Yr Elenydd / The Elenith: Now with Beacon Members
Moderators: Philip Whiteman, George, laurence_cooley, Andy Terry
- Philip Whiteman
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Yr Elenydd / The Elenith: Now with Beacon Members
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.
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.
- Philip Whiteman
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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.
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.
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- Philip Whiteman
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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.
Lisa is singing at a concert on 12th April, so I cannot ride. Somebody needs to bounce the ever bouncing baby.
Last edited by Philip Whiteman on 07 Apr 2014 12:30, edited 1 time in total.
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- Philip Whiteman
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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
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
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!
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
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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
I'm certainly not upto anything like The Elenith at the moment
Last edited by Philip Whiteman on 14 Apr 2014 08:21, edited 1 time in total.
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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
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
Last edited by keith on 14 Apr 2014 10:46, edited 1 time in total.
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- Philip Whiteman
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