Pan Celtic 2023

[Adnepos]

It may be a 'road event' but I would have though some folk here would be interested enough to comment on this year's Pan Celtic Race...

[postierich]

Looks dull and a faff with ferries!!
;-)
Rich

[Verena]

It may be a 'road event' but I would have though some folk here would be interested enough to comment on this year's Pan Celtic Race...

Yes, me, and same here, I would have thought the same, and also with Transpyrenees (which was an excellent few days dotwatching and following along on instagram by the way, and my friend cap no. 8 did amazingly well!! THough he said it was the hardest physical challenge he's ever done - and there have been a few!) ....

Ian Frewin/ Frewdog is certainly part of this here community, and he put in a vaiant effort, until sadly it all went wrong for him on day 2 sadly...

I didn't catch his name, but someone I talked to at WRT was doing it.

Anyone else?

[redefined_cycles]

I watched a vid about one of the earlier winners. A doctor I think and it was a gruelling experience. Why not post up a link/info as am sure people will be following/watching individually

[Adnepos]

This year's race is finished.
Here's a link that shows the route and the final ranking
https://bearbonesbikepacking.co.uk/phpB ... =7&t=23630

[voodoo_simon]

This year's race is finished.
Here's a link that shows the route and the final ranking
https://bearbonesbikepacking.co.uk/phpB ... =7&t=23630

Instagram would suggest the race is still alive and kicking

[Bearlegged]

https://dotwatcher.cc/race/pcr-2023

Apparently someone called Josh Reid has finished, but there are plenty of folk still out there.

[jameso]

I met a chap on the ferry to Caen last week who was doing this. Good chat over dinner about long distance riding and his plans and prep for the PCR and climbing (mainly his climbs I should add, my climbs list would fit on a fortune cookie slip). I logged on while eating pizza in a town square on Sunday evening to see him doing well but unf he scratched after that. Di2 problems, he'd ridden SS for a long way before bailing. Good to dotwatch when you know someone who's racing. Otherwise for me I generally only watch the TD and TCR out of route interest.

Interesting route for the PCR and the ferry crossings must make it a challenge or a series of stages, quite like how that can change a race leaderboard.
Was also surprised by the number of racers, 300+ ?

[Kumquat]

I had a very brief chat with one of the riders who was loading up on carbs in the kebab shop at Josselin. I had a quick look at the route, it seemed to be mainly tarmac oriented. Good weather for it that week though. NIce and cool.
It's a lot warmer now, with high humidity.

[redefined_cycles]

Shift over in Newtown today. Seen one rider early morning coming towards me enroute to the finish. No high vis is what I spotted mainly, but each their own. Then on the way back from work I spotted another 2 (different sections of the road) going in my direction.

Tried to shout, "well done, keep going" but maybe they interpreted this as insults (possibly the fatigue of cycling as well as being hard to spot so other drivers maybe not giving a wide a berth as deserved). Finally, after another 10 or so miles I spotted 2 riders with yellows and oranges. Front rider had an orange cover over the tailpack and bar bag... Rear rider had a hi-vis yellow somewhere on his behind. Coukd be seen for a good distance before getting anywhere close.

Not a dig, just saying about the hi-vis and narrow welsh 60mph roads. They work better together

[redefined_cycles]

The wonders of modern tech and voice commands...

[fatbikephil]

I quite fancy the Pan Celtic actually (on singlespeed obviously - Di2? pah!) as it covers a lot of ground I've not seen before. Plus the ferry thing is part of the fun. It also means you have periods of guaranteed rest and good food
mebbes next year...

[pete68]

Did last years, which was based mostly in Ireland. Probably the nicest event I've done. The organisers have a really good attitude. Just as keen on people enjoying the ride and having fun as much as racing it. Unfortunately couldn't do this year as I already had something booked but would do another in the future.

[redefined_cycles]

Angus Young going through his 2021 setup. Mentions how race rules state you need the reflective body harness and rear Exposure light on at all times. Was this just a rule for the 2021 setup or is it every year

[summittoppler]

Just after lunch today I met up with a mate who was riding the long route with just 10 miles till the finish. He was absolutely buzzing at the experience he had. Spoke to another chap from Cork who also rode it for his first time.

[Verena]

And the sun is shining for them

Been following, and laughing at, the stories Seun Alaba has been posting on instagram - some right old ranting and swearing there at the steepness of the hills of Wales!

[redefined_cycles]

And the sun is shining for them

Been following, and laughing at, the stories Seun Alaba has been posting on instagram - some right old ranting and swearing there at the steepness of the hills of Wales!

The folks I saw all seemed angry. Makes sense now. It was all Wales

[Verena]

And the sun is shining for them

Been following, and laughing at, the stories Seun Alaba has been posting on instagram - some right old ranting and swearing there at the steepness of the hills of Wales!

The folks I saw all seemed angry. Makes sense now. It was all Wales

[Lazarus]

Angus Young going through his 2021 setup. Mentions how race rules state you need the reflective body harness and rear Exposure light on at all times. Was this just a rule for the 2021 setup or is it every year

Rear lights are be used and functioning throughout the entire race. Day and night. Front lights are to be used at dusk, night and at any other time that the rider deems it necessary. High visibility clothing is mandatory at night and recommended during the day.

Dont have any any hi viz , except my rucksac cover for my commuting and dont run a rear light in normal visibility.

[redefined_cycles]

Angus Young going through his 2021 setup. Mentions how race rules state you need the reflective body harness and rear Exposure light on at all times. Was this just a rule for the 2021 setup or is it every year

Rear lights are be used and functioning throughout the entire race. Day and night. Front lights are to be used at dusk, night and at any other time that the rider deems it necessary. High visibility clothing is mandatory at night and recommended during the day.

Dont have any any hi viz , except my rucksac cover for my commuting and dont run a rear light in normal visibility.

Each to their own John. Me personally, I learnt as a bus driver during one of our defensive driving training courses, that driving with headlights (not just side lights) reduced incidents dramatically. That was for buses specifically and it was roughly in 2005 I did that course. Along with a few hazard awareness courses in subsequent years (to save from points) has led me to always drive with main lights on.

Also about 10 years ago when I became aware of the change blindess rule (ie. drivers not looking for cyclists and hence they'll not see them as they're in a blind spot of the brain), led me to always trying to buy most of my cycling kit in beight colours. Aling with that, whenever on the road I always try to keep the rear flashy - day bright type - in the on position. Always helped me on the 40 miler commutes and without it I've noticed the difference of drivers limited awareness!

In fact I'm soon gonna invest in one of them Garmin rear lights that sense traffic and give em a different flash to awaken them. Reckon it's a worthy investment for road riding,especially when not being able to get away from the windy roads etc... Another thing I learnt (from an advance motorcyle course - not done by myself but speaking to an attendee) ia the swerve. Gives the traffic to whom you might be invisible a bit of a wake up call when they see the sideways movement - as opposed to a dot moving forwards in the distance.

Ymmv