A GOOD START

I was hoping for a decent time for the Howies Dyfi Enduro this year and to at least get in to the top 50 riders like last year, but I wasn't expecting to come in 31st overall, 23rd in category, out of around 700 riders. Well done also to Jon, who finished within 4 hours, and also Scott and Zoe for finishing well (their first Dyfi attempt).

I had planned to use this year's Dyfi as a start to my last 3 months of training for the Twentyfour12 in July, and to highlight any part of my riding that I needed to work on, but as I started the first climb I felt strong and reached the top within minutes of the first wave of riders, so I decided to go for it and try to keep my place.

For me it was a fairly uneventful race until the end, no spills, punctures or mishaps, unlike many other riders who fell victim to the exposed rocky shale descents that defines the Dyfi Enduro course. I kept a steady pace but pushed hard on the climbs and took it easy on the descents, a strategy which seems to work for me.

There were a few changes to the course from previous years, with an added steep climb and an even steeper descent which made the ride more interesting. With 10km to go, and within the top 30, nearing the top of the bonus climb for the first 200 riders, I started to suffer with cramp and I had to ease off on the climb and spin. I managed to keep going but unfortunately got overtaken by a couple of guys so I dropped out of the top 30. Still, I had more than surpassed my expectations and was pleased to finish the last descent and the race in 31st in a time of 3 hours 24 minutes.