Well done to everyone who took part in this year’s 31st edition of the The Elenith / Yr Elenydd.
The provisional results are up on the
AUK website and your completed brevet cards have been sent off to Audax UK for validation.
The final stats for the day – 152 entries, 118 starters and 111 successful finishers. That’s the highest number since I took over the event from Dave Pountney back in 2012.
Just like last year the talking point seemed to be the weather, although for very different reasons. 2016 was noted for snow and hail, 2017 was wall to wall sunshine once the early mist had burnt off. The warm weather and light winds allowed some very quick times to be set – the first riders were back in a new course record of 12hrs 16mins. At the other end of the field, some of you found the heat a bit much and recorded their slowest times. This year was also notable for the number of ladies riding, with 7 on solos, plus a further 2 stoking tandems – congratulations to them all – you’re in fairly exclusive company as there’s not that many have ridden the event.
During the day I managed to get a few photos at Abergwesyn – these are on t’interweb -
https://goo.gl/photos/txPb7LL4KcfKmA8z9.
As always, massive thanks to all the controls and the volunteers who came out to help run them – Linda, Bernard, John & Hazel, Steve, Paul, Anne & Martin at Upton Magna; Wendy & Fiona at Shobdon; Joolz for standing in at the last minute at Abergwesyn; everyone at Clwb Bowlio Tregaron; Annie and the staff of the last homely house that is the Wheelwrights; and the café staff at Shobdon and Rhayader. Without them this event just wouldn’t happen.
Thank you for all your donations at Abergwesyn. We’ve collected £347.73 which will be going to the JustGiving appeal for the family of Mike Hall.
Next year’s Elenydd is provisionally scheduled in for Sat 14th April, but in the meantime if this has whetted your appetite for more of the Marches and mid Wales scenery, you may be interested in my events on September 16th – with 4 rides from 120k to 300k there’s something for everyone. Full details are on the Audax UK website.