After disappointment at not getting in an Imperial Century during my week off (poor weather followed by a stinker of a cold) the forecast looked ideal for rectifying that today.
I was headed for Lake Vyrnwy going out via Montford Bridge, Great Ness, Knockin, and Llynclys then up the Tanat Valley to Pen-Y-Bont Fawr and over the hills to Llanwddyn and the lake.
I was up and about early and on the road not too long after seven. The roads are lovely and quiet at this time on a Sunday morning so I used the road where I would normally submit to the rougher and slower cycleways. All went well at the start and I made good progress to Little Ness where I greeted two other riders approaching the junction from the opposite direction. They appeared to follow me but when I looked back there was no sign so I assumed they'd gone another way. To my surprise, when I was just about to set off after a drink stop they caught up and made a point of overtaking down the hill but didn't pull away on the following flattish bit to Pentre. As their pace slowed I pulled up to chat - they were on a 30 mile loop from Oswestry and were getting back into it after a break from riding.
Pressing on again I got to Knockin and turned in the direction of Llynclys (20 miles) where I sent a text to my brother to let him know how I was getting on. As it turned out this would be the last time I had a mobile signal until I returned to Shropshire.
Going up the valley the traffic was a little busier than on previous trips and some of the driving wasn't what i'd hope for. Moron of the day goes to the guy in the orange VW pickup who gave me loads of room but forced the oncoming driver to a sudden halt accompanied by a flashing of lights and a selection of hand signals. The fact he had three bikes in the back didn't make me think any better of him.
The first big climb of the day was despatched surprisingly easily and I enjoyed the descent the other side before climbing up to the lake. The road round Vyrnwy is as near dead flat as you could wish for so I enjoyed 11 miles of cruising at around 15/16 mph before a pause at Artisans Cafe.
I started my return trip by heading back round the lake the way I'd just come. A couple of miles in I was following another rider who was slightly faster than me initially but unexpectedly slowed so I overtook and carried on at my own pace. He then tailed me for the rest of the lap.
Usually the second climb over the hills is harder since I've got a Metric Century under my belt by this point but today it seemed easy, so much so that I tried a lane I haven't been along before which added to the climbing but was well worth it for the views.
After my lunch stop near Llanraeadr-ym-Mochnant I was overtaken by a faster rider on a lightweight bike who didn't disappear into the distance as I'd expected. Although he was faster I kept him in sight for several miles until a lorry that had overtaken me wasn't able to get past him due to the narrow and twisty road. As a queue built up I was now getting a benefit from the slipstream and slowly caught up as each vehicle got past. From the look on his face the chap wasn't overly impressed on looking back to see the pannier laden "hybrid" he'd passed about 10 miles ago right up behind him again.
With the light winds I'd had a really good run and that continued as I headed a different way home via Melverley and Westbury before finally adding a little bit of mileage at the end by going the flatter way through Condover.
109.1 miles at a fast-for-me moving average of 14.9 mph
A new personal best for an imperial century! (Overall 8 hours and 45 minutes including stops). Very happy with that especially as this is
not the route I would have chosen if trying to set a quick average speed.
Passing through Knockin.
Flags out at the Cambrian Heritage Railway. They must have known I was coming.
Edit to add: English, Welsh, Scottish and........ Italian. I wonder if that last was meant to have been Irish?
Stop for my second breakfast. Despite the place name I haven't left Shropshire yet.
The Tanat Valley gets more rugged looking the further up you go. Not long 'till I have to start some proper climbing.
Made it to Lake Vyrnwy.
If only all utilitarian buildings had a bit of flair like this in their design.
Trying to get an arty shot at the head of the lake. Not really working.
Elevenses stop.
Climbing back over the hills again and looking down into the Tanat Valley. I didn't see a single person or vehicle while taking this little detour.
Nearing the end of the ride now and the first ripe blackberrys I've noticed this season. Autumn is on the way.
it was bloody lovely 49 miles.......... https://www.strava.com/activities/675977580
