Good start venue but only public parking available - good job it was early enough in the morning for there to be plenty of spaces. Registration (including changing route) was very straightforward - a self adhesive tape containing the time strip, the offer of some energy snacks and a number for the handlebars. Notice a few very small bikes around with timing strips attached, so good to see they were taking the 10mile family route very seriously - good way to get the kids engaged.
Set off in groups of 25 riders 3 minutes apart by the town's mayor on the sunny but initially chilly Conwy Quay at the foot of the dramatic castle walls.
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| Conwy Castle. Cool enough at the start to need a wind proof jacket |
The route headed through Deganwy and onto the Orme in the clockwise "reverse" direction. A chunk of the Orme was timed for a bit of added interest. Didn't realise how steep the Orme is and this was a bit of a wake up call so early in the route. Nice run down the other side into Llandudno with the town and pier laid out to see. With a high tide, the pier looked at its best. From here it was a very flat run all the way along the coast (apart from the short but sharpish climb over the Little Orme), including the cycle path to Pensarn, just outside Abergele. Some of the waves along this section where smashing into the sea wall and providing some cooling mist! Abergele was 33km and the first of the food and drinks stops. Although flat, the constant 3/4 front breeze coming off the sea meant that this wasn't a flat out cruise, but it wasn't too hard either.
Crossing over the A55 the route essentially turned back on itsself and West along the A547. Then it cut South West and the big long climb kicked in. You can see what this means on the profile between miles 23 and 29:
Great Orme Little Orme Coast Big Climb From The Forgetten Climbs
Abegele to Conwy Valley
This is the section that confirmed I was correct in choosing the shorter route with less climbing! This was hard work and has helped me to think about getting a lot more riding done and a lot less eating of cake.
It was a long climb and reasonably steep. The split followed fairly soon after and there were lots of marshals around to make sure you head in the right direction. One of them shouted "all down hill now", which sounded great and aligned with my memories of the profile, but as you can see above, somewhat inaccurate.
As is the way with downhills, they go all to quickly, but it was good to catch my breath. Hit 58km/h down there, but that's really put in perspective by the Pro Peloton who cruise along the flat at 40 km/h... I do tend to pass quite a few on the downhills. Not sure if that's too much risk taking, or just a legacy of mountain biking where you learn very quickly how to balance a bike on the descents. Part way along this section a second drinks only stop had been provided.
The final few spikes on that profile were more vicious than they look - particularly that really steep peak at 35 miles - that necessitated a weaving technique across the width of the road to reduce the severity of the climb, but even that didn't help me get past the person in front who was walking. But at least I was still on the bike!
The routes re-joined in the Colwyn valley which is very picturesque. We followed some roads I remember riding with my wife on the tandem when we were on holiday in the area about 18 or 20 years ago. This section had a brand new surface then and has a brand new surface now. So they either do this every year or every 18 years or so! Just underlining that the short route was right for me this time were the number of riders from the longer routes who passed me on this bit. Ho-hum, but that is quite motivational at least. We passed a pub along the valley side where there was some kind of Ferrari owners' club meeting underway - lots of red and yellow in the bright spring sunshine and lots of cameras in use.
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| One of the climbs late in the ride at the location below |
The descent into Conwy was welcome, but the last mile felt like it was just for the council's tourism promotion plans - you approached the finish venue then had to kick left to do a loop of the very picturesque town centre before returning back to the quayside to pass under the banner and collect a commemorative slate drinks coaster, produced locally - a bit different to the usual t-shirt or buff. Refreshments at the end were confined to fruit flavour water (been drinking that for 3 hours), bananas (been eating them for 3 hours) and a few biscuits and fruit gems. Would have much preferred a cup of tea and a decent slice of fruit cake myself.
In terms of timing I completed in elapsed of 3hr 27m, ride time of 3hr 17m being around the middle of 103 riders. On the timed Storm the Orme section I was 53rd, so again about middling. A lot of work to do as I'd much rather be about middling on the 70 mile route.
This was a well organised event with a pretty challenging route in fantastic countryside at a reasonable price. I would be happy to support more Always Aim High events, but decent finishing refreshments please folks!
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