11 of us started out this morning for now the traditional mixed Tour of Britain club run. Neil, Dan, Nick, Richard, Karl and Tony representing the chasers, and Greg, Reece, Mark, Haydn and myself for the pacers. Followed the planned route to Aberdare at a quick pace as we were meeting the two Cwmcarn riders, ( sorry i couldn't remember their names ) at 10:30 for the first coffee stop of the day. Arrived bang on time and a nice coffee in Bradley's sitting outside on what turned out to be a perfect day for cycling. We then started climbing out to Penderyn and a lovely tail wind to the top of Devils Elbow where Mark and myself got top 10's Harpo just missing out
we all regrouped, then onto Sennybridge for the second coffee stop. Seemed to take ages to get served so most of us settled for soft drinks and snacks from the garage. Greg then got his phone out and started looking at the TOB live tracker! Harpo thought he could go one better and started watching the TOB on his phone on Eurosport player! How are they in Cardiff he said! He was watching highlights of the 2017 stage
. After some refreshments we decided to go to the top of the Defynnog climb, this was the best part of the day for me as all the crowds at the side of the road started cheering as we rode through. We only waited around 20 mins before the tour went through and the competition for the best photo of ‘G’ started. Mostly downhill to the third and final stop at the cafe at Craig Y Nos Park. Having compared photos of ‘G’ the winner was announced as Mark, ( i still think mines better ) Everyone was looking forward to the 30 miles remaining into a headwind. Everyone was working hard and keeping pretty much together until Margam were it was every man for themselves as everyone was feeling it in the legs. I thought everyone worked well today, and well done to all the chasers for stepping up. It was nice to have a good size group and i think a new record for a TOB ride. Hope everyone enjoyed it and will be back for more next year.
