Crafnant climbing

Peak/Crag: Two Tier Buttress, Crafnant
Routes: Little Cludge (HS 4b:led), Yew Tree Slabs p. 2 (VD:led), Pinnacle Wall Indirect (HS 4b:sec)
Rather like our bushwhacking expedition above Swallow Falls earlier this month, it is very disappointing to see these fine little climbs falling into disuse. I last climbed in Crafnant in 2002 with Tim (M a tiny baby in the cafe below) and remembered the climbs as short, clean and enjoyable. Now, however, the approach path is overgrown and even these good easy routes are not getting much traffic at all. Mick and I left in the early evening, and only had a couple of hours spare, so ploughed quickly up through the woods and eventually hacked out a route over to Two Tier Buttress. I led through thick grass and brambles to get to the clean slabs at the start of Little Cludge. This gives an excellent little pitch which really deserves more attention. Pleasant climbing up slabs to a break, then a steep finish, quite committing and thought-provoking for the grade. A juggy, vertical crack leads via a couple of small ledges to a little flake, then a tricky crux move as the crack steepens to gain superb, huge holds and an escape right to a nasty vegetated finish. From here I continued up the second pitch of Yew Tree Slabs to belay awkwardly within the branches of the ancient yew itself. Beautiful views out over this tranquil valley - like Gwynant, a useful riposte to those who think Eryri is 'less pretty' than the Lakes. Mick led through and made his way up a variation on Pinnacle Wall - the normal two-pitch version of which I've done before. Whether we followed the actual line of the Indirect variant is a moot point, but our version gave some nice climbing in any case. We went direct up the pinnacle on neat pockets, then up a licheny slab before moving right but climbing the arete direct quite delicately on small holds. An awful descent through nightmarish vegetation in the gully near Forestry Buttress (no hint of a path) meant we ran out of time as I had to get back to cook a family dinner. We both ran back down to the car at the far end of the lake.

Carneddau traverse (Capel Curig-Conwy)

Peaks: Carnedd Llywellyn, Foel Grach, Carnedd Gwenllian, Foel Fras, Drum, Carnedd y Ddelw, Foel Lwyd, Tal y Fan
Range: Carneddau, Eryri
Our short break in Conwy began in heavy rain yesterday, but this gave way to milky sunshine so we all went to Capel Curig for a short walk followed by tea and cake in the cafe. After this, the family drove back to Conwy while I ran back over the Carneddau, starting in Ogwen just outside Capel Curig and heading up the steep access road to Ffynnon Llugwy. Not the most scenic approach to Carnedd Llywellyn, but you gain height quickly and the steep zigzag slopes to Bwlch Eryl Farchog are excellent hard training! From here, I took a direct scrambling line across the ridge above Craig yr Ysfa, then jogged steadily up to the summit of Llywellyn, arriving in a reasonably quick 50 mins from Ogwen. Some mist over the summit as I continued along the ridge northward, most of the climbing already done and the long runnable ridge to look forward to. It's a bit rocky initially over to Foel Grach, of course, hard to get much speed up and rather chilly as the mist descended again. I stopped at the bothy to put on my jacket, then enjoyed the superb onward route - retracing numerous race routes, taking in Carnedd Gwenllian and then Foel Fras as the mist dissipated and the sun shone. Some of my favourite terrain of all at the northern end of the Carneddau, always a pleasure, although the ridge does have a very steep sting in the tail up Foel Lwyd from Bwlch y Ddaefaen. A little dehydrated as I ran along the tiring lumpy ridge to Tal y Fan then down to Hendre: there's no water on this route! Arrived within the walls 2:50 after setting out: fish and chips urgently needed.

Aran loop

Peaks: Aran Benllyn, Erw y Ddafad Ddu, Aran Fawddwy, Drosgl
Range: Aran, Eryri
A summer repeat of the Christmas Eve outing Peter and I did last year: with a few refinements to make it into an even better long run. Jez and I left Llanuwchllyn late afternoon, and kept a reasonable pace going on the long but relatively gentle climb up Benllyn (52 mins), following the race route until the scree summit. This really is a perfect training run, as the steep sections never last too long (apart from the final rise). Good views of black shower clouds sweeping over Cader Idris and the Rhinogs as we enjoyed the superb ridge running that leads over the middle peak to Aran Fawddwy's dramatic rock scenery. Although I've been up here many times, it's always been a bit of an 'unlucky' hill for me in terms of views, so it was nice to gaze across to the Berwyns and down to Llyn Lliwbran today. The ridge down to Drosgl was great fun, then steeply down to Llaethnant and the superb Creiglyn Dyfi - for me, one of the finest locations in Wales, remote and atmospheric (one day I'll do the climb that weaves up the lonely cliff above the lake). Another short climb to the little col before we both enjoyed the absolutely superb running descent down Cwm Llwydd and Cwm Croes. Access to this side of the Arans was once, outrageously, banned. We had no desire to run back on the road, so cut back to Llanuwchllyn through a brilliant, though overgrown little path heading north over stream valleys and meadows: dark clouds now enveloping the tops. Around 2.5 hours for the round this time, but much drier underfoot and clearer overhead.

Ponderosa fell race

Race: Ponderosa (4m/1000ft)
Time/Position: 28.39 (11th from 109)
One of the most exciting races on the calendar, this is always an unusual yet enjoyable outing. You don't get much time to relax, as the main climb is over in the first ten minutes. I was well off the pace as I crested the top of Cyrn y Brain in just under nine minutes from the Ponderosa - so I only had myself to blame for the fact that the inevitable major delays occurred on the very narrow tracks that weave through the heather on the initial descent. Eventually, when the descent kicks back west above Eglwyseg you get a few chances to overtake. I made one early attempt, clipped a mud bank and ended up lying in the heather, then two chaps face-planted in the first deep bog. After this I picked up a few more places as the paths broaden out, but couldn't quite catch a large group in front.

Coed Moel Famau loop

MTB Route: Coed Moel Famau loop (12.2km)
Another attempt to convert M from gamer to outdoor activist. Not particularly successful, as he didn't much enjoy the forest tracks which have a tendency to go up as well as down. But it stayed dry, and the grassy descent we usually run up on Friday is great fun on a mountain bike. From here, we skirted round Loggerheads and M waited at Tafarn y Gelyn while I climbed back to the car park.

North Wales half marathon

Race: North Wales half marathon (Beacons-Sychnant-Conwy Mountain)
Time/Position: 1.27.45 (11th from 341)
A wonderfully varied and scenic loop. I know every inch of this terrain and have run versions of this route several times in training, but I still thought that the idea of weaving it into a formal half marathon is a good one. Sadly, the inconsistency that has characterised the year was a factor again and I really struggled throughout the race: didn't enjoy it as much as I'd hoped. I was barely aware of the event at all, only hearing about it last Monday, but thought that it might be fun, and possible for fell runners to gain a few places on the long climb up Sychnant and over Conwy Mountain. Actually, the exact reverse of this happened: I went reasonably well on the 5/6 mile flat section along the beach and bike path from the Beacons to the Llanfairfechan headland and was in 7th place at this stage. But I began to struggle as soon as the road kicked up towards Penmaenmawr and that was game over really: the long climb through Dwygyfylchi over Sychnant and the 'fell race' style section up Conwy Mountain was just a case of hanging on, certainly not the anticipated romp up steepish terrain. The paths over the mountain were all very familiar to me, and give lovely views over mountain and sea. I perked up a bit on the descent and caught the three runners who'd passed me on Sychnant as we went through Cadnant Park in Conwy and down to Marine Drive. Then I blew again, needing a gel - but hadn't bothered to pack anything. Just hanging on for the flat section through the marina and back along the soft, energy-draining beach sand.

Foel Goch scrambles

Peak/Crag: Creigiau Gleision/Foel Goch
Route: Needle's Eye (North) Arete (M:led p.1,2,3,4)
This crag is an atmospheric and neglected place with wonderful views into the jaws of Ogwen and down Nant Ffrancon. I'd been up here for the neighbouring South Arete before, but after doing Traditional Route above Betws this morning, the rain clouds wreathing Siabod cleared and it seemed like a good idea to bolt on a mountain outing to the day. John is still very new to all this, and is leaving the country soon anyway, so a long scramble with good views was in order. We ploughed up the steep hillside via the shallow scree couloir in 20 minutes, running where possible. The broad gully then gives access to the tremendous rock architecture which characterises this crag: very much a place for the mountaineer, with this route in particular having a distinctly Alpine flavour. We traversed right to avoid a wet slab, then crept rightwards along an exposed ledge to the North Arete itself. We roped up here, and I led round the bulging wall, an easy traverse, to gain a vegetated and insecure grassy runnel which led steeply up to regain the arete at an exposed notch. Great views over the gully to Tryfan. After bringing John up, I led a short second pitch up a slab to the sharp arete itself, gaining the 'Needle's eye' - a perfect thread belay that it seemed rude not to use. I took the next section direct, up a steep crack (more like easy climbing than scrambling) and dodgy blocks to a flake then the top of a gendarme. After another tricky but very short pitch, the route breaks up into a series of pinnacles. We took the rope off and I was pleasantly surprised by the continuation: taking all the pinnacles direct on good rock. Very windy, but superb clarity of light as the rain clouds dissipated completely: deep blue skies and fluffy clouds. We ran to the summit of Foel Goch, then plunged down to Bwlch y Brecan to gain superb, exhilarating running down the spur separating Cwm Bual from Cwm Perfedd. This ends in a very steep nose which gives uncomfortable but very fast downhill running to the old road.

Swallow Falls Buttress climbing

Crag: Craig Rhaeadr Ewynnol, Betws y Coed
Route: Traditional Route (S:led p.1,2,3,4)
This climb is being lost to the vegetation: a real shame, as it is a nice route in the mould of Aberglaslyn's better known Canyon Rib, and would benefit from more traffic. It will always be an esoteric outing because of its location, but the short pitches and modest standard made it an ideal route to take novice John up - particularly because some heavy showers had just swept across the region and were still anchored over the mountains. We parked at Ty Hyll and enjoyed a delightful amble along the River Lledr with just the odd spot of light drizzle. After passing Swallow Falls, we bushwhacked up to the start of the route - fairly easy to find, but unpleasant amounts of mud and brambles. It was clearly pretty dirty but seemed dryish, and we'd come all this way, so I led off up the coffin-shaped block to 'have a look'. A few moves gained the top of the block, then a step to a platform led to another crack. This had good handholds but mossy, insecure and overgrown footholds on the right wall. The second pitch took a short, clean crack to a tricky move to gain some big finishing holds. The views over the valley to Swallow Falls just get better, with a lovely atmosphere created by the rush of the water. The third pitch was easy up two linked cracks, a weakness in the wall, but all the holds and nut placements needed excavation - it was feeling like a first ascent by now. All very enjoyable and gentle, though, and John was able to follow after a bit of thought. I sidled down the recess to gain the original finish, slightly runout to a flake, then good climbing up a broad groove in a nice position to the woods on top: great views across to the tourists at the Falls, who were now watching us with interest. The weather was starting to clear as we descended (too early initially - an Indiana Jones-style nightmare as a wall collapsed beneath my feet and the brambles threatened to bury us). The sun came out as we sauntered back along the Lledr, so I thought we should make the day into a two-parter. After lunch in Capel, we drove down the old Nant Ffrancon road intent on a mountaineering afternoon - but that seems to warrant a separate entry!

Deeside Off-Road Race

Race: Deeside Off-Road Grand Prix Race 3 (4.8m)
Time/Position: 27.01
Quite a bit quicker than the first two races in the series, but no different in terms of position, so there may have been some small tweaks to the course. I have been feeling a little quicker in the last two weeks, though, so concentrated on trying to stay with in-form Jez. Yet again, the race was dominated by Veterans, but I needed a reasonable finishing position as I will be away for the fourth and final race next month. Jez pulled away a bit on the fields, while I managed to pull back on the tarmac. It all came down to a fun sprint finish, which I inevitably lost!

Clwydian run

Having returned home yesterday, this was an attempt to up the mileage in preparation for Pedol Peris: the marathons and Scotland seem a distant memory now. I ran along the leat from Cadole, then through Cilcain up to the crossroads and along to climb the steep side of Moel Arthur. Then back along the whole ridge to Moel Dywyll and Moel Famau and back via a detour to Loggerheads.

Exmoor run

Peak: Dunkery Beacon
Area: Exmoor, Somerset
We opted to take a circuitous route home from Cornwall, so set off from a night in Tiverton up through Exmoor to the coast at Minehead. Torrential rain as we parked below Dunkery Beacon. This was a nice way to loosen the legs after last night's race, although the Beacon itself - the highpoint of Exmoor - is a very short outing from the road. I lengthened the run by following a track to the south of the hill as the shower clouds began to lift, then doubled back round to the huge cairn on the summit in spectacular conditions of sunburst and storm cloud. Views over Exmoor and across the Severn to the Glamorgan coast. I continued down through some lovely woods, then walked back up Dunkery Beacon for a second time with Kate during a longer sunny interval. Later, we all walked up Glastonbury Tor and looked back to this hill on the western horizon.

Tywardreath Trotter

Race: Tywardreath Trotter, Cornwall (7m)
Time/Position: 44.32 (6th from 266 [2nd V40])
An ideal opportunity to stretch my legs on the long journey home from Coverack, this race exceeded my expectations - a lovely multi-terrain circuit with a bit of everything thrown into the mix. A really special atmosphere throughout: this was clearly a big event and the village turned out to watch in amazingly big numbers. A long and tortuous drive via Veryan and Mevagissey - sustained by a classic cream tea - saw us arrive in Tywardreath near Fowey as the evening sun came out: neither child could be persuaded to do the fun run, preferring to take in the race barbecue instead. Almost 300 runners from a huge range of clubs turned out, as this was the final counter in the Cornish summer off-road race series. After a circuit of the whole village, we headed out into the lanes via a steep, rocky descent down to a lovely riverside path. It was hard to overtake so I took it easy for a while, expecting a long climb up to the 3 mile point (having luckily checked the profile and map just before the start!). I began to pick up places and soon found myself in a group of four, about 50m behind the lead group of four. After we crested the high point of the route, tarmac lanes led to more bridleways. I was evenly matched with the others in the group on the road, but tended to gain ground on the steeper fell-style climbs. As a result, I pulled into fourth place during the long final climb up a small road which lead to fields with a superb view of the sea above Fowey. I was still in fourth approaching the final descent down steep steps, during which you can hear the roar (almost a roar anyway!) of the village crowds. They then get a good view as you descend down a dip then climb back up to the pub. My pathetic excuse for a finishing kick meant I was run out of it in front of my family in the last 100m, pushed back down to sixth place by the two chaps I'd run in with: less than a minute behind the winner surprisingly. The most enjoyable race I've done for some time: a great event. I ran straight back up to the car and we began the long drive to our next hotel in Tiverton via Dartmoor, me still in my sweaty race vest.

Pednavounder-Godrevy Cornish coast run

After an attempt at a speed session on the lanes yesterday, I continued the holiday theme with another relaxed outing first thing in the morning. From Pednavounder, the sun cast low beams over the sea as I descended into Coverack at Dolor Point. Lovely running through the village to gain the SW Coast Path, this time heading NE towards Pedn Myin and Lowland Point. The scenery here is less dramatic than on Sunday's outing, but gives fine running right next to the sea, past seals and curlews. Dean Quarry is an unfortunate unsightly intrusion, but Godrevy Cove comes shortly afterwards and is a remote and appealing beach. From here, I headed inland, gradually climbing to the hamlet of Rosenithon, then back home via the tiny lanes I'd explored yesterday - through the heathland of Main Dale to St Keverne Beacon and the cottage.

Chynhalls-Carn Kennack Cornish coast run

The first full day of our Cornish holiday, so left bright and early to jog down from our cottage at Pednavounder to Trewillis and the Lizard coastline above Chynhalls cliff. I'd explored some of this yesterday, but the morning run along the SW Coast Path was just superb. Tremendous views west from Black Head, then over Pedn Boar to Beagles Hole (supposedly the site of buried pirate treasure - with a very specific legend attached). From here, a very steep up-and-down over Downas Cove led to a series of atmospheric coves, then steep Zawn Vinoc and the peninsula of Carrick Luz. Quicker, flatter running then led to Kennack Sands and over to Carn Kennack, before I located the obscure path that led via a surprisingly tough climb inland to Trevenwith farm and a good bridleway to the hamlet of Ponsongath and back to the cottage.

Longland's Climb, Cloggy

Crag: Clogwyn du'r Arddu, Yr Wyddfa
Routes: Longland's Climb (VS 4a,4b,4a,4c:led p.1,2,5)
One of the grand old Welsh classics and only the second time I've climbed on this, the greatest of all Welsh crags. We had initially planned to do some shorter routes on the steep East Buttress, but such is the nature of this long-running heatwave that a big route on West Buttress just seemed more appropriate. Longland's was the first route to breach this face in 1928, and gives a tremendous route up a series of intricate narrow slabs on the left of the cliff. I found it more sustained, slightly better, and probably a tad more serious than Great Slab, which we did two years ago. The adventure begins immediately, with the scramble along the East Terrace to gain a wet and vegetated approach line that goes up behind a big flake. We roped up for the airy move round this flake to a good thread in an already exposed position. I led up the first narrow slab. A mildly tricky start gains a good flake then easy and enjoyable climbing in a nice position up the slab, poised above the Black Cleft to the left. The dry weather meant that even the crack on the right of the slab was dry, lending itself to some cam placements. I couldn't find a decent belay where the slab narrowed into a chimney where the right wall closes in, so continued up the second pitch as the slab steepens slightly up sharp flakes to a good nut placement. Then comes the crux, right at the top of this giant 40m pitch: small holds lead to the top of the slab then a surprisingly tricky mantelshelf in a superb position pulling out of the slab to the right, then up more easily to a poor belay. Vic's pitch was equally long, better and more coherent than we'd expected. The guide suggests it is broken and chossy, but it's actually good straitforward slabby climbing in a superb position high on the cliff. This leads to a big ledge with numerous flakes: above which the final pitch rises intimidatingly. Steep moves up a vague arete poised above a lot of space beyond the right edge of the ledge leads via a surprisingly awkward pinch grip and hard pull up (for the grade) to a huge jug, which leads to more good holds then easier climbing up right towards a final awkward slanting chimney. I led a final fifth pitch up the broken rib which leads to a wide couloir and the top. A long descent down the Eastern Terrace: all quite atmospheric, and much more secure than the Western Terrace we descended in 2011. Thirsty and hungry, we were glad to traverse right down good scrambling sections to the sacs. After a late lunch, we decided that swimming in usually freezing, dark, atmospheric Llyn du'r Arddu was a better prize than another route - so scampered down the screes and plunged in. Chilly, but not unacceptable.

Adam Rib, Craig Cwm Du

Crag/Peak: Craig Cwm Du, Mynydd Mawr
Routes: Adam Rib (HS 4b:led p.1,4)
Broke the long afternoon journey to the Caernarfon hinterland with an idyllic coastal run from Aber to Llanfairfechan and back. Blue sky, deep blue sea, a cooling onshore breeze. After a picnic, I headed up meet Vic at the obscure but superbly situated village of Fron. I couldn't remember coming up here before, but the views of Nantlle and Llyn are tremendous, especially on a day like this. We had decided to take advantage of the heatwave by going for those high, north-facing crags that need weather like this - always satisfying to grab these 'prizes', rather like winter climbing in that sense. We parked at the quarries and walked along the fine level path above Llyn Ffynnhonau to gain the main Mynydd Mawr ridge. We should have just contoured into the cwm at this point, but looked to maintain height and quickly ran out of descent options as the crag just becomes too steep. Cue an infuriating detour all the way to the top of the crag and down rubble and heather slopes further east. An enormous waste of precious time and - more importantly - energy, as we were intending to head to Cloggy first thing tomorrow morning. Once there, Adam Rib is fairly easy to identify: I'd been up in this remote cwm once before and have wanted to do the route for years. It is one of the classic low-grade mountaineering routes in Snowdonia, and clearly visible from Caernarfon and surrounds. It gives a lovely route in a delightfully peaceful location. It was all bone dry and warm as I set off up the messy first pitch with the sun sinking over the ridge. Even this had pleasant moments, a long 40m scramble with some steeper sections up the rib line. Vic went too far left on the next pitch, but I thought it was a lovely piece of gentle climbing, up the left wall of a deep groove to a subsidiary rib, then a juggy traverse across to the stance. As Vic was now diagonally above me, and completely off route, I fashioned a belay with the limited gear I had and he continued to lead upwards towards the real line, depriving me of pitch three! After a delicate traverse across to get his gear, I moved back to the juggy crack left of the main rib, then a few loose pinnacles to the saddle belay below the final pitch. This is steep and narrow: the crux of the route, so it was nice to be able to lead it especially as the low sun lit the rib as we climbed upwards. I crept up the right-hand side then pulled leftwards onto the rib in a superb position. The rock needs careful handling here, but the 4b crux is very short and the position above is excellent as the rib flattens out whilst remaining narrow. Then a beautiful walk down from Mynydd Mawr, along the ridge in superb clarity of evening light, with a long corridor of sunlight over the Irish Sea and Llyn. A couple of pints in the Railway in Porthmadog followed by pizza on the terrace.

Trafford AC Grand Prix 3k

Race: Longford Park 3000m
Time/Position: 9.49 (14th from 27 [1st Veteran])
After 300 races and 15 years of running, this was my first ever formal track meet: at Longford Park in Stretford. It was also my first ever 3k race - but it had struck me for a while that sub 10 minutes was a fairly obvious target for one of my vintage and decrepitude. The problem is that interval training, other speedwork and all road races are purely winter pursuits for me: summer is reserved exclusively for the mountains. As such, I'd done no formal preparation for this: and it is a pretty serious event in a proper athletics stadium on a proper track with a crowd and some very talented athletes. In short, I was impressed with the level of organisation and the precision of the timing: and really enjoyed the very different experience of pelting round the track for 7.5 laps. I concentrated on maintaining 1:20 per lap pace, and stayed reasonably comfortable for the first 3 or 4. Then, inevitably, oxygen debt becomes the key factor - but I managed to push the pace just a little to give myself a cushion for sub-10. The intense heat of the day just wasn't a factor, surprisingly, although a stiff breeze was annoying at times. The last lap was quite tough, but I was pleased with my time and wonder if I could go a bit quicker during winter training.

Tryfan West Face scrambles

Crag/Peak: West Face, Tryfan
Routes: V Buttress Arete (M:led p.1,2,3), Notch Arete (M:led p.1,2,3)
After taking John on his first ever climb last month, I thought he might enjoy a short mountaineering day a little more, so we went for a combined run/scramble up the West Face of Tryfan in the continuing spell of high pressure and warm sunshine. This is usually described as Tryfan's 'cinderella' area, far removed from the crowds of punters on the East Face classics. This combination gives a superb mountain day, however, and was ideal for our purposes as time was tight. We jogged slowly upwards to gain the shallow gully which gives steep but rapid access to the upper part of the West Face (20 mins). I've done some routes here over the years, but couldn't remember going this far 'up'. I located the V Buttress quite easily, and led off from the loose gully in running shoes on my short 9mm rope. After a flake, some nice moves gain the crest of the buttress, after which a series of sharp flakes led to a belay. I deliberately kept all the pitches short so I could keep an eye on John. Above, the ridge continued in this vein: easy angled slabs and flakes at the exact border of scrambling and climbing (Alpine PD+ perhaps). At the top, I led through up a variant finish - a steep little chimney on the crest of the ridge. We then unroped and scrambled diagonally up right to where I thought Notch Arete started. This was nice, but a bit midgy, and involved some scrambly sections to gain the base of the arete. Notch Arete was a real surprise: a lovely Alpine style ridge, almost a chandelle, glowing in the sunshine. Perfect rock, and I weaved around picking up nice variants up chimneys and grooves to gain a sloping platform. Two more pitches led quite delightfully up the centre of the arete - all easy angled, big holds, perfect for novice John. Wonderful views, and a connoisseur's route up Tryfan. We emerged at the Notch, then enjoyed picking a direct line above to North Tower to lunch on the summit in hot sunshine. We descended the South Ridge to Bwlch Tryfan, then ran down via Llyn Bochlwyd: Notch Arete very obvious as a line from here.

Fairy Freckled Cow trail race

Race: Freckled Cow/Alwen trail race (11k)
Time/Position: 43.02 (6th from 143)
The hottest race I can remember since a scorcher on Gamelin three or four years ago. Llyn Alwen is in something of a bowl, although that's not immediately apparent, and there was very little breeze. To make matters worse, the race started just before midday on a hot (25c) midsummer day. It's the same for everyone, though, and the intermittent woodland does at least offer a bit of shade. I'd never done the event before, although I have run round Alwen a few times in the past. It's a delightful circuit round a scenic lake, with lots of undulations before crossing the outflow at the wild Hiraethog end. From here, a steady but draining climb into the moors leads to a short ridge before more undulations lead to the woods and the dam at the end of the lake. I picked up a few places on the short climbs before the bridge and, although I struggled on the main climb in the heat, everybody slowed a bit here. The remainder of the race, through the undulating woods on the western shore, was pretty tough as the heat took its toll.

Deeside Off-Road race

Race: Deeside Off-Road Grand Prix Race 2 (4.8m)
Time/Position: 27.48 (7th from 80)
Another pleasant and warm evening for the second race in this summer XC series. As with last month's opener, I found this a bit of a struggle, but deliberately started a little more steadily and eventually came in 20 seconds quicker. Another strong field, but some fairly large gaps again opened during the first lap of the fields and woods. I was gaining on the runner in front, but couldn't catch him, and was caught out by my old bugbear - an upset stomach - on the final run-in along the dyke. Cue a desperate final lap as I sprinted to get to the facilities.