Fathers’ day saw the 22nd version of this event. A different route from the last few years, taking in the Burway, characterized by quiet Shropshire Lanes and plenty of climbs. The event organizers (Wolverhampton Wheelers) calculate 6680 feet climbed on the relatively short 65 mile course – not much recovery time: the climbs were interspersed with lots of short sharp banks. The weather forecasters were mercifully completely wrong, with the promised high wind and rain staying away for all of the day, with near perfect riding conditions, although riders coming in at the end were finding the rising headwind tough.
This old style sportive attracted over 700 riders. Hafren members, Conrad Taylor, Nathan Seymour and Steve Taylor showed the club jersey on the day. There is no GPS timing, and with 700 riders you queue at checkpoints and feed stations. Nathan and Conrad were round in 5hrs 30, including three control stops. Steve was 35 minutes behind them.
Spectacular views with ribbons of cyclist snaking away in both directions on the climbs. Shropshire and the Marches laid out in sunshine from the tops. The friendliest sportive crowd you can imagine and hard working organizers and volunteers. Its a great event – if you haven’t done it before get event 23 in you sportive diary for next year
Well done guys 🙂