Touring/Audax

Across the Divide - Bynea 400km audax ride 10th July 2004

Ride report by Peter Simon, Bynea CC.

A few days before the start, Tim Jones (one of our touring heroes) told me that a 400km ride is just like a 300km ride plus another 100km. After enjoying the Bynea 300km that didn't sound too bad, and this was in my mind as I arrived at Bynea for the 6am start.

David Harris was there handing out the route cards and, although the turnout was quite small, most people seemed keen to get going. Clouds were gathering but I didn't feel too cold in just a short sleeve top and tights. Feeling good as we rolled out of Bynea I pressed on, soon pulling away from the others (who might have had more idea what was coming!).

The roads were quiet, rolling to begin with becoming smaller north of Llandeilo. The climbing started out of Ffarmers, with a great view over the valleys at the top. The weather had improved slowly with the sun appearing as I pulled into the first control in Tregaron (47miles). The coffee shop where we were supposed to have our cards signed must have changed their opening times and wasn't due to open for another 2½hours. I went into the chemist next door getting a stamp and two litres of water to refill my bottles. After being stopped for 5 minutes I continued.

Although the clouds had tried to rain a couple of times, nothing had come of it. Now the sun was shining and I was feeling good. The Information Control in Pontrhydyfendigaid caused a small delay while I tried to work out which soldier's name to collect from the war memorial. Still going well through Aberystwyth, the traffic picked up on the way to Machynlleth (88 miles). The control there was easy to find - a nice bike shop in the town centre. I arrived just as the control was supposed to open at 11. I was considering having lunch there, but it felt a bit early and I really wanted to get past half way before the first proper stop so decided to continue until Dolgellau. This turned out to be a mistake! On the road from Machynlleth around the coast I really started to struggle, I had finished the 4 breakfast bars I had set out with and was running out of energy quickly.

By half way (at Tywyn), I was blowing and needed to stop. After a visit to the Co-op near the Information Control for supplies, I sat down on a patch of grass by the edge of town to re-fuel. I was hoping the odd combination of M+Ms, chocolate milk, peanuts, a banana and water (which I felt like at the time) would help me to recover. While sat there in the sun looking at my bike I noticed that the rear rim had started to crack through the braking surface! I had felt the rear brake being a bit rough earlier in the week but couldn't see anything wrong at the time. Not too bad after ten years of use! For the rest of the ride I would have to try and remember to use the front brake only.

After 20 minutes, I set off again for Dolgellau. My legs were really stiff but I started to get some energy back after about 30 minutes. When I got to the Co-op control in Dolgellau, I decided to have something more substantial to try and get me going. Time for a malt loaf! After that brick of energy, washed down with more water, I was off again. Going steadily along out of Dolgellau it felt like hard work and the road seemed to be climbing. It was only as the road crested that I realised I had climbed over a pass. The rewards were good views and a fast descent (with a maximum speed of 83km/h). On the way to Llanidloes, I really started to struggle again and had to stop a couple of times on the way just to sit/lay down, have some food and watch the cows (230km done but still 170km to go!).

The road to Llanidloes just went up and up and down and up again (with good views that I didn't appreciate at the time). Finally I crawled into town and the Spar control. I had another break there for more food trying to recover (chocolate muffin + ½ fruit bar + chocolate milkshake). Sat there on a bench at the side of the road, I really started to wonder if I would be able to do the 600km ride in 3 weeks time that I had entered following a fit of enthusiasm after my 300km. After 10 minutes, I pushed on and finally started to pick up again as the road dropped gently down to Builth Wells. I stopped for water and chocolate raisins at a garage just before the last control in Llanwrtyd Wells. I didn't expect David Harris to be manning that control himself; but there he was, sat at the end of a large hall watching the Tour de France on a TV and video he had brought with him. You could tell it wasn't his first time at control as he handed me a bowl of hot soup and some cake when I arrived. I stayed chatting to him
for about half an hour then set off just before 9pm with about 50km to go, aiming to finish for 12pm. I went well to Llandovery, thinking the end was just in sight and rolling along at 20mph. Then as darkness fell so did my energy. The air started chill so I put on a rain top. Then trying to navigate the small roads near Saron, after passing the same guest house twice, I realised I was lost. I think the weak LED light I was using had made me miss a turn on the small unlit roads. This was how I ended up taking a detour through Ammanford and discovered its dark side. Who would have thought the usually quiet town I have ridden through in the daytime comes alive like the wild west at night, with an obstacle course of revellers all over the street?

From there to the finish in Bynea, I rode through some of the worst suffering I have ever endured on a bike. I just wanted to lay down and go to sleep. Normally I have a fast pedalling speed but I couldn't get any rhythm and had to keep standing up as I tried to push a big gear (which seemed like the thing to do at the time!). In my mind, I knew there was no way I could ride for 600km. I had run out of food and water and only wanted to see the end. When it finally came into view, the bridge over the Loughor never looked so good.

At the finish, David's wife signed off my card and offered me a cup of tea, which did sound good but I really wanted to sleep. I rode across town to get home around 1am. My cat was pleased to see me, but must have then been confused as I collapsed onto my bed and fell asleep still wearing my cycling gear with all the house lights on.

The next morning I was feeling quite hollow and very stiff - my whole chest was aching! Looking back I started the ride too fast with too little food early on, then I was left trying to recover during the rest of the ride which I never managed to do. After some food and rest, I started to recover and felt good about completing the distance.

As the pain of the ride stated to fade I found myself thinking, "600km: that's only 400km plus another 200km… that doesn't sound too bad… "!