Gran Fondo Conwy

Cycle Sportive: Gran Fondo Conwy (Mawr/104m/169k)
Time/Position: 8.25 (134th)
As with all the other bike sportives I've done, my task is just to finish, not to be competitive - rather like a celebrity chef 'running' a marathon. That said, I am still a little surprised by just how slow and off the pace I remain on these things! This event was hard to ignore, as it starts and finishes on the quay in Conwy and took an appealingly challenging route, with multiple sadistically steep hills, through familiar territory. Set off at 7am in a beautiful morning, contrary to weather forecasts which had made wardrobe decision tricky. An easy amble round to the Orme, followed by a time trial (competitive) section clockwise round Marine Drive with the usual superb sea views. This was a nice opportunity, the opposite of the Nick Beer 10k race route, but I didn't want to push it given the likely rigours of the day ahead. Climbed reasonably quickly up to the highpoint, stopped to check on a crash victim during the fast and superb descent, and finished the time trial in 14 mins. A headwind led over the Little Orme, before I got into an excellent group for the eastward coastal amble through the Bay to Pensarn and the first (far too early) feed station. I met Vic and his friend David here, and we rode together for much of the rest of the day, which was excellent. The route headed back west (a surprise to me, should have done more research!) then inland up lovely lanes to Betws yn Rhos before a series of short, sharp climbs led to the long descent to St Asaph and support from mum. Along the back roads to Denbigh (and Katharine), up Vale Street towards the viscious triple climb (very steep in places) through Prion and Saron to the beautiful undulating top road above the Brenig. Quiet roads and beautiful scenery: rather cloudy but no rain. This was the first real 'mountain stage', a very tough haul to the day's highpoint at 550m, and I was glad to have a long and greedy feed at Llyn Brenig. It got a bit cold here, partly because we spent a long time relaxing (the non-competitive vibe continued all day) so we headed off back to Bylchau before enjoying a brief descent as the road drops towards Llansannan. This is the route that the Tour of Britain took last year, and we knew that a horrible climb awaited after the village. This was the second major climb of the day, straight up and brutal, followed by a series of undulations along this truly beautiful stretch of road to Llangernyw. I had a gel, then felt very good for the familiar main road along to Llanrwst, now in warm sunshine, then along to the second feed in Trefriw in a small group of riders. This leg was far easier than the leg to Brenig, but we still took our time at the feed station. This was the right decision, as the route's crux followed - east from the Conwy valley up to Llanddoged, then all the way up to the A548 junction. Done in its entirety I think this might be the hardest climb in North Wales (Bwlch y Groes perhaps excepted), with a sequence of desperately steep and sustained ramps. But I will have to go back fresh (ie not 80 miles in) to check! Once you are finally on the broad 'ridge' above the Conwy valley, the B road heading north to the coast is glorious. The views to the Carneddau were hazy, but the sun was out, the sky was blue, the land was green, and the sea was in front. The route wasn't finished, though, and after the descent to Mochdre we headed south again along the valley - a dreadfully busy road, easily the day's low point - to Tal y Cafn, then back over the Conwy and up via several more hills and a lap of the town to finish (still all together) on the quay. Progress was startlingly slow, and I finished two-thirds down the field at best, but a very enjoyable day nevertheless. A bit more training on the bike would help, but where to find the time?