About this time of year the Welshpool Rotary Club put on an event I've often thought I'd like a go at, so having seen it announced in the local paper I decided to have a go.
First things first though - I needed to get over there. Welshpool is only about 20 miles away but the choice is to use the A458 which is the main holidaymakers route from the Midlands to the Mid Wales coast
or over The Long Mountain (not to be confused with the Long Mynd)..... I chose the latter.
It was an 8am start which gave me plenty of time to get there for registration. The roads were quiet and I made good time. There was a stop at Lea Cross to check on whether another rider was alright - he'd only got to the end of the road before picking up a puncture, not a good start for his planned 50 miler.
Continuing I had to dodge wasps for the next couple of miles before getting to the more open main road to Westbury which again was quiet. At Westbury the road turns upwards with 656 feet (200 metres) of climbing before I get to my turning for Welshpool. It's a steady climb and the scenery is fantastic though which makes it worthwhile. I saw a Red Kite circling which I know doesn't impress people from certain parts of the country but here it's something special as these birs were the rarest of the rare until just a few years ago when the population started to recover (and not due to birds being reintroduced from foreign parts).
The descent made me marvel at the scenery again and soon I was in Welshpool and arriving at Raven Square Station for the Race The Train event. I was early but they were already registering riders which gave plenty of time to get myself sorted.
The event is what it says: The Welshpool and Llanfair Railway train leaves at 11.15 am and the challenge is for the cyclists to get to Llanfair Caereinion Station before the train does. Fairly easy for any reasonably fit rider but there are a couple of catches: The cycling route isn't the direct way and is
very hilly and at least half of the riders on the event have to beat the train for it to count as a win for the cyclists. Game on!
As a surprise my parents and brother and sister came over to ride on the train and see how I did. So, no pressure.
The wait for the start seemed to take for ever but then there was the guard's whistle followed by the engine's whistle and the Mayor of Welshpool waved us off. By an accident of numbering I'd been put right on the front row and led everyone away but I didn't stay there long, but wasn't completely dropped either. Once we turned off the main road and onto the lanes things changed. I was able pass a few other riders on the hills despite having one of the heaviest bikes and being the only one carrying luggage.
As everyone settled down to their natural pace I found myself sticking with one particular rider who was slower than me up the hills but could do a pro-style aero tuck on the downhills and get past again. We carried on this game of leapfrog right to the end when he got past on the final descent. I thought it was brilliant fun. I'm pretty sure that by the end he was quite annoyed with me overtaking so often though.
I beat the train.
and came in somewhere in the middle of the bunch which I'm quite happy with.
Having met up with family, seen the stragglers arrive, got my certificate and had a bite to eat it was time to head for home so I retraced my steps (the climbs are much steeper going in this direction) and was able to take in some of the scenery I didn't have time to appreciate on the way out.
After Welshpool the Long Mountain beckoned again and from this side this is also a steeper and higher climb (863 feet or 263 metres in about 2 miles
) with tired legs I needed all my low gears but made it without rest stops.
At the top I decided not to just go back the way I'd come and picked an alternative way down the mountain through Broomhill and Wallop. That put me onto the right road to take another alternative to Minsterley and Pontesbury before heading home. I also detoured through Condover to up the mileage giving me another metric century and taking advantage of the strengthening wind to help me home.
For those who like them, there are the stats for today:
63.2 miles for the day, 12.5mph average (happy with that on a pretty hilly ride), I passed 4000 miles for the year to date, my time for Race The Train was 34 minutes 53 seconds beating the train by 10 minutes and 6 seconds.
And finally; 24 of the 33 riders beat the train meaning the cyclists officially won the race this year.
Great fun. I'd like to do it again next year.
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En route to Westbury and just taking a pause for a drink. There is cloud draped over the Stiperstones
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Another quick stop getting high up on The Long Mountain. I couldn't have asked for much better weather to ride in today.
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Down the other side and the town of Welshpool is in sight.
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My challenger: Countess, which will be pulling the 11.15 train to Llanfair Caereinion.
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The cycling challengers, with the mayor meeting and greeting.
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Countess heads off to couple up and we begin the countdown to the start.
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A jump to the end now as during 35 minutes of furious cycling I didn't take any photos. Countess arrives with train exacty as scheduled but enough riders have beaten her to claim victory (this year at least).
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On my way back and here is some of the scenery I didn't get to appreciate earlier on.
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Near the foot of the second climb over The Long Mountain. I used the entire range of useable gears today and reminded myself why I like my Raleigh so much.
Edit to add: The official results have been posted. It seems that the first rider home set a new record time for the course. I finished in 13th place. 25 out of the 33 actually beat the train and there was 1 DNF.
They also mention that since the event first ran, the train is in the lead with 5 wins to the cyclists 3.
Bit windy when I set off but had to go home and swap the long sleeve thin jacket for the gilet version 
Some roads closed so stopped for a drink and an animal bar, hidden in the tiny saddle bag just within reach of a chubby wee hand 
Lots of building, houses and new school but no work on bypass today so quieter and not so dusty.
luckily no pic 
A very well done to you.
