Harpo, Steven M, Mark R, Paul R, Steve C, Gregg, Nigel and I out in the hot sunshine. We lost Steve M in Porthcawl when he stopped to take a phone call. We waited for a while, and turned back but couldn't see you Steve - I made an executive decision to press on - so apologies.
Fast pace across the Port Talbot badlands - none faster than Mark who used a lorry to get a 4th overall on a sprint section past Sandfields. Nigel and Paul drove a hard pace on the early slopes up to Seven Sisters, and Gregg began to suffer, and group dehydration became apparent. We stopped for some cans and pressed on to the planned cafe stop at McDs in Glynneath - but it was closed with a power failure. Gregg decided he had a power failure too, and elected to turn back down the valley at a slow pace. The rest pressed on up the Neath Bank for a drink (soft) at the pub in Rhigos. Steve C hared up the Rhigos and the group broke up. I was worried about the brooding clouds above the Bwlch so left everyone to head home down the Rhondda and just managed to get in before the rain started. I'm imagining the others got wet.
PB up Rhigos for me today - but I don't think I was as fast as Steve C who is climbing really well at the moment.
Great ride guys - thans to those who bought ne drinks/nuts to keep me going.
