34 riders (1 Oggie) departed Gabalfa on what looked like the start of a lovely day. It was sunny but cool and I decided to add a few kms by cycling over from Penarth. As I was to discover later, it was a good job that I was well wrapped up for the cycle over. Whilst the sun was out for the first couple of hours it soon disappeared and the drop in temperature was noticeable in the windy conditions.
Set off with the front of the field at a very reasonable pace. Early part of the course following lanes to Newport, stopping to pick up the 3 early information points. Navigated through Newport for the 2 control points on the way to Hay On Wye. Fantastic route, lanes to Usk, Longtown and more lanes of 'The Golden Valley', plenty of climbing and thrilling descent into Hay On Wye. Very glad it was dry as the descent was actually quite sketchy.
Leg back from Hay became a real drag into the cold headwind, glad to see the turnoff for Talybont though not looking forward to the few miles after the cafe stop.
Torpantau is 1.9km at average 11% (climbfinder has 3.3km at 7.2%, either way its hard. It's a tough climb and with best part of a 100 miles in the unfit legs, not something to look forward to. I'd spent the previous couple of hours riding and thinking about the various options to avoid it ( Taff Trail, back via Brecon, walking) but in the end settled for the "shut up legs" option.
Made it up without walking but had to have a cardiac arrest break at the cattle grid (200m from the top). Cattle grids can be interesting to go over and trying not to fall, at 2mph!!
Ride trends downhill from this point but this didn't stop me cramping up and coming to a complete standstill on a short push along Ponsticill reservoir. Hilarious looking at faces of drivers trying to pass in the narrow lanes, with me hanging over the bike legs splayed out trying to massage the cramping muscles.
Merthyr to Cardiff is a bit of a grind so glad to make it back to the outskirts of Cardiff and manage a little effort back to Gabalfa.
Good day in the saddle and really glad to get around considering current fitness.
Nutrition: 3 chocolate digestives, 1 Oreo soft cake, 1 Marmite sausage roll, 1 fish finger sandwich, 1 pack Clif energy bloks, 2 flat whites, 1 bara brith and 1 welsh cake. Food of champions
The next Audax from Cardiff are Sat 26th April. Dr Foster Springtime Saunter 200km and the Transporter 100km both start in Cardiff Gate.
The Dr Foster 200km route looks a good ride and I'll probably ride that.
Hope some others can make it
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