The alternative Bristol Bike fest weekend
I didn’t take part in this years Bikefest as I had already entered myself into the very popular Dragon Sportive in South Wales on the Sunday, and I thought it wasn’t a good idea to do both!
So whilst I was pigging out and lounging around on a picnic blanket on Saturday in Bristol it was infact all part of my race preparation – honest!:)
I know there is a mild interest in road riding in the club so thought this write up might prove an insight into the world of leg shaving and lycra!
The headline stats of the ride is 190km with around 3000m of climbing, with 2,500 people starting in Bridgend and riding all the way up to the Brecons and back…
Route of the Dragon 2010
the route profile looks quite horrific:
That last big climb of the Bwlch is a killer and starts out at Afan mtb centre
Me and a few mates started out at 8am in bunches of 100 riders but we quickly split up as everyone had different strategies, unfortunately I got a bit over excited and sat in a small group well above 20mph until the first big climb of the day 20miles in. I was pooped, not the best feeling when there is still another 100miles to go!
(incidentally, I have never seen so many road bikes and so many inappropriate road bikes such as time trail bikes with carbon deep rims?? It certainly didn’t look the most comfortable bike for 6+hours in the saddle.)
The day wore on and I got cramp about 60 miles in, which went away again, the feed stations definately helped keep motivation high on the long climbs, but I spent teh majority of the ride on my own as I could never find a group that wanted to ride at my pace!
I had a good ride overall and somehow remained strong to the finish, the free energy drink refills at the feed stations worked wonders. After last years disappointment of accidentally riding the shorter 130km route (don’t ask) I enjoyed the extra distance and it proved a real test in the latter stages.. I got to the finish with an official ride ride of 7hours 30mins which put me about 600th out of 1,800 riders for the longer distance. My bike computer said I averaged 16.5mph which I was very pleased with.
I am now going to leave the road bike in the garage over the summer and get back to what I love best – mountain biking!!
There are a few photos from the day here (for some reason I can’t display them on here, maybe how the photographer set up his website to stop people ripping him off! Any suggestions Andy?)
Well done Pete, with all this road riding you have been doing we may not be able to keep up with you!
Packing the road bike away, so your new Spesh single speed commuter bike does not count then:)
I see that we bikefest people had it easy. Well done Pete. Respect!
Pete – I can’t see your photos??? On my home computer or laptop????
…I think we had the easy option – well done Pete! I’ve realised if I want to go ‘big’ on the Tri front next year I’m going to have to sign up to things like this!
I can’t see pics either!
A good effort though Pete, distance and time in the sadle deserve respect. ;0)
Thats annoying, those photos work on my home PC but not my work PC
It was only a route map and profile Click to see!
Legs recovered now, bring on the 24/12 in July!!