The Wild Wales

How to summarise the Wild Wales? Damn difficult, if there was ever a time to have Chinook in tow to methodically hoover up all the details it was on this ride. However to give those that didn't partake including those who bailed late on here is an attempt to cover the main aspects. 

A good showing of around 18 riders met up at the start point, in cold and foggy conditions. As one we set out from Bala. The fog seemed to get thicker and I was starting to wonder if I had brought enough layers however as the pace picked up we soon warmed up and conversations started about whether we going to stay together or split up, with Rick announcing he wanted to go sub 6 hours and Mark B stating he wanted to enjoy it at a steady pace it was obvious there would be more than one group.

With Bala a few miles behind us the fog lifted a little and we approached a familiar pub, one which housed Ste F back in 2013 when his injuries got the better of him, on the first HMCC Bala weekend away. There was no chance to reminisce as we turned immediately into the first of many double digit gradients – I say "we", Rick in his exuberance, missed the turn and shot off up the road only to pass us a minute or so later shouting the words “I went the wrong way”. This tough incline proved to be the filter we needed with the fast boys steaming off with the remaining A's forming a solid group that would complete the challenge many hours later.

After the climb we joined the main road with a steady climb over a moorland in bright sunshine, the scenery was stunning and looking back we could see Bala shrouded in the cold fog. As a group we set off up the long drag to then dive down an amazingly fast descent into the village close to the HMCC Bala Farmhouse. We took some narrow roads further south, this wasn't a closed road sportive but given the lack of traffic it may well have been. Our group split as a few stronger riders headed off but then missed a turn – we waited, but after 5 minutes, during which Mark B and Jeff joined us, we decided they would realise and catch us and we headed off. Not long after we had another tough climb, I was following Jeff's wheel only to watch in horror as his chain snapped, his momentum ended and he toppled over onto the grass verge. I chased off up the climb to let the others know, we waited at the top and re-fuelled on “aribo min-yons”. However it became obvious that Jeff and Mark B were staying on the climb to fix the chain.

Luckily this ride ending disaster was averted thanks to a generous rider called Paddy from Chester Road Club. We set off in search of our first feed stop. Bottles refilled and we set off into the beautiful Welsh scenery with rolling countryside and it's assorted wildlife, including in Dan's words a sunbathing badger and then in homage to Dan's new favourite film Up the first of many squirrels. With our hunger growing the pace cranked up as we barrelled on to make it to the lunch stop at half distance. Here we met Andy H and Dangerous Dave who were helping Ste K find the sag wagon as his cassette had failed him. 

With some nice savoury sandwiches and tea inside us we headed out, but not until Dan had offered the local kids his sweets, concerned we might end up part of operation Yewtree we set off along the valley floor. This “easy” part of the ride was disrupted by a puncture (one of five for the day) and then the dawning realisation that this valley meant one thing - we would have to climb out of it. Another double digit climb and Dan was stuck with gear issues, unable to select his 28t sprocket until he could find somewhere to stop and reset his rear wheel. Regrouping at the top of the climb we headed North in the final leg of the challenge. Staying together as a group we crossed the A470 past the strange cafe full of rabbits and wooden automatons, and with some good pace headed to the final feedstop, until we punctured, again. Mark B and Jeff who were tackling the Wild Wales at their own pace caught us, stopped to ensure we were fine and then headed off. 

All that was left was for us to regroup at the feed station, refill bottles and throw gels down our throat as in only 3 miles we knew the infamous Bwlch-y-Groes awaited. As we set off some of realised that filling bottles with 15 miles to go was just dead weight and we promptly emptied them on the road. All the banter that had been swapped in the previous 80 odd miles stopped and we soft pedalled to save every bit of energy for the 3km climb averaging 12%. I won't bore you with the details, the climb is a brutal test and words don't do it justice, however everyone got up it without putting a foot down one way or another. From here we took the obligatory summit photo and with the mechanicals adding hours to the ride and with The Captain's 40^th birthday drinks beckoning we headed down the technical but speedy descent, only for Howie to puncture. A quick repair and we cycled alongside Bala lake back to receive our finishing slate. 

All in all I awoke on Sunday a little underwhelmed, this was one event that for some reason hadn't featured in my to do list and sort of crept up on me. However my fellow clubmates absolutely made this for me, in addition to the challenging route and beautiful scenery. We had some great banter with other riders including a guy on a recumbant, and I was asked by a rider from Macc Wheelers who made our kit as she liked it so much (another vote for the best kit in the UK). I know that the ride is more of a touring event than a sportive and was around before the sportive scene took off but times change and I found the lack of signage disconcerting, we took the odd wrong turn and can't help but think that other riders may have gone seriously off track. However saying that I loved the experience and if the club put this event in the calendar next year I will be back for more punishment.

Distance - 97 miles (101 for those who took the odd wrong turn)

Climing - A lot

Squirrels - 3

Dead Badger - 1

Dead Innertubes - 5

Reject of the ride - we all know who that was, if you need to know ask Howie.