Do I sense a last-minute routesheet advisory note? You spoil us, your excellency
I think you (the rider's) should all be OK -
no route changes required, well probably one for the sensible. but none for those that have little regard for their (and others) safety.
Some of the traffic lights are 50 meters long, and others c-o-n-s-i-d-e-r-a-b-l-y l-o-n-g-e-r. Probably the worst set being at Furnace (about midway on section 3), I thought OMG when I saw a sign warning of waits of 10 minutes "at this point", then a 5 minute one a distance up the road. Rather unfortunately the "common strip of road being used is the nearside, so there's nowhere to escape to if cyclists get caught by lights changing.
Obviously entrants will get a PM, but for those that can't wait - read on.
On Stage Two,
Shortly after the Bronllys control, LONG TLs, offside road surface being replaced section length 400m.
On the A44 a few miles after Llangurig, not too long - able to pass through without incident.
On Stage Three.Long road repair stretch at Furnace, probably up to 1km.
More lights as you drop out of Upper Corris down towards Tal-y-LLin Public House.
On Stage Four.Shortly after leaving Kings YHA, on main road to Arthog - you can see the other end of the works.
After Harlech - a long stretch where the n/s is being worked on.
Before Bedgellert - a fairly long stretch of th n/s being worked on. Obviously these will be the opposite way around on the reverse route.
More lights on the climb out of Bedgellert towards the PH. Fairly long, the road is narrow and winding. It was dark when I was there, so no real idea of the length.
On Stage Five.Obviously the set mentioned above.
About mid-way up the climb towards Trawsfynned, Work on th n/s Carraigeway, toatal length affected - 200 - 300m
And on the same stretch of road shortly before the roundabout and the road rises up prob 150m.
There were quite a few other sets, but these were so short, they're not really worth a mention.
There'a new stretch of road before Newbridge-on-Wye. This is completely new, it's very wide and very straight. I decided to follow the old road - at the earliest opotunity. The reason being simple - big road, straight = traffic going big speeds. The old road was completey deserted - and was resurfaced a couple of years ago.
There's considerable road/traffic dissruption between Cross Foxes and Dolgellau. On Stage3 I dont think there's much of an issue, as you're going downhill - and just part of the flow.
But on Stage 6 when cyclists are climbing up to Cross foxes, this is a major headache. Sure, cyclists can take the atitude that they're merely riding their bikes up a road, but the road is down to a single-width, and this road is used by a lot of traffic - HGVs particularly early on any morning even Sunday. I've no idea if the contractors have requested that the road is closed to abnormally slow road users, I didn't see any signs, but I was going the other way at a great rate of knots. But the the local authorities have issued a "No HGV" closure to the road works shortly after Bronllys - and are actively enforceing it.
There is an alternative, I used it, and the cyclists on the "Scenic" route used it in the past. I will issue this to riders so they can make their own minds-up. The alternative is probably quicker, and it gives a lovely view of the road heading for Newtown - so your next few miles aren't such a surprise.
Other than these slight headaches, nothing major to report, and of course some of these features listed above maybe cleared by the w/e.
Chairs.
Mark.