Racing the rain – 21st December.

Crunch time has finally arrived. It’s the end of term, 10 days to the end of the year and 13 climbs to do. No panic though, we have a plan!

School finished at 1.30, and 6.00 pm found me at the Lion Hotel in Abergavenny. 270 miles and a world away from the final hours of a tough school term.

It may have been dark, but the forecast for tomorrow is crap so I set off into the dark to do a couple of hills.

First up was Llangynidr Mountain. 

Climbed from the north, it was relatively straightforward, but with a couple of twists and turns. I quickly realised that I was going to miss the views on both these climbs, but needs must!

Next came the Tumble. 

I’ve always wanted to ride this since I saw it in the Nationals a few years ago, and it didn’t disappoint. Could I have raced up it? No chance. The car park at the top was interesting- dedicated to a local councillor!

Tomorrow beckons. Lots of wind and rain forecast. Hopefully I can tick a few and make it up as far as Harlech!

13.5 miles, 1470m of ascent.