Wow, that was probably the toughest thing I have had to do in a very long time. Hadn't quite appreciated just how hilly the course was. Garmin had it as 10, 131 ft gained, which is by far the most I have ever climbed to date. The hills were relentless. It wasn't helped by the driving rain and hail, and the constant head/cross wind. Seriously, having to pedal and push out 200 watts DOWNHILL and still only managing 10 mph, WTF?

Part way through the course, about the 70 mile mark, I was having a serious conversation with myself. Something along the lines of...
" WTF are you playing at? Who do you think you're kidding? You're sheeet at swimming, cycling and running, just give it up. Sell all the kit (at this point I was calculating what I would roughly get for it all) and spend your free time doing something that doesn't hurt. Right, that's it, I'm giving this up after this. Selling the kit and buying a campervan. Anything that doesn't involve going up fecking hills. Just need to keep going to get to the next feed station so I can get on the sweep wagon and go home"

I had 15 miles of that conversation before I got to the next aid station. And what a joy to see. They had a roaring chimnea blasting out lovely warm air. Hot tea, hot potatoes, faggots, wraps Mmmmmmmm. Spent a good 5 minutes there and felt rather good :) thought about it and realised it was only another 25 miles to go, with only about another 1.5k ft of climbing left. Doddle pffft. So I set off...

I was seriously lagging now, mostly getting overtaken than overtaking, but I didn't care, 'cos I was still moving forward, relentless forward progression :) It was only 11 miles before the next feed station, and that was my aim. I hadn't decided whether or not to stop at that station, it was just a marker to aim for. About 2 miles from the aid station I got a puncture in my rear wheel. Seriously, all the times I've been out with clinchers on and have never got a puncture, been out about 5 times with tubular tyres and got 2 punctures. I though tubular's are supposed to be tougher? Stopped and pumped in a cannister of air and cracked on trying to get to the aid station.

Bliss, the aid station was set in a pub with a big open roaring fire. The proprietor was giving out free teas and coffees too. He also allowed me to repair my tyre in the pub :) Well, it's not ideal changing a tub whilst on a ride, luckily I was carrying a spare tubular and glue tape. So I set about removing the old tyre, glue, transferring the valve extenders etc and re-gluing a new tub to the wheel. All in all, it took me 45 minutes, which I didn't think was too bad considering the state I was in. Pumped it up to 140 psi and set off for the last 13-15 miles toward the finish line.

The hills were quite gentle for the last bit, but when you can see the cathedral spire of the city where you're finishing in the distance, and you're skirting around it, it felt an eternity. When you come in to the city, they routed the route through the grounds of the 12th century cathedral before turning up the hill to ride through the centre to the finish line.

I can say, I was so glad that it was over, and so elated to have completed it.
To put my ability and the requirements of the course into context, last year I failed at the Wales sportive as I didn't make the cut off. At the time, I put it down to the hills, the heat and poor nutrition. Well, the overall elevation on that course is 4220 ft, which although is hilly, it pales into insignificance when comparing it to this course. On reflection, I think I did well on the ride compared to my ability. The ride was just too hard for my fitness level at the moment, but, now that I have completed it, I feel I should be able to tackle the Wales sportive in July with some confidence.

Carry on putting in the bike training, with climbing etc.
Lose weight, 14 lb down, another 14 lb to go.
Slim down the weight on the bike, carrying too much kit.
Decide a tactic for punctures, either go all clinchers, all tubs etc, and carry tub sealant rather than a spare tub and glue.
Nutrition was good on this ride, but could do better. Need to force myself to have breakfast, also, didn't take on anything until the 2 hour mark. where I had my 1st gel. In total, I had 5 gels, 1 banana, 1 ham wrap, 1 high 5 energy bar, 2 x soreen malt loaves(about 40 grams ea), 2 cups of tea with sugar :)

Got changed in my car, went over and got a pulled pork roll of the food tent. Went back to the car and left the celebrations being held in the bar :( for my 110 mile car ride back home. Treated myself to a McD's with large milkshake on the way home. Just how I roll.


Ascents, carp at climbing. Need to continue practising and shedding the weight.


Would definitely do it again, with more experience and fitness.