The Angel (Fairy) arrives in Aztec
I suppose we ought to start by congratulating all of the @CLSCyclists who successfully completed the CLS Angel to Aztec Charity Cycle in aid of The Carers Trust – from Manchester to Bristol via the ‘scenic route’. 3 solid days of cycling, 15,750 ft of (mainly Welsh) mountainsides successfully conquered and a casual 250 miles are now in the bag!
On the morning of day 3 there were a few tired faces around the breakfast table – a combination of the tortuous climbs the previous day and some late night celebratory drinking...
Leaving the hotel, the kit and riders were transferred to the start point at Pen-Y-Fan car park in the midst of the mighty Brecon Beacons. Despite being a little chilly to start with the prospect of a 10 mile descent to ease the legs in put a smile on everyone’s faces – combined with the fact that our very own Timo Kindred had donned a pink fairy costume for the final day (all 65 miles of it).
Setting off, we descended into Brecon having avoided cliff-edges and badgers, before sweeping east towards Golivan near Abergavenny. Keeping the average speed at a respectable 17 mph it was so easy in fact that Kareem and I were discussing the alternative/easier methods of getting from Manchester to Bristol before we cruised into Raglan for the lunch stop at 35 miles in and no more than a slight bump in the road having been climbed. At this point, the excellent food and easy run-in may have somewhat disguised what was yet to come in the last 25+ miles remaining until the finish at Aztec West, Bristol.
We were all soon grounded again with a short sharp 19% kick of a climb and a longer steadier 10% climb that ramped up to 16% in places. Each of which split the climbers from the non-climbers before the team regrouped at the top. By this point, the sun was out doing its best to cultivate 44 legs with razor-sharp tan (and/or burn) lines in adherence with rule #7 – see http://www.velominati.com/the-rules/ - and following a brief stop at the village triangle in Devauden to say hello to Neil Walker’s family we continued to Chepstow and the Severn Bridge.
Prior to arriving in Chepstow there was a slightly surreal moment of being overtaken by a pink fairy on a bicycle doing +45 mph. I hope this was only a one-off as déjà vu of the event would be enough to drive one bonkers!
The final 10 miles or so went by without a hitch and fortunately, no more crashes, mechanicals or punctures allowed all 22 riders to roll into 650 Aztec West at approx. 3:30pm. Where we were greeted by family and friends and shared a glass or two of bubbly with our wonderful support crew before the obligatory group photo and thank you’s to those involved in making the event possible.
Before I sign off I would like to reiterate those thank you’s to Jaima, Jo, Sian, Jo-Anne, Kelly, Shaun, Connah, Kim and Mr Minibus (AKA Wayne) for being excellent support and providing such a fab time. Those cake-stops and welcome faces after some unpronounceable and un-mappable (Bruce!) ascents I think were crucial in motivating each of us over the climbs and often many miles to come.
Benn Jones you deserve a special mention – not just for your acrobatic cycling style – but for the effort, time and total commitment to the cause you have given to make this event possible! (and with clothing might I add).
Additional mentions include Hannah and Bruce for their hand in finding accommodation and mapping the route (despite us sharing double beds with new-found friends within 36 hours of meeting them and proceeding along unchartered territory in mid-Wales devoid of any navigational nous respectively) – each of which made the trip that much better!!
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Thank you all for such an excellent weekend!
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