 Spacious new departure road |
Three significant climbs and an extra 12km have been added to the route of the
Dragon Ride Wales for 2009, bringing the Gran Fondo ride up to a monster 117.5 miles, 189.2km and the Medio Fondo to 81.2 miles, 130.7km, making the latter almost certainly the hardest ‘medium’ sportive ride in the UK and a significant challenge in its own right.
The new climbs and extra mileage come at the start of the southern loop of the 2009 route, which is similar to 2008 apart from the initial 20km. This takes riders east from Pencoed through Llantrisant Forest (The Smilog), Coedely and Gilfach Goch.
This new loop includes three short, sharp climbs before it rejoins the route used last year at Blackmill. It is followed by the first major climb of the day, the Bwlch, which comes 20 miles from the start. The Bwlch mountain road is again climbed twice, the second time on the return leg from the Afan Valley.
Following a mixed reception to the start location and facilities provided in ’08, event organiser Lou Lusardi has found yet another way to get the ride going, with car parking immediately off the M4 and a wide, Tarmac-covered service road to be used as the departure lane. This will permit the installation of a ‘start pen’ holding around 100 riders at a time, and should ensure smooth operation at both the start and finish of the ride.
Start venue is Pencoed Technology Park (units 2-6), Felindre Meadows, Pencoed, CF35 5PZ. As the crow flies, it’s around 750m from last year’s start line.
For further information visit www.dragonride.co.uk.
