Shakedown Ride

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BY: Mark Spratt

Published: 18th March, 2012

With only 3 weeks left before the UK24 hour champs I needed to gauge my form. More hectic work travel meant I'd lost both training time and racing opportunities and the only race I've done this year was the Welsh XC. That didn't go too well, for despite fitting some new Maxxis Beaver tyres for the muddy conditions, my worn drivetrain sucked big time and I finished off the podium. So, as Mel headed off to race the Southern XC I stayed in Cardiff for my endurance "shakedown" ride.

Last year I rode from my home in Cardiff to the Skyline trail at Glyncorrwg, round the loop then back so I decided the same route would be a good test of my current form. Previously I had the company of Cardiff JIF riders Ian, Matt and Adam on the outward leg but today I was to ride on my own. As a result I took a different route out of Cardiff, adding 200m to my height gain for the day right at the start. Riding on my own also meant I had to face the headwinds on my own, so I was expecting to take longer than last year, but how much?

South Wales is a great place for mountain bike endurance training. Not only do we have the Afan and Cwmcarn centres but there are also many miles of trails in the form of bridleways and "cheeky" trails. In fact, even the National Cycle Routes are worthy of riding due to the elevation gain they attain and that was what I was to use today.

Leaving Cardiff on my regular trails I picked up the Taff Trail to Pontypridd, then took route 881 up through the Rhondda until I arrived halfway round the Skyline trail. Leaving the house early and it being the day after a Wales Grand Slam everywhere was quiet on the outward leg. Once on Skyline I passed a handful of riders, then dropped down to the visitor centre to top up on water. Rejoining the trail I passed a few more riders on the climb but these thinned out as I continued on the longer trail.

The return leg on route 47 stays high for much of the route and high above the Rhondda there's one point where you can see Cardiff directly in front of you, far in the distance. It's an encouraging sight, for although clearly many miles away there's a sense that home is getting near and that it's downhill all the way.

Route 47 above Pontypridd

Dropping back into Pontypridd the town was now busy, last night's revellers moving about in search of a cure for that hangover. It was busier now too on the Taff Trail, having to navigate dogs, children and large families. There's also a need to avoid broken glass on some sections, one of the downsides of riding in South Wales.

From Castell Coch Woods it's back onto my regular trails and I'm feeling good, riding them as fast as when I'm fresh. Finally home and it's taken me 8 minutes longer than last year despite 200m more climbing. I eat everything in the house and feel pretty good.