Gran Fondo Cymru, Bala, 27 May 2007 - Reading Cycling Club

Gran Fondo Cymru, Bala, 27 May 2007
The Grand Fondo Cymru is based in Bala, North Wales. It offers a 170km Gran Fondo ride with a
very hilly optional loop making the 197km Super Challenge. The weather forecast for the 2007
edition was rain, wind and cold temperatures. It proved to be correct. I suppose the rain could
have been heavier, and it could have been windier, but it could hardly have been much colder.
Bike prepared for rain and hills.
Fondisti: Mark Pardoe, Rod MacFadyen,
Steve Bale, Neil Loosley. Many other
Reading CC members rode, 20 in all.
Computer wrapped in
clingfilm
mudguard
Rain tyres
29 sprocket
34 ring
Everyone in my photos
is eating. I’d have
taken more photos but
it cut into eating time.
The GF is a 5000
calorie ride.
Steve thinking “Is it too early to pack?”.
He suffered in the cold. He didn’t pack.

food
food
food
food
rainwater
It was one of the
best days of my life
Llanberis Pass
John Hollands was happy to have
conquered the Super Challenge.
It was a tough, no question, but it would be tough in
any weather. The roads were terrific to ride, the
countryside beautiful, and to complete the course a true
achievement. Mark went on to finish the Super
Challenge route which he says contains the best roads
of all. Maybe I’ll be up for that next year. RM