Yesterday: The mild weather at the end of October very quickly gave way to colder and wetter conditions to start November, however Friday looked promising to get my challenge ride in for the new month so I got the Raleigh cleaned and prepared for an early start.
I started off shortly before 7am into a chilly but dry and calm morning with the intention of heading out to Lake Vyrnwy as this is my favourite route for the Imperial Century Challenge. I headed round the old bypass to Shelton then joined the road to Bicton (a bit of frost on the grass here) and Montford Bridge. The sun was properly up by Great Ness, casting a nice golden light on everything but causing the issue that it was dazzling the drivers coming towards me.
At Pentre I took the roundabout route past the Royal Hill (met a group of runners just past Cae Howell who couldn't decide which side of the road to move to, but did thank me for having given a ting of the bell) then to Cross Lanes and Maesbrook where I used the main road to reach Llwyntidmon Hall rather than the lane for a change (about the same distance but a little quicker I think) then joined the lane to Waen Wen and Llynclys. So far, so good - the bike felt nice and I'd arrived at my second breakfast stop a little earlier than expected.
Moving on again, I was headed up the Tanat Valley as usual. With there being very little wind at this point I was making good progress. The road was busier than I'm used to but the drivers were well behaved so that wasn't really an issue. There was a policeman with speed gun at Pen-y-bont Llanerch Emrys but I wasn't going quick enough to attract his attention - some of the other road users may have done though.
The wind started to pick up once I'd passed Llangedwyn which slowed me down and suddenly made the riding feel much more of an effort. I relaxed the pace but it did worry me a bit that I should be feeling this fatigued before getting to the serious hills. The first big climb comes between Pedair Ffordd and Penybontfawr and didn't seem too bad but the legs were reluctant to get going again after my drink stop in Penybontfawr. Plodding up the Hirnant Valley I found a sheep snoozing in the middle of the road - there obviously hasn't been much traffic along here
then the climb at the end wasn't as bad as I'd feared and I could enjoy the descent to Llanwddyn. The final gentle climb to the dam was a little slow but the view up the lake is always worth it.
I had my elevenses stop here beside a sign warning that the road around the lake is going to be closed from next Monday (7th) for two weeks - I'm so glad I've got my ride in before that happens.
The wind was getting quite blustery as I headed round for the first lap of the lake so I took my time and enjoyed the scenery. I'd hoped that I'd have it helping once I'd rounded the north-western end but, as I've learned from previous rides here, the wind here doesn't always come from the direction you'd expect due to the turbulence caused by the surrounding hills.
There were a few people out walking on the lake road but hardly any cyclists this time, and none at the cafe when I got there. On the plus side, I didn't have to queue to get my coffee and I had my pick of the benches outside to sit and drink it at. Having enjoyed that I started my return lap of the lake, with a few photo stops along the way. The legs seemed quite reluctant to get going and as I rounded the end of the lake and found an unexpected headwind I could feel some worrying strains in the muscles. At my next food stop back at the dam I dropped the saddle a few mm hoping that would help but fearing the damage was already done.
It was a cold return down the hill to Llanwddyn, then a slow and steady climb out of the village. When the gradient ramped up as I returned over the big climb I got the first twinges that showed my legs wanted to cramp, so I took it very gently and got up that one alright. I almost returned back along Cwm Hirnant but didn't want to admit defeat so carried on climbing and went via Cwm Fedw as I usually prefer to do. This lane was full of pheasants, most of them flew off at my approach, apart from one that stubbornly stayed put in the middle of the road as I passed - he won't last long I suspect.
Signs of cramp came back on the climb out of Penybontfawr but I made it over this hill without having to stop, then I enjoyed a wind assisted run back down the Tanat Valley - not as quick as I have been in the past and having to be a bit careful on all the climbs. Near Porth Y Waen I pulled in to allow a lorry past on a twisty bit (got a toot of thanks) and the right leg cramped properly as I came to a halt - not good. I wasn't far from my next planned stop back at Llynclys so I carried on gingerly and was glad to rest and have another snack and a drink.
Knowing I'd have to be careful for the last 20 miles I took to the lanes and returned the way I'd come in the morning; Waen Wen, Maesbrook, Cross Lanes, The Royal Hill and Pentre. At Wilcott my legs cramped again before I'd even reached the proper climb but fortunately I could pull off the road for another drink and a handful of jelly babies, which helped.
The next climb I wasn't looking forward to comes after Montford Bridge, over to Bicton. It's a long drag and the cramp was back again but this time I was just able to ride through it, helped in part by being distracted on seeing a cyclist walking his bike a bit further up the hill. When I reached him I asked if everything was okay and got the answer "It's cold innit." I carried on and he came riding past me shortly afterwards but ran out of puff just before the crest so I overtook again. He then came past on the downhill until he ran out of gears (mountain bike) and I slipped past again - I've got 99 miles on the clock, my legs are shot and here I am racing with a teenager.
The speedometer clicked over to 100 miles in Bicton and I decided to stay on the road to Shelton as there was less traffic than I was expecting for this time on a Friday afternoon. I got onto the cycle paths as soon as possible in Shelton and trundled along, enjoying the fact that the traffic was starting to grind to a halt and I was now quicker than them.
There are a couple of short but sharp hills which I just about managed alright, then the last gentle drag to home.
105.28 miles for the day at 13.1 mph average. I had really hoped I'd fixed the cramp problem.
On the other hand, the saddle stayed comfortable all ride so I've got something right at least.
Not quite as picturesque as last time but still a pretty scene as the sun comes up at Montford Bridge.
Nice morning light as I head to Great Ness.
Jumping ahead; a nice autumnal look in Cwm Hirnant.
The classic view on arrival at Llyn Efyrnwy.
Riding round the head of the lake.
The lake level has recovered a bit since I was last here but still hasn't reached the boathouse and slipway.
View of the dam from the boating centre.
On my return lap of the lake.
Last view before I have to head for home.
,and Waitrose currently has a 6 bottle offer on
