Six on the pacers ride today, Rob, Steven, Will, Mark R, Mark N and myself. Weather cool, grey but dry as we headed east at a fast tempo (soon discovered Steven had a lunch appointment at the pub) towards Llantrisant. Hoping that the early pace wouldn't 'fry' the legs before the climbs ahead we pushed on via the new road to Tonteg and down into Pontypridd.
The first climb of the day was over Whitehall Golf Club and I'd like to say how easy it was to stay ahead of Rob on this climb, unfortunately its not true because after a nature stop Rob had missed the turn and not made the climb!
We realised at the top that Rob wasn't with and guessed (correctly) he'd gone around to Nelson. The five then continued up Shingrig Rd toward Bedlinog and the climb up to Gelligaer, at 14% a real challenge. I led the way at steady pace, chuckling to myself as Mark Nott blasted past after about 500 metres little did he know what was to come. To be fair he pushed on hard up the steepest section but was to suffer as we headed out of the village.
After giving us head start Mark Rosser was closing fast with Steven struggling to get any grip on his sleek back tyre bringing up the rear.
Mark R hit the front as we got up to the common followed by myself, Will, Mark N and Steven.
Great descent via Deri and Groesfaen to Bargoed then we all sat in Mark R's slipstream as he towed us virtually all the way back to Bridgend, we passed Caerphilly in a blur so no coffee stop!!
62 miles in 3:30 ave 17.7mph
Steven has requested that this route be a once a year ride, I didn't establish whether that is a calendar year or cycling season 'year'
Just about to make start on replenishing the 4488 calories Garmin says I used up!
