Yr Elenydd / The Elenith: Now with Beacon Members

Philip Whiteman · Post by **Philip Whiteman** » 21 Jan 2014 13:02

12th April
300km
5,000m of ascent
http://www.audax-salop.talktalk.net/elenydd/
70 out 120 places already sold, according to John Hamilton

Failing to learn by mistakes is a cyclist's downfall. So why on earth have I entered The Elenith yet again? Last year was a spectacular flop when I DNF'd at 100km. It had not been on my list for 2014 but when I discovered that three other Beacon members had already entered, any excuse for not entering this audacious audax became null and void.

It would be improper to 'out' these individuals should they change their minds about riding. When discussing it on Sunday, at least two of these individuals broke out into a cold sweat when muttering the word 'Elenith'. This event's reputation precedes it. They should be saluted for entering. If they complete the ride, it will be a well deserved accomplishment.

With 5,000 metres of ascent, much of steep and across mountainous moorland, it is a tough route that tests the most hardy of audaxers. When comparing Yr Elenydd with other audaxes of the distance, it is probably the most challenging event of its nature in the UK.

It is almost certainly harder than the old Kidderminster based Elenith. I found the old Elenith hard enough, without the worry of any further climbing being added. I vividly recall that last year it took most fit riders an additional 3 hours to complete the route when compared with their previous 13 hour ride time. If describing one's personal ambition for this event, "hope to finish" is a better expression than "expect to finish".

For my peers considering this event, I can highly recommend preparation by starting on The New Cheltenham Flyer, a hilly 200km event starting from Andoversford, circuiting The Cotswolds and Lambourn Downs, on 15th March. For proper hills, there is of course The Montgomery Madness!

Will I DNF this year? Possibly yes; possibly not.

Will any Beacon members complete this audacious ride in 2014? Quite probably.

George · Post by **George** » 21 Jan 2014 15:15

These ultra-hilly audaxes seem to be enjoying an upturn in popularity at the moment. The Elenith is apparently thriving; you (Phil) have breathed new life into the KK and given it a little brother; and the Saracen are organising a hilly audax from Droitwich, just the weekend after yours.

Philip Whiteman · Post by **Philip Whiteman** » 21 Jan 2014 15:42

Thanks for your gracious comments, George.

As a quick addendum, I will be organising another 300km ride this year along similar lines as the 2013 Weston Run and will be ideal for people not interested in anything as daft as The Elenith. The 2014 Not The Weston Run will take place on a Saturday during July or very end of May, starting from Birmingham / Bromsgrove and crossing the Severn Bridge.

The route will be designed for interest and scenery and avoid the pitfalls of last year's monotony along the A38. It won't be flat but at the same will not be audaciously hilly, merely undulating.

Anyway, I'm off thread, back to The Elenith.

Pedlo Mudguardo · Post by **Pedlo Mudguardo** » 21 Jan 2014 16:09

Whoever these Beacon members are they're clearly insane....

keith · Post by **keith** » 21 Jan 2014 18:41

Clearly as mad as a box of frogs ,who ever they are.

IanT · Post by **IanT** » 21 Jan 2014 20:26

I agree, lunatics.

Philip Whiteman · Post by **Philip Whiteman** » 02 Mar 2014 17:01

Damn and blast, or is that hooray?

Lisa is singing at a concert on 12th April, so I cannot ride. Somebody needs to bounce the ever bouncing baby.

laurence_cooley · Post by **laurence_cooley** » 02 Mar 2014 17:07

Philip Whiteman wrote:Damn and blast, or is that hooray?

Lisa is singing at a concert on 12th April, so cannot ride and somebody will need to bounce the ever bouncing baby.

I'm sure you could find a willing babysitter on here, Philip.

Philip Whiteman · Post by **Philip Whiteman** » 07 Apr 2014 11:31

Of course we won't be offering best wishes to Keith Adcock, Ian Taylor or Nic Vipond, all of whom have denied entering this event. Paul Campbell has entered and unless I am mistaken, so have Andy Carter and Darren Garey

All the best for this weekends participants. Just remember, there is no point busting a gut on the hills. Don't be afraid to push up the Devil's Staircase in order to save energy for later. In my view the real killer of a climb is from Pont-Rhyd-y-Groes between Tragaron and Rhayader. At this point, your energies will have already been sapped by the earlier assaults on the Staircase, The Gamallt and Telephone Box hills. I rather suspect that Knighton will also be gruelling.

Make best use of the feed stops. If you are relying on gels alone then forget it. Proper food will be needed at some stage en-route.

I have not ridden on the current final section to the HQ, but I know that the descent over the north end of the Long Mynd via Picklescott is pretty awful due to narrowness, bends and potholes. Personally speaking, I would take John's alternative route via Shrewsbury. Although longer and only 50m less in height, the road is quicker and safer. Powerful lights are essential.

The weather forecast is lightly overcast, 9C and light westerly winds. You should be fine.

Sadly, I won't be able to ride

I don't wish anyone to DNF but it useful to know the opt out points:

Llanywrtyd Wells prior to Devils Staircase. 1503 train to Shrewsbury
Aberystwyth for Tragaron.
Pen-y-bont 2047
Knighton 2117
Craven Arms last train 2233. 10 miles from Clungunford

I look forward to hearing your stories during Sunday's club run to Rays Farm

AJC · Post by **AJC** » 13 Apr 2014 14:45

Made it round in sub 15hrs 30mins. Toughest ride I've ever done. The mountain road to Tregaron is unrelenting. My 24x32 bottom gear was a god send. A welcome westerly provided some assistance back over to Rhayader, with some good speeds reached even on my steel frame brute.

Controls were excellent. Managing the hoards of hungry Audaxers with aplomb. The final control at the Old Wheelrights served a fantastic beef stew. Nectare and energy for the final climb over Cothercott Hill and then the fast run into Shrewbury and the HQ.

Resting tired legs today. Saw Paul Campbell at the HQ and passed a Beacon Trio on the way to Builth Wells. I trust they finished in good time.

Roll on the next 300km event!

Philip Whiteman · Post by **Philip Whiteman** » 13 Apr 2014 14:50

Congratulations Andy. Also Keith Adcock, Ian Taylor, Nic Vipond and Paul Campbell. To finish this event is a true achievement and places most 200s into proportion. Just imagine The Kidderminster Killer plus a third extra effort. If you can ride this 300, you will be able to complete most others.

I'm certainly not upto anything like The Elenith at the moment

Post by **CakeStop** » 13 Apr 2014 16:09

Well done everybody - impressive stuff.

Dave Cox · Post by **Dave Cox** » 13 Apr 2014 16:25

Well done amazing ride!

Pedlo Mudguardo · Post by **Pedlo Mudguardo** » 13 Apr 2014 18:06

Everything hurts.

Tim · Post by **Tim** » 13 Apr 2014 19:04

Amazing ride. Well done all!

Grogz · Post by **Grogz** » 13 Apr 2014 19:15

Great riding, boys. Well done. This will, of course, mean that you'll rip my legs off if I ride with you in the near future, so I might bottle out if invited!

Andy_Craddock · Post by **Andy_Craddock** » 13 Apr 2014 19:22

Great effort guys, about 4500m too much climbing for me

IanT · Post by **IanT** » 13 Apr 2014 19:33

Pedlo Mudguardo wrote:Everything hurts.

What he said.

keith · Post by **keith** » 13 Apr 2014 20:15

Not sure if enjoyable is quite the right word.certainly an epic journey very well organised ,very good and friendly stops with Rhayader and Old Wheelwrights particularly good
Some challenging climbs Devils Staircase so steep that you would normally pick up a ladder rather than a bike ,sure I saw a fly slide off at one point. Élan valley a roller coaster of ups and downs ,
Thanks to my partners in crime it was a privilege gentlemen,Now what's the next stupid idea

Mark Patton · Post by **Mark Patton** » 14 Apr 2014 06:13

Well done guys

slogfester · Post by **slogfester** » 14 Apr 2014 13:48

Congratulations. Chapeau. Sounds completely bonkers!

WorcsPhil · Post by **WorcsPhil** » 14 Apr 2014 17:25

My congratulations also - a top ride.

As for your next stupid idea, there was talk on the club run yesterday of a plan for the Montgomery Madness and the Kidderminster Killer on successive days...Something for you Elenith boys to take on?????

Philip Whiteman · Post by **Philip Whiteman** » 14 Apr 2014 19:22

WorcsPhil wrote:My congratulations also - a top ride.

As for your next stupid idea, there was talk on the club run yesterday of a plan for the MontgomeryMadness and the Kidderminster Killer on successive days...Something for you Elenith boys to take on?????

AlanW · Post by **AlanW** » 14 Apr 2014 21:34

Utterly outstanding effort boys, well done.