Black Mountains MBO - Event 4 Talybont-on-Usk
I thoroughly enjoyed this race! Finished 2nd.
Results
S>25: Studied the map for 2.5mins then off I went. I deliberately went anti-clockwise to avoid the ascending the horrible steep Cwm Pyrgad Restricted Byway. I also decided to collect the three at the NW of the map early as I knew my legs would be fresher for the big climbs early on.
25>24: Big climb!
24>23: Some more climb and then a lovely descent.
23>22: A loop around the upper slopes of the Clydach valley.
22>03: I stopped for over 2 mins after collecting CP22 to plan my next steps. In and out to CP3.
03>21: Fast road section then a big climb to CP21.
21>20: Great descent then I went past the turning onto the restricted byway by 450m and a climb and lost just under 4 mins. The restricted byway was rough!
20>19: Climb. OK.
19>04: Big climb on slippery rocks/stones. In the dry this is no problem but my rear tyre slipped a few times and I had to get off and push. I made a mistake in a previous race here and made sure I didn't do it again.
04>18: Slog up to the top of Pen Bwlch Gasgwm.
18>17: First half was on slow wet peaty moorland but the second half was on fast gravel tracks through the quarry.
17>16: Big descent.
16>15: Even bigger descent and rougher too. I overtook a farmer on a quad bike which surprised him and gave him a fright. Then fast road section to #15.
15>14: Fast road section to 14. Nice.
14>07: Took 30s to study the map at #14 then decided to go to 07. I almost lost the rear end on a fast descending bend as the road was wet! Then a climb up and over to 07.
07>06: Diagonal descent through a field, a few gates and then over a bridge onto the canal towpath.
06>08: Fast section on canal towpath. I stuck on the towpath this time as I took the road option last time.
08>09: Down to and over Llangynidr Bridge then up the hill towards Bwlch. I thought the CP was at the main junction but it wasn't! It was at the previous junction. I had to go back down the hill to get it and back up again. Lost 3 mins.
09>10: It was at the same spot as last time so I knew where to go. However there was a "fun horse ride" on the small road and track. I spooked one horse but I did talk at the riders far in advance of reaching them.
10>13: I stopped too early at an earlier BW gate but didn't lose much time.
13>12: There are 2 routes up the hill after 13. I normally take the eastern one but I decided to take the western one this time. It's steeper and I had to get off and push a few bits.
12>11: This area seems to have changed from previous events. New fencing and gates perhaps? Technical descent through the woods and horses had eroded the lower side of the narrow cutting so would have been very easy to slip. I had a massive wobble on one section but held it. The road section then out and back to 11.
11>F: Fast finish and managed to come in under 3 minutes late.
I dropped 3 CPs namely 01, 02 & 05.
Matthew McMillan (Michael Holloway's mate) won and I finished behind him. I lost 7 minutes in time so I doubt I would have had time to get another CP. So a big pat on the back for Matthew.
1. Matthew McMillan 475-13=462
2. Gary Davies 445-3=443
3. Michael Holloway 445-5 = 440
4. Richard Haynes 435
5. Clare Dallimore 425
6. Nick Dallimore 415
7. Mark Morgan =420-11=409
Ifor Powell wasn't there which was a shame.