TransWales 06

On Saturday I finished the inaugural TransWales mountainbike endurance event. 543km (338miles) of riding with 15,990m (52,460ft) of climbing in seven days. All completed in what turned out to be challenging weather conditions as the rain began towards the end of day three and never really let up.

What I'd believed would be a fun, challenging event turned into one of those experiences where the motivation to continue becomes as important as anything as first I began to get a cold and then a variously sharp/throbbing knee pain developed over day three. On day six, my teammate had a more catastrophic mishap in dislocating his finger along with a simultaneous soaking by falling off his bike while fording a stream. He bravely reduced the dislocation and continued, his stiff upper lip only slightly quivery.

Nevertheless the camaraderie among the riders (pro racers and punters alike) was fantastic, the scenery atmospherically spectacular and the organisers encouraging and working hard to make sure the event ran as smoothly as possible. It also helped that the food was good and there was plenty of it.

Here're some snaps of the event:

Team 83's transport for the seven days - Orange Five and Litespeed Niota.

The RAF Cycling Team relax in camp at the end of day two in Machynlleth.

By the end of day three the weather had deteriorated. This is the damp camp at Coed y Brenin.