Fastest Lap of Cwmcarn?

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BY: Matthew Lewis

Published: 10th June, 2011

European Champ, World Cup racer and holder of a cycling proficiency certificate (out of date) ride Cwmcarn.

Not bad training partners are they?

I hooked up with Mark Spratt (Euro and National Vet 24hr champ) and team mate Mel for an evening blast around Cwmcarn. Except it turned into a mini Epic since I took the pair off piste and explored the awesome, amazing trails over towards Pontypool.

There is so much good natural stuff just outside of the Cwmcarn area, in fact I should keep it quiet I don't want all of you lot riding around there. We started off from the Cwmcarn car park and headed up the Twrch climb- this has been tamed so much over the years, anyway as we we were chatting away we were passed by a rider in a Bath CC top who was leading a timed lap group. As soon as he pased the nattering stopped and we chased after him but it got me thinking about what was the fastest loop of the Twrch trail. I've heard rumours that Magnus Backstedt the roadie pro of Paris Roubaix fame scorched around in a sub 40 minute time and I know from a reliable source that Anthony O' Boyle another local Pontypool boy can zip around in 36 minutues! I'm going to get my stop watch out next time I go.

There would be no quick loop for us since once at the top we headed out of the trail centre and followed the ridge line over to Man y Moel above Pontypool and rode the singletrack that goes on for miles! Lovely stuff. We eventually got back to Cwmcarn 2 and a half hours later. Just as darkness was creeping up on us. All in all a great training ride that certainly prepped me for racing at Wasing this coming weekend.

See you on Sunday.

 

Matt Lewis

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