Tour of Wales 2009

Tour of Wales

















This was the long awaited Tour of Wales. With Lands End to John O Groats veterans Frank Reddington, Philip Bannister, Mark Atkinson and me, joined by Coast to Coast star (and new boy) Chris Endersby. The tour was to replace the now dead tour of Ireland (cancelled due to euro). This was a 4 day tour covering all of Wales from the Gower Peninsular and the Brecon Beacons in the South and then moving up to the Llyn peninsular and Snowdonia in the North


Thursday 6th August. Day 1 - Gower Peninsular

It was sunny and warm and we cycled from Cross Hands down to Llanelli via Sustrans route 47. Basically an abandoned railway line.

After Llanelli it was onto fast roads and accross the Bridge onto the Gower. After waiting for FRank we headed off onto the north coast. A few sprints with Bannister winning most. Atkinson unusually quiet in the sprints but Patchett and Endersby contesting a few.

Then we stopped at a nice cafe and met a famous actor. Anyone know who he is?










Then it was on to the end for a look at the view before retracing our steps back passed the cafe. By now the famous actor had gone!

Then followed the first big climb of the tour. A tough 1 in 5 affair which was just won by Patchett. Then we set off for the South Gower. Bannister conquered a small hill and was still hot in the sprints.

Finally we got to Port Eyrin where some of us decided it would be good to go in the sea.



















On the way back a wrong turn saw us end up in Swansea (which was not planned). 20 miles was added to the stage. On the long drag back it was everyman for himself and Philip and Gareth made a breakaway. Chris followed just a little way back. On the line Philip was strong and took the stage with Gareth 3 secs back and Chris a further 1.40. Frank at 6 mins and Mark (who was tiring) 16mins.


Friday 7th August Day 2

This was a big day in the Mountains (well Brecon Beacons) with a classic climb in the middle. The ride started steadily with little interest in sprints. Today we were in the safe hands of a new navigator - Philip Bannister and he was using his road atlas that had 'never let him down on the side roads'. After some successful early navigation we proceded northwards. After some less successful navigation we found ourselves 15miles further south than aniticipated, a fact confirmed by the loop like trace on Chris's GPS. Oh well, so we went into Llandeilo for some welcome tea and scones.

Then we dropped down to a road along the river before starting the big climb of the day. This is a famous climb and rises to 1495ft. Gareth and Philip eventually pulled away from the group about half way up the climb, Chris moved away but could get back to the duo. The top was hard to make out and therefore the neck-a-neck sprint was inconclusive. It was decided to share the points for first place.

When everyone made the top we turned round and headed back cross country. Two more steep climbs followed with me being the strongest.

After a bit more navigation we headed back towards Cross Hands on flatter roads. With 5 miles to go Gareth made a break for the finish. Chris chased down hard. The chase then became a bit confused so the result was neutralised.





















Then it was into the cars for a 2 hour drive to Aberystwyth for our overnight stop. Bit more lively than Llanelli and we were soon having a few shandies. A nice Japanese meal was followed (for some) by a trip to the Pier nightclub.

Saturday 8th August

Saturday morning dawned with some feeling better than others! Mark had a dip in the sea then after breakfast it was off to the start of the next stage at Criccieth. I good steady, if busy, ride soon saw us at Llanbedrog. Unsurprising Philip new of a little tea shop that was within a stately home (he really should write a book on them). Glorious to be sitting out in the sun in such a place.

We then made the short journey down to Abersoch and called in at the Warren for a tour of the site by 'tea shop' Banister. Then away again to the end of the peninsular. A big climb to Rihw saw me get to the top again, this time with Chris beating evergree Philip to the top. Then we made our way down to Aberdaron and Chris won the sprint into the town.

A short trip to the beautiful Porth Oer for a swim in the sea and pasty and beans at the wooden cafe. After this rest we were off again and everyone was tiring except Phil who seemed determined to take us the beach pub at Morfa Nefyn. After convincing him that we had a way to go we plodded accross the peninsular and back to the south coast. Then came the sprint back into Criccieth. I tried to make a break wit 3 miles to go (failed) then Frank took the pace for a mile. Eventually Chris crossed the sign first despite Philips late (and unusually too late) push for the line.

Back into the cars and into Bangor for overnight stop.














Sunday 9th August - The leg breaker



The final stage began with the Pen y Pass car park being full and Wales's finest rain dropping from the sky. After finding a parking place at the bottom of the hill we made the descent into Bedgellert. The first major incident of the tour occurred here when Frank decided to get tangled in his chain and hit the deck face first. I only heard the crash as I was ahead but witnesses state that it was almost spectacular! At an estimated speed of 2mph the last thing you want is to be eating tarmac.

After dusting Frank down we headed again to Bedgellert. The rain eased and we we searched out the worlds most remote bike shop. 2 miles up a rough track, and he didn't have any tyres in stock, we returned to Bedgellert and then set off for Festiniog. First big climg was a real toughie and I got to the top first closely followed by Philip and Chris.

Tea and cakes at the Lakeside Cafe (not one for Philips book - but a lovely waitress) and off again on a big climb over towards Bwets y coed and a fantastic descent (57mph according to Marks computer) and then a wild sprint into the town. Marks willingness to take on the cars on the narrow bridge combined with his ever increasing fitness gave him a sprint win.

After ice cream and a look round the classic car show we completed the day with the long climb towards Capel Curig and then onto the Pen y pass again. I made a break on the steep and managed to hold off Chris and then Philip and a couple of minutes further back, Frank. Mark had decided that the lure of the car at the bottom was too much temptation and headed directly to it.

Philip (or is it Cav) poses in front of the 'Jeff's brothers'






Final Results

Yellow - Me
KOM - Philip
Sprints - Chris

Most attacking rider - Mark
Least attacking, worst parking - Frank