Graean Cymru - UCI Gravel qualifier

Lisa loves her gravel, and this event, and had unfinished business after last year.

Quick translation - Graean - Gravel or shingle.

Graean Cymru

Having done the Graean Cymru UCI qualifying gravel race 2 years ago I knew what to expect with regards to mileage and elevation and I’d been training for this event since finishing The Gralloch in May.

Sometimes preparation doesn’t always go according to plan because a couple of days before the race I discovered I couldn’t use my gravel bike but instead had to use my Trek Boone Cyclo cross bike with its 33mm tyres. This set up would have been unsuitable for The Gralloch because of the relentless descents on very large size gravel. This race was different as there was only one descent on golf ball sized lumps of sharp gravel to negotiate!

Anyway, the Victoria Terrano tyres were very good and because I only weigh 47 kg didn’t seem to be an issue.

The 40 to 60 women age groups went off together and I stayed in the lead group until the first major single track climb out along Lynn Brennig. I was hoping that my superior descending skills might mean that I could get back on but that wasn’t the case.

I tried for the whole of the 1st 32-mile lap then decided to ease back on the climbs and ride my own pace.

This event is really tough and requires a lot of mental strength not to give up at the end of the first lap going through the start / finish area. You even have to race past your vehicle in the parking area!

Anyway, there were no mishaps, my fuelling was good and I didn’t slow down too much on the final lap. I was surprised that I’d secured 3rd spot on a UCI podium and proudly went on stage to receive my lovely UCI medal.