The Autumn Epic was shaping up to be an epic of biblical proportions this year with torrential rain overnight and a forecast of more rain throughout the day. Riders faced heavy rain as they arrived at the event centre, forcing some to abandon before the first pedal had been turned, but conditions improved as the day went on and the event finished in sunshine.
As always the 155 km course provided a fair test of end-of-season fitness, offering a big day out on the quiet Welsh roads that have become a favourite among sportive riders. Rider support included roving marshals, well stocked food stops and a hot meal at the finish, with most of those who completed the course doing so with smiles on their faces.
Despite the early deluge, the rain had reduced to a slight drizzle by the time the riders tackled the relentless climb of Abby Cwm Hir at about 49 km; though with greasy roads the descent was no place for heroics. At Rhayader, just after the first food stop, some riders opted to take the short-cut reducing the overall distance to 128 km and taking 300m of climbing out of the 2200m total for the full course.
But with the weather improving at that point the majority chose to complete the tour of the Elan Valley taking in the largest single climb - rewarded with magnificent views of the reservoirs and surrounding hills - before experiencing the exhilarating descent down the Elan valley.
By the time the riders reached the infamous Glascwm the road surface was mainly dry (apart form the odd stretch still under a foot of water in a couple of flooded sections) but its false summit and undulating gradient was still a terrific challenge for all but the strongest riders who by then already had 114 km in their legs.
Next year's Autumn Epic takes place on Sunday October 2 while its sister event, the Devil Ride, is on Sunday 10 July. See www.cyclosportives.co.uk for more info.
Talkback: Autumn Epic ride report
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