Just got back from a successful completion of the Cambrian Trail.

Apologies for the dot watchers amongst you who may have enjoyed the watch, but I really wasn't sure I was going to be able to pull this off (especially due to recent injuries and training downtime) so I didn't want to put any undue pressure on myself.

Conditions were utterly horrific at times, and I genuinely thought I was going to freeze to death on the second day as I couldn't find shelter. In the end (after putting on everything I had with me), I had to hide in a cow shelter and basically stayed there until light desperately trying to warm up (no heat sources with me).

As usual I couldn't sleep, so the whole three days only saw me lay down for a few hours to recover my muscles a bit (I really need to learn how to sleep outdoors). Blew my hamstring in the last four hours and by the time I finished I couldn't even cycle back to Swansea for food / a train. I had to sit there huddled into a shop front in some random town at 3am, waiting for the better half to pick me up.

I didn't realise until the last day that I had a chance at improving on the current fastest time, so I went for it (details with Ian for confirmation). I honestly believe with the right conditions though the whole thing could be done in sub two days. Not with the wind / rain that I had though. :( Amusingly, it went completely in the other direction at points too as I started to suffer heatstroke and I'm pretty badly burned.

Will write some actual thoughts at some point, right now it's all a bit jumbled and raw.

Related, I genuinely feel like sub 2 days is possible, but you'd need perfect conditions (no rain because of rocky sections, no wind because of exposed sections).

Oh, and I must admit, I've NEVER been so happy to see the Beacons. Had I realised the two climbs that were to come after it (near Afan) then I might have felt differently though.

Well done - it's been a while since we had a completion on this

I can relate to the "glad to see the Beacons" comment. You almost think you're done at that point, but it's still a tough ride to the finish from there.

Well done Hope your injuries heal quickly.

Nice ride RG, well done, especially in those conditions

What was your ride time?

So far as I know the fastest completion is 2:15:15 - by Steve Heading & Alan Sheldon

Top work sir! Now let's hope the recovery goes well.

ianfitz wrote:What was your ride time?

So far as I know the fastest completion is 2:15:15 - by Steve Heading & Alan Sheldon

I haven't had a chance to look at the Strava files yet, but it's a very good time

Good work mate!

Well done, look forward to a write up.

Tidy like

Good job fella. I'm with you on the sunburn...I have helmet strap marks and arms that look like 50/50 bars.

Greetz

S.

Ha... yeah, had I done your route I think I'd have definitely been carrying something heavy duty for protection.

As it was, I put some chamois cream on my ears and legs. :D

I put some chamois cream on my ears and legs.

Aye, you don't wanna get chafed.

I think it actually worked, which is luck more than judgement!

OK, folks - we have a NEW FASTEST TIME for the Cambrian Trail: https://cambriantrail.wordpress.com/completions/

Very well done for that - stellar performance in less than ideal conditions

Good stuff!

Brilliant ride