Narrow lanes slowed my descent down and as I reached Hundred House a steady drizzle started to fall. Up and down is best way to describe the section to Rhulen before the start of the Ireland Moor ascent; short (ish) 10-15% sections then down again to soften up climbing legs for the tough climb of over 250m to Ireland Moor top at 435m asl.

A normally trickling waterfall cascaded down

(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1544/23392670083_83f2bac381_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/BD8xPZ)PC270032 (https://flic.kr/p/BD8xPZ) by jamesld8 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/55935603@N05/), on Flickr

and the Ireland Moor climb continued to stretch on for ever it seemed

(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5818/23391229504_9fb0f87509_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/BD1aAq)PC270033 (https://flic.kr/p/BD1aAq) by jamesld8 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/55935603@N05/), on Flickr



From Rhulen it`s a beast indeed 2km at average 10% with the lower  0.5km averaging 17%  ::-) The drizzle had by now intensified and as I got near the top of the hill the clouds closed in limiting visibility to 50m. A group of bedraggled walkers probably felt as I did by then---the forecast was wrong !

A difficult descent down to Painscastle, thick fog and now very heavy drizzle limiting progress and visibility. a DEEP puddle having a useful warning post stuck in it `POTHOLE` indicated its hidden hazard.
In Painscastle I considered my options as the rain now fell heavily; push on in miserable conditions just to do it, but see nothing, or turn left and be back home in an hour. The Roast Ox was also open suggesting a possible food stop  ;D

I turned left to leave this ride for a much better day; it was still raining hard when I got back home and the cloud was at valley level. 1H will have to wait another day for me, but still managed 90km with 1700m climbing. Next time I`d like to see a bit more scenery !

https://www.strava.com/activities/457361315/
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 13 January, 2016, 11:02:21 pm
Thanks for the write-up. 

Have just had a rider enter 10 events so that takes us up to 71 entries for the 2015-16 Audax Season.  Fingers crossed for 100 Cambrian perm entries and 50+ finishes.  The 3B and 8A are on my goal sheet for the year.  Just need to sort out my business trips, although the 8A now looks pencilled in for the Mayday holiday weekend.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: mattc on 30 January, 2016, 07:55:14 pm
Wanted: Short Cambrian rides nr Llandysul recommendations!

Ideally a 200 (any AAA <gulp> ) or RELatively kind 300.


Would consider starts either nr Carmarthen, or further East e.g. Brecon-ish. Not further north, as logistics (sans voiture) become absurd.

(To be ridden Mon 4th April. So not expecting perfect weather. Especially as we've had it good for 2 years.)

( Also, as I'll have a group from the club there on Sat/Sun, a 100k in the area MIGHT be useful. Hmm, I sense mission creep here ...)
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 30 January, 2016, 08:21:00 pm
For the 100 the 1E Cardigan – Haverfordwest – Newcastle Emlyn – Cardigan (109k) would start less than 10k from Llandysul.

The 2C also uses Newcastle Emlyn as a control (New Quay - Newcastle Emlyn - Fishguard - Carmarthen - Llandeilo - Lampeter - New Quay.) so you could start and finish at Newcastle Emlyn or use Llandysul as an extra start/finish control in between New Quay and Newcastle Emlyn which by my calculations adds 12k to the distance but not much climbing.

The 2D can start and finish at New Quay and takes in all the well known lumpy bits of the Elenydd  ;D

If you were being really brave you could to the same addition of Llandysul to the 3B - New Quay - Newcastle Emlyn - Fishguard - Carmarthen - Llandeilo - Brecon - Llanwrtyd Wells - Lampeter -New Quay  :o  (but with 4800m ascent on the old Coulson scale it probably doesn't fit into the category of "kind".
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: mattc on 31 January, 2016, 09:14:45 am
That's fantastic. I could well be tempted by a crack at the 3 with good weather, so it's great to have shorter options as backup.

Now I can commit to another night over there instead of toying with catching the last train home; a shorter ride on the Monday would be no great loss, and the hostel is dirt cheap :)

There will be further questions about route options. (naturally ... )
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: plod on 08 March, 2016, 09:04:39 am
Hello, before I try and get a 1k card is there a way of getting the new 1s in one fell swoop like I have with the first 5?

Dan
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 22 March, 2016, 06:36:58 pm
The Cambrian 3A is on starting tomorrow (Wed night) from Carmarthen at whatever time the 23:15 gets in plus the time it takes me to find an ATM for proof of passage.  No frost but rain and strong winds forecast from 9am, so I probably won't see my way back over the Presceli but hopefully will get blown back that last 50k.  Aiming for the 16:05 or 16:35 train back.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Hammerman on 22 March, 2016, 06:57:34 pm
Closest ATM to the station is TSB in Blue street. (If it's still open)
Come out of the station, bear left and go accross the footbridge
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/51.8530247,-4.3070544/51.8560192,-4.3080844/@51.855896,-4.3090254,18.75z/data=!4m2!4m1!3e2?hl=en
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: plod on 22 March, 2016, 06:59:57 pm
Closest ATM to the station is TSB in Blue street. (If it's still open)
Come out of the station, bear left and go accross the footbridge
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/51.8530247,-4.3070544/51.8560192,-4.3080844/@51.855896,-4.3090254,18.75z/data=!4m2!4m1!3e2?hl=en

1k is on for Monday for me and hammerman :)
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: jamesld8 on 22 March, 2016, 08:00:07 pm
Thinking of attempt #2 at 1H tomorrow (Wednesday) but knowledge of the hills involved is very daunting  ::-) particularly the Pen Y Bont to Hay on Wye section https://ridewithgps.com/routes/11569077 ,  but at least forecast is quite benign  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 22 March, 2016, 10:04:21 pm
Closest ATM to the station is TSB in Blue street. (If it's still open)
Come out of the station, bear left and go accross the footbridge
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/51.8530247,-4.3070544/51.8560192,-4.3080844/@51.855896,-4.3090254,18.75z/data=!4m2!4m1!3e2?hl=en

1k is on for Monday for me and hammerman :)

Thanks Plod.  I've just seen this after a happy half-hour of Google Streetview checking out the one way systems of Carmarthen and Brecon and working out why I always go wrong in Brecon and Fishguard (no signposts at key junctions to deter grockles, or whatever they are called in Wales, from finding windy B roads and keeping their emmett boxes on the main drag).

Hope the weather is good for you on the 1K.  I expect Im going to have rain from about an hour after sunrise, so will back a dry layer in the Nelson Longflap for the journey home.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: plod on 22 March, 2016, 10:06:36 pm
Closest ATM to the station is TSB in Blue street. (If it's still open)
Come out of the station, bear left and go accross the footbridge
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/51.8530247,-4.3070544/51.8560192,-4.3080844/@51.855896,-4.3090254,18.75z/data=!4m2!4m1!3e2?hl=en

1k is on for Monday for me and hammerman :)

Thanks Plod.  I've just seen this after a happy half-hour of Google Streetview checking out the one way systems of Carmarthen and Brecon and working out why I always go wrong in Brecon and Fishguard (no signposts at key junctions to deter grockles, or whatever they are called in Wales, from finding windy B roads and keeping their emmett boxes on the main drag).

Hope the weather is good for you on the 1K.  I expect Im going to have rain from about an hour after sunrise, so will back a dry layer in the Nelson Longflap for the journey home.
Although do you mean 3b not 3a?
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 23 March, 2016, 05:45:40 pm
3B it is.  I'll have to give the organiser a telling off  ;D
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: jamesld8 on 23 March, 2016, 06:30:18 pm
Best wishes and wrap up well --it was darn chilly out this way in Wales today and it`s just 6c now; grey, cold   and misty morning resulted in me postponing 1H ---after all as it`s on my very doorstep might as well choose a nice day

Safe riding Colin  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: plod on 23 March, 2016, 11:18:30 pm
3B it is.  I'll have to give the organiser a telling off  ;D
Howd you get on? 3b was one of my highlights of 2015 and told me not to take the cambrians lightly!
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 25 March, 2016, 09:49:22 am
Fuller write up to follow, although it may be Arrivee material.

Left Carmarthen, ATM at Lloyds Bank in Kings Road at 23:22 and had a wonderful moonlit stroll along the south side of the Twyi to Llandeilo.  Continued in good nick through Bethlehem and then veering away from the valley to pick up the mountain road through Twynallan and Talsarn to pick up the A40 at Trecastle.  Again, wonderful night riding but began to struggle with the dozies.  Put my head down for 5 minutes in a bus shelter and felt much more alert, which was good news as struck a cracked drain cover with such force that I had an instant snakebite on the rear.  That fixed, I discovered that the force had cracked the left rest of my tri-bars.  Lucky I didn't come off.  Arrived in Brecon and ATM receipt said 02:56.

Set off, remembering to turn at the Bulls Head (the sign to Upper Chapel is well hidden) and struggled along with the dozies in force. Stopped again for 5 minutes and felt a bit better, but still wrestling with sleep.  There were some exercises on the moors and my appearance surprised the group of officers sheltering from the wind at the Drovers' Arms.  Had a couple of nervous moments on the long descent towards Garth and began to wonder if it was safe to continue.  Was definitely not a happy bunny at Llanwrtyd Wells at 5am.  At one point I had seen a group of squaddies march along the road only to resolve themselves into fenceposts.

A couple of trucks hooning their way through Llanwrtyd did not encourage me.  Oddly, their presence gave me a bit of encouragement as with an external focus I was able to concentrate better.  My route through to Lampeter tookin Cynghordy, Cilycwm and Porthyrhyd before joining the A482.  It was archetypal Cambrian country, little lanes, hills that go on forever and now with the grey light of a day that knew it was going to rain.

There is a cafe in Lampeter that opens at 7am and with a pot of tea (I could have got a fourth cup out of it) and a full breakfast I felt great.  However, now the rain had started.  The road to New Quay was much hillier than it looked non the map, especially the fierce 16% out of Mydrollyn.  New Quay had the air of a seaside town shut until it stopped raining.  I had a pastry and a tea from a takeaway cafe, but honourably started from the quay and not the main road.  My receipt showed 9:46

The less said about the endless drag on the A486 into the wind the better.  Suffice to say I needed the cheese and ham toastie in Newcastle Emlyn.  There was a strong temptation to head straight back to Carmarthen but I resisted and started the long drag up to Boncath which is three big ascents not just one and through Eglwyswrw which was making up for the failure to achieve Britain's record as having the most consecutive rainy days by having a properly rainy day.  The wind was getting going too, so after 12 hours of cycling my pace was pedestrian.  Fortunately all the pedestrians had stayed inside so I wasn't embarrassed by someone walking past me as I winched myself up the climbs. 

Fishguard had caught New Quay's shut syndrome.  There was a nice cafe but nowhere to leave the bike and the Barclays ATM had run out of paper, so I got proof of passage in a sweet shop with a couple of packets of salted peanuts, which helped.  I was so slow up the Gwaun Valley; the dozies had come back and I kept forgetting to pedal.  So I stopped at Rosebush to eat and get my wits together.  It is never pleasant on a wet permanent, especially heavy misty rain like this.  So it was into the Pembrokeshire lanes.  I saw a sign I thought said "Meidrim", where I was expecting to see one, and turned off my route about 4 miles early so found myself lost in Blaenwaun. 

Oddly enough the shot of adrenalin caused by being lost was just what I needed, and I suddenly started riding beautiful, making magic descents into Cwmbach and Gellywen (all on guesswork about where I wanted to be) as well as good climbs out and mercifully saw a sign pointing to Meidrim on the B4299, so I had only strayed a couple of miles off route.  Arrived back in Carmarthen Station at 17:46, so logging 18 hours 24 minutes for the ride, my slowest 300 ever, but one that will live in the memory for the epic challenge, wild weather, beautiful night riding, and friendly people that I met in the cafes along the way. 

I'd carried around a set of dry clothing in my Nelson Longflap saddlebag, which was still perfectly dry, and changed in the toilet at the station, putting half a ton of wet stuff back in a bag in the Longflap that could carry a full set of wet kit with the flap extended.  Met a guy on the train who was heading for a Friday night ride to the coast to Southend so we had a chat before sleep got the better of me on the train back to Reading.  Eventually got home about twenty past 11, ironically 24 hours after setting out from the ATM in Carmarthen.

Its possibly not my role to say it, but I think the Cambrian Series, especially the longer rides, have a place in the Audax pantheon.  I've not come across anything quite like them for testing mental self-sufficiency, together with the beautiful scenery and epic roads.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Hammerman on 25 March, 2016, 10:07:05 am
Now I have more experience I need to start doing the longer Cambrian rides, I've done the 2b and 2c, and I'm doing the 1k on monday. The 3b passes within 6 miles of my home so it makes sense to start with that one. The names of the villages in your excellent report fill me with aprehension as I'll be doing it knowing exactly whats in front of me. Time to man up I think, but lets wait for better weather.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: tonyh on 25 March, 2016, 10:34:11 am
....excellent report....

Yes! The usual high standard from CET. Thanks!

(Must get to Wales more.)
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 25 March, 2016, 01:00:24 pm
Giving the steed its usual wash down and checkover this morning.  That cracked drain cover didn't only have enough force to crack one of the rests on my my tri-bars it also snapped a rear spoke on my Shamal Ultra.  Two things that crossed my mind - (1)  I don't know how Graeme is getting on in his pilgrimage to York but God was with certainly with me as I was on the tribars at 30mph and somehow didn't come off into the path of the army truck that was behind me and (2) Shamal Ultras are worth every penny, as it was one of the two right hand spokes in its set, the remaining one held the wheel together enough to complete a further 160 miles of Cambrian entertainment
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 26 March, 2016, 05:50:01 pm
Mrs CET doesn't like the idea of me riding the 8A solo, so is anyone up for three days around Wales starting from Aberdare on Saturday 30th April.  Otherwise I might do a 400 or head for the Porkers.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: jamesld8 on 26 March, 2016, 05:55:38 pm
Would be but am in BC 400 and probably (much ) slower than you Colin !!
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: mattc on 26 March, 2016, 06:48:32 pm
I'd get bored waiting around for him.

Meanwhile, here is some relevant puffery:

43 reasons why cycling anywhere in Wales is a terrible idea

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/lifestyle/fun-stuff/43-reasons-cycling-anywhere-wales-11080365
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 26 March, 2016, 07:18:44 pm
I'd get bored waiting around for him.

Meanwhile, here is some relevant puffery:

43 reasons why cycling anywhere in Wales is a terrible idea

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/lifestyle/fun-stuff/43-reasons-cycling-anywhere-wales-11080365

Like it!  I'd love to put a route past the Nant y Moch reservoir but there's no way to get controls either side that require that route.  Some things are best left to rider's alternatives.  Perhaps you could detour the 1C Machnynlleth - Llanidloes route a very long way round to take it.  Many of the other reasons for avoiding Welsh roads are, of course, featured in many of the Cambrian Series  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: mattc on 26 March, 2016, 07:42:29 pm
Blacksheep put a ludicrous info by the dam for his 600 last year.

(But it's a very lovely ride, so I'm trying it again this year - hopefully without the fog this time!).
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: jamesld8 on 26 March, 2016, 08:20:26 pm
Blacksheep put a ludicrous info by the dam for his 600 last year.

(But it's a very lovely ride, so I'm trying it again this year - hopefully without the fog this time!).

And I`ve enjoyed it as a `scenic` routeing on BCM coupled with Elan Valley manoeuvre avoiding A44
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Hammerman on 27 March, 2016, 12:15:32 am
I use Nant y Moch on a few of my DIY 200's and 300's , coupled with Elan Valley it makes for a very "scenic" ride
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: mattc on 29 March, 2016, 05:03:45 pm
The 2C also uses Newcastle Emlyn as a control (New Quay - Newcastle Emlyn - Fishguard - Carmarthen - Llandeilo - Lampeter - New Quay.) so you could start and finish at Newcastle Emlyn or use Llandysul as an extra start/finish control in between New Quay and Newcastle Emlyn which by my calculations adds 12k to the distance but not much climbing.

This is looking favourite for Monday. I haven't found many routes for it on t'web (or even comments on here, except this https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=57183.msg1179659#msg1179659 ). So either it's little ridden, or there is only really 1 main route option. Or both.

At 201km this seems likely to be the shortest route.

https://connect.garmin.com/page/activity/activity.faces?activityId=32782213&actionMethod=page%2Factivity%2Factivity.xhtml%3AuserSwitcher.switchSystem&cid=11599286

Any reasons not to use this?
Any reasons to ride clockwise? (The obvious one being a much flatter finish, instead of the infamous Synod Inn climb!)
(and of course café tips for an anti-clock ride with an Emlyn start! )
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: rabbit on 30 March, 2016, 11:34:54 am
Thank you for a brilliant and inspiring write up CET

Can't wait to get back on my solo and get out in those hills. Tempted by a cambrian 300 in May.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 30 March, 2016, 11:04:29 pm
The 2C also uses Newcastle Emlyn as a control (New Quay - Newcastle Emlyn - Fishguard - Carmarthen - Llandeilo - Lampeter - New Quay.) so you could start and finish at Newcastle Emlyn or use Llandysul as an extra start/finish control in between New Quay and Newcastle Emlyn which by my calculations adds 12k to the distance but not much climbing.

This is looking favourite for Monday. I haven't found many routes for it on t'web (or even comments on here, except this https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=57183.msg1179659#msg1179659 ). So either it's little ridden, or there is only really 1 main route option. Or both.





At 201km this seems likely to be the shortest route.

https://connect.garmin.com/page/activity/activity.faces?activityId=32782213&actionMethod=page%2Factivity%2Factivity.xhtml%3AuserSwitcher.switchSystem&cid=11599286

Any reasons not to use this?
Any reasons to ride clockwise? (The obvious one being a much flatter finish, instead of the infamous Synod Inn climb!)
(and of course café tips for an anti-clock ride with an Emlyn start! )

the 3B does most of this route, except Llandeilo - Lampeter (it adds Brecon & Llanwrtyd) and I rode this route anticlockwise last Thursday (well Wednesday night - see write up above).  The only change I would suggest is using the B4300 from Carmarthen to Llandeilo (through Capel Dewi) as this is pleasant, not hilly and much less traffic.  There was a really good greasy spoon cafe in Lampeter which opened from 7am - if you approach from the east its on the right hand side before the main A road junction. 

The Ty Croeso cafe in Newcastle Emlyn did a really good cheese and ham toastie. 

The Barclays ATM in Fishguard wasn't giving receipts but perhaps they've put a new till roll in now.

Enjoy!
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 30 March, 2016, 11:06:22 pm
Mrs CET doesn't like the idea of me riding the 8A solo, so is anyone up for three days around Wales starting from Aberdare on Saturday 30th April.  Otherwise I might do a 400 or head for the Porkers.

Looks like there is one other (not of this parish) who is going to take up the offer - therefore there will be at least two venturing from aberdare on the morning of the 30th April (unless the weather forecast is dire) to try to double the number of successful finishers of this rare 800km distance.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 02 April, 2016, 05:08:09 pm
Full account of the 3B linked here.

https://crazyenglishtriathlete.wordpress.com/2016/04/02/audaxing-in-wales-the-hard-way/

Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Revellinho on 06 April, 2016, 08:17:50 pm
On Sat 23 April I find that I am in Builth Wells for the day with not a lot to do (I am bringing the caravan and Mrs Revellinho down to WonderWool for the weekend).  Does anyone have a recommendation for a Cambrian Series perm that could use Builth as a start/finish control?  I have not done any of them.  I think a 200 is the only option.  I don't mind hills and I prefer not to have too much in the way of busy main roads (as I will be riding in normal daylight hours).  Your thoughts are appreciated.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: jamesld8 on 07 April, 2016, 07:11:35 am
There`s 2A (goes thro Llanwrtyd and L`dod so could link into ) or 2B thro` Builth itself; or you could look at the 1H option (goes thro` Hundred House just up road from Builth)

Failing  that I could meet up with you in Builth for a 100-120 DIY hilly to take in eg a loop around Elan Valley / Painscastle hills, Epynt---

forgot  :facepalm: may be in Bristol that Saturday, but here`s some other routes too

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/12624061 or https://ridewithgps.com/routes/9524730 or https://ridewithgps.com/routes/6860470 linking into routes @ Newbridge just up A470 from Builth.

I`m not too far from Builth and OH is also going to Wonder wool ! My ride speed on a hilly 100 is around 20-22 kph average.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Hot Flatus on 07 April, 2016, 07:32:06 am
I would offer to join you both but I'm going to Wonderwool too. The crochet is to die for.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Revellinho on 07 April, 2016, 09:00:06 am
There`s 2A (goes thro Llanwrtyd and L`dod so could link into ) or 2B thro` Builth itself; or you could look at the 1H option (goes thro` Hundred House just up road from Builth)

Failing  that I could meet up with you in Builth for a 100-120 DIY hilly to take in eg a loop around Elan Valley / Painscastle hills, Epynt---

forgot  :facepalm: may be in Bristol that Saturday, but here`s some other routes too

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/12624061 or https://ridewithgps.com/routes/9524730 or https://ridewithgps.com/routes/6860470 linking into routes @ Newbridge just up A470 from Builth.

I`m not too far from Builth and OH is also going to Wonder wool ! My ride speed on a hilly 100 is around 20-22 kph average.

I'll look at the 2B thanks - I think I'd like a couple of points if I venture out.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 07 April, 2016, 09:31:49 am
There's also the 2D - which can be ridden Builth - Llanwrtyd - Tregaron - Lampeter - New Quay - Tregaron - Rhayader - Llandrindod - Builth.  That takes in the clasic Elenith climbs (Devil's Staircase on the way out, Cwmystywyth on the way back) plus some nice parts of West Wales - the only busy section of road is bits of Rhayade - Builth on the way back, but those roads do have good verges so are most civilised than most and its not far from LLandod to Builth which is the one busy route.  Its surprisingly rarely ridden (only the 2G has had less completions) for a route that has so many nice stages on it.  Perhaps the 3540m contour counted ascent has something to do with that  ;D.  (Oh and that hilll out of New Quay after you have already done the Devils Staircase  ;D ;D)
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Revellinho on 07 April, 2016, 02:59:01 pm
Thanks.  I've looked at those and PayPal'd for the 2D.  I would envisage controlling in Builth at about 08.00 if anyone is interested in joining in.  I can imagine this being a 12 hour job for me as I am not that fast and there are quite a lot of controls to fit in.

Paul
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 07 April, 2016, 08:35:15 pm
Barclays ATM in Llanwrtyd is on the main square, as you'll hardly be warmed up by them.  Tregaron has a Spar and Y Talbot on the way back - they used to do a great cawl.  Lampeter has a greasy spoon on the right hand side, if you don't stop for long in Tregaron as its only 45 minutes onwards - does proper tea with extra hot water and all day breakfasts.  New Quay has a big choice of cafes - if you haven't had a big feed in Lampeter - its only 90 minutes between the two  (Memories of the 3B a couple of weeks ago)  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Revellinho on 24 April, 2016, 08:04:41 pm
May I heartily recommend the 2D, which I rode this weekend.  I started from Builth and it is a quick run to LLanwrtyd down the main road and at that time there is no traffic issue.  From Llanwrtyd all the way to Tregaron is on lovely roads - an absolute pleasure on a nice day.  The run down through Llandewi Brefi to Lampeter is pleasant and fast, but after that the ride gets tough, with very wearing terrain to New Quay.  The hills are not nasty, but few of them have brake free descents to pay you back.  I found it a bit fiddly cutting the corner, just out of New Quay,  to get back on the road to Tregaron, so study that section carefully.  I had a puncture on that section, but luckily I knew there was a bike shop in 'no mans land' en route to Tregaron and they lent me a track pump to get up to full pressure.

From Tregaron, it is the Elenydd route to Rhayader, via Cwm Ystwyth.  For some reason (probably rushing due to work/kids etc etc), I was totally not paying attention when I prepared my routesheet and I let Google Maps route me over the rough track to Claerwen reservoir and the Elan Valley.  I knew it was not right, but being stubborn, pressed on.  I finally bottled it about 1 or 2 km from where I later found out the track would have got better again (curses), as it was pretty cold and getting late and I thought a pringled wheel could mean a 999 call.  On returning to the main road and the Cwm Ystwyth way, I had put about 18km on the route and a biggish climb, so I had to put the hammer down to get over to Rhayader, as the clock was ticking.  Luckily, I made it in time, despite my puncture repair going leaky again and requiring 2 or 3 more stops to get some pressure. 

Without the puncture and the silliness, I guess it would have been about a 11 1/2 hour ride for me.  The control places would suit all tastes.  I went round on my sandwiches and a packet of Jaffa cakes, but cafes, chippies and the like abound.

All in all, I would say that this is one of the best 200 routes I have come across.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Banjo on 24 April, 2016, 10:18:14 pm
Chapeau on finishing with a fairy visit and a bonus 18 kms. I think that sometimes we only finish rides as theres not really a plan b.

Your report sounds very similar to my Barcud Coch 200 perm last year. After a navigation error sending me up a gravel track and over an additional hill I gave up on any hope of finishing in time and took time to take photos and enjoy the day. then oddly appeared to have enough time so plodded on and finished with about 5 minutes to spare.

It was a day of ups and downs in more ways than one.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 29 April, 2016, 07:26:35 am
Entry number 100 for the season reached.  Thank you all for supporting these rides and keeping them alive.

Looks like the 4F rather than the 8A for me this weekend as the weather forecast for the second half of the long weekend is interesting....

...I've heard that the Inuit have 37 different words for snow so I presume that Welsh have a similar number for liquid precipitation.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: jamesld8 on 29 April, 2016, 07:35:08 am
Entry number 100 for the season reached.  Thank you all for supporting these rides and keeping them alive.

Looks like the 4F rather than the 8A for me this weekend as the weather forecast for the second half of the long weekend is interesting....

...I've heard that the Inuit have 37 different words for snow so I presume that Welsh have a similar number for liquid precipitation.

Good luck Colin on your ride; liquid precipitation here this morning was snow so Inuit words still OK !!
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: mattc on 29 April, 2016, 08:44:02 am
Entry number 100 for the season reached.  Thank you all for supporting these rides and keeping them alive.

Looks like the 4F rather than the 8A for me this weekend as the weather forecast for the second half of the long weekend is interesting....

...I've heard that the Inuit have 37 different words for snow so I presume that Welsh have a similar number for liquid precipitation.
100 entries eh. Any update on validations? <hint hint! I'm itching to get on the Cambrian Scoreboard! >

Have a good ride. I'm doing an Anglo-Welsh 600, which clearly has no place on this thread, but I suspect we'll be getting Sunday's weather. An 8-pointer sounds a little too much given the typical april weather!
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 02 May, 2016, 05:46:58 pm
Many years ago, shortly after taking on the Cambrian Series rides, I was asked to design the Welsh equivalent of the ‘Maniac Grimpeur’, a 1000km event in the North Pennines and Lake District with as much climbing as possible.  I admitted failure at the 1000km event but came up with an 800km event as a rough figure of eight centred on Llanidloes.  It’s been on my list to do for some time, but Mrs CET isn’t keen on me spending two nights in a row on my own, for the good reason that I might fall asleep and crash in the middle of nowhere.

This May Bank holiday things seemed to be coming together.  Oliver, who is planning to do all the Cambrian series and I both had time available.  But the week beforehand was very cold and I was under a lot of pressure at work, and the weather forecast was poor for the second half of the long weekend, so we agreed on the bottom half of the 8A, which is the Cambrian 4F (Aberdare – Hay-on-Wye – Knighton – Llanidloes – Devils Bridge – Builth Wells – Aberaeron – Llandeilo – Aberdare).

My doubts about the weather and the event meant I booked a hotel late, Aberdare was full, so I ended up in the Castle Hotel in Merthyr.   I met Oliver at the Butcher’s Arms in Ponsticill, after we’d both done a short ride from our respective accommodation.  Then we were straight into fantastic mountain scenery, along the road that cuts through the Brecon Beacons to Talybont, which exceeded our expectations, and had a really steep testing climb before a hair-raising descent.  The sun was out and it was just great.

Oliver had a problem with the mount for his saddlepack so we stopped in Hay for some cable ties.  Then we headed along the roller-coaster to Knighton through Newchurch and Gladestry.  We found a tiny little tea shop for a much needed lunch.  It felt like we were on holiday.  But whilst we ate the rain started.  We climbed up Bailey Hill in light rain, a hill that goes on forever after a steep start.  Near the top I stopped to put on my rain jacket and we hurtled down the other side.  Spectacular riding.

Every rider has their strengths.  Oliver is better than I am up steep hills.  And correspondingly I’m better on long drags into the wind, which was also the case for the next six miles towards Llanbister.  But it was hard work.  The stage continued with a wonderful set of lanes through Bwlchysarnau to Llandiloes, with no major hills, just constant undulations, and a nagging headwind.  We could see the highest hills to the west, the dome of Punlumon marked by lying snow.  Everywhere lambs gambolled about, untroubled by the strong northwesterly wind that impeded our progress.  We dropped into Llanidloes for some much needed food.  We were behind where I’d hoped to be, with the wind and spending a bit longer at controls, and I had my first nervous moment about finishing in time.

The shortest route from Llanidloes to Devils Bridge starts up the Hafren valley on little lanes and then cuts across to the A44 mountain roads and avoid the main road to Llangurig.  When I’d researched the route I’d been interrupted by a phone call and I had a funny five minutes checking that we were heading in the right direction on Oliver’s Garmin.  Confirmed that we were on the right route we went through the most outstanding bit of road of the whole day, the sun shining through bare trees and lighting up the glistening moss that covered every spare bit of ground up a grindingly steep hill, before coming out on open moors and brain-frying descents. 

It was so much better than the bleak A44 that we now had to face.  I put my head down into the strong wind and drove the gears to the welcome summit.  I was cold and tired and hungry and knew that it would take longer for me to eat that Oliver, so I checked that it was OK to go ahead on the descent.  I’d been eating and riding well, and I felt that my head and stomach were in a good place, the only worry was the time.  We still had 240km to go and would probably only have 16 hours left.  That seems like plenty, but with the Elan Valley and then the Devil’s Staircase (at night) to do, it felt quite daunting.  I also had memories of a very tough night on the Cambrian 3B a month before, cold and hallucinating.

When I got to the Hafod at Devil’s Bridge it suddenly all hit me.  We all have an inner resilience, and life’s events eat at that resilience.  That tough project at work had already eaten into mine, as had the previous ride.  Now, after two hilly stages into the wind, I suddenly found that resilience was all used up.  My head started to spin.  I struggled to eat my cawl.  Oliver was keen to continue, but I knew I needed to eat, so he set off.  I didn’t feel any better.  I just couldn’t face riding through the night, knowing that I’d only be able to take a half-hour catnap.  I didn’t have enough in my sleep bank.  It had been very cold on the descent to Devil’s Bridge.  All these things ran through my head. 

There is a line between audacity and foolishness and my judgment was that to continue was to cross that line.  There is no fun suffering from hypothermia by the side of a road in the middle of nowhere.  So I asked the Hafod if they had any accommodation.  They didn’t but they called the George Borrow at Ponterwyd, which was three miles down the road.  Feeling happier, I rolled along to the George Borrow and went to check in, only to find that room had gone to an internet booking, so I was sent to the Druid Inn in Goginan, a further five miles towards Aberystwyth.  The first two miles was a drag up hill and I began to feel particularly rough.  Then there was a long descent, which I knew I would have to climb the next day.  But John Howell of the Druid Inn was the perfect host.  He knew his beer and they had a good chef, whose cod, chips and roasted tomatoes were the perfect recovery meal.

I slept really well (I was asleep just after 9pm) and, after a good breakfast, started off at 8.30am heading back up the A44 in light rain.  I followed main roads all the way back, stopping in Builth Wells for a second breakfast.  My legs were going well, despite the headwinds, but I had no regrets about stopping the night before.  When you I’m really tired its not safe to continue and my speed drops (the legs work but the brain stops giving them instructions).  I did have thoughts of retracing the road from Merthyr to Talybont but found myself on the main Brecon road, so I stopped in Brecon to top up my water bottle.   The drag up to the Storey Arms went on forever, traffic heading for something in Cardiff going past constantly and the wind blowing heavy drizzle into my face, but I was back to Merthyr in good time, for a quick shower, and a drive to spend the rest of my bank holiday with my family.

Oliver had a satnav issue, so the 4F remains uncompleted, like an unclimbed mountain, tempting those who are bold enough to give it a go.  In warmer weather, I’d make more speed and a catnap by the side of the road would be less daunting, so another attempt this summer or next seems on the cards.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: jamesld8 on 02 May, 2016, 06:49:24 pm
Great write up Colin, and wise decision---can fully relate to the inner resilience bit being eaten away by other life events !! ALL the Cambrian rides are tough and having `other things on your plate` can knock resolve. Hoping ride 1H though end this weeks after one failed attempt
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: iddu on 02 May, 2016, 06:59:55 pm
Many years ago, shortly after taking on the Cambrian Series rides,...

You loon  ;D

Just missed you then, relatively speaking, we were in Ponterwyd about 21:30.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: jamesld8 on 06 May, 2016, 07:12:27 pm
Finally got around to riding Cambrian 1H !! After an abortive attempt in December when drizzle turned to heavy rain and then a Sunday lunch stop... today was the nominated day.

Warm hazy sunshine from the off, fragrant bluebells lining the banks as I sped down Beggars bush en route to Knighton and an ATM control.

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7334/26916180895_cc64617a28_h.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/H1usQp)20160509_161202 (https://flic.kr/p/H1usQp) by jamesld8 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/55935603@N05/), on Flickr


And then  nice steady gradients on A roads along to Penybont

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7674/26581609040_bcd5f7198e_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/GuVGh9)P5060037 (https://flic.kr/p/GuVGh9) by jamesld8 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/55935603@N05/), on Flickr

 allowed me to keep a good average speed up so I pushed on without a coffee stop at Severn Arms and  into the lanes section leading to  Hundred House. Immediately on crossing the River Ithon there was an  abrupt change of road and gradient as the narrow lane led steeply up to the crossing over Llandegley Rocks and I descended carefully avoiding potholes and cars as I headed down to Hundred house.

The main course on the  menu was about to come, Glascwm Pitch an average 13% over 700m with kicks to 20%. But as is the nature of many  Radnor lanes there was a bit of `cyclist softening up` as the lane kicked up and down with several steep little climbs before arriving at the cattle grid and foot of Glascwm Pitch. A cuckoo called just as I reached the climb...

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7094/26248292973_24a4f192e7_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/FZtn2p)P5060039 (https://flic.kr/p/FZtn2p) by jamesld8 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/55935603@N05/), on Flickr

doesn`t look too bad does it ? just wait until you try and ride it then !!

A beautiful valley section followed the descent, leading along a stream and woods full of bluebells, the air full of bird song.  Bryngwyn and its ancient squat stone built church  was eventually reached and there followed a steep fast descent down to Rhosgoch passing the golf club on the long climb up to Clyro Hill. Checking my Garmin I reckoned that there was over 300m descent down to Hay on Wye ---all of which would need to be regained after  a lunch stop  ::-)

A BLT roll, coke, large coffee and cake restored my energy for the climb back out of the Wye Valley en route to Painscastle (aptly named for anyone daring ride roads in this area) but the lane chosen (by rwgps) turned out to be a total pleasure to ride as it steadily rose at an agreeable gradient through woodlands before crossing Begwns Common and  a fast  descent to Painscastle.

In December I`d taken the reverse route but the horrifically steep climb of 15-20% from Cregrina had made me modify my route to reverse the Ireland Moor climb (favouring instead Glascwm Pitch). Ireland Moor was glorious, warm, light breeze , views, albeit hazy, across to Brecon beacons and the hills of Elan Valley.

The route up onto Ireland Moor:

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7726/26579834380_2698d37640_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/GuLAJy)P5060040 (https://flic.kr/p/GuLAJy) by jamesld8 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/55935603@N05/), on Flickr

and the wonderful descent (ascent in December` attempt)

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7555/26785068381_4508a0aa69_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/GNUtDP)P5060041 (https://flic.kr/p/GNUtDP) by jamesld8 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/55935603@N05/), on Flickr

A few more nasty sharp kicks in the lanes back on way to Hundred House and then steady A road climbs all the way back to New Radnor and the start; a superb and very hard route covering a whole variety of roads and climbs and packing in 2300m climbing for AAA  :thumbsup:

https://www.strava.com/activities/567358599

A few notes too : Radnor Arms in New Radnor is currently closed. Pub in Hundred House didn`t look very open although there was a sign advertising food. In Hay on Wye the sandwich shop (down alley way opposite the car park / bus stop) does very good value food. Prince and Pugh, top High St Knighton does food (and hardware too !!) 
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 07 May, 2016, 10:50:56 am
Love the photos.  Want to be back in Wales and I was only there a week ago for the abortive 4F.  Meanwhile, I got to looking at the statistics for Cambrian Series rides over the years - here are the percentages for successful rides at each distance. 

Now - these are unreliable statistics because I don't know (in most cases) the difference between a DNF or a DNS (although I am certain that there are a few old unused brevets mouldering away - I will still honour them  :))  And also there are some entries this year that the riders haven't got around to yet. 

100s - 46.5%
200s - 59.8%
300s - 33.3%
400s - 13.3%!!!
600s and above - 29.4%

So there you have it - a suggestion that the 400 distance is harder than the 600.  I think for the Cambrian Series that is possibly the case as, unless you a strong rider going well, there is virtually no time for sleep, and that's hard over 27 hours.  With the 1H completed, it is the following rides that are still waiting a first completion since I took the series on: 

100s C1G, C1J, C1K (these are the new ones)
300s C3D
400s C4E, C4F, C4G
600s C6B (I've just had a couple of entries for this one)
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: mattc on 07 May, 2016, 10:59:14 am
Excellent news - I am an above average rider in the 200 category  :smug: By 40%!
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: jamesld8 on 07 May, 2016, 11:00:04 am
 I`ve several `mouldering away` --- 1C, 1E, 2A, 2J, 3C, 4F, 6A  !!!

Card for 1H completed went in post this morning for hopeful validation  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: jamesld8 on 21 May, 2016, 07:54:23 am
Quickly validated for 2.25 `climbies`, Thanks Colin for prompt service  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: inappropriate_bike on 01 June, 2016, 09:06:05 pm
I realise that this is only slightly related to the Cambrian Series but the people watching this thread probably know more about unsupported bike riding in Wales than anyone.

I have a pair of free weekends in September and I was thinking about picking the best one for a DIY from St Davids to London - I've always wanted to go to St Davids for some reason.

Planning is at the early stages but I would take the train(s) to Haverfordwest on Friday afternoon then get an early start in the morning - breakfast in St Davids then cycle via Fishguard, Llandeilo, Trecastle, Brecon, Crickhowell, Chepstow and back onto familiar roads near Oxford, home for Sunday night.

In England I'd think nothing of hopping on my bike and heading East but I've not cycled in Wales - are there any bail out options in case of mechanicals I can't fix? Is stuff generally shut on Sundays? Any particular items required due to local climate? Is night riding in September unwise? (I think I'd probably get to Brecon as it was going dark on Sat evening - maybe a bit further if I'm riding hard - but sleeping there is an option.)

I've taken a look at a few Audax routes for ideas, but any suggestions for alternative ways to go or routes to crib would be extremely welcome. I wish there were some linear perms in the Cambrian Series!

Thank you for any advice.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: jamesld8 on 02 June, 2016, 06:50:31 am
Section of "Llandeilo, Trecastle, Brecon, Crickhowell, Chepstow " you can get some good pointers to best route from looking at BC / BCM Audaxes and comments about A40 (avoid as much as possible in `peak` times and have a look at this also https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=97727.0

In terms bail out options for section around Llandeilo / Trecastle you could get the train back from Llandovery; BUT it`s not very frequent at all , it`s the Heart of Wales line (Craven Arms - Swansea route  a handful trains a day).

Sundays most places would be similar to rural England, particularly once you get to Brecon and east thereof.

Weatherwise, depends on which end of September ! The route you plan doesn`t go particularly high, you`re not crossing any open exposed moors at 1000ft , but you may find you get a good strong SW / W tailwind to boost you along (to which may be added significant precipitation). I`d compare potential weather as to being similar to that you could expect up on Cotswolds at same time of year ie if you headed out of Oxford to Stow / Chipping Norton and the northern side of Cotswolds.

St Davids is lovely, very compact and perhaps for completion you should head down to one of the bays to dip your wheels in the Atlantic  ;D
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: inappropriate_bike on 02 June, 2016, 07:10:46 am
Thank you! Very helpful to know and the other thread is also useful. Should have known the question would have come up before.  :facepalm:
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: jamesld8 on 02 June, 2016, 08:20:08 am
you`ll find though my rwgps link is not coming up as I had a clearout of routes but PM if you want repeat
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 02 June, 2016, 09:26:18 am
The hardest part to avoid the A40 is west of Carmarthen.  There is a good cycle patch from the B4296 junction into Carmarthen but west of that any A40 avoidance does make it very hilly (and perfect Cambrian Series territory where the controls are picked to make hills unavoidable). 

E of Carmarthen I really enjoy the B4300 (S of the river) and continue through Ffairfach, veer left in Bethlehem do a mile S on the A4069 and then ride up through Twynllanan to Trecastle - its a long drag up but not steep and the views of the Black Mountains across the open moors are great.  A short stint back on the A40 and then you can again use the south side of a river valley for the B4558 through Talybont.  If it's late then get back on the A40 at Crickhowell and into Abergavenny - there's a petrol station on the R as you enter the town that stays open late. 

From there retracing the BC route through Usk (B4598 and then B4235) to Chepstow gets you to the Severn Bridge
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: mattc on 02 June, 2016, 10:31:26 am
Not a problem if he comes from Fishguard (as per the 2C wot I rode in April).
breakfast in St Davids then cycle via Fishguard, Llandeilo, Trecastle, Brecon, Crickhowell, Chepstow and back onto familiar roads near Oxford, home for Sunday night.


Although that section IS rather hilly, as you suggest!

See https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=79290.msg2010666;topicseen#msg2010666. Just a short bit of A40 to tackle.

Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: inappropriate_bike on 03 June, 2016, 03:59:09 pm
Thanks everyone!  :thumbsup:

This is what I have so far (with no diligence applied to the English section of the route yet): https://ridewithgps.com/routes/14171055 (https://ridewithgps.com/routes/14171055)

Havorfordwest-StDavids-Usk looks like about as much climbing as The Shark (10k feet) so pretty confident I can do that in one day and stop there for some sleep before an easier second leg back to London.

On the 2c route Fishguard-Maenclochog... is the B4313 preferable to the route through Cwm Gwaun? Both seem to have similar climbing.

Any suggestions to chop out more of the A40 without adding ridiculous climbing / miles very welcome!
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: mattc on 03 June, 2016, 04:26:33 pm
I used the B4313 and it was fine. Hilly but quiet and beautiful!

Further along that road, I turned left* to go through Meidrim, which cuts out another big chunk of A40. I was navigating from road-atlas-fragment and memory - no GPS! - and didn't have any problems.

* At this bridge here:
https://www.google.com/maps/@51.8757404,-4.5868882,3a,30y,161.26h,84.88t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1seqbwqT9r6gotvTzQN0-i-g!2e0!7i13312!8i6656
sp "Meidrim" [if you speak Audax :) ]
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Hammerman on 03 June, 2016, 06:12:44 pm
I would take a left at 106km, go through Bancyfelin, it takes you off the A40, when you rejoin it on the other side of the village you go on a cyclepath that runs alongside the dual carriageway.
Also, unless you actually want to go through the village of Llangadog I would take a right at 146.8km, stay on that road and you'll rejoin your route at 152.6km, it cuts a big corner off and it also cuts about a third off the climb into Bethlehem itself.
Just another note, Excellent food at 129.3km, a little pricey but really, really good quality, turn into the car park and cycle round the back to the courtyard
Also a good cafe at 176.8km, Glanusk service station, this more of your truckstop type cafe.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: inappropriate_bike on 04 June, 2016, 07:01:48 am
Thanks! Food stops noted and highly appreciated  :thumbsup:

Now updated with a mix of roads from the Severn Across and Windsor-Chester-Windsor to get back to London.

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/14397051 (https://ridewithgps.com/routes/14397051)

It would be fairly easy to extend this to a 600 by routing along the Northern half of the Severn Across. Could also be a nice option for anyone who wants to ride too and from the 8A  ;D
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 06 August, 2016, 06:06:23 am
Have recently been on holiday in West Wales with the family and (amazingly) resisted the temptation of the Cambrian 1E.  However, on several rides did discover some stunning sections of road.  Piecing them together, I came up with this as a 100km route.

https://goo.gl/maps/nt2EsfctSZv

If there is interest then I might think about a Cambrian 1L  Newport (Pembs) - Narberth - Llanboidy - Newcastle Emlyn - Crymych - Newport (Pembs) 1600m ascent (but with 400m ascent in the first 10km)
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Alismed on 07 August, 2016, 07:24:55 pm
That looks fab, thanks for putting the route together - one for my little 'Cambrian Series' collection!
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 17 September, 2016, 11:07:40 am
CET is on business in Brazil so if you have any cards to be validated last minute for the season over the next two weeks, don't worry, I'll be back on 1 October to process them.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 25 September, 2016, 02:28:32 pm
Thinking about bunking off taking some time off in lieu on 13th October to do a Monmouth or Chepstow based Cambrian permanent, most likely the 2A, if anyone is interested.  Will be driving over from Basingstoke and back, so a bit of a smash and grab raid. 

For those of you worried about my abiity to attract rain to Audax events, its probably worthwhile staying away from mid-Wales on that day.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 11 October, 2016, 08:31:33 pm
Time for new year's resolutions - how about christening a ride that's never been completed before.   Since I took over the Cambrian Series they've grown from 20 routes to 35 with the addition of 10 100s, a 200 (at the request of an American randonneur who wanted one from Dolgellau and never rode it - although others have enjoyed the 2J), 2 400s (actual two halves of the new 800) and the mighty 1000km and a bit of the C10A.  The last of the new hundreds was completed recently, leaving the following events still seeking their first rider, although all have been attempted.   

CS4A:    (AAA 5.50, 5,400m)   Llangollen - Prestatyn - Mold - Conwy - Ffestiniog - Bala - Llanidloes - Machynlleth - Llangollen.
CS4E:    (AAA 6.00, 6,000m)   Brecon - Knighton - Welshpool - Bala - Machynlleth - Rhayader - Tregaron - Hay-on-Wye- Brecon
CS4F           (AAA 6.75, 6,800m)   Aberdare – Hay-on-Wye – Knighton – Llanidloes – Devils Bridge – Builth Wells – Aberaeron – Llandeilo – Aberdare  (I tried and failed this one in 2016 so might be thinking about another go)
CS4G   (AAA 6.75, 6,670m)   Llanidloes – Bala  - Montgomery – Corwen – Llansannan – Llanberis – Machynlleth - Llanidloes
CS6B:    (AAA 0.00, 6,575m)   Chepstow - Hay-on-Wye - Montgomery - Mold - Conwy - Ffestiniog - Montgomery – Llanwrtyd Wells – Hay-on-Wye - Chepstow.   (ironically the flattest one of the lot!!)

PS - have just validated the first completed Cambrian ride of the 2017 season.  Enjoy the ride!
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: jamesld8 on 11 October, 2016, 08:36:45 pm
As feared I have gathering dust a 4F card, so as this passes right by my front door (I think) it might be on my list for 2017....
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: mattc on 11 October, 2016, 08:41:16 pm
It's quite sobering that riders have attempted all 5 of those, but none have finished!

(think I'll stick to the 2/300s. One down so far, might take me a while ... )
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 12 October, 2016, 03:57:53 pm
As feared I have gathering dust a 4F card, so as this passes right by my front door (I think) it might be on my list for 2017....

I forgot to wave as I went past the juntion.  That's probably the bad karma that led to me not finishing  :facepalm:  However, we did ride the back road up the Hafren valley and then cutting across the moors to the A44 between Llanidloes and Devil's Bridge, which really should have restored such karma, unfortunately it also did my head in!
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 28 November, 2016, 10:11:15 pm
Plenty of entries rolling in - especially for the 100s over Christmas.  The 1F is getting good reviews from those attempting it.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: mattc on 24 December, 2016, 02:22:01 pm
@Colin:
The outline map isn't showing for me on this page: https://crazyenglishtriathlete.wordpress.com/2011/12/27/cambrian-series-new-1000km-permanent/

(I haven't tried your other pages today.)
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 24 December, 2016, 09:53:36 pm
I think I've fixed it.  I seem to have a talent for not being able to attach pictures to internet pages (I've never got it to work on yacf).  However, have reinserted a link that works for me.  It does give fond memories of the old Google maps where you could put in more than 10 waypoints  ;D  So treasure this outline  map; it is impossible to replicate  :face palm:

I'm definitely not giving it a go in 2017, the current plan is 11 Whitchurches in 1300km which delightfully covers a chunk of Wessex rides, some old Tavistock routes and a bit of the Dartmoor devil, some classic Cambrian series rides and a chunk of the Mersey Roads 24 course - so a sort of soup to nuts Menu Gastronomique of Audax.  :thumbsup: :thumbsup:  Mrs CET suggested it as a laugh so it has sort of got her blessing  :smug:
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Jonah on 24 December, 2016, 10:09:59 pm
I can never load pictures on YACF either - does any one have a flow chart explaining how?
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: mattc on 26 December, 2016, 08:39:29 am
I can never load pictures on YACF either - does any one have a flow chart explaining how?
https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=367.msg7323#msg7323 Point 5

It's actually very very quick-n-easy to do ... provided you have already put the picture on another website somewhere! If you're starting from scratch, that is the slow part  :P
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: SoreTween on 26 December, 2016, 10:22:12 am
On the google map of the 2B (https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/Monmouth/51.6409272,-2.6766526/Abergavenny,+Monmouthshire,+UK/Brecon,+Powys,+UK/Builth+Wells,+Powys,+UK/Hay-on-Wye,+Powys,+UK/Monmouth/@52.0678331,-3.439155,12.65z/data=!4m64!4m63!1m5!1m1!1s0x4871b6284a5b60cf:0xd8c4601b465848b7!2m2!1d-2.7163045!2d51.8116533!1m15!3m4!1m2!1d-2.714381!2d51.645596!3s0x4871eaac490bdc07:0x9aa963e42c502b03!3m4!1m2!1d-2.762981!2d51.6459458!3s0x4871ea80b4f1185b:0xbfb958f7042a1066!3m4!1m2!1d-2.8235075!2d51.6910832!3s0x4871c3d32d92c5f1:0x4d400775296a70c4!1m5!1m1!1s0x486e27e43a90123b:0x7df1b5eb2a20c6fa!2m2!1d-3.019423!2d51.825366!1m10!1m1!1s0x486e295269352fb7:0x9a709ed66f96fdd9!2m2!1d-3.391463!2d51.9489469!3m4!1m2!1d-3.452631!2d52.0679384!3s0x486fcebac2bfe6b7:0xef63dd8851ee8b07!1m5!1m1!1s0x486fc415bd5dd3f9:0x41ded9e4c6fc6007!2m2!1d-3.404592!2d52.150023!1m10!1m1!1s0x4870298c0cdc8981:0x50d8b23d498cb40!2m2!1d-3.125908!2d52.075697!3m4!1m2!1d-3.0028545!2d51.9731969!3s0x4871d3270462a755:0xf7931cabc06b07d3!1m5!1m1!1s0x4871b6284a5b60cf:0xd8c4601b465848b7!2m2!1d-2.7163045!2d51.8116533!3e1?hl=en) what is the side wiggle between Brecon & Builth Wells?  It's not mentioned as a control point.  Cafe worth knowing about?
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: jamesld8 on 26 December, 2016, 03:07:39 pm
I didn`t do the maps but do know the area and IMHO it`s a spuriosity ! There`s no café or pub that I know of there, looks like a farm driveway only
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: SoreTween on 28 December, 2016, 07:51:57 am
Cheers James, entry in.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 08 April, 2017, 05:50:03 am
On the google map of the 2B (https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/Monmouth/51.6409272,-2.6766526/Abergavenny,+Monmouthshire,+UK/Brecon,+Powys,+UK/Builth+Wells,+Powys,+UK/Hay-on-Wye,+Powys,+UK/Monmouth/@52.0678331,-3.439155,12.65z/data=!4m64!4m63!1m5!1m1!1s0x4871b6284a5b60cf:0xd8c4601b465848b7!2m2!1d-2.7163045!2d51.8116533!1m15!3m4!1m2!1d-2.714381!2d51.645596!3s0x4871eaac490bdc07:0x9aa963e42c502b03!3m4!1m2!1d-2.762981!2d51.6459458!3s0x4871ea80b4f1185b:0xbfb958f7042a1066!3m4!1m2!1d-2.8235075!2d51.6910832!3s0x4871c3d32d92c5f1:0x4d400775296a70c4!1m5!1m1!1s0x486e27e43a90123b:0x7df1b5eb2a20c6fa!2m2!1d-3.019423!2d51.825366!1m10!1m1!1s0x486e295269352fb7:0x9a709ed66f96fdd9!2m2!1d-3.391463!2d51.9489469!3m4!1m2!1d-3.452631!2d52.0679384!3s0x486fcebac2bfe6b7:0xef63dd8851ee8b07!1m5!1m1!1s0x486fc415bd5dd3f9:0x41ded9e4c6fc6007!2m2!1d-3.404592!2d52.150023!1m10!1m1!1s0x4870298c0cdc8981:0x50d8b23d498cb40!2m2!1d-3.125908!2d52.075697!3m4!1m2!1d-3.0028545!2d51.9731969!3s0x4871d3270462a755:0xf7931cabc06b07d3!1m5!1m1!1s0x4871b6284a5b60cf:0xd8c4601b465848b7!2m2!1d-2.7163045!2d51.8116533!3e1?hl=en) what is the side wiggle between Brecon & Builth Wells?  It's not mentioned as a control point.  Cafe worth knowing about?

The Google maps were just a response to people who wanted some idea of where the rides went, not a gospel gps route.  As Google maps evolves with more data it gets harder and harder to actual get a cycle route to work, and as you are only allowed 10 way points, it becomes a nightmare.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 08 April, 2017, 05:51:24 am
If you do the Cambrian 1H you will find that Hundred House is closed (both pub and shop) but people have found innovative ways to get proof of passage such as selfies emailed to the organiser.  Technology is wonderful.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Revellinho on 22 April, 2017, 10:17:48 pm
I enjoyed the 2B today and would recommend it as a day out. The only problems were a
puncture and a seized front hub. Luckily the bike shop in Abergavenny were able to sell me a cheap 2nd hand wheel and to post the seized one up to The Lakes.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 23 May, 2017, 10:27:58 pm
A few notes as the entries keep coming in.

495 Cambrian Series entries since I took the events on from Peter Coulson.  Who will be rider number 500?

There was another go at the 4C this weekend - but halfway through 8000m of descending disc brake pads were done-in.  This iconic ride continues to master man and machine.   

Am starting to work on a 6C, carefully crafted to reach 10,000m ascent.  Any takers?
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: hippy on 23 May, 2017, 10:36:31 pm
Am starting to work on a 6C, carefully crafted to reach 10,000m ascent.  Any takers?

Yeah, just as soon as this pile of fresh brake parts have been installed onto the ultra bike :)
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 25 May, 2017, 10:42:46 pm
Am starting to work on a 6C, carefully crafted to reach 10,000m ascent.  Any takers?

Yeah, just as soon as this pile of fresh brake parts have been installed onto the ultra bike :)

Well, here's a first thought - needs some detailed checking - but adding a loop of Bala - Abergele - Llanberis - Denbigh - Mold - Llangollen to the 4C route and removing the Bala - Llangollen link, would add about 3000m climbing and 180km so turning the 4C into a 6C at 617km and 11,000m climbing.  Which I think would qualify for one of those 10,000m+ 600k permanents with a 50hr time limit??

Ho hum.  I'll get working on it.  Who's the new AAA man.  They'll need to put in some overtime on this one!
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 26 May, 2017, 03:16:14 am
Time limit for a Super Randonnee is now 60 hours and a perm will only become a SR600 if Sophie Matter of the ACP agrees with the 'value' of the route.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: tonyh on 26 May, 2017, 07:53:11 am
Who's the new AAA man...

http://www.aukweb.net/official/contacts/

(scroll down and look under "Event Services Director")
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: GPS on 26 May, 2017, 09:12:11 am
Time limit for a Super Randonnee is now 60 hours and a perm will only become a SR600 if Sophie Matter of the ACP agrees with the 'value' of the route.

An ACP sanctioned British SR600 would be great. I'd definitely ride it ... just saying  :)
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: jamesld8 on 28 May, 2017, 05:47:05 pm
If you do the Cambrian 1H you will find that Hundred House is closed (both pub and shop) but people have found innovative ways to get proof of passage such as selfies emailed to the organiser.  Technology is wonderful.

Not so, I cycled past pub today and most definitely open !
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 05 June, 2017, 10:29:23 am
If you do the Cambrian 1H you will find that Hundred House is closed (both pub and shop) but people have found innovative ways to get proof of passage such as selfies emailed to the organiser.  Technology is wonderful.

Not so, I cycled past pub today and most definitely open !

Thank you!  That's good news.  More on the controls front, the 1J goes through the post office at Staylittle, which is closed on Sundays and also, rather delightfully, from 12 -1 each day, for lunch.  But I've been provided with a photo of the sign so a similar picture should satisfy for brevidence if someone decides to do a nocturnal 100  ;D
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 06 June, 2017, 10:13:59 pm
Am starting to work on a 6C, carefully crafted to reach 10,000m ascent.  Any takers?

Yeah, just as soon as this pile of fresh brake parts have been installed onto the ultra bike :)

Well, here's a first thought - needs some detailed checking - but adding a loop of Bala - Abergele - Llanberis - Denbigh - Mold - Llangollen to the 4C route and removing the Bala - Llangollen link, would add about 3000m climbing and 180km so turning the 4C into a 6C at 617km and 11,000m climbing.  Which I think would qualify for one of those 10,000m+ 600k permanents with a 50hr time limit??

Ho hum.  I'll get working on it.  Who's the new AAA man.  They'll need to put in some overtime on this one!

My first check, its 618km and 10730m ascent.  Will keep you all posted on progress of getting this established. 
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 15 June, 2017, 07:18:01 pm
Docs have been submitted to the perm secretary and the new AAAman has come back with a new climbing figure which is censored more than I had.  Have also emailed Sophie Matter at ACP to try to establish this a Super Randonnee, so that it will have three versions, a BR with 42 hour time limit, a Super Randonee with 60 hours (which might support a couple of nights in Llanidloes - it was centre of the Universe last time I was there at 1.30am) and a Tourist option.  There is also a profile under the name Cambrian 6C on Openrunner (which was required as part of the Super Randonnee submission), which looks gratuitously hilly absolutely brilliant.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: GPS on 15 June, 2017, 08:28:33 pm
Excellent work ! A Brit-based 600 Super Randonnee would be, well, just super  ;D

Off to have a look on OpenRunner ....
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: JonB on 16 June, 2017, 08:42:15 am
Well done CET, really pleased that you're going forward with this and hope it all gets approved
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 17 June, 2017, 08:56:10 am
I've just had the 500th entry since taking over the Cambrian Series, and there have been 246 completed events (with I think one in the post). 

That's just over 50,000km official distance (and probably more besides) and about 800,000m ascent, or closing on 100 Everests.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 03 July, 2017, 10:47:07 pm
Sophie Matter is happy with the route of the Cambrian 6C, so we are getting close to having our first Super-Randonnee
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 28 July, 2017, 10:28:52 pm
The Cambrian 6C Super Randonee is almost there.  Once the dust has settled on LEL I'll order the cards.  The Permsec is setting it up as an event on the AUK website (together with a BR version - 11750m ascent in 42 hours is there for taking ladies and gents) so that we have a means of payment. 

I'm almost tempted to ride it as a Super Randonee myself as it takes out most of the riding in the early hours bit that I seem to be struggling with, but keeps all the legendary hills and some which aren't legendary but should be (All y Gwernant out of Llangollen comes to mind) that make these rides so much fun. 

It also has a brief tourist guide to Wales, including a couple of photo spots that I'd ridden past without noticing that came as a genuine surprise.

Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Clemo on 29 July, 2017, 05:57:04 pm
The Cambrian 6C Super Randonee is almost there.  Once the dust has settled on LEL I'll order the cards.  The Permsec is setting it up as an event on the AUK website (together with a BR version - 11750m ascent in 42 hours is there for taking ladies and gents) so that we have a means of payment. 

I'm almost tempted to ride it as a Super Randonee myself as it takes out most of the riding in the early hours bit that I seem to be struggling with, but keeps all the legendary hills and some which aren't legendary but should be (All y Gwernant out of Llangollen comes to mind) that make these rides so much fun. 

It also has a brief tourist guide to Wales, including a couple of photo spots that I'd ridden past without noticing that came as a genuine surprise.
Thanks for your efforts  :thumbsup: :thumbsup: I MAY one day be fit enough to have a crack at it.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Wycombewheeler on 05 August, 2017, 01:15:25 am
The Cambrian 6C Super Randonee is almost there.  Once the dust has settled on LEL I'll order the cards.  The Permsec is setting it up as an event on the AUK website (together with a BR version - 11750m ascent in 42 hours is there for taking ladies and gents) so that we have a means of payment. 

I'm almost tempted to ride it as a Super Randonee myself as it takes out most of the riding in the early hours bit that I seem to be struggling with, but keeps all the legendary hills and some which aren't legendary but should be (All y Gwernant out of Llangollen comes to mind) that make these rides so much fun. 

It also has a brief tourist guide to Wales, including a couple of photo spots that I'd ridden past without noticing that came as a genuine surprise.
If completed in less than 42 hours counts as both super randonee and 600km brevet? I assume you have to declare which at thr start? No going for a 42hr finish but then claiming super randonee if out if time?
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 05 August, 2017, 07:58:25 am
The Cambrian 6C Super Randonee is almost there.  Once the dust has settled on LEL I'll order the cards.  The Permsec is setting it up as an event on the AUK website (together with a BR version - 11750m ascent in 42 hours is there for taking ladies and gents) so that we have a means of payment. 

I'm almost tempted to ride it as a Super Randonee myself as it takes out most of the riding in the early hours bit that I seem to be struggling with, but keeps all the legendary hills and some which aren't legendary but should be (All y Gwernant out of Llangollen comes to mind) that make these rides so much fun. 

It also has a brief tourist guide to Wales, including a couple of photo spots that I'd ridden past without noticing that came as a genuine surprise.
If completed in less than 42 hours counts as both super randonee and 600km brevet? I assume you have to declare which at thr start? No going for a 42hr finish but then claiming super randonee if out if time?

When it is set up on the AUK website there will be three entry options - a BR (42 hour time limit) - counts for AUK points and AAA points, an SR (Super Randonnee).  Both of these options I will validate as a Super-Randonnee (although note that the SR requires specific photographic proof of passage).  There will also be the Tourist Super Randonnee version.

I'd quite like to offer an attempt at the 42 hour version and allow an SR for finishers within 60 hours, but I think that might fall foul of rules around entering two events concurrently (which I seem to recall from correspondence a few years back is not the done thing)

Apologies
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Bianchi Boy on 06 August, 2017, 05:51:43 pm
BR (42 hour time limit)

I am not the best climber but like a good challenge. I have looked at the route of the 6C and wondered where to sleep on the first night of the 42 hour version?

Ideas would be appreciated - thanks

BB
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 07 August, 2017, 06:46:24 am
The first challenge is having time to sleep.  The Cambrian 4C (to my knowledge) has been completed three times, in 28, 28 and 25 hours (the last being by a stronger rider in good nick and in perfect conditions - no wind or rain) with riders taking no sleep except the occasional catnap.

However, if I were to give this a go, I would probably base myself in Llanidloes (as a start/finish) as this splits the figure of 8 into two loops of 243km and 365km, do the northern loop with a 4am start to plan a 2am finish, come back to some prepared food and a short sleep and then aim to complete the southern loop the next day.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Wycombewheeler on 23 August, 2017, 10:10:55 am
The Cambrian 6C Super Randonee is almost there.  Once the dust has settled on LEL I'll order the cards.  The Permsec is setting it up as an event on the AUK website (together with a BR version - 11750m ascent in 42 hours is there for taking ladies and gents) so that we have a means of payment. 

I'm almost tempted to ride it as a Super Randonee myself as it takes out most of the riding in the early hours bit that I seem to be struggling with, but keeps all the legendary hills and some which aren't legendary but should be (All y Gwernant out of Llangollen comes to mind) that make these rides so much fun. 

It also has a brief tourist guide to Wales, including a couple of photo spots that I'd ridden past without noticing that came as a genuine surprise.
If completed in less than 42 hours counts as both super randonee and 600km brevet? I assume you have to declare which at thr start? No going for a 42hr finish but then claiming super randonee if out if time?

When it is set up on the AUK website there will be three entry options - a BR (42 hour time limit) - counts for AUK points and AAA points, an SR (Super Randonnee).  Both of these options I will validate as a Super-Randonnee (although note that the SR requires specific photographic proof of passage).  There will also be the Tourist Super Randonnee version.

I'd quite like to offer an attempt at the 42 hour version and allow an SR for finishers within 60 hours, but I think that might fall foul of rules around entering two events concurrently (which I seem to recall from correspondence a few years back is not the done thing)

Apologies
According to the super randonee rules
Cannot be counted as participation in or credit for another event held in conjunction with the SR
Cannot be held at the same time and same course as a BRM  of 600km
Not sure how this squares with validating one ride as both SR and BR
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Kev Sp8 on 27 August, 2017, 10:37:57 am
Hi all. Does anyone have good contact details for the Cambrian series DIY organiser? I've entered 4D but not had any confirmation yet. Thanks in advance!
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 28 August, 2017, 08:57:30 pm
I'm working away during the week every week to Christmas so please allow at least a week for me to turn around entries.  Apologies.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: jelhinks on 16 September, 2017, 07:55:51 am
Shall be having a try at the 2c next weekend whilst I'm in Wales.. Any helpful hints, tips or routes most welcome
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 16 September, 2017, 02:49:01 pm
New Quay to Newcastle Emlyn - A485 then B4571.  This is really hard work in a prevailing wind - feels like constant uphill from New Quay and very little shelter.  Choice of cafes in Newcastle Emlyn

Newcastle Emlyn to Fishguard - A484 then B4232 - to pick up A487 at Eglwyswrw (which nearly set the UK record for most consecutive rainy days (85 to 20 January 2016) and follow to Fishguard.  Fishguard has a poor choice of cafes so if you need to stop for a bite to eat (this section is fairly relentless if the wind is in the west, which it usually is) then stop in Newport which is about 8k before Fishguard.  There's a good cafe on Market Street.  If you have time the Golden Lion does a very good meal.

Fishguard - use the ATM at Barclays.  Careful navigation to pick up the road to Maenchlochog through the Presceli's  Very long climb in several sections.  Left in Maenchlochog and follow minor roads through Glandy Cross, LLanboidy and then turn left to pick up a rollercoaster to Meidrim.  (It's easy to get lost in these lanes....even the organiser has, however the main road route along the A40 is HORRIBLE and a lot further).  B4289 to the A40, which has a cycle path.  There's a 24-hr petrol station on the A40 which is acceptable a a Carmarthen control otherwise there is a big Tesco and lots of small shops.

Cross the river in Carmarthen and follow the B4300 to Ffairfach - this is much nicer than the A40 and the flattest part of any Cambrian Series ride.  Climb into Llandeilo, choice of small shops and ATMs (I've only controlled in Llandeilo in the early hours so am not sure about the cafes)

B4032 to Llansawel then little lanes to pick up the A482 6 or 7km S of Lampeter.  Dai's Diner on the right about 100km before the roundabout in the town centre saved my life on the Cambrian 3B - it opens quite early in the morning.  Follow the A475 for about 1km towards Newcastle Emlyn then over the hills to Cribyn, then Mydroilyn, a short section of the A487 in Llanarth and then a final blast back to New Quay. 
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: mattc on 17 September, 2017, 08:30:06 am
Rode that around Easter, 2? years ago. Very nice. Took me all day, a hard route, but by Carmarthen you've broken the back of it.

I did stop in Fishguard; the "Corner Cafe" (according to google) is straight ahead of you on the "main" town-centre roundabout. But note that this is maybe 50m past the L turn you want to make to continue on the shortest route, but it's probably yards from the ATM :) Perfectly nice cafe, v quiet on a week day.
I didn't think of trying Newport, so if that's CET's tip, he's probably right!

Carmarthen:
There must be a suitable cafe in the centre, but I've failed to find one  :facepalm: So next time I do this I will make the services on the A40 my "proper" stop. It's a nice well-equipped place, and does come directly after all the hard stuff, so ideal in many ways.

Dai's Diner in Lampeter is a definite win  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 07 October, 2017, 03:01:38 pm
Audax Year 2017 is done and dusted.  73 entries and 41 completed rides (although some of those were on brevets from previous years).  Only two exciting rides this year - the 6A was completed, with its 9AAA points and the 4B.  Otherwise the rides were all 100s and 200s.  Looks like I will be doing a couple of the longer permanents next year, a 300 and a 400, primarily as I'm working mostly out of the UK so being around for calendar rides is going to be difficult.

Two milestones were passed in the 2017 year - my 500th brevet issued and the 250th completed ride logged.  The 4A, 4E, 4F, 4G, and 6B are the virgin rides, with no finish logged, and the 400s are proving the hardest to complete - with only 5 completed rides at this distance since 2007 - truly the PhD of Audax events.

Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: oliveriles on 07 October, 2017, 06:22:27 pm
Otherwise the rides were all 100s and 200s

Sure I banged out the balance of the  300’s from the series during  the season :)
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: oliveriles on 07 October, 2017, 06:24:00 pm
How’s the submission of 6c progressing?
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 08 October, 2017, 04:59:02 pm
Waiting for the brevet cards to arrive from France and then it should be a go.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: psyclist on 25 January, 2018, 02:16:13 pm
Waiting for the brevet cards to arrive from France and then it should be a go.

Any further update please?
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: mattc on 25 January, 2018, 05:08:01 pm
Are you riding it before March???   Chapeau!
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 25 January, 2018, 05:11:56 pm
Waiting for the brevet cards to arrive from France and then it should be a go.

Any further update please?

Still not seen anything.  France does seem to have its own time zone (measured in months).  I still haven't got my medal for the York Arrow last year.   Sorry.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: psyclist on 25 January, 2018, 07:44:18 pm
Still not seen anything.  France does seem to have its own time zone (measured in months).  I still haven't got my medal for the York Arrow last year.   Sorry.

No problem.

Are you riding it before March???   Chapeau!

Just planning for later in the year.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 30 March, 2018, 11:26:40 am
The Cambrian Super Randonnee is now live and available for entries on the AUK website. 

There are two versions - the Randonnee, which has a 60 hour time limit and the Tourist, which allows you to ride at 75km per day.  We have to follow ACP rules on these events, so the start and finish is in Knighton and you have to ride the route in the specified direction (unlike other Cambrian permanents where you can start at any control and ride clockwise or counterclockwise).   

There are special frame badges and brevet cards too, and you have to get photographic proof of passage with your machine and you (optional) at various sites - so you get a little book of instructions.  There is also a GPX track from OpenRunner.

It's rated at 10730m ascent.  This is a conservative estimate.  Most GPS systems will read about 12,000m ascent.  And not many of the descents are easy.  The route is basically the legendary Cambrian 4C with the flat bit between Bala and Llangollen taken out and 200km of constant hills around North Wales including Llanberis Pass taken both ways add in.  If you are able to finish in 40 hours you qualify for 6 points.  You'll get 10.75AAA for it and they'll be well earned.  I suspect most riders will look to have one (or if they are quick two) nights in B&Bs and use the opportunity that 60 hours affords for a morning start such as 8am on day 1 so that you can finish by 8pm on day 3.

Enjoy.  Am already plotting how to get Mrs CET's permission to have a go myself.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Wycombewheeler on 30 March, 2018, 10:49:06 pm
The Cambrian Super Randonnee is now live and available for entries on the AUK website. 

There are two versions - the Randonnee, which has a 60 hour time limit and the Tourist, which allows you to ride at 75km per day. 

note that 60 hours is 3 full days and 2 nights

so, can you ride 200km with 4000m climbing in 12 hours, 3 days in a row. seems achievable

Looking at the route I see a town with accommodation at 200km and another at 415km. 415km is also conveniently 300km so you could check in and deposit stuff before continuing
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Bianchi Boy on 02 April, 2018, 04:26:55 pm
The Cambrian Super Randonnee is now live and available for entries on the AUK website. 

There are two versions - the Randonnee, which has a 60 hour time limit and the Tourist, which allows you to ride at 75km per day. 

note that 60 hours is 3 full days and 2 nights

so, can you ride 200km with 4000m climbing in 12 hours, 3 days in a row. seems achievable

Looking at the route I see a town with accommodation at 200km and another at 415km. 415km is also conveniently 300km so you could check in and deposit stuff before continuing

Is there a gpx or a route sheet available? I am always on the lookout for an interesting ride.

BB
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 02 April, 2018, 08:49:21 pm
The track is on www.openrunnner.com, search for Cambrian 6C.  Openrunner has a habit of reading about 10% lower than you would expect from a GPS track.  The contour count is about 11200m
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: JonBuoy on 02 April, 2018, 08:56:07 pm
I think you meant https://www.openrunner.com/
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Wycombewheeler on 03 April, 2018, 01:08:39 am
The Cambrian Super Randonnee is now live and available for entries on the AUK website. 

There are two versions - the Randonnee, which has a 60 hour time limit and the Tourist, which allows you to ride at 75km per day. 

note that 60 hours is 3 full days and 2 nights

so, can you ride 200km with 4000m climbing in 12 hours, 3 days in a row. seems achievable

Looking at the route I see a town with accommodation at 200km and another at 415km. 415km is also conveniently 300km so you could check in and deposit stuff before continuing

Is there a gpx or a route sheet available? I am always on the lookout for an interesting ride.

BB
I think you can download a gpx from here  https://www.openrunner.com/  enter "cambrian 6c" in the search box
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: psyclist on 03 April, 2018, 07:04:27 pm
Re the Cambrian 6c, if you enter the Randonnee, you get 6 points and 10.75 AAA points if you complete within 40 hours.

If you are slower but still complete it within 60 hours, you don't get the 6 points but do you still get the 10.75 AAA points?

I'm looking at giving this a tilt before the end of August.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Somnolent on 03 April, 2018, 08:30:28 pm
Re the Cambrian 6c, if you enter the Randonnee, you get 6 points and 10.75 AAA points if you complete within 40 hours.

If you are slower but still complete it within 60 hours, you don't get the 6 points but do you still get the 10.75 AAA points?

I'm looking at giving this a tilt before the end of August.

That appears to be the case but coincidentally I've just earlier today asked the Perms Sec for confirmation on the points situation for these rides.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 06 April, 2018, 06:47:26 pm
Re the Cambrian 6c, if you enter the Randonnee, you get 6 points and 10.75 AAA points if you complete within 40 hours.

If you are slower but still complete it within 60 hours, you don't get the 6 points but do you still get the 10.75 AAA points?

I'm looking at giving this a tilt before the end of August.

That appears to be the case but coincidentally I've just earlier today asked the Perms Sec for confirmation on the points situation for these rides.

I've been in touch with the permsec.   I've received updated advice about the rides, and the SRs will stand on their own, not qualifying as for AUK points or AAA points, only for the Super Randonee certificate. 

However, there will be a BR version of the Cambrian 6C, with a 40 hour time limit, which will be worth 6 points and 10.75 AAA, for anyone bold enough to try to tackle it.  For the avoidance of doubt, the BR version will not qualify for the SR and will have conventional AUK rules around proof of passage and a standard Cambrian Series Permanent AUK Brevet Card.

Apologies for any confusion caused.  I'm much better at riding a bike and designing routes than I am about technicalities of rules.  Always been a substance over form person...
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: psyclist on 06 April, 2018, 07:36:19 pm
Thank you for the confirmation. Makes sense.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 17 April, 2018, 01:50:08 pm
Cambrian 6C is now on the website.  So there are three options for riding the route:

As an AUK BR permanent - 600km in 40 hours (good luck) - the Cambrian 6C

As a Super Randonnee under ACP rules - 600km in 60 hours  - Cambrian Super Randonnée - Randonneur (600)

As a Super Randonnee Tourist Event - 600km in 8 days - Cambrian Super Randonnée - Tourist (600)

They are all distinct events, so you can only do one at a time, you can't have one ride counting for two awards.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Kev Sp8 on 19 April, 2018, 11:34:22 am
I have (somewhat rashly!) entered the Cambrian 6A and plan to ride from Monmouth on 3rd May. I don't suppose anyone would fancy riding with me?
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Kev Sp8 on 09 May, 2018, 09:15:33 am
I had to postpone this ride because of reasons. Now all set to go early doors Monday 14th May. Company for any/all of the ride welcome.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Kev Sp8 on 19 May, 2018, 03:16:26 am
It would seem that the Cambrian Series rides are something of a Jinx for me. 2 failed attempts at 4B last year (one due to nav issues and one due to weather/LMF) and now a failed 6A. Had a great, sustainable plan which built in an 8 hour sleep stop just over half way and everything.

Set off from Monmouth at 4am on Monday with a slightly sore throat (which I put down to being slightly dehydrated after a night in a warm hotel room) and scratched after only 50 miles feeling seriously rough. Had to wait 4 hours for a train from Builth Wells, which I spent mostly asleep on the platform, then a four hour train ride back to Abergavenny and a final 25km ride back to Monmouth. (Easily the worst I've ever felt on a bike.) Early doctor's visit on Tuesday saw me diagnosed with Bacterial Tonsillitis and a 10 day course of antibiotics. Worst throat pain I've ever endured, but mending now.

I can at least take some encouragement from this debacle. Even though I only managed 80km, this did include one of the big climbs (Gospel Pass), I wasn't too far away from 1st control at Rhayader and was comfortably inside my planned schedule, even suffering with illness. I know this was early doors in a big ride, but I'm confident that, feeling normal, I'll have a very workable plan when I next have a stab at this. I have one possible window in mid-june, but failing that it looks like a late season attempt in early October. I really WANT this one in the bag!
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 25 May, 2018, 05:23:02 am
Recorded climbing figures from the first completed Cambrian 6C ride. 

Garmin 11995m
Strava 11836m
AUK calculation 11751m

I think I'd go for the Super Randonnee version and allow 60 hours.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: The LongRider on 29 May, 2018, 07:15:06 am
That 11,995 felt like 12,000 and I'm not going back for the last 5m.

The climbing is a steady 1,000m per 50km. Even on my last day I still climbed nearly 2,000m in the last 100km.

I did it though, ask me anything!
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Kev Sp8 on 29 May, 2018, 09:47:56 am
Quote
That 11,995 felt like 12,000 and I'm not going back for the last 5m.

The climbing is a steady 1,000m per 50km. Even on my last day I still climbed nearly 2,000m in the last 100km.

I did it though, ask me anything!

Chapeau! Did you ride this as the 40 hour perm version?
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: The LongRider on 29 May, 2018, 10:27:56 am
No! I needed every one of the 60 hours. You'd have to be superhuman to do it in 40.

If anyone knows the Lincolnshire Wolds, it's the same kind of terrain. Lots of steep-sided river valleys but on crappy farm roads with gravel and bonus sheep. I discovered that the Welsh don't do hairpins on ascents, you're going straight up that hill even if it is north of 20%. Once you see grit boxes you're in trouble.

I rode it over the Spring Bank Holiday weekend, great weather and no headwind. I did encounter Audaxers doing the Brevet Cymru in Tregaron.

I rode it solo with ca. 10kg in panniers because I travelled from Ireland. 34x32 wasn't a low enough gear for the hills.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: whosatthewheel on 29 May, 2018, 11:04:29 am
Very tempted by this, but probably not this year... too much on the table already.
Definitively won't do it with 10 kg panniers...  ;D

Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: 158Tester on 18 June, 2018, 10:10:28 pm
Mr CET - is there an up to date list of as yet uncompleted Cambrian Series rides?

I did the excellent 2H on Saturday.  Quite lumpy in my opinion, the route I took had me go completely off the A roads from Knighton back to Llanidloes - taking the lane rather than the B4356 added some fantastic views and some extra elevation.  Also the Sennybridge ranges earlier on were another high (!) point.  Another excellent Cambrian Series outing.

Route here https://ridewithgps.com/trips/24471063

I keep looking at 6C and wondering...  BR or SR...  Having just done the TINAT 400BR I quite fancy it.  Just got to get the relevant permissions...   ;)
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: 158Tester on 18 June, 2018, 10:52:42 pm
That 11,995 felt like 12,000 and I'm not going back for the last 5m.

The climbing is a steady 1,000m per 50km. Even on my last day I still climbed nearly 2,000m in the last 100km.

I did it though, ask me anything!

Have you got a gpx or ridewithgps of your route that you wouldn't mind sharing please?
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: oliveriles on 21 June, 2018, 10:37:13 pm
Finished the 6C

Was a very comfortable and wonderful ride all the way around - nice to do something a little different.

I had rain for all of day 1 and 2 - so the lightweight rain jacket never came off, I didn't mind as the wind was generally helpful - Day 3 the Sun was out in force - Wales looked so good.
 
I was able to get 8-9 hours in a hotel each night - and the winds were kind except whenever heading West, when they were very brutal indeed.
 
Snowdonia was horrible, after all the Sun of the Brian Chapman, the conditions there were brutal head winds and heavy rain - even the walkers were taking shelter - and the Garmin went into melt down - I was shaking like hell By the time I got to the bottom. - Thank goodness I had DI2 as I could not have applied pressure to the levers :)
 
The last climb before Bala was fun - Bwlch y Grioes - been up it before so knew what was coming, but with 250k in my legs and it has a few 22% sections it was very tough - and it goes on for ever - but I had a no get off policy for all 3 days - so that helped keep me metally strong.
 
The first climb out of Llanbollen was also brutal steep (20%+) in places and the desent was a total nightmare, full on the brakes all the way down a dreadful gravel, narrow, potholed track.
 
The flat road from Caersws to Llanidloes had tons of cars speeding pass - its very, very busy and risky - as most of the route is traffic free or low traffic so  it was a shock.

It does have its fair share of poor quality lanes on this route so some care is needed.

Highly recommend ride.

Thanks Colin for getting this up and running.

Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: The LongRider on 22 June, 2018, 04:51:44 am
Well done! What gearing did you use?

Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: The LongRider on 22 June, 2018, 04:55:59 am
Quote

Have you got a gpx or ridewithgps of your route that you wouldn't mind sharing please?

Certainly, Day 1 https://ridewithgps.com/routes/27394789
Day 2. https://ridewithgps.com/routes/27394916
Day 3. https://ridewithgps.com/routes/27398980
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: oliveriles on 22 June, 2018, 09:03:28 am
39-32 used for this one.

Enjoyed very much your ride report on the Irish Audax website - looks like you didn’t get much sleep combined with the heat must have made it very challenging, your mental toughness is very impressive.

I look very lightweight in comparison

Could not find day 1 report though :(

I had a different strategy to you.

I did a longer day 1 - 270k to finish in Bala 6am - 9pm so I could have a shorter relaxed day  2 -210k 5.30am to 7.30pm  - allowed me to get plenty of sleep on both nights and do a 4.30am to 1.30pm relaxed final day.

I was lucky as the winds really helped me out (most of the time), although going westward was very tough indeed - the rain was a mixed blessing- kept me cool but made riding the gravelly lanes tricky.

Had to use all my mental tricks plus a few new ones to get up that brutal climb before you drop down into Bala.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: The LongRider on 22 June, 2018, 09:51:54 am
You used my original plan. I wanted to do  Knighton to Bala on Day 1, Bala to Llangollen Day 2 and Llangollen to Knighton Day 3.

I'm a tough old bird anyway!

http://www.audaxireland.org/2018/05/cambrian-6c-day-1-and-day-1/

I sent my ride report in to Arrivée so it'll be in the next magazine.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: JonB on 22 June, 2018, 10:42:52 am
Well done Oliver and Longrider, sounds super tough and the road conditions sound very Wessex.  I might have a go at some point in the next couple of years but: not with 10kg of panniers and; definitely not on 39-32  :hand: As others have said, well done CET for setting this up.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 27 June, 2018, 04:18:23 pm
That brutal climb is only 2.6km long.  It's just the 14.6% average gradient that catches you out.  If you do the Cambrian 2E clockwise starting from Bala it's the last climb.  I validated one card where the rider finished with 4 minutes to spare, so would have been tackling Bwlch-y-Groes against the clock.  It's amazing how much of someone's experiences you can feel from a small piece of ink covered cardboard...  ;D
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 08 July, 2018, 09:51:38 pm
Am just in the process of validating two more completed Super Randonnee riders - by oliveriles and Smeth - both of this parish.  It's rather fun validating by photos, gives the organiser a sense of having ridden with the participants, and brings back memories of the wonderful 4C on which 2/3 of the route is based.

Just a tip from the permsec, electronic photos are much easier to process, for those of you thinking about the event.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 21 July, 2018, 08:16:25 pm
Have been working with Excel formulae and have worked out that 90 different riders have completed Cambrian Series Permanents over the last 11 years, with 276 completed events between them.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: whosatthewheel on 09 August, 2018, 11:34:02 am
I've mapped the 3A for what I think it's the shortest and only marginally suicidal (A 40, A 470 etc..) route and it comes significantly overdistance at 316 km... where am I going wrong?

https://www.strava.com/routes/14836614
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: αdαmsκι on 09 August, 2018, 11:52:14 am
Here's my route when I thought about this ride

http://bikehike.co.uk/mapview.php?lnk=https://sites.google.com/site/youngadamski/gpx/perms/C3A.gpx

I actually started off route so what I actually rode was a bit different, see below


http://bikehike.co.uk/mapview.php?lnk=https://sites.google.com/site/youngadamski/gpx/perms/C3Ariddenroute.gpx
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: whosatthewheel on 09 August, 2018, 01:05:59 pm
Here's my route when I thought about this ride

http://bikehike.co.uk/mapview.php?lnk=https://sites.google.com/site/youngadamski/gpx/perms/C3A.gpx

I actually started off route so what I actually rode was a bit different, see below


http://bikehike.co.uk/mapview.php?lnk=https://sites.google.com/site/youngadamski/gpx/perms/C3Ariddenroute.gpx

Same route as mine until Hay... since we have a similar pace, how long did it take you  to go around?
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: αdαmsκι on 10 August, 2018, 12:37:51 pm
https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=32788.msg661602#msg661602
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: whosatthewheel on 10 August, 2018, 12:43:13 pm
https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=32788.msg661602#msg661602

Noted... pick a day with light wind  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 13 September, 2018, 09:19:18 pm
The 4F had its first completion this week.  That leaves just the 4E and 6B that have never been ridden.  If you are looking for objectives next year  :facepalm:
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: whosatthewheel on 14 September, 2018, 05:10:46 pm
Great article on Arrivee re. the Super Randonnee... so I understand you accept photos as proof of passage?  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: jsabine on 15 September, 2018, 12:10:25 am
It's mandatory (I think) by the ACP rules to accept photos as PoP for a Super Randonnee, so I wouldn't necessarily extrapolate from that to the other Cambrian perms.

Organiser's discretion prevails on those, as long as he's satisfied that what he accepts is acceptable to AUK1.




1:
(click to show/hide)
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: psyclist on 04 January, 2019, 02:28:40 pm
I've entered the Super Randonnee, for a date in August. With 60 hours to complete the ride, it'll be like the Mille Cymru Grand Tour, where tough days are interspersed with a reasonable night's sleep.

I'm planning a leisurely 8am departure from Knighton (giving me some extra daylight on the final day), finishing day one at 200km in a pub in Llanidloes. Day two will be a further 200km, which would take me to Llanrwst (on the way back from Llanberis). I can't find any accommodation there, or anywhere on the route for the next 50km. There is a campsite just outside Llanrwst though, so I'm thinking I'll need to take some minimal camping equipment with me. That'll add to the challenge! Then back to Knighton by 8pm on day three.

Food options appear to be good for most of the route. The only stretch where I need to investigate further is the leg from Llanrwst (where I will aim to leave the campsite at 4am), through Denbigh and Mould to Llangollen. Arriving at Llangollen around 9am so should be able to find some breakfast then, but I'm hoping there will be a petrol station or shop open before then on the road, preferably around Denbigh. There appears to be a Co-op in Denbigh open at 6am on a Sunday, so that might be my best option.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Ajax Bay on 30 January, 2019, 04:14:41 pm
I've entered the Super Randonnee, for a date in August.

Day two will be a further 200km, which would take me to Llanrwst (on the way back from Llanberis). I can't find any accommodation there, or anywhere on the route for the next 50km. There is a campsite just outside Llanrwst though, so I'm thinking I'll need to take some minimal camping equipment with me. That'll add to the challenge!
YHA hostel at Swallow Falls close to the turn left and up up to Llanwrst (Km 393)?
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: psyclist on 30 January, 2019, 04:26:42 pm
I've entered the Super Randonnee, for a date in August.

Day two will be a further 200km, which would take me to Llanrwst (on the way back from Llanberis). I can't find any accommodation there, or anywhere on the route for the next 50km. There is a campsite just outside Llanrwst though, so I'm thinking I'll need to take some minimal camping equipment with me. That'll add to the challenge!
YHA hostel at Swallow Falls close to the turn left and up up to Llanwrst (Km 393)?

Thank you, I hadn’t thought of that option.

Rather than camping, my other option is to divert down to Betws y Coed after Llanberis, and back to the route the next morning. It’ll add less than 10km there and back, and it’s a relatively flat road. I think that’s what I’ll do, as it’ll give me a chance for a decent evening meal. It’ll mean an early start for the final day, but that’s manageable if I start a little later on day 1 to provide a bigger buffer at the end of the final day.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Ajax Bay on 30 January, 2019, 06:51:06 pm
Two miles earlier:
https://www.therockshostel.com/the-rocks/
and the pub close by:
https://www.bryntyrchinn.co.uk/
Capel Curig LL24 0EL
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 31 January, 2019, 04:39:23 pm
It's mandatory (I think) by the ACP rules to accept photos as PoP for a Super Randonnee, so I wouldn't necessarily extrapolate from that to the other Cambrian perms.

Organiser's discretion prevails on those, as long as he's satisfied that what he accepts is acceptable to AUK1.




1:
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Assuming you ride the 100s and 200s in conventional hours then the controls should be open.  There are occasions when pubs close for refurbishment, which can cause a problem.  It is harder with the longer rides, although the 300s and upwards were set up with a view that ATMs were available in the control towns.  But there are occasions when participants have had to be creative with PoP and will do my best to check evidence.  Beware, some of the till machines in shops, particularly in Hay for some reason, have clocks that were last checked in the days of Owain Glyndwr.  The Super Randonnee rules require photos of proof of passage, and are quite particular, but I've tried to use those to create a mini-history tour just to entertain between the hills  :smug:
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: SR Steve on 01 February, 2019, 12:30:23 pm
The Cambrian Super Randonnee 600 is high on my wish list. I might have entered it last year if I hadn’t already entered the Super Randonnee around the Dolomites and made all my travel plans. I rode that last August and it was by far the hardest ride I’ve ever done with 15500m of ascent according to my Garmin and 16800m according to Strava. The organiser asked me to set up WhatsApp on my phone so I could send him my control photos on the way round so he could track my progress. I downloaded the free app and set a group up with him and my family so they could all  see where I was up to. This worked very well and the organiser also messaged me back with welcome words of encouragement. Like Wales the Dolomites has areas with no internet access but photos get sent automatically when you next get a connection.
I didn’t stop for food or accommodation on the ride and filled my bidons from fountains along the route so didn’t actually spend any money. I had hoped to get round in about 42 hours as the ride was “only” advertised as 13000m but the relentless and extra climbing slowed me down and I unexpectedly had to go through the whole of the second night. This meant I had to sleep out twice on the second night with no bivvi kit and eventually finished early the next morning, still over 10 hours inside the Randonneur limit.
Regarding the points, I claimed it as an Overseas 600 and sent in my gps track for AAA points. Before 2018 marcusjb was the only Audax UK rider to complete a Super Randonnee 600 and that was another very tough one around the Pyrenees back in 2013. He had received 6 distance points and 15 AAA points so I expected similar. Why not when it is a permanent ride considered, at least by ACP, to be at Randonneur level? I was initially given 6 distance points and 16 AAA points but the AAA points were on the right day and the distance points were on the last day of the 2018 season. When I asked for this to be corrected and my ACP brevet number added, I was told that the Audax UK board had decided that Super Randonnees would not be awarded distance points and my points were taken away! Luckily I didn’t particularly need them as I was still over 100 points and hyper anyway, but it was still annoying as it took the edge off my achievement a bit, especially as it was the last ride I needed for my ACP Randonneur 10000.
My personal view is that Audax UK should respect what ACP consider to be Randonneur level rides and award the points accordingly which would mean that anyone completing the Cambrian Super Randonnee in under 60 hours would get the distance and AAA points that they deserve. This would also encourage Audax UK riders to participate in Super Randonnees and work towards the ACP Randonneur 10000.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: psyclist on 01 February, 2019, 12:55:08 pm
My personal view is that Audax UK should respect what ACP consider to be Randonneur level rides and award the points accordingly which would mean that anyone completing the Cambrian Super Randonnee in under 60 hours would get the distance and AAA points that they deserve. This would also encourage Audax UK riders to participate in Super Randonnees and work towards the ACP Randonneur 10000.

I'm not sure about the distance points as the allowed time is outside the normal criteria for a 600km, but AAA points would be nice. I'm riding it to complete my ACP Randonnee 10000, so need to ride it in any case.

I've assumed that the rule preventing the super randonnee from counting towards any other event is the sticking point. I seem to remember in the planning stage there was consideration to having points available, but these were dropped, presumably following clarification with ACP.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Wycombewheeler on 01 February, 2019, 01:34:38 pm
The Cambrian Super Randonnee 600 is high on my wish list. I might have entered it last year if I hadn’t already entered the Super Randonnee around the Dolomites and made all my travel plans. I rode that last August and it was by far the hardest ride I’ve ever done with 15500m of ascent according to my Garmin and 16800m according to Strava. The organiser asked me to set up WhatsApp on my phone so I could send him my control photos on the way round so he could track my progress. I downloaded the free app and set a group up with him and my family so they could all  see where I was up to. This worked very well and the organiser also messaged me back with welcome words of encouragement. Like Wales the Dolomites has areas with no internet access but photos get sent automatically when you next get a connection.
I didn’t stop for food or accommodation on the ride and filled my bidons from fountains along the route so didn’t actually spend any money. I had hoped to get round in about 42 hours as the ride was “only” advertised as 13000m but the relentless and extra climbing slowed me down and I unexpectedly had to go through the whole of the second night. This meant I had to sleep out twice on the second night with no bivvi kit and eventually finished early the next morning, still over 10 hours inside the Randonneur limit.
Regarding the points, I claimed it as an Overseas 600 and sent in my gps track for AAA points. Before 2018 marcusjb was the only Audax UK rider to complete a Super Randonnee 600 and that was another very tough one around the Pyrenees back in 2013. He had received 6 distance points and 15 AAA points so I expected similar. Why not when it is a permanent ride considered, at least by ACP, to be at Randonneur level? I was initially given 6 distance points and 16 AAA points but the AAA points were on the right day and the distance points were on the last day of the 2018 season. When I asked for this to be corrected and my ACP brevet number added, I was told that the Audax UK board had decided that Super Randonnees would not be awarded distance points and my points were taken away! Luckily I didn’t particularly need them as I was still over 100 points and hyper anyway, but it was still annoying as it took the edge off my achievement a bit, especially as it was the last ride I needed for my ACP Randonneur 10000.
My personal view is that Audax UK should respect what ACP consider to be Randonneur level rides and award the points accordingly which would mean that anyone completing the Cambrian Super Randonnee in under 60 hours would get the distance and AAA points that they deserve. This would also encourage Audax UK riders to participate in Super Randonnees and work towards the ACP Randonneur 10000.
The super randonee rules expressly prohibit it being done in conjunction with another event/award.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: whosatthewheel on 01 February, 2019, 02:16:38 pm
I'm not sure about the distance points as the allowed time is outside the normal criteria for a 600km, but AAA points would be nice. I'm riding it to complete my ACP Randonnee 10000, so need to ride it in any case.

I think SR Steve point is valid in that AUK could show flexibility instead of adopting a dogmatic approach to points and validation

Clearly a Super Randonnee is designed to be hard as a nail and undoable within a 40 hours time limit by the vast majority of riders... yet, if a 60 hours time window was allowed by AUK for these events, some might be tempted to use it as part of their SR award. As it is now, it's a self standing achievement.
I don't think many would complain if points were assigned to be honest.

I, for one, would have liked to have the Cambrian SR as part of my AAA SR award, but I had to go for a different 600 event instead...
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: willpom gwraudax on 01 February, 2019, 03:30:03 pm
I think somewhere Colin has made it clear that if you complete it within BR time you will also get AUK distance points for it.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: whosatthewheel on 01 February, 2019, 03:37:14 pm
I think somewhere Colin has made it clear that if you complete it within BR time you will also get AUK distance points for it.

The thing is, there is already a 600 with 10K+ of climbing to be done in 40 hours and it's called the Pendle 600. I could do that, but I worked out the risk of failure is great enough for me not to consider it as part of an award.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: willpom gwraudax on 02 February, 2019, 03:09:27 am
I haven't read the whole thread relating to this but...

Remember it can be 14.3kph for BR points so 42hrs nominal distance.

If you want the ACP SR 600 for your ACP R10k do it in 60hrs. If you want the 10+ AAAs do it in 60hrs. If you want both of those and 6 points do it at BR pace. Otherwise do an easier 600 for the points. They're supposed to be very demanding. That's my view.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: whosatthewheel on 02 February, 2019, 06:39:41 am
I haven't read the whole thread relating to this but...

Remember it can be 14.3kph for BR points so 42hrs nominal distance.

If you want the ACP SR 600 for your ACP R10k do it in 60hrs. If you want the 10+ AAAs do it in 60hrs. If you want both of those and 6 points do it at BR pace. Otherwise do an easier 600 for the points. They're supposed to be very demanding. That's my view.

The thing is, if you look around, hilly brevets typically are quite generous with time provision, Raid Pyrenean gives you 100 hours to do 712 km... OK, it's not ACP and all of that, but it's still a Brevet de Randonneur.
Audax is inflexible and as a result there is relatively little appetite for long mountainous brevets. I don't think it would be unreasonable to allow a longer time window for SOME brevets and still offer all the benefits
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: SR Steve on 02 February, 2019, 11:42:14 am
The Cambrian Super Randonnee 600 is high on my wish list. I might have entered it last year if I hadn’t already entered the Super Randonnee around the Dolomites and made all my travel plans. I rode that last August and it was by far the hardest ride I’ve ever done with 15500m of ascent according to my Garmin and 16800m according to Strava. The organiser asked me to set up WhatsApp on my phone so I could send him my control photos on the way round so he could track my progress. I downloaded the free app and set a group up with him and my family so they could all  see where I was up to. This worked very well and the organiser also messaged me back with welcome words of encouragement. Like Wales the Dolomites has areas with no internet access but photos get sent automatically when you next get a connection.
I didn’t stop for food or accommodation on the ride and filled my bidons from fountains along the route so didn’t actually spend any money. I had hoped to get round in about 42 hours as the ride was “only” advertised as 13000m but the relentless and extra climbing slowed me down and I unexpectedly had to go through the whole of the second night. This meant I had to sleep out twice on the second night with no bivvi kit and eventually finished early the next morning, still over 10 hours inside the Randonneur limit.
Regarding the points, I claimed it as an Overseas 600 and sent in my gps track for AAA points. Before 2018 marcusjb was the only Audax UK rider to complete a Super Randonnee 600 and that was another very tough one around the Pyrenees back in 2013. He had received 6 distance points and 15 AAA points so I expected similar. Why not when it is a permanent ride considered, at least by ACP, to be at Randonneur level? I was initially given 6 distance points and 16 AAA points but the AAA points were on the right day and the distance points were on the last day of the 2018 season. When I asked for this to be corrected and my ACP brevet number added, I was told that the Audax UK board had decided that Super Randonnees would not be awarded distance points and my points were taken away! Luckily I didn’t particularly need them as I was still over 100 points and hyper anyway, but it was still annoying as it took the edge off my achievement a bit, especially as it was the last ride I needed for my ACP Randonneur 10000.
My personal view is that Audax UK should respect what ACP consider to be Randonneur level rides and award the points accordingly which would mean that anyone completing the Cambrian Super Randonnee in under 60 hours would get the distance and AAA points that they deserve. This would also encourage Audax UK riders to participate in Super Randonnees and work towards the ACP Randonneur 10000.
The super randonee rules expressly prohibit it being done in conjunction with another event/award.

Below is the full current English version of the rules for Super Randonnées.

The only lines I can see that relate to what you are saying are at the top of the "Notes" section.

"A Super Randonnée cannot be counted as participation in, or as credit for another event held in conjuntion with the Super Randonnée."
"A Super Randonnée cannot be held both at the same time and on the same course as a BRM of 600 km."

In relation to the Cambrian Super Randonnée this would mean that you could not ride the "normal" Audax UK permanent version at the same time. Also if the route was ever made into a BRM 600km you couldn't do your Super Randonnée version whilst that was on.

Awards don't seem to be mentioned.

Super Randonnées are simply hilly permanent events and if they are completed in 60 hours or less they are at Randonneur level. As they are clearly over 200km surely they should attract distance points at the usual rate of 1 point per 100km.

As far as I can see, it's just the minimum average speed that might seem a bit generous at 10km/h, especially for Super Randonnées that are not much over the 10,000m climbing limit, but Super Randonnées are still not an easy option for any rider wanting to ride 600km. I think a Super Randonnée in 60 hours is still harder than riding a flat BRM 600km in 40 hours.


RULES OF THE SUPER RANDONNÉES


Introduction

The Super Randonnée is a permanent route, ridden at the initiative of the participant. Riders choose their start date and time, how they get organized, what they put in their bags, how they manage their time, if they sleep at the hotel or in a sleeping bag or not at all. Regarding their own organization, they have no other obligation than to make the overall time limit according to the option chosen (Randonneur or Tourist) and to do the ride without the support of a vehicle. Each of them is responsible for validating his/her passage at the controls. In short, they can and have to handle things all by themselves. The spirit of the Super Randonnée is based on freedom and maturity of the riders.

What are Super Randonnées ?

Super Randonnées are permanents which are organized, verified and validated by Audax Club Parisien. They are located in mountainous areas.

The length is about 600 km (373 miles) and the total amount of climbing is over 10.000 m (32.800 feet).
At registration, each rider selects to ride a Super Randonnée either as a Tourist or as a Randonneur.
- Tourists have to complete the SR at a minimum average of 75 km per day.
- The time limit for Randonneurs is 60 hours.

Being permanents, Super Randonnées can be ridden at any time of the year, provided the roads are open. Please make sure that they are before starting.

About the Riders

Super Randonnées are open to any amateur cyclist regardless of cycling affiliations. Each rider must be covered by liability insurance. Any rider under the age of 18 must have the consent of a parent or legal guardian.
Any form of human-powered vehicle is acceptable.
Riders are allowed to ride either alone or in a group.
After registration, riders will receive a personal SR card and a frame badge. Both need to be kept with them throughout the ride. On the card, the requested information (name, first name, address etc.) must be completed before the start.

Riders’ Duties

Each rider must be self-sufficient. Support vehicules, even occasionally, are totally forbidden, on the course and at the control places.
Each rider is considered to be on a personal ride. The ACP cannot and does not accept responsibility for any accidents that may occur during a Super Randonnée. The rider must ride in accordance with all applicable traffic regulations and obey all traffic signals.
Riders must follow the route of the Super Randonnée. The organizer provides a detailed cue sheet (road book) indicating the location of the control places, and GPS-files.
Those who have registered as Randonneurs must start from the official starting point. As Tourists, they can choose any other starting point on the cue sheet.
Bikes must be equipped with front and rear lights attached firmly to the bike. During hours of darkness or other low-light conditions (rain, fog, etc.), lights must be turned on and a high-visibility vest must be worn, as requested by the French traffic law. Backup lighting system and headlamp are strongly recommended.
It is recommended to wear an approved helmet, light-colored clothes, and to carry a survival blanket and a cell phone.

Registration

By registering for the Super Randonnée, the participants declare on their honor that they are in sufficient physical condition to complete the course chosen, and to have read the safety instructions.
Each rider must contact the organizer and send the registration fee at least 30 days before the intended ride. The riders can cancel their registration by sending back their SR card.
A card is valid until the participant has started. If he or she starts and abandons, the card is no longer valid for another attempt.
In the Randonneur option, riders must declare a starting date and time at registration. It is possible to change the date and time after registration by informing the organizer of the new date and time, but only up to at least a week before the start.
In the Tourist option, riders do not have to specify a start date. However, if they plan to start from another point than the official starting point, they must notify the organizer of their starting point.

Control and Homologation

Both Tourists and Randonneurs must note on their card the start and finish date and time (day, hour, minute), and the time of passage at all intermediate control places (hour, minute).
They must prove their passage at the control places by taking a picture of their bike at the place designated by the organizer. For each Super Randonnée, the organizer provides detailed information about the places where to take the control pictures. These information can also be sent by e-mail. The rider can appear on the picture, but not without his or her bike.
If circumstances permit, riders can have their card stamped at an establishment located at the control place, instead of taking a picture. The stamp must show the name of the control place, otherwise it is no valid.
Missing pictures (if no replaced by stamps), missing control times, or loss of the card (regardless of how far into the ride a rider is) will result in disqualification.
Each participant is required to personally complete his or her SR card. Each participant must personally provide the organizer with all the control pictures requested for his or her homologation.
Secret controls may occur at the start and during the ride.
Those riding as Randonneurs and finishing in more than the alloted time will be homologated as Tourists, provided they have validated all controls and observed the present rules.
After the ride, participants must return their SR card to the organizer, together with the required pictures. The pictures can be sent as electronic files.
The SR card will be returned to the rider after it has been verified and a homologation number has been assigned. Homologation numbers are issued in chronological order, including both Tourists and Randonneurs. The list of the homologated riders will be posted on the ACP Web site in chronological order. Super Randonnées are not competitive events. Riders are not classified by performance.

Notes

A Super Randonnée cannot be counted as participation in, or as credit for another event held in conjuntion with the Super Randonnée.
A Super Randonnée cannot be held both at the same time and on the same course as a BRM of 600 km.
Super Randonnées being permanents, the organizer has the obligation to offer them throughout the year (provided the roads are open to traffic). If the organizer wants to set a date for a Super Randonnée, he may do so, provided that the rules are respected. In particular, he is not allowed to offer motorized assistance, even occasionally, nor to perform control operations instead of the riders. He must offer the two options, Tourist and Randonneur, and he must not impose any time schedule to the riders.
It is expected that those riding a Super Randonnée agree that their name will be published by the ACP. In any case, their identities will not be used for commercial purposes and will not be transmitted to third parties.
It is also expected that those riding a Super Randonnée fully accept these rules. Any fraud, cheating, or deliberate violation of these rules will result in the exclusion of the rider from all ACP events. The rider may appeal or complain in writing (including by e-mail) to the Board of Directors of ACP, which will then render a final decision.

Contact

Sophie MATTER
3960 ancien chemin de Salernes, 83570 Cotignac - FRANCE
sophie.matter@audax-club-parisien.com
from France 06 650 44 200
from abroad (33) 6 650 44 200




Dernière révision de cette page: 11 Décembre 2018 (11h29mm)





Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 02 February, 2019, 11:58:23 am
I haven't read the whole thread relating to this but...

Remember it can be 14.3kph for BR points so 42hrs nominal distance.

If you want the ACP SR 600 for your ACP R10k do it in 60hrs. If you want the 10+ AAAs do it in 60hrs. If you want both of those and 6 points do it at BR pace. Otherwise do an easier 600 for the points. They're supposed to be very demanding. That's my view.

The thing is, if you look around, hilly brevets typically are quite generous with time provision, Raid Pyrenean gives you 100 hours to do 712 km... OK, it's not ACP and all of that, but it's still a Brevet de Randonneur.

What makes you think that Raid Pyrenean is an AUK BR? It is a French randonnee but, in France, 'randonnee' can mean a whole lot of things and some of them have no time limits at all.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: SR Steve on 02 February, 2019, 12:37:52 pm
I think somewhere Colin has made it clear that if you complete it within BR time you will also get AUK distance points for it.

Colin did say that further up this thread, but he realised it's not correct and retracted it further down the thread.

If you rode round a Super Randonnée in under 40 hours, you still wouldn't get any Audax UK points as things currently stand.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: whosatthewheel on 02 February, 2019, 02:11:19 pm


What makes you think that Raid Pyrenean is an AUK BR? It is a French randonnee but, in France, 'randonnee' can mean a whole lot of things and some of them have no time limits at all.

Where did I say that it is an AUK BR?

It is promoted by Pau CC, but it is defined as Randonneur or Tourist, depending on the time limit. My point is that it shows a certain degree of flexibility which makes it very popular. If it asked entrants to complete the randonnee at a minimum speed of 15 km/h, nobody would do it... I mean nobody would even try to do it, bar a few nutters.

Just like hardly anybody takes on the AAA rated AUK long permanents.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 02 February, 2019, 02:31:52 pm
Brevet de Randonneur is a specific term in AUK and that is what you called Raid Pyrenean. It is a randonnee that can be done at randonneur or tourist level as defined by Pau CC but that doesn't make it a Brevet de Randonneur.

AUK has the problem that it tries to shoehorn everything into their BRM-based points system. The French don't do so and appreciate these rides on their own merits. Why try to stuff everything into the points system when some rides are probably better suited to being outside that system?
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: whosatthewheel on 02 February, 2019, 03:11:19 pm
AUK has the problem that it tries to shoehorn everything into their BRM-based points system. The French don't do so and appreciate these rides on their own merits. Why try to stuff everything into the points system when some rides are probably better suited to being outside that system?

Because it has been proved over and over that if something is not part of the point system it is largely ignored, whereas AUK should have a mission to make things popular.

That also applies to brevets which are perceived to be hard and therefore not worth bothering. The proof is in the pudding, the most popular sportives in the world are the mountainous ones (Marmotte, Etape, Maratona etc... ), the most popular brevets are the flatter ones...
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 02 February, 2019, 03:51:06 pm
How many points do AUK 100km brevets get? How many 100km brevets are ridden compared to other distances?

https://www.aukweb.net/results/statistics/detail/rides/ might be helpful.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: whosatthewheel on 02 February, 2019, 03:55:20 pm
How many points do AUK 100km brevets get? How many 100km brevets are ridden compared to other distances?

I would stick to perm and DIY for this discussion... calendar events are a different breed... lots of club riders use them, lots of folks who have nothing to do with AUK. I do some BP, why not? 4 hours of my life are worth spending even for zero point, but if the investment is 40 or more, then I think differently.

How many perm/DIY 100 with no points? I suspect not very many
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: mattc on 02 February, 2019, 06:38:34 pm
A nice outcome would be that the Super(hilly) Randonneeeeees gain a (strong) cult following; lists will appear of skinny gradient-loving loons completionistas, word will spread, and AUK members will recognise them as part of the broad church that is Audax - just as 100km BPs are.

People will ride them not for points, but to join the latest craze, daddio. Ideally some nice person at AUK will add the listings to aukweb* , with as much prominence as the main results pages.

Perhaps other brevetty rides will follow this trend? Suggestions anyone? But perhaps for another thread!

(I do feel that giving points for hard rides at extra-slow min-speeds will be a can of worms that will take decades to write the legislature for.)


*( or THAT WHICH IS TO FOLLOW)
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 02 February, 2019, 07:47:17 pm
I think somewhere Colin has made it clear that if you complete it within BR time you will also get AUK distance points for it.

Sadly that was my original intention, but it fell foul of the not being able to ride one event for two awards.  Therefore I set the Cambrian 6C up in three versions - the Super Randonnee - 60 hours, the Tourist, and as a normal Cambrian Series permanent, with the 42 hour time limit.  If you look at the AUK website each is a separate option. 

Going back to SR Steve's point, I would definitely back a motion to allow AAA points for a Super Randonnee.  I do have a vested interest, as assuming I remain fit and well this year, my intention is to ride 1000 du Sud - which has a non BR 100 hour time limit, but 20,000m ascent and so 20 AAA points.  But IMHO Super Randonnees such as the 6C (11.75AAA points, if they were allowed, but currently 0) are definitely more AAAudacious than 6 x 100 events, such as the Cambrian 1A, 1C, 1G, 1H, 1J, and 1K (worth 12.75).

So far there have been 8 entries for the 6C as a Super Randonnee, of which 4 have definitely attempted and all 4 have succeeded, but none within half a day of a BR time.   But that's probably because riders have taken the advantage of the 60 hour time limit to bank some sleep.  I would expect only the very strongest riders would be able to complete the 6C in 42 hours with a decent sleep stop.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: willpom gwraudax on 02 February, 2019, 08:51:19 pm
 ::-) that's a shame. Didn't realise they were AAA free too, that seems illogical as BPs count towards AAAs and the ACP SR is sort of a hilly BP. Still, I need one for my ACP R10k so I've got to do one.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 02 February, 2019, 11:02:32 pm
The 4C, on which the 6C is based, was possibly the most awesome ride I've done in the UK.  Bwlch-y-Groes at dawn, after 300km and a sleepless night.  Cresting the summit was as good a feeling as I've ever had.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: whosatthewheel on 03 February, 2019, 06:58:29 am
No AAA points makes even less sense, given the minimum speed of 10 km/h is something that CAN be applied to BP too... and those are awarded AAA points.

Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Manotea on 03 February, 2019, 12:19:38 pm
The conundrum is that AUK regs make provision for rides completed in conjunction with events organised by other bodies/not affiliated to AUK to be recognised by AUK by registering the ride as a DIY Perm, which means that de-facto, AUK is not recognising the 'other' event but an AUK event, completed according to AUK standards and processes

This approach works well as it avoids AUK having to sanction the vast numbers of events and organisations that exist. Unfortunately, it does rather run in to the brick wall of the traditional french regulatory approach that

[an event] cannot be counted as participation in, or as credit for another event held in conjunction with [an event]

It’s hard to bottom out what this means or is intended to achieve, and therefore hard to resolve/negotiate with, but its trotted out as justification for those who like the french way of doing things. In practice this compartmentalised approach is nothing more than the consequence of historical schisms and petty rivalries in French cycling which over time have been imposed on/been adopted by the rest of the world through affiliation with ACP.

This contrasts with the English UK approach which is to recognise participation in specific events and awards AND allow for that participation to contribute towards aggregate awards such as RRTY, AAA and others for which there are no french equivalent.

This unified approach works in the UK because generally speaking there is only one organisation concerned with regulating long distance cycling in the UK, i.e., AUK, whereas in France there are several, i.e., ACP is simply one of many, each anxious to defend their own fiefdoms.

This means that whilst its generally straightforward for AUK to recognise participation in events organised by non-ACP affiliates, recognising participation in events organised by ACP/ACP affiliates outside the BRM/LRM structure is problematic and that will remain the case whilst there is no appetite to negotiate change.

-----

The other tired old saw that is trotted out regularly is of 'attempting to shoehorn' all AUK activities into the BR/BP structure.

That’s because some don’t appreciate just how flexible the BP structure is; its not just about 100km rides.

(Whilst BPs - by definition - don’t attract BR points, they contribute towards other award schemes, most notably, AAA, and there is no reason why there could not be a PRTY, whateve.)

So it is not that rides are ‘shoehorned’ into BRs or BPs. A ride is either a BR – which has a very specific definition - or it is not, and if it is not then (as it stands) it is a BP.

If there is then a demand for other types of BP awards beyond those included in the Brevet series, there is ample scope to set them up, but to date there has been no demand.

I suspect part of the issues is the term ‘BP’ itself which has a rather limiting/condescending nuance to it, inferring it is for lesser rides/riders.

A much better term would be, say, ‘Brevet Tourist’, which is a far more open and empowering description.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: whosatthewheel on 03 February, 2019, 01:19:25 pm
I agree with Manotea that BP are seen as a secondary, minor branch of the main business... the net result is that most BP in the calendar are not particularly demanding and awards not particularly sought after.

I like BP and would do more if there was some kind of incentive and yes, there should be an incentive for an organiser to put up a hard 400 within the BP frame, with relaxed time limits... something less masochistic than the current provision of long distance events.

Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: mattc on 03 February, 2019, 05:02:42 pm
Such a 400BP formed a big part of TINAT last year. I loved it!

(the reasons that it isn't on for 2019 are a bit ... debated, so I won't attempt to summarise them - but lots&lots of us enjoyed the 2018 one, and took >>27hours :) )
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 12 May, 2019, 07:55:57 am
I am experimenting with Ride with GPS for the Cambrian Series routes.  There's a test route up: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/29961189 if anyone would like to test and let me know if it downloads okay.

Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: grimpeur du sudocrem on 12 May, 2019, 10:03:35 am
Just stumbled across this thread as it's risen to the top of the pile.

Like some other loons, I was inspired by The Long Rider's Arriveé article and have dreams of doing the Cambrian 6C Super Randonneé this summer, although I've not done much planning yet.

From the above discussion, presumably if I was to succeed, I couldn't count the ride towards my in-progress AAARtY?
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: FifeingEejit on 12 May, 2019, 10:51:37 am
Just read the last few posts about how the Super Randonee can't count for any other award because it's the "French" way... I thought the french was was generally ignoring such rules but anyway...

Also interesting because to me that means the only reason to do it is for the ACP 10000
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: mattc on 12 May, 2019, 06:38:44 pm
and because it's there! Surely??!
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: grimpeur du sudocrem on 12 May, 2019, 06:59:41 pm
and because it's there! Surely??!

Indeed!
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 12 May, 2019, 08:41:30 pm
Just stumbled across this thread as it's risen to the top of the pile.

Like some other loons, I was inspired by The Long Rider's Arriveé article and have dreams of doing the Cambrian 6C Super Randonneé this summer, although I've not done much planning yet.

From the above discussion, presumably if I was to succeed, I couldn't count the ride towards my in-progress AAARtY?

As the 6C Super Randonnee starts and finishes in Knighton, you could always do the Cambrian 1B as a leg loosener before or after (Knighton - Clun - Newton - Llandrindod Wells - Knighton)  :o :o
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: grimpeur du sudocrem on 12 May, 2019, 09:28:20 pm
As the 6C Super Randonnee starts and finishes in Knighton, you could always do the Cambrian 1B as a leg loosener before or after (Knighton - Clun - Newton - Llandrindod Wells - Knighton)  :o :o

I knew I'd regret asking  ;)
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 13 May, 2019, 05:11:49 pm
I rode the 1B as the filling in a Dinner Dart + After Dinner Dart sandwich.  In January.  However, I do remember tucking into bonk rations 5km from home on the After Dinner Dart wondering if I had the strength to make it back.   :facepalm:
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: grimpeur du sudocrem on 13 May, 2019, 05:45:16 pm
Ha! I once bonked so hard I barely managed to climb the speed bumps on the otherwise pan-flat high street in Fleet, after taking no food on what I'd been told was a 2hr ride (it was 5).

Hoping to squeeze in a 200k AAA audax a couple of days after racing Gritfest in late June, before heading back to SE England. That's near Llandovery, so I had my eye on John Hamilton's Barcud Coch perm, but I'll check the Cambrian 200s out as well before deciding. Recommendations welcome!
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 13 May, 2019, 05:57:05 pm
2C can be started and finished at Llandeilo and visits the far west - always worth a visit.
2A, 2B, and 2H all have Brecon as a control that can be a start / finish point. 
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: grimpeur du sudocrem on 13 May, 2019, 06:20:29 pm
Thanks - more research to do!
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Ajax Bay on 13 May, 2019, 07:21:35 pm
Have just entered CET's SR (6C). For planning I've put together the three routes shared by @The Long Rider (post#600, top of Page 25).
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/29823510?beta=false
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 13 May, 2019, 10:50:01 pm
The SR rules require the route to be posted on Openrunner so that they can validate the climbing.  So if you login to Openrunner and search for Cambrian 6C you will see the official route. 

Beware that Openrunner underestimates the climbing.  Clearly there is some nationalistic bias in thinking that the UK cannot be that hilly.  It's best to assume your GPX will return 12,000m of ascent. 

Instructions, frame plate and brevet will follow, once I get a chance to visit a post office.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 18 May, 2019, 11:17:29 am
RWGPS routes have been posted for Cambrian series 1A to 1E.  The Cambrian routes are still free and so these are indicative routes and come with a health warning - I've curated the tracks rather than ridden them, but in most cases I have ridden the roads in the past, and I have also cross-checked the route to the Ordnance Survey maps and Google Streetview to check that the lanes are ridable (that is a fairly loose definition, just like some of the surfaces, but that is part of the charm of the Cambrian Series). 

You will notice some "features" especially on the 1B but also the 1E, that I have set the routes up (as these were my creations) based on my original shortest route intention.  These features involve riding the straight road that goes up a socking great hill and back down again rather than following the valley floor road that is flat but takes a slightly longer option.  You may wish to alter the route here, they are free, but don't blame me if you follow the GPS route blindly and take in a couple of gratuitous (very generously gratuitous) hills. 

The 1C is split into two tracks, inbound and outbound as it is an out and back route.  Some of the other events have short out and back sections, again, be warned if that gives your device some challenges, you may want to edit & split the track.

I haven't done anything with waypoints, points of interest or anything like that, so you will have to mark those yourself.  There's several reasons for this (apart from my fear of getting it wrong) primarily that you can start any Cambrian Series ride from any point on the route where you can get proof of passage (I started & finished the 4C in Caersws as it has a convenient rail station)

I will gradually work on the rest of the events, but if anyone has one they would like to prioritise - please let me know by return.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: caerau on 21 May, 2019, 05:24:05 pm
Generously gratuitous is definitely how I'd describe them  :-D



Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Ajax Bay on 21 May, 2019, 06:43:18 pm
The SR rules require the route to be posted on Openrunner so that they can validate the climbing.  So if you login to Openrunner and search for Cambrian 6C you will see the official route.
Instructions, frame plate and brevet will follow, once I get a chance to visit a post office.  :thumbsup:
Thank you. All received. Openrunner link is: https://www.openrunner.com/ :thumbsup:
Recce'd (very) short parts of the route on the 600 to Anglesey last weekend and visited intended first overnight stop (Hafren Forest Bunkhouse).
Anyone else planning on riding the 6C as an SR some time before PBP? It and that will be the last pieces in an ACP Randonneur 10k jigsaw (since/starting March 2017).
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: psyclist on 21 May, 2019, 07:09:56 pm
Anyone else planning on riding the 6C as an SR some time before PBP? It and that will be the last pieces in an ACP Randonneur 10k jigsaw (since/starting March 2017).

Same here. I’ve got a 1000km, the SR and PBP to complete the jigsaw. I’m riding the 6C from 2nd August. When are you riding?
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Ajax Bay on 21 May, 2019, 10:28:13 pm
Anyone else planning on riding the 6C as an SR some time before PBP? It and that will be the last pieces in an ACP Randonneur 10k jigsaw (since/starting March 2017).
Same here. I’ve got a 1000km, the SR and PBP to complete the jigsaw. I’m riding the 6C from 2nd August. When are you riding?
Have PM'ed you.
Planning on stopping at Hafren Forest Bunkhouse (just off route near Staylittle @211km)) and at the Swallow Falls YH west of Llanrwst (check in @350km, do the 45km Llanberis loop and then (@395km) adjacent pub food and sleep). Slight downside to that plan is that it leaves a longish last day: about 214km.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 24 May, 2019, 07:11:35 pm
Cambrian 1A route fixed (Thanks Phil W).  Have now completed up to 1H.   I don't think I have enough bandwidth at my static caravan to work on things over the next week (but am not returning to THAT thread) but will do the 6C on Ride with GPS (its already on Openrunner) as soon as I can.

It looks like the pub at Hundred House has changed ownership or had a makeover and is now reliably open from 11 to 11, which makes controlling on the 1H a lot easier.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Ajax Bay on 24 May, 2019, 11:07:49 pm
I . . . will do the 6C on Ride with GPS (its already on Openrunner) as soon as I can.
In preparation for my Super Randonneur ride of the 6C have put together what I think reflects the Openrunner route on RwGPS here:
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/29823510?beta=false I will need to polish it up - cross checking 600k takes a while.
Two comments I have at this stage is that the Openrunner route goes on a bit beyond the Llanberis control, which I'm sure is not your intent (but adds 2km to all the distances after that). Or maybe there's a good cake shop at the north end of Llanberis. And the line of the Openrunner route does not go to General Picton's statue in Brecon.
I am also constructing a routesheet, inspired by 'that thread' which I'll share with you once complete - I've just got to Abergele!!
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: mattc on 25 May, 2019, 04:00:08 pm
Prediction:
(click to show/hide)
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Ajax Bay on 25 May, 2019, 06:06:46 pm
Prediction:
(click to show/hide)
FTFY
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: mattc on 25 May, 2019, 06:15:32 pm
 :thumbsup:

 ;D
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 01 June, 2019, 08:25:11 pm
I . . . will do the 6C on Ride with GPS (its already on Openrunner) as soon as I can.
In preparation for my Super Randonneur ride of the 6C have put together what I think reflects the Openrunner route on RwGPS here:
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/29823510?beta=false I will need to polish it up - cross checking 600k takes a while.
Two comments I have at this stage is that the Openrunner route goes on a bit beyond the Llanberis control, which I'm sure is not your intent (but adds 2km to all the distances after that). Or maybe there's a good cake shop at the north end of Llanberis. And the line of the Openrunner route does not go to General Picton's statue in Brecon.
I am also constructing a routesheet, inspired by 'that thread' which I'll share with you once complete - I've just got to Abergele!!

This is pretty close.  I've now set up a route on RWGPS: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/29823510, admittedly with the assistance of a few glasses of 2006 burgundy.  I would check the descent into Glyn Ceirog.  I've also rerouted Caersws to Llanidloes to avoid the A470.  But as I'm unlikely to take the organisers option of a secret control (the idea of sitting by the side of a road in Wales for 24 hours in the off chance that a rider might pass doesn't appeal). 

There is a one way system in Brecon.  Looking closely you can probably walk about 10 metres to get to the statue!!!

Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Ajax Bay on 01 June, 2019, 11:48:40 pm
I . . . will do the 6C on Ride with GPS (its already on Openrunner) as soon as I can.
In preparation for my Super Randonneur ride of the 6C have put together what I think reflects the Openrunner route on RwGPS here:
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/29823510?beta=false
This is pretty close.  I've now set up a route on RWGPS: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/29823510, admittedly with the assistance of a few glasses of 2006 burgundy.  I would check the descent into Glyn Ceirog.  I've also rerouted Caersws to Llanidloes to avoid the A470.  But as I'm unlikely to take the organisers option of a secret control (the idea of sitting by the side of a road in Wales for 24 hours in the off chance that a rider might pass doesn't appeal). 

There is a one way system in Brecon.  Looking closely you can probably walk about 10 metres to get to the statue!!!
I have checked the descent into Glyn Ceiriog: there are three options and the RwGPS trace reflects the Openrunner route. All are 'multiple-chevron' descents. The RwGPS trace also takes into account the Brecon one-way streets, though such detail in towns is best left to the randonneur, perhaps. I think Oliver suggested the Caersws-Llanidloes A470 stretch was the least enjoyable section of his ride.
I have completed the routesheet and will send it to you.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 04 October, 2019, 10:49:07 pm
6C has had its first successful completion this year, pending some validation issues due to a rain soaked smartphone.  By a rider from Japan. Am living an epic vicariously.  Which is a lot drier than doing it for real.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 07 February, 2020, 12:04:53 pm
Ride with GPS routes set up for Cambrian 3A https://ridewithgps.com/routes/31888390 (https://ridewithgps.com/routes/31888390) and Cambrian 3B https://ridewithgps.com/routes/31888609 (https://ridewithgps.com/routes/31888609).

Will be gradually working through the rest of them.  Will prioritise any special requests for upcoming rides.  As always, these are only indicative routes, you should inspect the route and conditions beforehand.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: psyclist on 07 February, 2020, 01:21:06 pm
I've now set up a route on RWGPS: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/29823510, admittedly with the assistance of a few glasses of 2006 burgundy. 

I'm booked in for the Super Randonnée in mid-June, having had to postpone from last year due to work. Is the above route the best one to base my ride on?

I would still check this myself against the Open Runner route, but with Ajax Bay already having done that, I wouldn't expect to find anything of note.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 07 February, 2020, 01:44:28 pm
I've now set up a route on RWGPS: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/29823510, admittedly with the assistance of a few glasses of 2006 burgundy. 

I'm booked in for the Super Randonnée in mid-June, having had to postpone from last year due to work. Is the above route the best one to base my ride on?

I would still check this myself against the Open Runner route, but with Ajax Bay already having done that, I wouldn't expect to find anything of note.

 :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 08 February, 2020, 10:22:34 pm
All the Cambrian Series 100 and 200 routes are now on Ride with GPS as well as the 3A and 3B, with the route name as the title.  Anything authored by CrazyEnglishTriathlete are the ones to look for, I've seen a few alternatives that people have loaded over the years.

There are a few quirks - as Ride with GPS in cycling mode avoids main roads with ruthless tenacity  :demon: and in driving mode seems to be spooked by cattle grids like Devon Loch was spooked by the Melling Road  :demon: :demon:.  I've done the best I can.  They are free routes after all... :facepalm: :smug: :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: zigzag on 09 February, 2020, 08:24:47 am
There are a few quirks - as Ride with GPS in cycling mode avoids main roads with ruthless tenacity  :demon: and in driving mode seems to be spooked by cattle grids like Devon Loch was spooked by the Melling Road  :demon: :demon:.  I've done the best I can.  They are free routes after all... :facepalm: :smug: :thumbsup:

for these cases there is a feature to "draw lines" (just under "follow roads"). let's say there is a hole in the fence that you want to go through. route to the fence, switch to "draw lines", draw a line across the fence, switch back to "follow roads" and continue plotting. to edit a segment, "add points" on both ends of it to prevent the algorithm  from re-routing a large section.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 09 February, 2020, 08:47:34 pm
The Cambrian 3D is about 10k short  :facepalm:

Bala - Pwllheli - Bethesda - Llanrwst - Conwy - Mold – Ruthin – Llangollen - Bala can be made to weigh in at 289.5km, which is a bit embarrassing.  However, it has always been a bit of an ugly ducking as Cambrian Series rides go, so I am going to propose a modification:

Bala - Pwllheli - Bethesda - Llanrwst - Conwy - Mold – Ruthin – Llangollen - Glyn Ceirog - Bala

Glyn Ceirog, a new Cambrian Series control is bless with a Society for the Preservation of Audax Riders (SPAR) shop, and also invites an ascent of Allt y Gwernant, which has one of the best bits of sustained 17% in the country.  That would bring the ride up to 307km with 4500m of ascent, which should help it to regain its AAA points, which it lost in a rule change around 2005.   :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

Here is the proposed new route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/31902338 (https://ridewithgps.com/routes/31902338)
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 23 February, 2020, 10:13:47 am
Cambrian 3D all approved - with a tasty 5.25AAA.  That should stop it being the ugly duckling of the 300s.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: psyclist on 23 February, 2020, 11:31:08 am
Cambrian 3D all approved - with a tasty 5.25AAA.  That should stop it being the ugly duckling of the 300s.

Wish I lived closer to Wales. So many great rides, and another to add to the list.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 18 March, 2020, 09:08:09 am
Echoing guidance from the AUK Committee and AUK Permanents Secretary

Cambrian Series Permanents are suspended until further notice, including any SR events.  However, please retain your brevet cards as they will remain valid once the country is back up and running.   I will not be validing any cards ridden during the suspension of AUK events and rides ridden during the time would not be covered by AUK insurance.

Apologies
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Ajax Bay on 18 March, 2020, 10:55:49 am
Thank you, CET. Hope you enjoyed Mad March, sneaking in the last long(ish) hilly (wet) ride for a while.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 18 March, 2020, 07:57:47 pm
Thank you, CET. Hope you enjoyed Mad March, sneaking in the last long(ish) hilly (wet) ride for a while.

It had hills, weather, and at the end a ferry crossing without a ferry.  And a pub finish.  Pretty much all the requirements for a great Audax ride.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 17 July, 2020, 09:58:54 pm
Cambrian Series 100 and 200 events are open for entries, with ride dates from 1 August.  Existing cards in circulation for these dates will be honoured, but not for the longer events.  There are GPS routes on ride with GPS and I will accept GPS or photo proof of passage  (bike against town sign or an obvious landmark.  Be aware that the 200s take 11+ hours unless you are a strong rider, and so you will need to consider what food and drink you carry to minimise contact.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 28 September, 2020, 10:19:11 am
Welsh Covid-19 restrictions include all unnecessary travel in and out of council areas where there is a local lockdown.  Permanent cycle rides would not be considered as necessary travel.  At the moment the following events are subject to such restrictions:  Cambrian 1F, 1G, 1K, 2C, 3B,  4B, 4D, 4F, 6A, 8A, 10A.  The situation is changing regularly, and it is likely that more routes will be impacted by the restrictions.  I will not be able to validate a ride that has broken lockdown restrictions.  I would suggest that you defer your events until local lockdowns have been removed.  I will honour all brevet cards where a ride has been deferred.

Apologies.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 02 October, 2020, 02:57:32 pm
There are now only 6 councils in Wales that do not have a local lockdown in place.  This means that the only Cambrian Permanents that you can do without breaking the restrictions in place are:  Cambrian 1A,1B, 1C, 1E, 1H, 1J, 2C, 2D, 2E (with a variation of route), 2H, 2J, 3B, and 3C.  I will not be able to validate rides for any other routes.  Events are still open for entries and rides can be ridden at a later date.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 19 October, 2020, 09:00:22 pm
The Cambrian Series permanents will be off limits from 23 October to 9 November, as riding them will be breaking the Covid-19 restrictions in Wales.  Any brevets issued will remain valid for riding once it is legally possible to do so again.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 09 November, 2020, 10:15:00 pm
Good news, if you live in Wales, then 100km and 200km Cambrian Series permanents that are wholly in Wales can be ridden, as travel within Wales is unlimited, but not between England and Wales.

Clearly, if you live in England, the regulations ask you not to travel to Wales and so I would not be able to validate a ride.

Some of the Cambrian Series rides venture into England, but with some tweaking might be able to stay within the principality.

All the Cambrian 100 events are wholly within Wales, except the Cambrian 1B, which has no practical route to keep it in Wales.

The Cambrian 2A and 2B have a leg between Monmouth and Hay-on-Wye where the shortest and easiest routes  pass to the east of the Black Mountain (going through Longtown or using Golden Valley).  These would not be allowed under the regulations, but a route via Gospel Pass would keep that leg entirely within Wales and therefore allow a rider to stay within the regulations. 

300km and longer events remain off-limits for the time being, but these vary rarely get ridden in the winter for good reasons other than Covid-19 (dark narrow untreated icy descents for a start)

Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 21 March, 2021, 07:47:10 pm
From 29th March, it will be possible to ride permanent events of up to 200km in Wales, so I will accept entries for these rides from now, and validate cards for rides ridden on 29th.  However, routes are not allowed to cross the border with England (again, it feels like echoes of the Two Ronnies - The Worm that Turned).  That means that the Cambrian 1B is off-limits as it visits Clun.  The 2A and 2B can be ridden, but require a rider to use Gospel Pass for the Monmouth - Hay leg rather than routing through Longtown or Golden Valley.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: psyclist on 24 May, 2021, 01:15:59 pm
I originally planned to ride the SR (Cambrian 6C) back in 2019, but work got in the way. Last year it was Covid. So this year I'm aiming to ride it early in the summer, before school holidays.

My earliest date was 11th June, but on checking the situation with accommodation I see there's not much available. So I hastily got that sorted. There was nowhere available in Llanidloes, which is at the 200km point. A bit of searching and I found a little place some 20km further along the route. That's ok, I'll just start earlier.

The logical place to stop on the second night was to be Llanwrst, but my schedule suggested I'd be getting there too early after an 'easy' 180km day, so I found a place at Denbigh. 420km into the route. That works somewhat better than my original plan, as I've now got 190km on the final day, instead of 210km from Llanwrst. But with my earlier start on day one (7am), I will need to finish the ride by 7pm to be within the 60 hour limit.

Now I just need the weather gods to behave.
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 19 July, 2021, 09:08:03 pm
A rider completed the Cambrian 6B the weekend before last, the first completion under my watch.  That means that there are just 3 events that have never recorded a finish since I took over the events in 2007 - the 4A (Llangollen - Prestatyn - Mold - Conwy - Ffestiniog - Bala - Llanidloes - Machynlleth - Llangollen), the 4E (Brecon - Knighton - Welshpool - Bala - Machynlleth - Rhayader - Tregaron - Hay-on-Wye- Brecon), and the 4G (Llanidloes – Bala  - Montgomery – Corwen – Llansannan – Llanberis – Machynlleth - Llanidloes). 

The 6B was truly audacious as the rider suffered a broken wheel in the early hours, about 370km in, had to rest up, find a bike shop, get the wheel fixed and then complete the event - which they did with over an hour to spare. 
Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: Steve Orchard on 26 July, 2021, 06:41:38 pm
From 29th March, it will be possible to ride permanent events of up to 200km in Wales, so I will accept entries for these rides from now, and validate cards for rides ridden on 29th.  However, routes are not allowed to cross the border with England (again, it feels like echoes of the Two Ronnies - The Worm that Turned).  That means that the Cambrian 1B is off-limits as it visits Clun.  The 2A and 2B can be ridden, but require a rider to use Gospel Pass for the Monmouth - Hay leg rather than routing through Longtown or Golden Valley.
Is there any extra info on the routes e.g. a website other than what is on the AUK site? Had looked at 2F but the info was very sparse.

Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk

Title: Re: Cambrian Series Permanents
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 16 February, 2022, 11:11:45 am
From 29th March, it will be possible to ride permanent events of up to 200km in Wales, so I will accept entries for these rides from now, and validate cards for rides ridden on 29th.  However, routes are not allowed to cross the border with England (again, it feels like echoes of the Two Ronnies - The Worm that Turned).  That means that the Cambrian 1B is off-limits as it visits Clun.  The 2A and 2B can be ridden, but require a rider to use Gospel Pass for the Monmouth - Hay leg rather than routing through Longtown or Golden Valley.
Is there any extra info on the routes e.g. a website other than what is on the AUK site? Had looked at 2F but the info was very sparse.

Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk

Example routes for most of the rides up to 300km are available on RidewithGPS, just enter the ride name in the search and it should take you there.  However, the routes are free - you are welcome to adjust them if you wish (although in many parts there is only one option).  The control points are also free - anywhere that can offer proof of passage.  Information from the background sheet can be found here https://crazyenglishtriathlete.wordpress.com/2015/12/26/cambrian-series-permanents/ (https://crazyenglishtriathlete.wordpress.com/2015/12/26/cambrian-series-permanents/)

If you can't find the route on RidewithGPS please let me know and I will either find it or create it for you.