Wild Wales Challenge

Road Cycling: Wild Wales Challenge (Bala-Milltir Gerrig-Llangynog-Llanerfyl-Caersws-Dinas Mawddwy-Bwlch y Groes-Bala)
Distance: 100m/10,900ft
The climax of this event, up the infamous 'hard' side of Bwlch y Groes after 90 miles and 9,000ft of climbing, will remain ingrained in my mind for some considerable time. A brilliant day out on the bike over a very tough but pleasingly logical loop, and a great way to conclude my cycling year. I did something similar in 2011, my last 'cycling year', but remember finding the hard sportive I'd chosen to end the season with (Tour of the Peak) a little depressing after the Alps. Not the case this time, on home ground in Wales with fantastic scenery round every corner. We (me, Vic, Alun) started off in thick early morning fog in Bala, and quickly reached the first climb, a harder than expected ascent of Milltir Gerrig. I didn't even know the tiny road from Llandderfel east of Moel Heulog existed: it gives an appallingly steep start to the normal climb, then joins the B4391 for the superb open terrain which characterises the Milltir Gerrig. A taste of things to come: tiny, quiet roads and viscious gradients (the day's theme). A superb descent in the sunshine led to Llangynog and a side lane down the Tanat Valley. From here, many miles of narrow roads with virtually no flat sections, led through Llanfihangel yng Ngwynfa and Dolanog to eventually emerge at the first feed in Llanerfyl. This entire section was incredibly quiet, very beautiful and utterly unfamiliar. I thought I knew Wales well, but today's route proved otherwise and reminded me of the old adage that the country is the perfect size to get to know every corner of in one human lifetime. After tea and cakes in the village hall, we resumed battle. Still felt fresh, the company was good, and we were fairly well-matched for pace throughout. More very steep climbs characterised the next section to Caersws, where we had lunch in another village hall. Great atmosphere. Then came an unusual flat section up the Severn Valley where we could work in a group for a change. Over to Clywedog and more wonderful scenery (remote and unfamiliar, numerous red kites overhead) through Staylittle before beginning the climb over towards Dinas Mawddwy and the final feed. This was a little easier than expected, particularly after the brutality of the morning! Exquisite isolated terrain, though, past Rhiw Saeson, with a whiff of home ground as views started opening out over Cader. One sharp climb led to the main road and descent to Dinas Mawddwy. Bwlch y Groes was hanging over us, but after more cake and tea I was feeling reasonably optimistic as we entered the valley of doom! We passed the side valley of Cwm Cywarch, memories of our climbing trips there a few years ago, then headed up via a few teasing ramps to Llanymawddwy. You leave the trees via a sharp hairpin and you are into the infamous Bwlch y Groes. This starts hard, even a tad desperate after almost 7 hours in the saddle. But I got into the lowest gear and began to grind away. The scenery is great, of course, real Aran territory with steep slopes and crags either side. After about 1.5k, there is a slight easing before the desperate climax, round another bend into what is often described as the hardest section of road in Britain. Out of the saddle, I clawed upwards, then it eases off by the turn-off to Vyrnwy. Vic pulled alongside and we crested the Bwlch together and had a short break to enjoy the excellent clarity of light (it had clouded over but the rain held off) over the Aran ridge and across to Eryri, before enjoying the superb descent to Llanuwchllyn. Felt good for the ride back to Bala along the quiet side of Llyn Tegid. Just under 8 hours riding time, but that is irrelevant: the point is to enjoy the ride and to finish! The first drops of rain fell as we enjoyed a last slice of cake at the football ground finish. A wonderful tour, statistically similar to my big Alpine day on the Madeleine and Glandon a month ago, but very much harder as a result of the continual short steep climbs and descents. Loved the uncommercial low-key feel, far better than most sportives and much closer in spirit to a fell race.