Llanfair 400

Of all the Super Randonneur distances in 2022 I found the 400 the most difficult and least enjoyable.

So this was a date and event I was looking forward to with a huge sense of trepidation, I knew I could do it but would I enjoy it. The event I had chosen was theLlanfairpwllgwyngyll gogerychwyrndrobwll llantysiliogogogoch 400. Lets just call it the Llanfair 400 😁.

Its start was in Stockport at 9am which meant I could have a good nights sleep before hand and drive to the start from Shrewsbury.

The date was the 6th of May which coincided with some Royal nonsense down south so hopefully this would mean quiet roads and also it was a 3 day weekend with the Monday being a bank holiday.

In the days before the event every weather forecast was predicting heavy rain virtually all day, I really wanted to use my new Summer bike which would be a huge advantage on this course compared to my heavy winter rig. However I also didn't want wet feet all day and the mudguards would definitely offer some protection from the spray. So after spending a huge amount of time worrying and looking at a variety of forecasts along the route on Friday afternoon I got the winter rig ready and put my big boy pants on !!😋

I had just settled down for my dinner and noticed a message from a cycling friend saying forecast looks better ! 😕😍😎 Q a mad rush getting the fast bike ready.

We set off at 9am towards Chester. Downwind it was rapid and as we progressed a few in the group started to worry that the control at Connors Quay wouldn't be open !! We arrived at 11am bang on the time the control opened. God knows what happens if you're early, surely its not an issue.

The traffic free section of Cheshire greenway was nice, its always good to be away from cars but it also slows progress a little. Out of Connors Quay we headed on to the longest climb of the day, Halkyn Mountain. what a nasty little climb really steep in places with lots of  mini descents and a rubbish surface. Not one I would ride again. We then hit the coastal section from Abergele to Penrhyn bay (the second control). I stopped for lunch and paid £12 for a Jacket potato 😕. With my wallet lighter I pressed on towards Conway and the Sychnant Pass. The wind had changed now to a headwind and for the first time I was solo and felt a little low, I regretted the café stop which had left me alone. After the beautiful Sychnant Pass ( what a great climb) I started to catch riders again In a group of 4 (including Amy Hudson of YouTube fame) we worked together against the wind. I eventually pressed on alone and arrived in Holyhead at just after 5pm. An 8 hour 200 is very good in most peoples book but the return felt daunting to say the least. The control at Coffee cups Café was brilliant, I quiet garden in the sunshine with lovely staff and great food. I stopped for approx. 30mins, shoes off feet up it was bliss I could have stayed much longer but had to get moving. 200 k to do and the prospect of lots of kms in the dark spurred me on. I set about doing as many kms in the remaining light as possible.

It turns out Anglesey is hilly 😂 but it was really nice in the spring evening sunshine. I was soon at the Menai Bridge and after a quick photo back onto the main land. the next control was in Llandudno junction at a shell garage. I stopped and had a quick snack but also layered up. This would be the last stop in  daylight. 15km up the road I knew there was a McDonald's so I stopped again for a hot meal. 

Ok so now lets get serious 100 km left to do ! Dark but dry conditions so I hit the gas and rolled on. The route was really well planned because in went through the north wales industrial areas and around Ellesmere port which would be unpleasant in the week but late on a Saturday evening they were virtually deserted. The last control was Elton services on the M56 at about 350km by this point I was feeling tired for the first time and stopped for Coffee / Red Bull / Chicken Bites & a Donut 😋 all very healthy and nutritious !! But hey needs must.. The Last 50km was the hardest of the day and seemed to crawl by, I was chasing a violent thunder storm which I could see ahead, although I stayed dry the roads were very wet. All in all I was very glad to arrive back at Poynton at 02:40. 

My 2nd 400km done and it was faster and much more enjoyable than the first. I had good legs all day and the route was very good.

One more qualifier to go !! PBP getting  closer.