27/08/2010  The club are running Audax events on the following dates:-

Saturday 26th March 2011 Dic Penderyn 200kms and Dic Penderyn 100kms

Sunday 10th April 2011 Rhondda Traverse 100kms

Saturday 18th June 2011 Wye Eypnnt 200kms and Brecon Reservoirs 100kms

20/08/2010

Wye Epynnt 200k

Well this has to be one of the undiscovered gems of the audax calender for all sorts of reasons. The Merthr Tydfil start made a change from the usual Cardiff or Chepstow departures and we were soon out of town and onto lovely roads. At this point I teamed up with a charming Welsh rider called Myfanwy. The first stage was probably the hardest, or so it seemed and was a lovely mixture of short climbs, long climbs and a wicked fast burn down the quiet A40 to Llandovery. I descended gingerly down the Devils Elbow, and was a bit disappointed as I prefer going up it. Sorry to see that the Westend cafe has changed hands and put its prices up. Myfanwy was not at all satisfied with £6.50 for a small jacket potato with a tiny slop of baked-beans on it.
Back on the road, we took lanes to Builth wells, through Tirabad, and then the familiar road from Builth to Erwood, stopping at the Erwood Junction for tea and cake. I had a piece of Chocolate cake, and Myfanwy has something welsh.
On we went up the side of the hill to Painscastle, to Hay and then cross country to Talybont where Myfanwy had a couple of cans of warm coke and I had a pint.
Suitably refreshed Myfanwy and I set off for the final 20k, which includes the only real steepie of the ride, the Torpantau. Once ascended it was a lovely run back to base to be greeted by Daimountaingoat and Adrian, the organiser. There was something really cool about having the finish at a working mens club, and the old boys outside seemed genuinely interested in where we'd been. Beer and crisps, what every finish control should be able to supply.
I shall be doing this ride next year. It was like a combination of loads of other Welsh rides but going in the other direction. there was something a little different about it, and it is one to ride whilst it is still there.

06/08/10

Brecon Reservoirs 100kms A Welcome in the Hillside - Gordon Jones


The start was at the Dowlais Constitutional Club, where all riders of the 100k and 200k events were greeted with a warm welcome by Dave Jones (The Organiser).
Parking the car was no problem either as there was plenty of space in the club car park.
Here I met up with my old friends Derek and Cyril and we were set for another jovial days riding on the Brecon Hills.
Twice that day I was to realise how lucky we all are to be able to stay healthy and enjoy our sport.
Before the event started and at the end I was to meet two fellow riders who had battled against cancer and were now thankfully in the recovery stage. I wish them both well.
The early part of the ride towards Talybont takes you over a dam and along the banks of a couple of reservoirs with picturesque views of the hills surrounding them.
The weather remained dry but there was a chilly breeze coming off the reservoirs.
For some strange reason I was feeling particularly strong at this moment and either the flat terrain or the fish and chips I had the night before inspired me to up the pace which took Derek and Cyril a bit by surprise. Usually I’m hanging on to their rear wheels.
We rode on through lovely countryside passing through Pencilli, Groesfford and Llanddew where shortly after we passed our first Info control at 35kms.
Up to this point the route had been amazingly flat and you knew full well that soon enough there was a price to pay.
Mind you the next 17k to the Glanusk Café in Sennybridge comprised of only rolling hills passing through the sleepy villages of Abersycir, Aberbran and Trallong. This route taking you north of Brecon town and brings you down to Sennybridge, the A40 and the control café at 52k
The sun was warm enough now to take advantage of the café’s outdoor seating facilities. Having lunch whilst gaining a tan was a bonus.
Much speculation is made of what or how much to eat at these controls and Cyril with coffee and energy bar, looked on in amazement as first my giant scrambled eggs on toast arrived followed by Derek’s enormous burger which was crammed so full that the sausage and bacon looked like they were trying to escape out the sides.
Leaving the control, several kilos heavier, we made our way along the A40 toward Llandovery turning shortly left and headed on to Crai via a roller coaster of a back road.
Passing the info point at Crai we joined the main road between Sennybridge and Craig-y-nos. Climbing slowly to Crai reservoir where we did a sharp left and continued the climb towards Heol Senni.
There is a terrific decent from here down to the valley again where we turned right for Ystradfellte and then followed the valley road till turning left for Penderyn.
That’s when you get the first view of a nasty climb. Ahead Derek pointed to a road winding its way up the hillside and that was our route out of the valley.
Passing a fellow cyclist walking his bike up didn’t help moral but eventually we all made it to the top with a great sigh of relief.
We now rode across the top of the mountain with panoramic views of the Brecons.
The weather was now turning hot and so we trudged up the last couple of hills before descending to ride parallel to the same reservoirs as we did earlier on. Crossing the dam we headed back into Merthyr and towards the finish.
Thanks must go to Cyril and Derek for their navigational skills in getting us to this point in the event.
Derek however lead the last few kilometres where unfortunately we ended up on the A465 towards Abergavenny having misread a roundabout instruction going right instead of left into Dowlais. We all eventually got to the finish having ridden an extra 4k and jokingly banning Derek from navigating the final few kilometres in any future events we ride.
Back at the club hams salad rolls were the order of the day served with coffee in one of the bar rooms.
If you wanted a pint, the bar was at hand and if you wanted to watch Ascot races on TV that was there too. This lead to a comical moment when I asked Dave Jones if the screen was HD. Before he could reply an elderly chap sitting nearby watching the racing called out, “No, it’s the ATR channel.”
After some jovial conversation and several pints of lemonade and lime later we all headed home. This was yet another event where I could have easily stayed on and had a few proper pints if Hazel had been picking me up in the car.
As the words of a famous song rang out in my head, “ There will be a welcome in the Hill side.” That was very true of this event. Another great day in the saddle.
Thanks to my two companions for putting up with this scruffy individual and his insane moments on the bike. Also thanks to Dave for organising the event and to those riders who haven’t had a go at this event, put it in your calendar for next year.

On Saturday 19th of June the club ran the last of its Audax events, Brecon Reservoirs 100kms and the 200kms Wye Eypnnt. Overcast conditions greeted the first batch of 10 riders at 8am for the start of the 200kms starting and finishing at Dowlais Con Club. 1 former member of the club started so thanks Simon Westlake and he was joined by riders from around Abergavenny, Cardiff and 1 lady from Bedford but alas no one from the organising club. Everyone commented on how they enjoyed the event and would return next year. The 100kms had 14 riders and  a former club chairman in Dave Tasker and the current chairman in Dave West. Again a poor turnout from the club otherwise and the rest of the field was made up of riders from Cardiff, Swansea, Bristol, Bridgewater and even Coventry. The 100 crowd set off at 9am and they too commented on how they enjoyed the ride and both stes of riders commented on the hospitality that they received from the Con club and from myself, David Jones and off Adrian McDonald. Most stayed a while after finishing the events for a good chat in a friendly atmosphere. So overall the organised events this year by the club attracted a few more riders als be it from places afar and not so many club members. So thanks goes to the venues which held these events and to the riders who entered and thanks to my dad for the organising. David Jones