Comments on: The Dragon Ride

by: Iwein

Tue, 05 Jul 2005 07:26:57 +0000

Hi Andrew, an amazing event indeed! They didn’t really give us anything apart from what’s available on the website:

Medio Fondo 100km
Start Bridgend Recreation Centre, from 09.30am, west along A48 to Port Talbot, A4107 Afan Valley, B4287 to Cimla (Neath). North along the A4230/A4109/B4242 to Glynneath (150km split), Hirwaun, South on A4061 over the Rhigos mountain road to Treorchy, Bwlch mountain road, Nantymoel, A4093 Llangeinor, A4064 Brynmenyn, Tondu A4065/4063. Finish is back at Bridgend Recreation Centre.
(Approx. 1280m of climbing, 180m up on 2004).

Gran Fondo 150km
As above route plus 50km loop A4109/A4221 Abercraf, A4067 Dan-yr Ogof, Defynnog, Heol Senni, Ystradfellte, Penderyn. Rejoin above route at Hirwaun.
(Approx 2230m of climbing, 300m up on 2004).

It was all very well sign-posted. I think with a map and the above instructions you should be able to work out the route. If in doubt, go up

Have fun riding it, and see you next year at the Dragon Ride.

Iwein

by: Andrew

Tue, 05 Jul 2005 07:14:11 +0000

Hiya, Been reading the account of the Dragon Ride, sounds one amazing event and on that im sad about missing. Well on the positive side me and my girlfriend plan to have a weekend in Bridgend and hope to ride the course, well i was wondering if you might have a start sheet or a map that they gave you with the route on? If you did would there be anychance you could email to me.

Anyway well done on the ride and roll on next year.

Andrew

by: Iwein

Thu, 23 Jun 2005 10:05:19 +0000

My derailleur hanger is no longer bent. Or to be more accurate, is now replaced. Bianchi charges £20 for a derailleur hanger, which I think is over the top for a piece of aluminium (that’s not even celeste green like the old, bent, one, so it doesn’t match my bike).

However, the good fold at Total Fitness in Bath managed to organise this in 3 (three!) days. Phoned up on Monday, phoned back on Tuesday (they had written my phone number down wrongly), arrived on Thursday. Now that’s what I call service.

by: Iwein

Wed, 22 Jun 2005 07:37:18 +0000

Hey Andrew,

No lack of social skills on your part! The demoralising bit was that I didn’t have the strength to hook onto your wheel (I fully intended to). It’s pretty much the story of the Dragon Ride for me. I rode most of it on my own, occassionally pulling some people along and then when they did their turn at the front I’d just drop off the back.

Well done for having a bit of push left at the end!

Iwein

by: Andrew Jackson

Tue, 21 Jun 2005 21:14:42 +0000

OOps - I was that guy who overtook you 1 mile from the finish!! I was actally attempting to return the favour and expected you to hook onto my wheel, but must have gone too hard - I realised when I looked round at the next roundabout but thought you might have taken a short cut - my humblest apologies!!

My experience was similar to yours - I need to work a little on my climbing and perhaps my social skills!!

Regards
Andrew