Enter the Dragon Permanent

Discussion about audaxes & cyclosportives

Moderators: Philip Whiteman, George, laurence_cooley, Andy Terry

Post Reply
User avatar
Simon Woodward
Posts: 274
Joined: 21 May 2017 21:49
Real Name:

Enter the Dragon Permanent

Post by Simon Woodward » 29 Jul 2019 21:45

Hi Audaxers,
Has anyone ever done this? https://ridewithgps.com/routes/12698177
I'm thinking about converting my AAA SR into an SR Cymru, I'll need a 300 as my Cambrian with ECE won't count.
It's obviously a lumpy ride I'm just wondering whether it's achievable in late Autumn which is probably when I'll be able to find time.
What do you all think?

User avatar
Philip Whiteman
Posts: 2045
Joined: 19 Nov 2006 16:17
Real Name:
Location: Drayton, Worcestershire

Re: Enter the Dragon Permanent

Post by Philip Whiteman » 30 Jul 2019 08:20

That means going up Bwlch-y-groes the hard-way!

Looks tough but in late autumn the colours will be spectacular with rustic ferns on the mountain sides.

User avatar
Simon Woodward
Posts: 274
Joined: 21 May 2017 21:49
Real Name:

Re: Enter the Dragon Permanent

Post by Simon Woodward » 01 Aug 2019 07:29

Philip Whiteman wrote:
30 Jul 2019 08:20
That means going up Bwlch-y-groes the hard-way!

Looks tough but in late autumn the colours will be spectacular with rustic ferns on the mountain sides.
Cheers Phil,

I've managed to find some space bit earlier in my calendar so have booked the 10th September.

Bwlch y groes and the following climb out of Bala will be tough with tired legs, but we'll see how it goes.

User avatar
Simon Woodward
Posts: 274
Joined: 21 May 2017 21:49
Real Name:

Re: Enter the Dragon Permanent

Post by Simon Woodward » 12 Sep 2019 22:40

I completed this on Tuesday. A very tough ride which I just managed to complete in time with only 25 minutes to spare. I crawled up Bwlch y Groes averaging less than 3mph!
I've always been a full value Audaxer but thought that my average speed would increase over the last100 km, as that part of the route is much flatter. I hadn't realised however how much the poor visibility at night slows you down on country lanes.

I'd encourage those that like a challenge and also enjoy the hills and the countryside to enter this ride. As with most of John Hamilton's rides it's on great cycling roads and starts out tough but gets easier on the way home. My only caveat would be that whilst it's always difficult to compare Audaxes, it did feel like a significant step up from the Kidderminster Killer.

Enter The Dragon Strava Link

User avatar
George
Posts: 2330
Joined: 18 Nov 2006 10:21
Real Name: George Barker
Location: Worcestershire

Re: Enter the Dragon Permanent

Post by George » 14 Sep 2019 14:03

Simon Woodward wrote:
12 Sep 2019 22:40
it did feel like a significant step up from the Kidderminster Killer.
Simon, Simon! Do you realise what you've started?

Congratulations on another epic ride!

User avatar
StuartWhite
Posts: 274
Joined: 03 Oct 2013 23:57
Real Name:

Re: Enter the Dragon Permanent

Post by StuartWhite » 16 Sep 2019 13:09

Sweet, baby Jesus, that looks good/horrific.
That's going on the ever increasing list. Nice one Simon.
Cheers,

Stu

It never gets easier, you just go faster.
Strava - http://www.strava.com/athletes/white_stuart
Facebook - Barry Fight - www.facebook.com/barry.fight
Email - Stulottie@gmail.com
Text/Whatsapp - 07929 612359

User avatar
Philip Whiteman
Posts: 2045
Joined: 19 Nov 2006 16:17
Real Name:
Location: Drayton, Worcestershire

Re: Enter the Dragon Permanent

Post by Philip Whiteman » 16 Sep 2019 13:33

John Hamilton is not nicknamed Undulates for nothing. This looks like another one of his horrors - always a great choice of roads through fantastic scenery but rarely flat.

User avatar
Simon Woodward
Posts: 274
Joined: 21 May 2017 21:49
Real Name:

Re: Enter the Dragon Permanent

Post by Simon Woodward » 16 Sep 2019 21:47

Philip Whiteman wrote:
16 Sep 2019 13:33
John Hamilton is not nicknamed Undulates for nothing. This looks like another one of his horrors - always a great choice of roads through fantastic scenery but rarely flat.
John Hamilton tells me that only 13 people have completed the ride and only 4 of those finished within 20 hours. As you say, his routes are stunning but could never be described as flat.

Andy W
Posts: 271
Joined: 29 Nov 2015 23:07
Real Name: Andrew Wrightson
Location: Kings Norton

Re: Enter the Dragon Permanent

Post by Andy W » 17 Jan 2020 19:28

Simon Woodward wrote:
29 Jul 2019 21:45
Hi Audaxers,
Has anyone ever done this? https://ridewithgps.com/routes/12698177
I'm thinking about converting my AAA SR into an SR Cymru, I'll need a 300 as my Cambrian with ECE won't count.
It's obviously a lumpy ride I'm just wondering whether it's achievable in late Autumn which is probably when I'll be able to find time.
What do you all think?
That look a bit special I wouldnt mind having a go at this one myself

User avatar
Simon Woodward
Posts: 274
Joined: 21 May 2017 21:49
Real Name:

Re: Enter the Dragon Permanent

Post by Simon Woodward » 17 Jan 2020 21:23

Andy W wrote:
17 Jan 2020 19:28
Simon Woodward wrote:
29 Jul 2019 21:45
Hi Audaxers,
Has anyone ever done this? https://ridewithgps.com/routes/12698177
I'm thinking about converting my AAA SR into an SR Cymru, I'll need a 300 as my Cambrian with ECE won't count.
It's obviously a lumpy ride I'm just wondering whether it's achievable in late Autumn which is probably when I'll be able to find time.
What do you all think?
That look a bit special I wouldnt mind having a go at this one myself
Andy,

I loved it. It's a permanent but is validate by GPX so you can start anywhere on the route. I camped just outside Llandrindod wells.
Do you reckon you could beat my time? https://www.strava.com/activities/2698879094
Attachments
Enter The dragon Snip.png
Enter The dragon Snip.png (14.57 KiB) Viewed 15008 times

Andy W
Posts: 271
Joined: 29 Nov 2015 23:07
Real Name: Andrew Wrightson
Location: Kings Norton

Re: Enter the Dragon Permanent

Post by Andy W » 18 Jan 2020 14:28

Look who got competitive aha, it's a tad chilly to be going at out normal speed so may have to reign it back

Post Reply