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Czeching for signal

A Wales of a Time

First Finisher

Making Hay (on Wye)

Off the Rhayader

Out of the Gates

MoM Rider Preview

Route Preview

Bryn Davies

Richard Hibbert

Thomas Webb

Rhys Clarke

Pavel Macháček

Oliver Glen

Edward Milbourn

Justyna Sieber

Clare Walkeden

Logan Mills

Robert Poll

Ben Davies

James Bradbury

Graham Spiller

Samuele Tonello

Zach Warren

Chris Pugh

Greig Higham

Simon Vale

Maurice Guy

Crew 4

Crew 2

Crew 3

Crew 1

At midday, Clare made it back to the finish, becoming the last rider to make it home before this evening's cut-off. She was accompanied on the final few kilometres by Alan (of HT550 fame), who was already trying to recruit her for next year's race.

From almost the start, Clare had been battling issues with her dynamo, which eventually gave up completely. Last night, she intended to ride all the way through but was forced to stop when her lights ran out well before dawn had broken.

![P1025791-01](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/9wTLh9wRGJ0W6pEFBbCoi/782023f3419ae80631623773e7e972fe/P1025791-01.jpeg)

Despite these issues, Clare actually completed the most distance and climbing of anyone, having not taken the (easier) first detour and then being forced to take the (harder) second one.

Her finish means that only Robert and Zach are left out on the route. But with almost 300km left to ride, they will not make this evening's cut-off for a placed finish. They've been radio silent for a few days, but we'll try to meet them at the finish regardless of when they arrive (and if they charge their trackers).

![P1025241-01](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/5aJpNMWvfdef96py58nfLx/ef2cb41dc0683c423de97dec914c5e68/P1025241-01.jpeg)

That brings to a close the first edition of Mountains of the Merfynion, which has seen 9 of 16 starters reach the finish within the time limit. The overwhelming sentiment at the finish line, despite this reasonable finish rate, has been one of having underestimated the route.

Pavel was the notable exception to this, seeming totally content with the route and only saying there was too much asphalt! Most of the others felt the figure of 30% off-road belied the savagery of the riding, despite some slightly grudging admittance that Wales really is very beautiful. 

And with several riders suffering from trench foot, there was also plenty of talk on the finish about the number of bog crossings and fords that are included. Rhys summed it up best, writing on Instagram: "Cursing Rob out while falling into a bog seemed to be a theme of the event."

You're welcome.

-Rob Gardiner

Rhys Clarke rolled in early this morning a little bit broken, but nothing that a good night's sleep and a couple of days off the bike won't fix. He even told Rob that he might consider doing another of his races, but only if he could guarantee a lack of 1am bog crossings next time (he definitely can't).

![P1025688-01](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/30quFsNQiqAn4kbl5a5XE2/38dca31d70ce94980bd2fd4203aa781a/P1025688-01.jpeg)

Pavel chose a more civilised time to arrive, possibly as a result of not having been able to set an alarm since he lost his phone on the very first day of the race. His first task on arrival was to get a lift down to Tesco to buy a burner and call his family — apparently satellite tracking is not considered a suitable method of staying in touch long term, something that will be news to many in the bikepacking community. Like many of us, Pavel is expected at work first thing on Monday morning and is aiming to commute there by bike. Unlike many of us, Pavel's new job on Monday morning is in Prague. Some fast maths suggests a commute of approx 1,420km, or 284km a day will be needed.

![P1025699-01](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/2Vpfd6bULy2O9R0cdGxvHw/b7c73d3549f71f45090793bfabbb03c0/P1025699-01.jpeg)

Next to join the party was 19 year old Ollie Glen; entering his first ultra, pacing perfectly throughout, and riding through the night in the last 24h to pass Edward Milbourn and move up the rankings. When Edward arrived less than two hours later, it was Strugs-ville, population 1 as he staggered over the line navigating on his smartwatch — the only device he had left with any charge at all.

![Justyna](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/qvGA6Egt0KToq2f9H6pr2/e9bed125849c430913248fa6c871dd4e/Justyna.jpeg)

Today's final arrival, Justyna rolled in a little worse for wear, having had trouble sleeping the whole way around, as she suffered with the cold conditions at night. Considering that she bought her first gravel bike 2 weeks ago, and has previously been (and in all likelihood after the PTSD has worn off, still will be)  a sworn roadie, this has been a fantastic ride.

![Sunset](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/1aGzMfZ9yqPwto3qzU633X/c4d998d941780065fb2b9cd28052ffbd/Sunset.jpeg)

With three more riders out on the road, we'll be back tomorrow with a final update.

As is often the case with endurance racing, Bryn's expected arrival time kept slipping throughout the night, but with a final gap of just over 7 hours back to Richard Hibbert in second place, he never looked likely to be caught.

![IMG 0418](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/46IdNVm9yqY8UrfhVowxc6/d9986c08c2143db20ebcd560e3c67e29/IMG_0418.JPG)

Richard rolled in this afternoon, looking fairly relaxed despite having had a tough time up Hay Bluff at night, trying to make his way over, but finding only sheep tracks. Thomas Webb is also said to be in good spirits as he makes his way in to complete the podium, although he admits that he totally misunderstood how demanding the terrain and surfaces would be having chosen far too narrow tyres.

![IMG 0475](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/3P6NAFAsnE0C3Ljf9mbD5q/602b6fea39cfb22e821642d2558f8899/IMG_0475.jpg)

Samuele swung by the finish earlier to collect his bags, having had to abandon his race in order to make the Eurostar he had booked off the island - he'd severely understimated the difficulty of the terrain as well, and had estimated a course average of 18km/h. Totally doable when you're not spending hours pushing your bike through primordial swamps. He even asked Race Director Rob Gardiner if the hike-a-bike had been like that when he recced it, as if the entire Caledonian Orogeny might have happened since May.

![IMG 0517](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/01yd3IvFTzhbS1fd052C80/da1540a429a33aa0e4741fe3c2d06c83/IMG_0517.jpg)

Further back on the road, Clare has been reaping the benefits of having a broken dynamo, as it left her with no alternative, but to get a hotel to charge and get a good night's sleep. As far as we can see from tracking, Justyna is still moving, so seems to have avoided any further punctures, but has been suffering with the cold nights preventing her getting any decent sleep. She's currently around the 680km mark, and will be spending another night on the road tonight, send her warm thoughts!

We have our first finisher! Bryn Davies arrived back at the finish just after sunrise this morning, completing the route in 68 hours and 47 minutes. After taking the lead in the early hours of Saturday, he never looked back, gradually building an ever bigger buffer to the riders behind.

![P1025422-01](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/63Qq9t4HNt51DvVEcrYyj8/cdf8959160910e235f2488635286fc51/P1025422-01.jpeg)

His ride was not without incident, however. Yesterday, he began suffering with trench foot - something he blamed on all the bogs along the route. He also had his front light fail last night, meaning he was navigating by head torch for the final stretch. And to add to all of this, he suffered a nose bleed during the middle of the night, arriving still bloody at the finish.

![P1025452-01](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/4YPeOkqN9WPD8Y3MuYLKCz/dddb67ac39b39a30f22f63ed06eff2c0/P1025452-01.jpeg)

He rode incredibly strongly throughout, probably partly motivated by his need to be at work later today! This also presumably played a part in him only sleeping 55 minutes despite his healthy lead. He apparently intended to sleep last night but was so focused on riding that he "forgot to". 

Chapeau Brynn, what a ride!

-Rob Gardiner

When the sun rose, it became clear that Bryn had done enough to stay out in front. Despite only managing a few minutes sleep next to Lake Vyrnwy and an hour later on a bench, it seems to have been enough to keep the legs turning and he's even opened up his lead to over 70km. At this point, he's just rolled through Hay on Wye and back into England. Barring anything unforeseen, he should roll into the finish sometime late tonight.

![P1025260-01](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/6nyqG1FnMpzxDx3RL4GXwP/a4a9e904c289958339cdf89032b70bd2/P1025260-01.jpeg)

Behind him, the scrap for the podium is heating up with less than 15km separating the next three riders on the road; Richard Hibbert, Thomas Webb, and Samuele Tonello. Of the three of them, Samuele has it all to ride for as he has a train booked from London to Belgium tomorrow afternoon (points for green travel), Thomas was struggling this morning but has obviously found a second wind to keep himself in contention, and Richard  was said to be in the zone and enjoying the sunshine.

![64iQnlNi](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/6FALGYM3UtVKL9Fpvfj42n/e558022f37087bbc8d2a5df7a427c78e/64iQnlNi.jpeg)

Further back, both Justyna and Clare have been struggling with mechanical problems. Clare's dynamo has packed in, so charging has become critical, and Justyna has been suffering with skipping gears but when she stopped at the bike shop in Dolgellau she was told it was too close to closing time and they couldn't help.

![P1025249-01](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/OlqUM95A6wCCkHgj0eO3U/ea3c90930f350049be742f74ea4d9f26/P1025249-01.jpeg)

Check back later to see if we have ourselves a winner.


With a busy day scheduled back at work on Monday, Bryn Davies is leading the race like a man who means business. At first glance his lead looks substantial but, having not rested last night,  he's being chased by two riders in Thomas Webb and Richard Hibbert who look like they managed to get their heads down and so should be much fresher.

As night number two sets in and the fatigue starts to catch up, Bryn will surely need to stop and that 50km lead could soon evaporate.

![-l4AJuNR](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/3meKcoFlTLl0IZGgfRKNoV/7a199b08b78fa9f9ebefb0519829a417/-l4AJuNR.jpeg)

However tired the lead riders have been today, they can't have failed to appreciate their surroundings — some of the best road and gravel riding in the UK. Obviously in a race not all riding can be in daylight, but Race Director Rob Gardiner has seen fit to put on a Blue Supermoon to light the night for riders, so the only excuse for not enjoying the majestic landscapes of mid-Wales is the vintage car rally that has closed the Elan Bridge road out of Rhayader and forced riders to divert via the main road.

![P1024925-01](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/5M6aprJ5ET0TGMhEb6hWSB/980f14e0b8c2f13022640a133a806b54/P1024925-01.jpeg)

Away from the front three, the race has been anything but uneventful. Former frontrunners Ben Davies and Graham Spiller are DNFs, Graham after mechanical issues, and Ben took the decision to scratch due to gpx file/navigation problems — doubtless a galling call to make for such an experienced racer. Elsewhere, Pavel has lost his phone, so is navigating solely on his head unit (Pavel's Mum, if you're out there, you'll have to make do with Follow My Challenge for your news like the rest of us). Justyna has been riding gingerly ever since a spate of punctures left her low on tubes, and Rhys had had mechanical problems and was unable to locate the cause of his poorly indexed gears, right up to the point where his wheel fell off. Fortunately this was on a hike-a-bike section, so Rhys was unharmed, and either he's donned a fez and continued uni-cycling around the course, or his bike also got off without any major damage.

![We3eDyXF](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/k6u64kgh3CVan3z1Z77la/439626a04f7f599822ce67c9c0741ffa/We3eDyXF.jpeg)

Boot up your Acorns tomorrow morning and tune into Follow My Challenge to see how our riders cope with a second night out on the road.

I'm obsessed with pacing to the point where if I'd been an Athenian at the Battle of Marathon, whilst everyone else was marvelling at the speed of the guy in the sandals, I would probably have been standing at the back asking if he'd gone out too hot.

So, I've got to ask the question. Averaging 20km/h over 170km might not sound like much, but when you consider the small roads, sharp climbs, and the fact that there's well over 700km of the same but with added off-road, you're going to want to be in decent shape to keep that up.

![PXL 20230901 103435446.PORTRAIT.ORIGINAL](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/7xzHqHrGJ7eeCA0DL7CZzr/6cf62820c97242fae3d8d9a835f80280/PXL_20230901_103435446.PORTRAIT.ORIGINAL.jpg)

Pacing aside, the story of the day is tyre choice. It's a tough one to get right in an event of this mix. There's plenty of tarmac that you'll wish you had slick 32s on, but I know from experience that when the off-road sectors start, you'll wish you were on a full-sus fatbike. A quick look at bikes of shows you there's a bit of a mix, but there's no doubt that regardless of grip, punctures, rolling resistance, etc, the worst tyre award has to go to Graham Spiller for his bright blue Gravel Kings. I can only assume he's currently in fourth place as he desperately tries to outrun his shame.

![Rogue Shoes](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/4AZXs9dtdYtW68p8LvlO1E/fba060454beea162c1be02a5bcd3084e/P1024805-02.jpeg)

Speaking of the front of the pack, the first five riders are currently separated on the road by less than 10km, with Bryn Davies leading the group followed by dark horse Richard Hibbert. Currently skirting the edge of Merthyr Tydfil, the front riders have 40+km of gravel to look forward to with around a thousand metres of climbing.

Further back, the race has split into two distinct groups with those outside of the top 10 sitting about 50+km back around Abersychan.

As the first night sets in, and the Welsh valleys start to bite, who decides to rest and who pushes on will define how the map looks in the morning. But remember, with a race of this length and terrain, most riders will sleep at some point and getting your head down the first night isn't necessarily a bad move.

![P1024925-01](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/7cxYDfU9aKlIYb0KNSUCot/ed723ee7ec216a04291546408ea3bb3f/P1024925-01.jpeg)

Now that Nicky has taken you through the route, I’m signing on to take a look at MoM’s inaugural lineup. For a race that’s running in its first year, it’s hard to call early favourites but here are a few names which stand out:

Ben Davies

With a palmares that includes second place finishes at both TCRNo7, and the 2022 TransAm, Ben’s name stands out on the list as probably the most experienced and definitely one to watch. Bristol-based Ben doesn’t have far to travel and may know some of the route already, adding a potential home advantage to his impressive ultra-history.

Bryn Davies

Like a Welsh parody of Ben, Bryn also has a decent amount of long-distance experience to his name albeit all picked up within the last year. During that time he’s had a podium finish at GBDuro, and a fourth place at the Dales Divide — so he obviously knows his way around some UK gravel, and after a bad stomach put him out of this year’s HT550 he might have a hunger to prove himself.

Justyna Sieber

Polish rider Justyna has been increasing the distances of events she’s entered, from Gran Fondos, to 24h events, and is now building towards RAAM 2024. A self-confessed road rider, I’m looking forward to seeing how she copes with the Bridleways of Wales! 

Graham Spiller

After a decade of Audax experience, Graham Spiller entered the ultra-distance-racing world last year with a victory at the Trans Alba Race. Something of an unknown quantity, Graham could be looking to add another UK race win to his palmares.

Clare Walkeden

Another experienced Audax rider, Claire kicked off her 2023 season with an HT550 finish in under 7 days - marking her out as a rider who knows her way around some of the toughest British terrain on offer. 

Other mentions go to Simon Vale, who is entering his third Perfidious event after two Wild West Countries, Logan Mills who has Dales Divide and APN finishes, Samuele Tonello, who has a fourth place at Seven Serpents, and Edward Milbourn who apparently races anything with Duro in the name (Ox, Cots, and GB).


Hello and welcome to Mountains of Merfynion! - coined by organiser Rob Gardiner as a mixed surface extravaganza, tackling some of the best Welsh gravel and hardest paved climbs. To describe this as a gravel race would be a little misleading. Yes, it does have some sumptuous gravel in it. But it is better thought of as a very beautiful (but somewhat tortuous) obstacle course to be tackled by bike. With everything from hike-a-bike and single track to smooth forestry tracks and sweeping asphalt, this ride is for those looking to take drop bar bikes where they don’t belong.

So, with that in mind, I think it fits perfectly as a BRITISH gravel race ;)

Under the same banner as The Perfidious Albion, it's clear that the trilogy of races put on by the same team this year have focused on quality over quantity. And with 21 riders on the start list, the inaugural edition of MOTM is no different. Let have a quick look at the route, and what's in store for the intrepid 21.

<iframe src="https://ridewithgps.com/embeds?type=route&id=44254647&metricUnits=true&sampleGraph=true" style="width: 1px; min-width: 100%; height: 700px; border: none;" scrolling="no"></iframe>

The route sets out from Performance Cycles, in the Cotswold Water Park. A little bit of Cotswold gravel wakes the legs, but riders will soon be crossing the Severn Bridge and heading towards Wales. But first, the route detours through the Wye Valley, taking the cycle path through the unusual Tidenham Tunnel, which is unlit to protect the bats that roost here. From here, a succession of rail trails and small roads slowly leads into Wales and towards the start of bigger climbs.

The fun really begins in the Brecon Beacons, where the hills come thick and fast. The gravel is mostly good, but there are some rockier sections that will slow riders down if the terrain hasn't already done so. Highlights here include the ridge-top track above Talybont, a stretch of winding single-track with panoramic views above Rhigos and the beautiful Devil’s Elbow climb, which has been “improved” by taking the gravel towards the top.
![MOTM-recce-10](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/1rNf2CPafFB6v8SLnxC0dK/822b9723c29ca260174e264eccf1bc61/MOTM-recce-10.jpg)
After Llandovery, riders head into the Cambrians – the wildest, remotest part of the route. Here, they follow a series of reservoirs, largely sticking to fast forestry gravel, interspersed with beautiful Welsh country roads. This is central Wales at its absolute best. A few rockier sections and a handful of fords will keep riders on their toes for this section, as well as the constant up-and-down nature of the terrain and the lack of resupply.
![MOTM-recce-29](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/76J3CDauxN7dVLdyNjQ8xi/388d4564a1e41e601c54aac44f1b03dc/MOTM-recce-17.jpg)
As the route approaches Snowdonia, they will reach the edge of the Cambrians and enter a wild, forgotten valley where the bridleway is barely visible. This is likely to be a long, slow stretch of hike-a-bike for most. The riding in Snowdonia sticks mainly to peaceful country roads, with a few stretches of forestry gravel to link things up.
![MOTM-recce-19](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/597i90WfPzmeyE0fTlZKoo/21cd9ec48f8e605469c6ae0289027ba0/MOTM-recce-19.jpg)
After Lake Vrynwy, the route swings south and riders begin the return journey, crossing back into the Cambrians. The landscape on this side of the hills is more agricultural and less obviously wild, but the riding is just as tough. Riders climb up into a succession of quiet valleys, before inevitably heading onto gravel and traversing an exposed hilltop. The surfaces are varied and slower going, with some hike-a-bike in places. But it is also beautiful riding, often including tracks that even locals have forgotten about.
![motm-oct-recce-6](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/6GU9KGpXKWrWJmY4VF7V00/7793fc48fc06f98e19beff85aa7672c2/motm-oct-recce-6.jpg)
Just as the landscape begins to flatten and the English border beckons, the biggest challenge of the entire route rears up ahead – Hay Bluff. At the top, the bridleway disappears into a maze of sheep tracks. The descent is mostly ridable, flying back down into England. 
![motm-oct-recce-10](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/ByI6HokBevK24rknJpnUz/136d80cf05de1d5800bebae19fe8b623/motm-oct-recce-10.jpg)
Some real respite appears after Hay Bluff, with the flatter, tarmacked riding allowing legs to recover a little. En route back to the Cotswolds is a diversion via the Malvern Hills, where a short dead-end climb leads to a panoramic viewpoint. From there it’s not long until one of the final climbs up onto the Cotswold Escarpment. A mix of peaceful bridleways and quiet country lanes lead to the finish within the tranquil setting of the Cotswold water park. 

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Andrew Phillips

Mountains of the Merfynion 2023 Tracking + Commentary: sumptuous gravel, smooth road and challenging obstacle by bike. This inaugural Welsh route by the Perfidious Albion has it all.

Mountains of the Merfynion 2023 Tracking

Best thought of as a beautiful obstacle course to be tackled by bike, this inaugural ride is for people looking to take drop bar bikes where they don’t belong. The Cambrians are quckly developing a reputation as offering some of the finest off-road riding and star gazing in the UK.

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