The overall comments on St Mary's Hotel were very favourable so I have booked 10 rooms for next year's event. The manager has promised me that all rooms will be at the end of the hotel, well away from any wedding reception that may be taking place!
If you are thinking of doing this event next year and want to stay in a hotel that is very conveniently located to the start/finish, let me know.
Mike
May I have a bed for next year please,I'm so looking forward to re-visiting Neath and toiling up that long climb through the council estate and hearing a 7/8 year old boy leaning out of his sitting room window shouting w**nkers at us again,happy days
Welcome to Wales
Many thanks to Matt for letting me know that there are big changes to next year's Dragon Ride: Venue Change
From 2012 the Dragon Ride will be based at Margam Park near Port Talbot, South Wales.
From riders feedback two main areas that will be improved are car parking and the start procedure. Car parking will be situated within the deer park only a few hundred metres from the start/finish area, the spacious eastern area of the park will accommodate a more expansive start facility in order to reduce waiting times for riders to get underway. http://www.margamcountrypark.co.uk/default.aspx?page=1325
Date of event
Due to the Queens Diamond Anniversary Holiday weekend and a potential clash with another established sportive, the Wiggle Dragon Ride will be moved back a week to Sunday 10th June 2012.
Also changed is the date that entries open, this will now be the 14th December 2011 at 09.00.
Other changes will see amalgamation of the online booking fees into the entry price, significantly more toilets and further improvements to the food on offer at the feed stations. Changes to the organising team will also be made.
Route
For 2012 the routes avoid the coastal section used this year and once again concentrate on the superb climbs South Wales has to offer. The Medio Fondo Ride will include the Bwlch, Rhigos and Cimla climbs as well other ascents. The Gran Fondo Route, will in addition to the above have one new major signature climb and possibly the return of an old favourite not used since 2007.
I have therefore booked rooms at the Grand Hotel, Port Talbot for those who have indicated a wish to participate. Doubles are £50 and twins are £60, both including breakfast. The hotel is about 10 mins cycling from the park and has secure bike storage.
I will be cancelling the booking at St Mary's Hotel & Country Club.
Mike
Hi Mike, just to let you know, I have booked a single room for Saturday 9th June at the Grand Hotel, Port Talbot. The single cost is £40 if anyone else wants to book. I missed out on the Dragon this year, but am making sure that it is on my list of "to dos" for 2012. Steve Riley
You have previously posted that request Den and all previous requests will be carried over from St Mary's Hotel unless of course you now want two rooms?
Mike:-))
All rooms are now booked. These are the names I have:
Dave North, Garry Gayle
Lisa Ketteringham, Michaela Prottengeier
Jim Hanley, Alan Koura
Richard Biddle, John Haslam
Nick Allen, Matt Schneller
Alex Beaton, Dominic Lucas
Phil Binney, Mike Ward
All the above in twin rooms.
Martin and Sandra Godwin
Dennis Montgomery & Rachael Haley
Mike Casey & Michelle Johnson,
all in double rooms.
If anyone wants to drop out please let me know asap.
Thanks
Mike
Mike, thanks for organising. While I'm prepared to share with the Haslam for 2012 to start things rolling I do think other club members could share the burden in future years. Could there not be a rota as with level 1 leaders? An active secondry market would develop with the next incumbent paying good money to defer their duty. Just a thought R. ps I'm not sure I still ride a bike!
Richard
How about the member who has the most accidents or falls off their bike the most. That would ensure that Asbo has good company and has someone to share tales and stories with?
Mike
I was away on holiday in Ibiza until Sunday so could not reply on this post sooner but thank you John B for the offer to share a room! Its a long time away but the recent email sounds positive in terms of addressing the issues from last year particularly the starting queue and timing (or lack thereof)
Hi Mike, second thoughts, Sandra and I do not now feel we shall be doing the Dragon Ride 2012, so will not need a room. Sorry for any confusion caused.
Would love to do this one next year - can you put me onto a reserve list (if the bookings are still all taken). I am happy to share (twin not double!)...
Just been reading the Dragon Ride website. After the complaints they received with regards to the lack of toilets, yet again, I am not confident that the organisers have addressed this issue: •Online entry and secure credit card payment facilities.
•Entry transfer, if you have to drop out (available until April).
•Regular online newsletter.
•Climb videos.
•Riders pack posted out prior to the event. No need to register on the day of the ride.
•Free car parking at the start venue.
•Electronic timing with disposable chip that you don’t need to return after the ride.
•Route signage, en-route information.
•Mechanical support from Mavic.
•Motorcycle marshalling by NEG Wales/UK.
•First aid cover by St John Ambulance.
•Feed stations with water, energy drink sweet and or savoury food.
•Course recovery for rider and bike.
•Gold/Silver and Bronze timing standards for age and gender.
•Finisher’s medal.
•Goody Bag.
•Pasta party.
•Showers.
•Live music and entertainment at event village.
•SMS results.
•Online results in alphabetical order.
•Downloadable finisher’s certificate.
•Online entry and secure credit card payment facilities.[Hoo xxxxing rah]
•Entry transfer, if you have to drop out (available until April).[At a price]
•Regular online newsletter. [An email asking you to buy more stuff]
•Climb videos. [Like on YouTube?]
•Riders pack posted out prior to the event. No need to register on the day of the ride. [I cannot imagine how they would cope with registering x thousand riders before the 7:30 start]
•Free car parking at the start venue. [Not required]
•Electronic timing with disposable chip that you don’t need to return after the ride. [Why not throw it away before you start and save weight]
•Route signage, en-route information.[Great innovation]
•Mechanical support from Mavic.[This may be true]
•Motorcycle marshalling by NEG Wales/UK. [As may this]
•First aid cover by St John Ambulance. [I'll sign up now]
•Feed stations with water, energy drink sweet and or savoury food.[Undrinkable water (quite a feat), energy drink with no energy in it, terrible food]
•Course recovery for rider and bike.[Preferable to leaving them to die by the roadside]
•Gold/Silver and Bronze timing standards for age and gender.[Only if the timing chips work]
•Finisher’s medal.[Of no conceivable use or value]
•Goody Bag. [Adverts Bag]
•Pasta party.[Sludge in a cardboard box - in a tent]
•Showers.[For x thousand? Makes up for there being no toilets]
•Live music and entertainment at event village.[Not bad as I recall - event village is tents in a muddy field]
•SMS results. [Only if the ...]
•Online results in alphabetical order.[Not in height order?]
•Downloadable finisher’s certificate. [Now really you are spoliing us]
We're milling through the grinder, grinding through the mill. This is not an exercise, could it be a ... drill.
Just a quick reminder to all that entries for next year's Dragonride open online at 9.00am on 14th December, and if it is anything like last year they will also close on 14th December.
Tomorrow morning at 9.00am be ready and standing by your PCs if you want to get a place on next year's Dragon Ride. Especially the following who have all asked me to hold a room for them at the Grand Hotel:
Dave North,
Garry Gayle
Lisa Ketteringham,
Michaela Prottengeier
Jim Hanley,
Alan Koura
Richard Biddle,
John Haslam
Nick Allen,
Matt Schneller
Alex Beaton,
Dominic Lucas
Phil Binney,
Dennis Montgomery
Rachael Haley
Mike Casey
Michelle Johnson
Martin. John B has made a separate booking for a room. That booking is not part of my reservation which is for those I have listed above.
Mike (One Short Of a Thousand!)
A member has had to drop out of the ride and there is now a single bed available in a twin room if anyone wants it. (First call to PhilR if you still looking for one.)
Mike
For my 1000th posting that was exciting wasn't it!!!
Set your alarms, tell the boss you're incommunicado, send the dog for a walk, put the Do Not Disturb sign outside the door. At 9.00am you will have only one thing on your mind!!
The website will be very busy so be persistent. Good luck.
Mike
(1001 - Well Known Carpet Cleaner)
Posts: 902
From: Mottingham Mottingham, so good they named it twice
Re: 2012 Dragon Ride!!
Posted on: 14/12/2011 09:24 AM
I'm in....after much faffing, a phone call to change my password, a very nice chat with a bloke from Belfast....I think the ride itself will be quicker.....
So far, for those I have reserved rooms at the Grand Hotel, we have confirmed places on the ride for:
Lisa K
Jim H
Alan K
Richard B
John H
Nick A
Alex B
Den M
Rachael H
What about the rest of you - any joy?
Dave North,
Garry Gayle
Michaela Prottengeier
Matt Schneller
Phil Binney,
Mike Casey
Michelle Johnson
Phil R
Lisa Gray here I'm in too although like Asbo I had difficulty registering and have had to sign upto the long route although I only intend to ride the medium one.
I wish these organizers would realize that some cyclists have day jobs and don't have time to sit on websites all day long to enter their silly events.
The event sold out in 2 hours - crazy considering how badly it got bashed after the debacle last year.
Anyway end rant. I managed to get entered and yes I still need my room sharing with Nick...
Thanks Mike. Yes registered (well my folks did for me!) this morning. With the Tour of Wessex the wknd before that'll be 450miles over 4 rides and 8 days!
AN UPDATE
We have confirmed places on the ride for:
Lisa K
Jim H
Alan K
Richard B
John H
Nick A
Alex B
Den M
Rachael H
Matt Schneller
Phil Binney
Garry Gayle
Phil R
Dave North missed out on the first tranche.
What about Michaela, Michelle and Mike - any joy?
Mike
Hello all - I am in! Thanks Mike for the room. After 2 months out with injury (IT band and patella) I am intending to start training again in a few weeks. I've missed Sat morning rides with BF.
Hi all,
Sorry been a bit slow off the mark - have registered today for the ride through the ballot so will find out if I am on end of Jan. Fingers crossed.
Michaela
As some days may happen that a victim must be found
I've got a little list, I've got a little list
Of society offenders who might well be underground
And never would be missed they never would be missed
There's the beggars who write letters from the Inland Revenue
And the gossip columnist, I've got him on the list!
Comedians and weightlifters and opera singers too
They'd none of 'em be missed, They'd none of 'em be missed.
All traffic wardens, bankers, men who sell Venetian blinds
All people who wear silly ties, Australians of all kinds
And nasty little editors whose papers are the pits
Who fill their rags with gossip and with huge and floppy... writs
But anyway I think by now you must have got the gist
They'd none of them be missed, They'd none of them be missed!
Just got back from a ride and have a message on my answerphone from the Grand Hotel advising that they will be closed on June 9th so have cancelled my booking for 10 rooms. I will update as soon as I get further information.
Mike
Have been trying to call the hotel without success. However I have found this article which may explain why the booking has been cancelled. http://tinyurl.com/7k4gff7
I will see if there is availability anywhere else locally but I am not hopeful.
Mike
I have managed to get a provisional booking for 7 twins and a double at a hotel in Porthcawl, which is about 7 miles from Margam Park. Details to follow. Twin Rooms are booked for the following:
Dave North, Garry Gayle
Lisa Ketteringham, Michaela Prottengeier
Jim Hanley, Alan Koura
Richard Biddle, John Haslam
Nick Allen, Matt Schneller
Alex Beaton, Dominic Lucas
Phil Binney, Mike Ward.
A double is booked for Dennis Montgomery & Rachael Haley.
If you don't want the room/bed please let me know asap. Likewise if you require a room/bed.
Mike
Hotel is the Porthcawl Hotel: http://www.porthcawlhotel.co.uk/
Rate is £65 per room including breakfast. Waiting for hotel to confirm that they can do breakfast at 6.00am.
Mike
Just saw this note ref hotel closing !!. I hate to be a "miserable bugger" but trip advisor says that the Porthcawl Hotel is right next to a nightclub, which is playing load music till 3 in the morning !. I'm not a good sleeper at the best of times !. Have booked myself into the Atlantic Hotel, which is owned by the same company, but 5 minutes walk up the road. Apparently they only have one more room available for that Saturday night, if anyone still wants a room. Steve
ive just called them, and myself and Lisa are already at the top of the hotel which apparently is very quiet,apparenlty guaranteed to not here the club. They have marked our booking as "do not move" so if you call they should be able to either move you to the top (if we're not already there) and get them to mark the group as not to be moved
Good news everyone, the Grand Hotel at Port Talbot has re-opened under new management. I have secured one double for Den and Rachel and 7 twins for the following:
Dave North, Garry Gayle
Lisa Ketteringham, Michaela Prottengeier
Jim Hanley, Alan Koura
Richard Biddle, John Haslam
Nick Allen, Matt Schneller
Alex Beaton, Dominic Lucas
Phil Binney, Mike Ward.
Price of room is £49 including breakfast. As this hotel is only a couple of minutes away from Margam Park I have cancelled the reservation at Porthcawl.
If you don't want the room please let me know asap. Likewise if you need a bed/room please let me know.
Mike
My recent absence from club rides is this time due to a back injury sustained sledging, and I have just found out that I have a compression fracture in one of my vertebrae. So in short I wont be able to make the dragon ride, and therefore have an entry up for grabs if anyone would like to impersonate me for a weekend. Give me a call on 07581519990 if you are interested, and I can forward the email confirmation to you. Best of luck, Phil Roberts
Just pushing this up again and checking that everyone is a definite as Kevin has a place on the ride and is looking for a room and a lift.
Can you please let me know if, on the list posted above, you are NOT needing accommodation at the Grand Hotel, Port Talbot so I can cancel that part of the booking!
Kevin, I am guessing that Matt probably won't be needing his room due to his accident. That was a share with Nick Allan. I am sure there will be plenty of lifts available. Most of us travel there on Saturday afternoon, returning Sunday evening.
Mike
Kev,
Let's make a weekend of it. Happy to give you lift there and back - assuming you are OK with the somewhat stately progress my Fiat Panda makes on the motorway.
This will be my first real mountain ride , and at 120 miles my longest ride(by 1 mile) to boot!!
I know there are a few peeps who have not ridden the Dragon Ride before , does anyone fancy getting some hill climb practise in over the next few weeks ?...I was thinking either some Toys Hill reps , or maybe riding the H.o.A route which is lumpy and 75 miles round trip from the shop.
I felt I was on track weight and fitness wise , unfortunately 2 weeks in Florida has seen the wheels come off :((
The north side of toys hill from the A25 southbound (think its called chart lane) is ideal preparation,being about 7-8% avg gradient.the 2 big climbs in the dragon ride are a similar gradient but are much longer maybe 6 miles of climbing.
A few of us also used chart lane as preparation for last summers etape and we all found it useful
Just got my Rider pack for the Dragon Ride....hmmmm..
I am a late starter 8.40-8.53 .
More worrying is a comment in the notes
'Please note that riders should carry sufficient supplies of food and nutritional supplement, feed stations should be regarded as a back up if riders own supplies run out'
I do not fancy carrying 11 hours worth of nosh on a ride like that , especially given the cost of entry.
It will probably rain just to add to the fun ;-)
Posts: 902
From: Mottingham Mottingham, so good they named it twice
Re: 2012 Dragon Ride
Posted on: 15/05/2012 07:28 PM
Hey Mike I'm good thanks, long time no see......well you know me I like to show some encouragement and if I can do it in 8 hourS 20 I'm sure we all can. LD
Be prepared to be in the elite pen, right at the front, where all the other riders will be setting off at 30mph!!!!
Sorry to hear you won't be there this year Andy:-(.
Mike
Hi
Andrew Colvin has kindly offered me his entry for the Dragon ride.
Just wanted to check if anybody has any space in their car or alternatively would like a lift to Wales?
Also can anybody recommend anywhere to stay ?
R
Andrew
Andrew, try the Grand Hotel at Port Talbot where most of us are staying. You might get a cancellation. Alternatively, there are a number of Bigfoot members who have made their own arrangements to stay at the Grand Hotel and may have a spare bed if they booked a twin room.
Sadly, all the rooms I booked are taken.
Regards
Mike
I have booked a table for dinner for the 18 Bigfoot members at 7.00pm Saturday night at the hotel. Anyone else want to join us please let me know.
I have also managed to persuade them to serve breakfast at 6.00 on Sunday morning.
See you all there.
Mike
Weather looks poor, at the moment I might take my mountain bike up and go cycling at Afan forest unless that is a wash out.
Hope this weather improves, cold wind and rain, still it is Wales.
Just checked with the hotel , I have a family room so there are 2 beds in the room , I baggsy the double!!
Joking apart , Martin is more than welcome to share .
cheers
Due to the recent horrible weather and the forecast of more heavy rain on Sunday I may decide not to travel to Wales tomorrow for the Dragon Ride. If anyone one has an overwhelming desire to take my entry and bedspace please post here.
We were being told that we were going to get "washed away" at the Tour of Wessex last Sunday, and in fact it was a great day, we even had some sunshine. The forecast for Sunday is showing rain, but nothing like the bad weather we have had over the past 2 days. Certainly not a reason to pull out, as far as I can see !. Its a question of taking the right clothing.
Steve
I am afraid I will have to pull out .
I have had a sore throat all week and it has developed into a heavy cold , not feeling up to even a little spin locally , let alone Wales.
Good luck to everyone , I am really disappointed as I had been building up to this all year.
Jb
P.s my hotel reservation is still valid Martin C, I will share the cost with you.
3rd attempt to complete the Grande Fondo, third failure. Ended up doing the Medio Fondo again:-(
Legs and spirit were not up to it today. Well done to all those who managed to complete the longer route. By all accounts it was the hardest route that the organisers have used.
Thanks to Ian for both the lift and the company on the ride.
Mike
Completed my 1st dragon ride, the 80 mile Medio, I think all that climbing was fun......maybe the 120 mile route next year. Fortunately the rain stayed away. Thanks to Den, Rachel and Stewart for your company on the ride, Allan for the lift and Mike for sorting the hotel.
Just got back home, put the bike away and not even made a cup of tea yet. Utterly exhausted but so pleased to have finished. They texted me my ride time of 7 hours 40 include breaks. I am sure everyone else was quicker but I'm just pleased to have got round the Medio Fondo.
For those who did the long route I raise my hat to you.
Also thanks to Mike for arranging and Jim for putting up with me.
Well having read all the hype about the dragon ride from previous years, i.e. bad feed stations, poor organisation, waiting around at start, toilet facilities etc etc, I'm pleased to say that this year being my first experience of it, I thought it was excellent, everything about it from the hotel organisation from Mike to the excellent company on the ride itself
We did the Medio Fondo which ended up at 81 miles in near perfect conditions after expecting heavy rain, it was hard but enjoyable, having said that, I have no desire to attempt the Grand Fondo
Congratulations to all the Grand Fondo finishers and also all the Medio finishers including Mike who said he failed by doing the shorter route !! After last weeks Tour of Wessex I'm amazed he even attempted it
A special thanks to the youth of Port Talbot for the rousing cheers and shouts at chucking out time (3.30am) to make sure I was up early for the ride. R
3 day tour of Wessex last weekend and the dragon ride gran fondo yesterday.
A total of 771.6 km covering 4 days riding spread over the last 9 days
Total of 9755m of climbing,including 23 catorgrised climbs,by far the toughest few days cycling in my life.
The dragon ride gran fondo is 211 km not the advertised 206km,those extra 5km were not needed after the endless climbing and descending that had gone before,there was hardly any flat riding yesterday.
My total time was 9h10m yesterday,last year I took about 7h30m for the gran fondo course,it wasnt because I was having a bad day but that the course this year was really tough,I would put it right up there with doing the etape acte 1 last summer.
I would also like to say the new owners of the dragon ride put on a really good event yesterday as opposed to last year,the timing system worked,the 3 feed stations were excellent and the organisation at the start was very good.
Anyone contemplating the etapes or marmotte in the future should consider the dragon ride as a good test,the length of some of the climbs is as close as you will find in this country to what awaits in the alps or Pyrenees.
Lastly my highlights yesterday were:
The company of Nick Allen for the whole 211km
The decent of the black mountain and
Salted new potatoes at all 3 feed stations
Hey Asbo, back off there. That is aggressive talk:-).
Any one who manages to complete either of the Dragon Ride routes should be congratulated; they pose a challenge for any rider and it was great to see some level 4 and 5 riders giving it a go and succeeding.
Mike
Erm taking the subject back to cycling the Dragon Ride again...
That was the toughest ride I have ever experienced in a single day. All I can do is bow down to the stamina of Jim for keeping me company the whole way - and less than a week since the 330 miles of Wessex!
Much better organised than last year, but 20 miles longer and definitely more climbing. Enjoyable but tough. Well done to all who completed it, thanks to Kev for the company there and back and thanks to Mike for arranging everything yet again.
Am now feeling a great deal more positive about riding the Etape in 4 weeks time.
I am glad some of you guys found it tough too; I can only describe all my 12 hours on the course as a trial. I was really glad not to finish last and did actually quite enjoy the hills on the long loop once I got into my usual slow grind. Congratulations to all who did the medium and long routes- the results are available; my quick assessment is that everybody from Bigfoot should be pleased with what they achieved; hats off to Allan for conquering the medium route with minimal recent distance experience, to all the riders who rode the Wessex last week and finally to Kev and Phil who achieved silver times on the long route.
Well done to everyone who tamed the Dragon! I left the country to avoid doing it this year. On a previous occasion I was kept awake all night by the sound of rain pouring from a broken gutter at the Travelodge. In the morning the cloud was so low you couldn't see the tops of the hills, but amazingly it stayed mostly dry for the ride. If only I could arrange some dry weather for next year's Brighton trip...
That was the toughest ride I have ever done !. My Garmin's says we did 131.4 miles on the long route, with the published 11000 ft of climbing. Hat off to John for completing the "big one" I rode much of the ride "solo" if that's the right term. Came across some of my Avanti club members on the early stages, but then managed to lose them, so jumped from group to group (sometimes slower, sometimes faster). Spotted a Bigfoot jersey ahead of me at the 90- mile mark, and had a chat with Richard for a short while, then pushed on up Bryn Melyn, which was a real so and so. Out of the saddle all the way for nearly a mile, with sections of 20%. Quite a few were walking. Hope that you made it back ok Richard. Rhigos, the 2nd to last climb was a low point for me. I really was questioning what I was was doing, but after a "top up" at the feed station, and hearing that there was only one big climb to go, then a 17 mile descent, I perked up. Met up with another Avanti friend on the last 15 miles to the finish, and with a group of about 6 others we did out best to hammer our way to the finish. Ended up at a total time of 9 hours 50 minutes, with an average moving speed of 14.4 mph. The event organisation was, I think exceptional. At the last feed stop they had even pre-peeled the bananas !!. Now think that I should be doing the Marmotte or something !. (maybe next year) Still, I'm well prepared for my week in the Alps.
Steve
Well that was the toughest day in the saddle I have ever had! The Devil's elbow was just brutal.
According to my Garmin - 131.3 miles, 11698ft and an average moving speed of 13.5 mph, total time of 11 hours but I did spend a bit of time at the second feed station with friends who had come with some tasty treats.
Thanks Mike for organising the hotel and well done to all.
Star Hill will only seem like a slight bump from now on!
If anyone does not want their orange wiggle tyre lever, then I'd be happy to take them off your hands !. Might be something to do with the colour !!. Ta Steve
Jim, great ride and great result. I hope everyone can comprehend the rides that you have put in over the last 7 days. Awesome.
Like last year's Etape, but harder!
Mike
The route this yr was far more enjoyable - varied and challenging. The metres climbing was actually as advertised at 3300m but the extra 3miles was unnecessary.
For a ride with 4500 people taking part I rode a lot of it myself. Probably because I got disgruntled of people wheel sucking and limited communication.
The organisation was very good and the allocated start times worked well. Signage was good mostly although some hazards could have been better for such a large event. The highlight going round a corner at 45mph to be confronted with a red traffic light!
The feed stations were very good and people helpful. So good in fact I camped out for about 15mins, so maybe without doing so and it being one century ride too many in 8 days I would have achieved gold and come in under 7:15 (it would have helped if they published the target times). (Edit: Scrap that idea....it looks like the gold target was 7hrs 10mins...well more achievable atleast than the rediculous targets at Wessex). Instead I ran out of puff at the bottom of Rhigos and took it easy up to the top of Bylch to be glad to have a final 30miles of descent! Still, happy with 7hrs 32mins and being pipped by Kev by one second ;)
Certainly a good chance to try and get used to longer alpine style climbs. Well better fit that compact as 4miles of 6percent starts to grind!
Reply
Back to top
Report
