Charliecres wrote:I often get a headache when out for long rides so I'll be trying hard to stay hydrated. I normally stick with plain water but should I think about adding some electrolyte thingummies?

I get this too, I used to put it down to poor hydration, but I've improved that, so now I think it's down to bad eyesight, even with contacts in, my stigmatism seems to cause problems when I'm riding. Paracetamol sorts it out. Last year I drunk > 6 L on BB200, I still got a headache at a couple of points in the ride.

*repacks bags with wet weather gear*

bother

slowupslowdown wrote:*repacks bags with wet weather gear*

bother

Just looked at the forecast for next Saturday via the Norgies. Things are looking very Welsh

Things are looking very Welsh

This should help make things feel even more Welsh

Is it just me or does that seem a bit longer than 200km? Haven't worked out the height yet!

Im sure the height will be meters, so peaking at approx 525m. The additional bit may be Stu's ride home afterwards! He may not have started/finished where the masses are!

Not doing it myself but i am looking forward to the pics and tales of woe when they surface!

Need new legs just looking at that!!

Look for the positives chaps - it's got a downhill finish

Bugger.

Too much to ask for a downhill start and a downhill middle as well....

Look at it this way, all the rain's going to fill up those big dips in the graph, so I reckon there'll only be half the amount of climbing to do. Result!

Ian wrote:Look for the positives chaps - it's got a downhill finish

Also net level

Is it me or does that lump at 50k look properly evil?

Sea level start to 400m then back to sea level.

Fairly sure it was actually longer than 200km last time.

Stuart, did you go out of your way to devise the route with the least flat riding in it ever?

I was worried at first glance but on second viewing I'm approaching really worried.

composite wrote:Fairly sure it was actually longer than 200km last time

Well you want to get your monies worth

Stuart, did you go out of your way to devise the route with the least flat riding in it ever?

I believe the term is

It undulates

It won't be as bad as all that. You're compressing over 200km of riding into a tiny little image, it's going to look spikey. I bet there's only a couple of stiff climbs in it and the rest will be false flat

Stuart, did you go out of your way to devise the route with the least flat riding in it ever?

No, it wasn't something I planned. I was trying to devise a route in the shape of a bear but that proved too tricky

It undulates

OK, so I've had a look at the profile and here's my rough stab at where it goes:

The first big spike is a climb up into the forest behind Stu's place (south of Llanbrynmair, possibly via bridleways and some tarmac).
A few minor spikes get you down to Mach at sea level after about 25km
North out of Mach into the forest above Pennal (max elevation here 225m) and back down into Pennal (sea level again). Down the road to Cwrt, then over the top again to Bryn Crug (max height on this bit 317, so still consistent with the profile).
Bit of road after Bryn Crug covers the flat part of the profile before the big climb over the shoulder of Cader Idris to Dolgellau (max height here 400m, before dropping back down to sea level).

It gets a bit more difficult to work out after that as the number of possible options increases. The classic route over to Pont Scethin doesn't fit with the profile, as max elevation is 572, unless we went over Bwlch-y-rhiwgyr which is 460m. These sort of heights don't come in until later in the route, so perhaps there's some Coed-y-brenin type stuff to tackle.

The max elevation of just over 500m does rule out a number of tracks that I thought would be in it though, such as Bwlch-y-groes or a lovely track above Penllyn Forest (650m).

Well I only just got a place
So I'm the least prepared *hand up*
Rigid or suspension forks anyone?

Ian wrote:OK, so I've had a look at the profile and here's my rough stab at where it goes:

The first big spike is a climb up into the forest behind Stu's place (south of Llanbrynmair, possibly via bridleways and some tarmac).
A few minor spikes get you down to Mach at sea level after about 25km
North out of Mach into the forest above Pennal (max elevation here 225m) and back down into Pennal (sea level again). Down the road to Cwrt, then over the top again to Bryn Crug (max height on this bit 317, so still consistent with the profile).
Bit of road after Bryn Crug covers the flat part of the profile before the big climb over the shoulder of Cader Idris to Dolgellau (max height here 400m, before dropping back down to sea level).

It gets a bit more difficult to work out after that as the number of possible options increases. The classic route over to Pont Scethin doesn't fit with the profile, as max elevation is 572, unless we went over Bwlch-y-rhiwgyr which is 460m. These sort of heights don't come in until later in the route, so perhaps there's some Coed-y-brenin type stuff to tackle.

The max elevation of just over 500m does rule out a number of tracks that I thought would be in it though, such as Bwlch-y-groes or a lovely track above Penllyn Forest (650m).

Numplumz was right. Ian knows things ( I am following him!).

I think I might change my race strategy: ride a bit, walk a bit, carry a bit, ride a bit, repeat.

It looks like fun*

*from a distance, without my glasses on.

Ian I bet you shake you Xmas presents before opening don't you ;-)

Hmm bb prep gone a bit awry, went to fit new cleats and bolts seized. After considerable drilling I managed to remove one cleat. But the bolt is completely at one with the plate.

Ordered new cleat plates, coming on Monday. It will be fine! I hope.

I think I've worked out the last few hills from the profile.