Preview of the "MEGA" by Steve
Arrived at Ruthin School at 6.45am. The others were already there, so introduced myself and shook everyones hand. Went back to the car and got my bike ready and kit on. Once ready waited around for about 15 - 20 minutes to see if anyone else was arriving. No one else turned up so it was just me, Julian, Will, Clive, Mark and Dave. I'm the chubby one in black if you've looked at Derek's photos. We set off at 7.30am and turned left at the entrance to the school and headed towards the lane that would take us to the first climb of the day, the Shelf.
As we were riding towards The Shelf we were just chatting and everyone was looking forward to the ride ahead. As soon as we hit the shelf Dave and a few of the others shot up the road, I was hanging back trying to concerve as much energy as I could, because I knew what lay ahead.
Got to the top of the shelf ok, no problems as the legs were still fresh. Dave and the others had waited at the top, but we weren't that far behind. Then it was off to the next climb, The Horse Shoe Pass from the easier side. The group split again as everyone went up at their own pace. Again no major problems with this climb as the legs are still fresh. The descent down the other side of the Horseshoe is fast reaching speeds of 40 plus mph, also it was a bit misty near the bottom. You still have to take some care though as there is a couple of bends that have to be negotiated. If you try and take them too fast you could find yourself in bit of trouble. Dave waited at the bottom for the rest of us to catch up and then on to Worlds End.
This is a steady climb which levels off in parts, but from the bottom to the top its about 6 miles. The first section is quite steep so I was in the 34/27 and out of the saddle. It levels off for a bit after this section, but you know its not for long as it starts to kick up again. I know this climb quite well, eventually we start the climb towards the ford. Dave and Wil have gone off ahead and Marks filming the rest of us as we cross the ford. Unfortunately Julian came down half way across the ford. No damage apart from the strap on one of his shoes, otherwise he is ok. Clive has started the climb after the ford. Its now my turn to cross the ford. Basically you have to pick your line and try to keep the bike as straight as possible. If you try to turn the handlebars your off. With the ford safely negotiated I start the climb. This section is quite tough so I'm back into the 34/27 and out of the saddle. I can remember when I first tried to climb this section earlier in the year, fortunately there is a fence that runs up alongside it so if you do find yourself struggling you can grab hold of one of the fence posts and rest a while. Its also quite steep near the top of the section and you also have to pass over a cattle grid which distrupts your rythum. Once at the top of this section it levels off for a bit, however you have not reached the top as it kicks up again. This bit is quite steep so its back out the saddle and into to the 34/27. Once at the top we wait for Mark and Julian. Julian is fine apart from his shoe, but its nothing major. We crack on its not a steep decent but you still have to take care as there is a bit of debris on the road and there is a sharp left turn at the bottom.
We then ride on towards Tryddyn and Nercwys (I think thats how you spell them) these are quite unduelating roads but nothing to steep. Eventually we ride through Mold and to my home village Sychdyn, where we stop and have something to eat. (Not at my house by the way, but in the pub car park) Mark is eyeing up my ham rolls, so I offer him one and he takes two. I don't mind as I've got plenty.
Next we head towards Rossesmore (Again not sure if this is spelt right), this is quite a steep climb but fortunately its not too long. Legs are still feeling ok, then we descend towards the Mold Denbigh road. The scenary up here is great, lovely views you can even see Liverpool on a nice day. Derek the photographer and support vehicle had to take a detour as the road ahead is closed due to road works. We can get through on our bikes, then its on to Moel Arthur. This is quite steep at the bottom for the first couple of hundred yards and then its a steady to climb to the top. Bit of a drag but if you pace yourself properly you should be ok. A few cattle grids to negotiate on the climb but they don't cause too much trouble. The descent is a bit scary as it is steep and the quality of the tarmac is not so good. There was also a lot of debris on the road as well. Fingers on the brakes and hope nothing is coming the other way.
We then head for Denbigh which is a small town but there is a bit of a climb through it which is not so bad and then its on to the first serious climb of the day in my opinion The Cerrig. Not sure how long it is I was just concentrating on getting up it. Its a bit steep early on and then it levels off a bit. However the last section of the climb is the steepest. This is a tuffy. In the 34/27 out of the saddle and zig zagging near the top. Legs are starting to hurt and I'm trying not to look up too much just concentrate on turning the pedals. When you reach the top of this section theres a small decent however its not long before were climbing again up towards Llyn Brenig. Again lovely views of the moors and the lake and for once theres hardly any wind. The weather is certainly being kind to us today. The road is undulating for a few miles then there is a nice decent into Cerriguriddian. We stopped here and waited for Clive, which was not a bad thing as it gave us chance to get some food down us and top up our bottles.
Clives back in the group and we give him chance to eat and drink and then its off to Bala. We turn right off the A5 up a bit of a climb nothing to steep but Dave is setting the pace, he might not be going full bore but were still going at a fair wack. Once over this climb its slightly down hill all the way to Bala. Were in a line now averaging approx 27 mph on this section. I can't remember exactly but I think we've done about 75 miles at this point. Once in Bala we stopped again to wait for Clive. A decision was made that Clive would ride in the car until we got to Bwlch y Groes and if he wanted to tackle the climb he could, otherwise we were going to struggle to get back before it gets dark. Whilst in Bala got some more food down us and topped up our bottles for the second half.
The Group now down to 5 set off on the new part which is approximately a 30 mile loop from towards Dolgellau and back to the Bwlch y Groes. Can't remember the exact names of the roads. We turned left just as you enter the town of Bala and then right and rode past the lake. These are pretty quiet lanes with hardly any traffic on them and will give you a chance of a breather providing you don't hammer it along. We had Dave on the front setting the pace, eventually Dave and Mark dropped myself, Will and Julian, but they did wait for us at the first junction. We carried on riding again not sure where we were going, but the roads were pretty flat until we came to an "A" road (again not sure what it was called). This road was into a head wind and the 4 of us could not match Dave's pace so we just stayed together. As we were riding we could see this climb in the distance and no it was not the Bwlch. I remember Mark saying bloody hell Dave said this section was flat. Unfortunately Dave's definition of flat must be different to ours, as it was quite a tough climb especially into a head wind. The decent down the other side was fast I think Mark said he hit 80 kph.
Eventually we got to the turning which would lead us to the Bwlch y Groes. Dave was waiting for the rest of us. When we got to the turning it was a good excuse to stop and get some food and drink down us. The road to the Bwlch was a bit of a rolling road and everyone's thoughts turned to what lay ahead. Eventually you could see the hills on the right hand side of the road. Dave was off at his pace and the rest of us stuck together. Every now and again someone would ask if I could see the Bwlch. It turned out that out of the small group that was left I was the only one who had attempted the Bwlch from the steep side. Anyway just kept saying when you see it you'll know which one it is. I was at the back of the group trying to concerve as much energy as I could. Eventually with 110 miles on the clock you could see it in the distance. I just remember someone saying F**K IN HELL!!!!!!! I just said yep that's it.
When I got to the bottom of the climb I had 111 miles on the clock. I was trying to go as slow as I possibly could. The best advice I can give to everyone is (unless your a mountain goat) is start the climb in your lowest gear and just take your time, even if you are feeling ok at the bottom TAKE YOUR TIME. Another tip is try not to look up too much.
I just concentrated on the road going as slowly as I possibly could. I passed the spot where I had to get off last year and remember Julian asking me if we had gone passed it. I didn't say too much I think I just grunted. Anyway onwards and upwards. About the half way stage of the climb I started to zig zag a bit, but then there is a bit of relief as the gradient eases off a bit. However it soon kicks back up. At this stage we're all zig zagging. Just before the last bend near the top I was zig zagging that much I nearly lost it. I just about managed to grab the barrier before I fell off. I had to wait until the other 3 went past me so that I could get going again. I managed to get going again, I'm not sure how but eventually I made it to the turning. You don't actually go to the top of the climb because you turn right a couple of hundred yards from the top. I take my hat off to Julian because he carried on past the turning and went to the top. The rest of waited at the junction. Somehow I managed to get down a poridge cerial bar and some drink. Care should be taken on the decent as it is very fast and there is gravel on the road in some places.
The next section takes you past Lake Vyrnwy and then the next climb. I was dreading this having suffered on the Bwlch y Groes. However supprisingly I was ok on this climb. I had stopped feeling sick and felt quite strong. Its quite steep at the bottom and then it turns into a bit of a drag. Anyway found my own rythym and just kept going. Again the decent is fast but providing the road is not wet you can ease off the breaks and get a fair old pace up. Can't remember much about the next section, my head is still scrambled from climbing the Bwlch.
Eventually we come to the section where the stingers are. Now I know this section quite well as I use this part of the ride quite a lot whilst training. You come down a lane that leads onto the A5 take a right then a left and head towards Melin Y Wig. The start is quite steep but its not very long. Then the road levels off for a while then there are a few short climbs until you come to a steep section. This is the sting in the stingers. Those who did the Mega Challenge 08 will know what I mean. This is steep and is about a kilometer long. Near the top there is a small switch back, by know the legs are hurting, but somehow you still manage to keep them pedals turning. I remember Clive filming us all and shouting encouragement at the same time. By now I did not have the energy to speak and ride my bike at the same time. Eventually get over the top however there are a few small climbs until you get to the decent that takes you back into Ruthin. We pass the point where the sign 5 miles to go sign was. I remember thinking what a relief it was to see that sign in the DLMC 08.
We eventually arrived in Ruthin and rode past the school. That was tough, seeing your car parked in the car part it was so tempting. I just thought well in the a penny in for a pound. Carried on past the school and eventually got to the turning of the Bwlch pen Barras. I looked at my computer and it had 147 miles on it. Anyway I just remember thinking go as slow as you can and try and keep a steady rythym. Did not have the energy to climb out of the seat and dance on the pedals like Armstrong. Early on in the climb there are some speed bumps, but there not like your standard speed bumbs. These are small and really close together. Dave's gone up the road now out of sight. I can still see Mark. He's dancing on the pedals like Marco Pantani. Maybe not going as quick, but he's still dancing on them pedals. Anyway the climb really starts to hurt. I'm just gripping the handlebars as tight as I can and concentrating on just turning the pedals. Eventually get through the initial first bit and then it levels off for about 50 meters. Again just went along this bit as slow as I could. The road then bears to the right and you can see the cattle grid. This really distrupts your rythym plus there is hardly anything left in the tank. Negotiated the cattle grid ok. The temptation to put your hand out and grab the fence post is so tempting, but I looked up and could see Clive filming. He's standing by the yellow bin that's left there to store grit in. Dereks standing next to him ready with the camera. I'm trying not to look up now. This road looks so steep its scarey. I just kept looking at the road zig zagging my way up. I remember looking up and I could see that Clive and Derek were quite close now. It was at this point I knew I was going to make it. I remember riding past Clive and Derek and Clive shouting "you fit bugger". I can tell you I did not feel fit. There is a switch back at the top of this section and the gradient eases off. Eventually it levels off for about 50 meters. What a relief. Anyway its onwards and upwards. At this part your ownly about half way up, fortunately the gradient is not so steep. However the top of the climb looks miles away. I can still see Mark he's about 50 - 60 meters in front of me and he's still dancing on those pedals Pantani style. My arse is fixed firmly in that seat and I'm grovelling up. This bit is hurting like hell but at least you can see the top. I tried not to look too much but the temptation to keep looking up is too great. Just before the top the gradient kicks up again, but you don't care because the top is just meters away. Eventually get to the top, just about managed to get my feet out of the pedals before I toppled over. Derek had parked his car about 100 meters from the top. Mark had already cycled down to Derek's car. I stayed at the top for a minute or two. Basically until I could feel my legs again. They had turned to jelly. After a few moments managed to compose myself enough to free wheel down to Derek's car and wait for Will and Julian. Did not have to wait long Will was next shortly followed by Julian. Everyone agreed that it was a brilliant route.
Those looking for the ultimate challenge in the UK need look no further. This is it. My actual cycling time was 10 hours 35 minutes, average speed 14.4 mph. Not bad when you consider at one point going up Bwlch y Groes I was doing 4 mph.
Mark checked his computer and reckoned he had burnt off 12000 calories. I know I went through a packet of fig rolls, approximately 10 litres of fluid, 4 jam butties, 8 ham and cheese rolls, 6 banana's, 2 mars bars, a couple of pieces of flap jack and 5 poridge cereal bars. My legs did not stop aching until the following Wednesday and my body did not stop craving food for a couple of days. I went to work the next day, its a good job I've got a desk job!
Steve C