Time/Position: 41.42 (28th from 148 [3rd V50])
I last did this way back in 2007, and at that time the route didn't follow the actual line of the pipe - instead it headed up the zig-zags in the Dolgarrog woods. Now, it is a unique outing: going up the steps right next to the pipe, at a gradient of 55%. This is all as brutal as it sounds, and as a championship counter there was quite a sprint for places, as the steps are not really amenable to overtaking! Where the gradient eases, jelly legs need to solidify for the familiar track towards Llyn Cowlyd. This is left quite quickly so the route can maintain its religious devotion to the pipe. I felt sluggish here, not really able to regain any sort of pace after the climb. A short extra climb to a vague summit, which I vaguely remembered from last time, before a fast descent, tricky in places, over field paths and down steep woodland. Simon caught me on the descent, and stayed ahead on the final steep track to the school. I was then able to pull ahead on the manic 600 metre dash through the village back to the hall. A nice walk round Conwy to stretch the legs, then an ultra-flat 18 miler from St Asaph (with no steps at all!) on the Sunday.
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