Well what a weekend that was? The Etape Eryri 2015.
First of all the kind people at Always Aim High Events offered us a free place on Saturday and Sunday to promote our fantastic Club at The Etape Eryri. Wayne Owen took the task on board and put together a superb display of photo’s, champions jerseys, club kit and publicity material to promote what we as a club do. Thanks should go to Thomas Owen for providing a superb range of photos of Club members doing what they do best, compete. A thanks also goes to Wayne Owen, Alun and Jack Williams, Chris Evans, Tommy Hildige, Dafydd Owen, and Mathew Nottingham for manning the gazebo and answering the public’s questions.
Well done gentlemen, lets see what all your hard work produces for the Club.
Then came the events themselves. And you didn’t disappoint folks!! Hats off to all of you who braved what the Welsh weather threw at you as you rode over The Crimea, and The Mignint. Nothing really needs to be said about the suffering that you endured on the exposed moorland sectors, or on the road from Capel Curig back to Caernarfon. Pure hell!!
Congratulations to all those who took part today, so many I don’t know where to begin. However I feel that a mention should be given to the victors in the various competitions.
In the Mawr, to Gerallt Roberts for his rapid assent of The Drws Y Coed climb, in a time of 5.05 and taking The King of the Mountain award, and 2nd place overall in the Etape Mawr. To Jack Williams who through himself at the Mawr and recorded a PB on the climb of the Drws in 5.25, and finished 4th overall and best placed junior. And to the evergreen Gareth McGuinness for making it three wins out of three starts in the Mawr, in 4 hours, 59 mins and 54 secs.
In the Canol, Huw Owen of the Junior Road Team stomped his mark all over the event. Making the fastest assent of the Drws in a time of 5.10, and taking 1st overall in a time of 3 hours 56 mins and 43 secs, with team mates Carwyn Morris in 2nd, and birthday boy Sion Ellis in 3rd. 14 year old Twm Bryn pushed himself way beyond what most 14 year old could do and came home in 7th place. Gwenno Hughes came home in a very impressive 8th place overall, and fastest lady, with team mate Cadi Jones finishing in 24th overall and 2nd fastest lady. Not bad for two riders who don’t see themselves as effective climbers!!
And in the Bach. 13 year old Deio Garton Jones towed his dad Neil round the 47 mile circuit in a remarkable time of 3 hours 46 mins and 26 secs. And only just being beaten to the line by some bloke from Team Sky, Sir David Brailsford.
A huge thank you to the wives and girlfriends, husbands and boyfriends, mothers and fathers, nains and taids, friends and other relations who assisted, fed and watered, cheered relentlessly (Grace Ann Owen!!) just when you needed it, and to the Club mates who encouraged you just when you began to flag. THANK YOU!!
And finally. Thank you to the photographers out there who have once again captured the riders efforts in such away that they will be remind you of what you did one blustery summers day on the wonderful roads of Snowdonia in 2015……
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