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Bryan Chapman Memorial 600
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02-06-2011 4:58pm#1A few people asked for this, sorry this took longer to get together than expected but its been a hectic month, it is also not of a high amount of detail so if things are in an incorrect order I do apologise:
Bryan Chapman memorial 600
A week before this event I was dropping back a rented car after driving down to the fantastic Borlin 300. On the cycle back from the rental place I crashed, stripping my dynamo, breaking a bottle cage, buckling a rear wheel, offsetting both rear and front derailleurs.
The day before I set off for the ferry I am still fixing her up but it looks like she will run. I left my house at 6am Friday morning (after a night of stress and no sleep as I fretted over what I was probably forgetting), cycled into work to reprint some last minute warnings from the event organiser (Mark Rigby, which is Welch for absolute Gent). Onto the ferry ticket office, where happily a sail and rail (with a bike as luggage) costs a total of 40euro. The ferry was delayed for about an hour due to mechanical problems meaning I arrived in Holyhead 5 minutes after my connecting train daparted. While there was one in an hour it did mean that if I forgot anything I had no time to buy replacements.
I arrived at St. Annes B&B where I was happy to see a sign in the window welcoming cyclists. Knowing I was leaving early in the morning, she showed me round the kitchen and told me to help myself to whatever I wanted. I popped down to Tescos for some bonk supplies and then over the Severn bridge to meet a few others taking part the next day in “The Boars Head” in Aust for dinner.
A restless night in bed, I woke up on several occasions with night sweats (caused by hypoglycaemia), I gave up trying to sleep just after 4 and hopped out of bed. For this event, I overpacked as if I was doing PBP, I figured if I can’t do it for 600km, little hope for longer. As it turns out the thing that I had forgotten was chamois cream and was wondering how much pain I would be in by half way. Out the door, all apparently ready, I rolled uphill (it seemed to be approximately 45degree climb from the middle of Chepstow out to the start). In a stunning change of form, I arrived in time, registered, had a cuppa tea (first caffeine in a week) and had a few slices of toast. At six mark jumped up, ran out the door and told everyone they could move. I had to wait a few minutes as my back up light fell off ?!”£$ and my front mudguard started rubbing (this was fixed with a cigarette lighter (plastic mudguard)).
And off we went, I started off quick (despite being at the back and spent the next 2 hours overtaking people (except the one spot where I dropped a bidon and had to circle back for it). I was feeling good and the weather was exceptional, I recognised a few faces including “the Silverback cyclist” whos blog i had read in preperation for the day out who was trotting away on a recumbent. A link to his site so ideas of climbs can be had:http://silverbackcyclist.blogspot.com/2010/05/bryan-chapman-memorial-600km-audax.html.
Not long after the 50km mark we started our first proper climb, which would have been fine only for a headwind that would not quit, I dropped into a steady spin and tuned out everything except the fantastic scenery. Everyone else was getting into bunches one of whom formed behind me and another guy in a yellow jacket (who was exceptionally strong), everyone seemed intent on riding single file and whenever I tried to drop back I found myself increasingly annoyed at the lack of speed but when I pulled forward the group pulled forward with me. I took a left at the roundabout before the honey cafe, which was the old route, same distance but there was no need to go through the town.
The Honey Cafe served a top notch full fry with a glass of orange juice and refilled our water with a smile (which must be hard after over 100 cyclists). I got through as quickly as possible (maybe 15-20 minutes) and took of on my own. I struggled for about 10km to get the rhythm going again and was overtaken by just about everybody but eventually I found the rhythm again. I settled into a group with Alex and co from Bristol but again I found myself at the top all the time and unable to drop back. Alex eventually came up and told me to get to the back but I fear I may already have overdone it. I struggled to hold onto the back for the final ¾ km uphill but eventually I didn’t need to. I was too be rewarded with a lovely downhill, or it would have been only for the fact that if you stopped cycling on the downhill the wind would stop you dead. I knocked up into my highest gear and hammered it through the wind as far as the second (unofficial control) at the Red Kite Cafe. I walked in the door with a layer of skin missing as the windburn was fairly harsh. I plonked down ordered a full breakfast and a coffee. Talking to others as I sat I found out I could have ordered the mega breakfast for a paltry 9.95 and it would be free if I finished it, but there is another challenge for another time (I would easily have got this one in the bag though).
I took off on my own again and was happy to report I found my legs almost immediately. A small climb straight after the cafe gave the impression that the wind had died a bit but this was not too be as the large downhill section that came next was like a wall of wind but at least it was downhill and continued for 30km as far as Machcynlleth. Then a fantastic climb as I headed for Dolgellau of the most breathtaking scenery (also literally breathtaking as a climb). The onto a descent like no other, hitting well over 90km/hr, I had decided that as I was unsure of my ability, I was going to take some risks on the downhill sections. Unfortunately, so focused on the downhill I skipped an instruction and as the hill flattened out, I took a left onto the A493, which is an instruction (but not applicable for another 10km) and beat along this beautiful road at the bottom of the mountain till I hit a village 20 minutes late with no sign of the youth hostel turn. I looked for maps, then asked a few locals when a doctors car showed me I had turned in at the wrong end of the A493 road. I could continue around or turn back. Either way made no difference as I was half way either way.
This is the wrong road, if you see the hill/mountain to my left, that is the one that I had just descended.
The heavens opened and I turned back, onto the original route, and then uphill for awhile as I spun away in disgust that if I hadn’t made the wrong turn, I would have made the youth hostel before the spill of rain, but you live and learn. The lane into the youth hostel is similar to that beside the Dying Sow Pub of Pauls epic route fame and was not welcome, 800meters from the control but what had to be done, had to be done.
In the door, I wolfed down a bowl of leek and potato, a plate of spag bol and an incredibly delicious portion of apple pie and custard. A change of clothes, and a cuppa tea(took 5 seconds to drink) and I was out the door again. Longer than I would have liked but not too bad, about an hour in total, I set off once more into the abyss.
A few km down the road I passed the turn for the railway track path but seen it in my over the shoulder glance and spun around luckily enough.
Through some pedestrian gates with Alex and some other guy, we crossed the toll wooden bridge and into Barmouth, and onto Harlech. i left Alex behind here as I wanted to up the pace a bit while I was feeling good, and continued quite strong for the next 80km until parts started falling off my bike. It was night time now and we started the climb up towards Pen Y Pass which was a long haul but worth it. I was alone for most of this and started to see riders on the return leg (some of whom I later realised were not following the correct path but it was the same distance either way). This was the epic part of the ride for me, the wind was strong and the rain just kept falling but looking to my left I got a fantastic view up through the pass with moonlight streaming through the rain and the mountains and the odd glimpse of a red LED miles away from me on an adjacent mountain. Despite the rain it felt warm and was an enjoyable spin, I kept a nice pace all the way up the first half despite the head wind and was feeling unusually strong, seeing a few lights ahead of me before the turnabout to the final climb, I decided my goal was to reach them before the top. As I made the turn though I found that for one of the only sections on the ride I had a tail wind for the last 4 km of the climb and powered up the mountain with no issues, overtaking several others who had a nice rhythm. Stopping to greet a large group at the top, I only waited for 5 minutes before starting the descent (one poor guy had fallen and had a feared broken rib (later turned out to be severe bruising)). I started the descent, glad of my highpower light as I hit well over 85 on a descent that lasted several minutes. When the short climbs started after this I felt immense strength in the legs and powered up them in a reasonably high gear and kept a strong pace going until reaching the roundabout sections before Menai.
At this point, my rear brakes slipped sidewards, my front mudguard broke and produced a mightily annoying rattle whenever the road was in anyway rough. I pulled over and fixed up all I could, but the mudguards were half knackered, they would hold on but would continue to rattle quite irritatingly whenever the roads were even slightly rough. Luckily in Wales that is almost never. I started the route through multiple roundabouts heading to Menai Bridge. A few short climbs and another 30/40 cyclists coming the other way i finally sailed past the control before skidding around 5 seconds later when I realised.
Lovely ladies at check in stamped and signed all, a bowl of soup, ham sandwich and some custard/ambrosia and peaches gave me a boost along with a cuppa Joe. I gave my hat to a guy here (I had a spare in my bag) as he looked like death waiting.
It's the guy falling into his coffee on the mid left of the picture
No time wasting,, realising I was further behind than planned, 15 minutes and I was back over the Menai bridge and onwards alone for the entire next section. I was stopping every 10 minutes to double check routes etc as despite everything going well I kept doubting myself and I would say this added on a substantial amount of time. Paranoia was setting on and for no good reason. I had initially planned not to sleep at Kings and instead sleep at the next control as it would be quieter and was known to have a spare room for people like me. Alas on walking in the door I done the stupid and changed my plans. I agreed to lay down for two hours and get some food. Unfortunately, the snoring in the room (by the one guy in the bunk above me) stopped this, I was slow to change on getting up, slow to pack up, slow to order food and slow to get moving. my planned 2 hour stay was now at four with no rest that i could discern. I wolfed down a fry(lovely) and some fruit/porridge mix(not lovely). and set off alone once more. the annoyance at my lack of rest and wasted time hung over me for the next while. I finally woke and found my legs at cross foxes after slowing to almost Lanterne Rouge territory (it would turn out that there were only 2 behind me), but once i found my legs I was motoring once more, overtaking several on my way to Aberhafesp and up cross foxes, after which I hit +100km/hr on what is an epic descent, the type where while you can see approaching traffic for the whole thing, you know if you slip, your Brown Bread. I of course went straight past the control, asked a local, who pointed me another mile in the wrong direction before finally finding the way and back to the community centre. Walking in I was greeted by a sausage sandwich and a few slices of malt loaf, then a bacon sandwich and beans. I decided to run as I would have happily wolfed another few and stayed till close. On my bike again i rolled into Newtown, hung a left and headed for the tallest point of the ride. A great climb if not as scenic as the north of Wales, I got support from a kid hanging out his window shouting “keep pedaling, its up hill for the next mile”.
He was in fact incorrect and it would be the next 3 miles but no matter. Here I met one of the YACF crowd and the two of us powered to the top. I continued but he waited for his companions, around the corner at the beginning of the descent I was hit by a crosswind that literally was pushing me off the road, I managed to tack into it but it was a miracle i did not come off but once in shelter I descended nicely and off across the border too England or more appropriately back to roads of an Irish standards.
I can honestly say if the roads to this point had been like those in Cork or parts of Wicklow, I wouldn’t have made it but it did give me a boost to get a reminder of home.
I ploughed on making a few silly minor mistakes but all were realised within 5 minutes and only added 10/15 minutes in total, Arriving in Woebley to see 30 bikes already there getting ready to set off. I got myself some water from the lovely shop assistant (a potential winner of Craggy Islands Lovely Ladies competition in the future) out of their kitchen, 2 thick sandwiches, 3 packets of Monster Munch,(consumed) and a packet of orange and ginger biscuits (thrown in my bar bag) I was on the road again.
Taking off once more on my own, I felt strong which was shocking this late in the ride, I expected to be struggling to stand but I think the right pace and not over stretching myself was paying off divedends. Coming through some town I do not remember the name of, I joined a group of 6 others for the final leg out to Chepstow. No more pushing from here on out, I settled into a nice rhythm with a trio of lads from IBM, flying past Madley Airfield. Flying along backlanes in Wales, I soon caught up with a few familiar faces before the rolling hills began. Feeling strong, I slipped into a high gear and powered through the next few miles, flying into the downhills and using the momentum to keep spinning in a high gear to the top of the next hill. This eventually wore off as the hills became longer or spaced further apart and I had to settle back in to a nice steady rhythm once more.
I left the lads behind as they pulled in for some food near the abbey 25 km from the end, I sailed on on my own up the last long climb of the ride, once more I was pleased to find a rhythm and a bit of strength, times have changed in the last few months.
Coming into Chepstow on the ring road, I seen one guy tear off down the wrong road (although it would bring him the right way eventually) I sailed into the finish with LEE from YACF to a look of suprise from Mark Rigby, who I suspect, after talking to him earlier in the ride, had little faith in my ability to complete the event.
Sitting down to a loverly cuppa tea from the superb support and some of the nicest toast I have ever had. A few minutes chatting, I decided to head off to see could I actually get to Holyhead tonight. Arriving at the station, I found a train to bring me back was leaving in 20 minutes (despite the website ssaying there were no trains running). I arrived in Hioly head at 02:08 to find out that Stena would not let me bored as a foot passenger. I sped out to the car loading only to be ran at by security who then informed me that was also closed. Sailing at 02:30 means you should be there at 01:45 (wish they had mentioned this somewhere). Irish Ferries security came over to me, so I thankfully found out that they would let me on. I sat down to a well deserved Bacon Butty and a pint, as the screams of absolute £%$^, sorry Liverpool fans, filled the boat but that is a story for another time.
I rolled of the ferry in Dublin among 40 haulier lorries who were very considerate and cautious of me on the route out of the port, finally I no longer felt strong. I crawled home in a low gear, achilles screaming for mercy as my usual 30 minute cycle took almost an hour and a half, i arrived in my door at 07:30 only to have a cuppa and head out the door for work an hour later.
This is how weekends should be spent.
Apologies if I have events in the wrong order, some of them are a bit muddled. A huge thanks to the following: Liz from St. Annes B&B, a big recommendation from me for anyone over that part of the world in the future. ThinkBike in Rathmines, who got my wheels straightened in a rush, lent me a spare battery for my BBB highpower light (I feared the charge would not last a full night), and got me a good deal on a fantastic pair of leg warmers which were used well, highly recommended. Eoghan who recommended the ride and cleverly talked me out of riding this fixed. My bike for holding together even though I put it together. Finally Mark Rigby and company who put on a fantastic ride with incredible support, for less than 20 euro, I got 2 breakfasts, a sleep in a youth hostel, a slap up fry in a community centre and the opportunity to take part in a terrific ride.
Marc15
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yI8WNLjyhaU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MK9Epp9wo3s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWmXRvjQXdIComments
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Well done, great stuff as usual ! Coming out for another 600 this weekend by any chance just to keep the fitness levels up ? A gentle spin around Carlow, Kilkenny, Wicklow etc would be nice and handy after your Welsh epic !
I presume I will be seeing you bright and early in Bray on Saturday for a gentle spin down the country as well then
I was just currently up around Lambs cross testing out the right level for my lights so I can show them off on Saturday night. Oddly enough with the most hectic two weeks of work that I have had in awhile, I am feeling alot less confident for the weekend 
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