Carmarthenshire Snapper

[Banjo]

Did my first 200 km today. Well pleased with the way it went. Got in with plenty of time to spare.

Despite its advertised 800m climbing the real figure is close to 2000 m but a great ride all the same. 2 Cafe controls and one in a picnic area layby with food and drink layed on by the organizer. At the 150 km point this was very well recveived.

Just after the start i got chatting to another cyclist who by coincidence turned out to be Fiona N of this Parish. We ended up riding the route together mostly in company with a couple of other riders , I think on my own I would have taken a lot longer to get round.Thanks Fiona a pleasure to meet you and I am certain you could have dropped me if you had a mind to

Fiona cresting yet another hill.

I enjoyed the ride but wont be rushing into a 300, I think I need more practice at the 200 distance first.

 

[Nuncio]

Good stuff Banjo. Nice to meet you, and congratulations on becoming a Randonneur. The good thing is that, should you never turn over a pedal in anger, 'they' can never take that title from you: you're a randonneur for life. Of course I fully expect to see you audaxing on the roads of South Wales in the future, even if it's not on one of Dai Harris' rides - it looks like this will be his last year as an organizer.

Shame about the info controls. Otherwise, a good day out on the bike.

 

[Wildduck]

Great to put faces to names on here (I was the wierdo on the trike).

 

[potsy]

Well done Banjo, and yes I reckon she could have dropped you anytime too

 

[Fiona N]

Well done Banjo, and yes I reckon she could have dropped you anytime too

No I don't think so - I had to walk on some of the steeper bits of hill and was very much envying those triples on other bikes.

But I agree with Banjo - it was a great day. The route is really fabulous, loads of tiny winding back roads which constantly go up and down (there were times when this wasn't an attractive feature ), one long and very scenic climb in the middle and another shorter but persistent climb at the end, just to see what you've got left in your legs, followed by a great descent. The sections along the estuary on the cycle path through the restored wetlands is really lovely and looked particularly good on a long warm evening.

So many thanks Banjo for your company and congratulations on your first 200km. I really think you'll find your planning another before long - probably as soon as the Dragon Ride's out of the way

 

[Fiona N]

Great to put faces to names on here (I was the wierdo on the trike).

I have to say you're a brave man - I didn't really think the route was optimum trike country, to put it mildly. Although the descent from the top of the Pensarn climb on the main road must have been wild

 

[Baggy]

Well done Banjo! Glad you enjoyed it - looks as if you got plenty of sunshine out there and some high-quality company, too

 

[lukesdad]

Looked like a good day there Banj' well done M8 !