Aqueduct 175 Audax

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When

Saturday, 31 May 2008 - 8:00am

Where

Pontcysyllte Aqueduct near Wrexham.

Start from the car park at the north side of Pontcysyllte Aqueduct (behind the Telford Inn).
Grid Reference: SJ 272 423. View on Multimap.

Sign on from 7:30am. Start time is 8:00am. We will man the start until 8:30am but be aware that checkpoints and controls will close to schedule so late starters will need to make up time on the road.

Finish at the Froncysyllte Community Centre on the south side of the Aqueduct.

Description

Starting at Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, it follows a figure-of-eight route with the A5 as it's centre line. 173.9km in length, where the A5 follows the valleys, the route climbs the hills to either side, including the Ceiriog Ridgeway, Horseshoe Pass, Clocaenog Forest, Migneint and Panorama for a total ascent of 2540 metres. Checkpoints are in Ruthin, Sportsman's Arms(Brenig) and Bala.
The event is classified as a Brevet Populaire and qualifies for the CTC Tourist (DATC) and AAA Competitions.

This ride is targeted at those preparing for the Etape du Tour or Marmotte cyclosports in July. The link for the Marmotte is correct but some reason they are blocking referrers. Simply put the cursor in the address (URL) box and press enter.

This is still an audax event.

The maximum gradient is 18% which is near the start and only for a short distance. Thereafter gradients are typically less than 10% but four climbs are continuous for 4km or more. Rather less than you'll experience in the Alps or Pyrenees but some of the best training you'll find in the UK. This is not a difficult ride (if you're looking for a leg-breaker, may I recommend our October ride) but you will definitely feel you've been on the bike and it should give a useful measure of how well prepared you are for the summer's main events.

The route climbs a total of 2540m with 1845m in the first 100km for 1 AAA point.

The maximum average speed is set at 30kmh-1 and if you can make that speed over this terrain you're probably ready for anything. The minimum speed is 15kmh-1. A realistic minimum for those just intending to finish in the Etape du Tour would be 22kmh-1 or under 8 hours.

The Climbs

There are five notable climbs plus various lesser bumps along the way.
Ceiriog Ridge
320m in 5.7km - average 5.6%, max 18%
The first climb of the day. Includes Methodist Hill (so no swearing) at 18% just after A5.
Horseshoe Pass
300m in 4.25km - average 7%, max 12%
Clocaenog Forest
200m in 4.2km - average 4.7%, max 10%
Migneint
230m in 9km - average 2.5%, max 12%
A succession of ramps up to the source of the River Conway.
Llangollen Panorama
175m in 3.8km - average 4.6%, max 15%
Coming after 100 miles, it really is the sting in the tail. On the plus side, it avoids a busy main road and offers a dramatic, and scenic, run in to the finish. Do watch out for sheep and loose stones, though.

Route

View route sheet as HTML >>>
The route sheet formatted for easy viewing on screen. Probably not the best format to take with you on the ride.

View route sheet as PDF >>>
The official route sheet for this audax ride. It should reproduce accurately on most A4 inkjet & laser printers. Try right-click for options to save the document on your computer.

A PDF reader, e.g. Adobe Acrobat, is required to view. Your web browser will probably do this automatically but you can download Acrobat Reader from the Adobe website here: Get Adobe Reader

Maps

- all OS Landranger series
117Chester, Wrexham
126Shrewsbury
116*Denbigh
124Portmadoc & Dolgellau
125*Bala & Lake Vyrnwy
The majority of the route will be found on the two maps marked * .

Directions to the Start

By Road

From A483/A5: leave at Llangollen exit (A5), down hill to straight over at roundabout. Continue on A5 to Froncysyllte, right at sign to Trevor Basin and Aqueduct. Down hill (note Froncysyllte Community Centre on the left at 400m), over river and up the other side, over canal to right into New Road after Telford Inn. Right into car park.

By Rail

Nearest railway station is Ruabon, approx. 5km away. Mostly downhill.
Leave station and R onto Wrexham Road (B5605); SO@O, 0.5; R, sp Country Park, 3.3; L@T (Queens Hotel), 4.5; L in dip, 4.6; L@T into New Rd, 4.7; L into car park, 5.1.

Facilities

There is parking for about 40 cars at the Aqueduct. Should the car park be full there is limited scope for parking in the road outside. Additional parking is available at the Froncysyllte Community Centre, which is also the finish. If you park here it will be necessary to ride the 1.3km to the start at the north side of the Aqueduct - either by the route in reverse or, if you have a good head for heights, along the canal towpath over the Aqueduct. Final instructions will indicate how many entries have been received and the likelyhood of parking being an problem. If you can share a ride, so much the better. Please do not use the Telford Inn or marina car parks.
Toilets in car park are normally open by 8am. There is a McDonald's on the A483 junction with the A5 for morning coffee.

Food and Water on the Route

Water will be available at Ruthin, Sportsman's(Brenig) & Bala checkpoints/controls. Food will be available at Sportsman's(Brenig) and Bala checkpoints. Food is simple: bread, cheese, fruit, maybe some cake. In addition, all checkpoints are near cafes for those wishing to make a more leisurely stop.

At the Finish

Afternoon tea is served every Saturday during the summer at the Froncysyllte Community Centre. We have arranged with the community centre for all riders to receive a hot drink (tea/coffee) when they finish. Other fayre will be available to purchase. In addition, supplies from the checkpoints will be brought to the finish.
Please note that, although the control will remain open, riders using the maximum time allowance may find fewer facilities available.

Route Marking

This ride is not intended as a navigation exercise. The route has been devised to be easy to follow; generally you just follow the signs to the next stop. To make navigation as simple as possible we will try to mark the route, particularly at the less obvious turns. We can't be too blatant so look out for a letter 'A' in white, painted on the road, a sign post, a gate - you'll need to keep your eyes open. The top of the 'A' points in the direction of the route. This is not to be relied on because we may not have been able to cover the entire route and, because we use water-based paint, rain may have washed out the markings.

I've also produced these easy to remember directions for those who prefer to stuff the route sheet in their pocket and ride. These are not the official directions and, in case of doubt, refer to the full route sheet. Two useful rules: when climbing, the route goes up until you reach the summit, and the route does not make use of unmade roads or tracks. It may be useful to note that the route crosses the A5 four times, in the first instance, near the start, it goes straight across, on the other three occassions it goes right onto the A5 then very soon left (less than 1km in every case).

From the start, turn left and descend to the Dee. Cross the river and climb to the A5, straight across and climb thru the village. Go left at the top of the village then keep turning right until you're on the ridgeway.
Remember information control on the ridgeway.
Pass two farms and some radio masts, turn right and descend to the Dee valley (it's not downhill all the way but there's more down than up).
Right onto the A5 then left to cross the Dee then right then left again, following signs to Horseshoe Pass and Ruthin.
To A525, left, right, left to run parallel on minor road to Ruthin. Follow Ruthin then straight thru town centre and out the other side to control.
From Ruthin follow Cerrigudruidion then Bontuchel & Cyffilliog. Straight ahead thru forest following Brenig, right at B4501. Right into Brenig Visitor Centre for control.
Return to B4501 then left onto A543 passing Sportsman's Arms and continue to A5. Right onto A5 then left. Thru village and right. Over hill then left in Ysbyty Ifan to follow River Conway up to moor.
Left to Bala - information control here.
Straight across A4212 passing Celyn reservoir on it's western side and descend into Bala. Over A494 to control in car park on left.
Out of Bala on the B4391, crossing to the south bank of the Dee. Turn left and, 2km later, right to Corwen.
Turn left off the A5 at the statue (Owain Glyndwr), cross the river, then right to stay on the north bank of the Dee to Llangollen. (There's a left turn in Carrog but it's effectively straight on.) Right to Llangollen (yes, you've been here before), over the hump, and turn left at Tourist Info sign, keeping north of canal. Left again to climb to the Panorama.*
Along the Panorama to right into Blackwood Rd then descend Tower Hill to Acrefair. Right at the bottom then left to the aqueduct and retrace the route to the finish at the Froncysyllte Community Centre.

* The Llangollen Panorama is worth it for the view alone. But, if you really can't face another climb, you can continue on the main road (A539) thru Llangollen to rejoin the end of the route in Trevor.

Information Controls

These are the bugbear of the audax world. You're required to write down something you can see along the route to ensure you take the high road. Nobody likes them but I've kept them to the minimum and made them as simple as possible. No Welsh inscriptions to copy down, and nothing half-way up a climb or on a fast descent. If you're not inclined to stop, you should be able to remember the answer until the next control point. Details of the information controls appear on the brevet card, which is issued on the day.

Hazards

Update: 9 May 2008
Following a recent check this one section warrants special mention:

At approximately 14km into the ride, coming off the Ceiriog ridgeway, there is a steep descent to a sharp right-hand bend (you'll know it when you see it). Immediately around the bend the road surface is very uneven, broken up and pot-holed for approximately 200 metres. It is readily negotiated with care but, being on the descent, you are advised to go much more slowly through and out of the bend than you might otherwise do and then slow down some more.
Denbighshire Council have scheduled this section of road for resurfacing in "summer 2008". Remedial works are promised in the interim but whether this will be done before 31 May is unknown.

In general, the roads are well surfaced with excellent visibility. But be aware that:
 · some of the descents are steep
 · there may be loose gravel on turns
 · the road surface is uneven in places
 · sheep are loose on some hill tops

All in a day's ride and nothing you can't anticipate. But, if you are riding in a group please alert following riders who may be unsighted.
In particular, the River Dee crossing just after the start is over a narrow bridge. If you are to the back of a group, be alert to the leaders stopping for oncoming traffic.

Otherwise, read the road and have a good day out.
Weather permitting, there should be no need for lights or mudguards.
Sheep - Sheep have no reverse; if you encounter one, aim for it's back-end.

Helmets

Helmets are a matter for personal choice. However, you will be required to wear a helmet in French cyclosports. You may as well get some practice in.

Tools and Spares

You are advised to at least carry two spare inner tubes and something to inflate them with. There are very limited service facilities at the controls: we'll try to arrange some allen keys and a decent tyre pump.

Rubbish

Please do not discard your energy bar wrappers on the road. There are rubbish bags at all checkpoints and controls.

Entry

This event is run under the rules and regulations of Audax UK. You can find the Audax UK Calendar page here. General information and background on audax rides can be found on the Audax UK home page.

This event is in the past. Come back early next year for news on the 2009 ride.

Note that you are required to complete the Audax UK paper entry form however you enter but, in the case of online entry, you may bring it with you on the day (blank forms will be available).
Entries are £6.00 which covers the cost of administration and facilities provided on the ride. Any surplus is retained by Chester & North Wales CTC.

Insurance

It is a condition of entry that you are covered by third-party insurance while participating in the event. Members of Audax UK, CTC and British Cycling (Silver and above) have insurance cover already; please write your membership number on the entry form. Temporary membership of Audax UK for the duration of the event is available for an additional £2.00. Tick the box on the entry form.
On a personal note, if you are not a member of a racing club affilliated to British Cycling, then CTC membership offers the best value, in terms of insurance and legal assistance, should you be involved in any incident whilst riding your bike. Then again, if you're uninsured it's far less likely they'll come after you.

Those SAEs

You are usually asked to send two stamped, self-addressed envelopes with your entry - DL [A4 folded in 3] or C5 [A4 folded in half] size please.
These are to:

Points of Interest

Pontcysyllte Aqueduct was built by Thomas Telford between 1795 & 1805. It carries the Llangollen branch of the Shropshire Union canal 38 metres above the River Dee.
The Aqueduct has been nominated for World Heritage Site status.

The Horseshoe Pass features in the National Hillclimb Championship. Record for the 3.75km from the Britannia Inn to the lay-by stands at a shade over 9 minutes.
For Etapeurs who want to relive the 2004 Puy Mary experience on fresher legs, there is the option to climb the Horseshoe the hard way with a 210m ascent in 1.5km - average 14%, max 17%. Turn right immediately after the Britannia Inn, thru Pentre-dwr and climb. Turn right at the top to rejoin the route. Takes 1.5km off the distance but makes no difference to climbing and hence AAA points.

Other Rides for your Diary

Recommended rides in the local area that make ideal preparation in the run up to July.
Shrewsbury Three Rivers Audax
10 May 2008
Audax ride from Shrewsbury out to Vyrnwy & Bala.
Seamons Tour of the Berwyns Audax
17 May 2008
Audax ride starting near Chester and out over the Berwyn mountains.
Gran Fondo Cymru Cyclosport
25 May 2008
Excellent cylosport ride from Bala. For 2008 they've replaced the rather boring loop through Carnarvon with a climb over to Vyrnwy, via Bwlch-y-groes, and returning to Bala via the Millitir Cerrig.
Polka Dot Challenge Cyclosport
1 June 2008
One of the original British cyclosports. The day following the Aqueduct audax, and at around 50 miles away, offers a great weekend of cycling in the North West.

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