The Race Film

Analysing Angus's stats

Jenny Graham takes first woman!

Day 8 - CP2 closes and it's the final run to Llandudno

Day 7 - Big up Gemma Dobson!

Day 7 - The Race Within a Race

Angus Young wins PCR! 🎉

Day 5 - new brake pads all round!

Day 5 - Jack Breen wins short route!

Day 4 - as one checkpoint closes, another one opens.

Entries for the Pan Celtic Race 2022 opened and filled up in a mere 24 hours this weekend, which is amazing!

The race film for the 2021 Pan Celtic dropped last week and we were lucky enough to head up to the Pan Celtic Gathering at Restrap in Leeds for its launch. It's well worth setting aside the time and a beverage to watch this.

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mq51OAXnc64](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mq51OAXnc64)

The finisher's party is due to take place tonight at 6pm and there are still 16 of the 52 riders on the Full route and 5 of the 42 Shorter route riders still out on the course. We predict Stuart Blofield on the ElliptiGO be the last rider on the Full course to make it in time for the finishers' party and that all riders on the short route will make it.

Jack Ferguson's dot inexplicably turned blue but he's still on the full route.

Gemma Dobson's dot is red but she switched to the Shorter route at CP2 yesterday lunchtime, having done 775 miles of the Full route. She now only has 80 miles to the finish and 8 hours until the party. She could very well be our Lantern Rouge! Gemma took approx. 2 hour break in Cardigan yesterday whilst her rear wheel was being replaced.

![Gemma Dobson bike in stand](//images.contentful.com/6hyijb95boju/3lQR99cCOFdabb6SvKbf91/a5f8022589e14d98ba5d579301a51952/Gemma_Dobson_bike_in_stand.jpg)

While the northernmost riders appear to have been spared by the weather gods on their final day's racing, those further south were not. Jon Stainsby shared this video of some serious rain yesterday afternoon. The efforts the riders have put in considering how terrible the rain has been for much of the race is astonishing.

![PCR Rain in wales](//videos.contentful.com/6hyijb95boju/3lp3Eq4Y11hwf2I9cnvKEK/d35a38e409c866fb30049386fc01a67b/PCR_Rain_in_wales.mp4)

Father-son pair, Duncan and Sam Stewart-Ball have only 46 miles to go and will make it back to the finish in their hometown well before the party with enough time to pop home for a shower, a meal from mum and maybe even a nap, perfect timing!

Here's the most recent mini-film from the race, "An Ode to Wales".

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZTnM_o2HxI](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZTnM_o2HxI)

Day 10 - Party tonight! 🎉 6pm, Llandudno.

The bulk of the pack are making their way through Mid-Wales and into North Wales, marking the final change of regions on the route. The last 130 miles of the course are relatively flat and culminate in a lap of the Great Orme road, a scenic coastal road looping out and back to Llandudno.

With 25 of the Full and 40 of the Shorter route riders having finished the race, there's still 27 of the Full and 15 of the Shorter route riders left to finish. Most look to be in good time to make it to the finisher's party tomorrow 6pm, but some won't. While the party is due to finish at midnight tomorrow (although we very much doubt it won't run on later than that), Clan members will be welcome at Matt and Rebecca Ryan's home whenever their race is over.

Wales has ensured that riders don't stay dry for long. Many photos coming through from the photographers are of riders wearing their waterproofs. It hasn't dampened too many riders' spirits as the views in Wales are keeping them uplifted. Here's Gaele Atkinson, who made good, steady progress over the past few days and came in to Llandudno at 7pm last night.

![Gaele Atkinson](//images.contentful.com/6hyijb95boju/2xfYHw6gsi55XVbgIkOt6F/a12072529df7688c88cb3a1396b09e5c/Gaele_Atkinson.jpg)

![Gaele Atkinson 2](//images.contentful.com/6hyijb95boju/34T0tNaKIoUEkjKNs8w0Vr/4fcba1ac166983f809252a1022f69fb7/Gaele_Atkinson_2.jpg)

Riders have been reporting to be enjoying the climbs in Wales much more than the initial climbs of Cornwall. The first 400km of the race took riders over 6,236m of climbing, whereas the 400km following CP2 in St David's was only 1,200m more than that. The riders are very grateful for the relief in gradients, compared to the first Celtic nation en route. The longer and steadier climbs are much more favourable for the tired rider with aching knees.

![Iced knees at cp2](//images.contentful.com/6hyijb95boju/1TwBDSulJUmu1UU84yETog/e7ecd67b565f372c9119cd363120f5a2/209578793_775769503097132_2297375913407466451_n.jpg)

![Mid wales lane](//images.contentful.com/6hyijb95boju/1LDpww0dJOCE7AmDJumPv0/f7d21ecf44684443cb22bd30d46c7129/Mid_wales_lane.jpg)

The change in scenery has been stark in Wales as riders made their way through the valley towns of South Wales, to the quintessential tourist towns of Pembrokeshire and into Mid Wales with the beautiful Green Desert of the Cambrian Mountains.

![India over a Bridge](//images.contentful.com/6hyijb95boju/2c1ENb64Hcc0xgbU4BZjUH/9b73a69faebcdf918f133b7fe276b9bb/India_over_a_Bridge.jpg)

📸 [Breakaway Digital](https://www.instagram.com/breakawaydigital/)

Day 9

We've taken some time to dig into Angus's data on his rides from his [Strava profile](https://www.strava.com/athletes/6386470). 

A metric that always indicates the experience of an ultra rider is how little time they spend stationary. Forward progress, no matter how fast or slow, is still progress.

According to Angus's Strava files, he was riding for a total of 90H and 20M with an elapsed time of 107H 20M. Over 1,996km of riding, he managed to stop for a mere 17 hours. We've excluded the 3H 50M stop where he rested on the 4th night. He didn't sleep the first night of the race and over his [first stretch](https://www.strava.com/activities/5604311717/overview) of 787km he appears to have stopped for only 3H 16M which appears to be the sum of multiple ~10 min stops in cities. These quick refuel stops are the result of a disciplined and well-honed approach to resupplying. There does appear to be a 20 min break in Hatherleigh (473km), likely at the Co-op, but we'll forgive him for this.

Here are some screenshots of his rides.

# Days 1 & 2

![map incl day 1 2](//images.contentful.com/6hyijb95boju/5qj2jF9F28hp0tkvyofyPa/b11136015e05e2452f54b885fc454ae5/map_incl_day_1_2.jpg)

[Strava link](https://www.strava.com/activities/5604311717/overview).

# Day 3

![map incl day 3](//images.contentful.com/6hyijb95boju/75cWQgeTAI3BEK8f3wmD6m/922325ccdc236ad4048122f1e3cbc782/map_incl_day_3.jpg)

[Strava link](https://www.strava.com/activities/5604304497/overview).

# Days 4 & 5

![map incl day 4 5](//images.contentful.com/6hyijb95boju/4nDJlS2IUOfyaIubtYVx3e/7c8e4873b579c1b3be907d0b71668d77/map_incl_day_4_5.jpg)

[Strava link](https://www.strava.com/activities/5604309467/overview).

# Final Day

![map incl day final](//images.contentful.com/6hyijb95boju/D0PiSBFRRRbkDfvYsDIaW/fb0e62c87113d024fc7646cd79e95cbb/map_incl_day_final.jpg)

[Strava link](https://www.strava.com/activities/5604306441/overview).

In a provisional time of 7 days, 4 hours and 19 minutes, Jenny Graham took the title of first female. While never in doubt, she took a day and a half to begin to pull away from India Landy. A lead which she has only extended and having left her 36 hours into the race, over the succeeding 5 days and 17 hours, Jenny was able to build a lead of 230 miles.

![Jenny at finish](//images.contentful.com/6hyijb95boju/6WvzuIuEZJvF0ftPnLrQJ8/cc9920fb48f275f7fac1b04c51e0b076/Jenny_at_finish.jpg)

![Angus and jenny at finish](//images.contentful.com/6hyijb95boju/7BRpUOglvo7M8kKAJnQb8K/eceb88f9e2c4b13c34ff477c9e629308/Angus_and_jenny_at_finish.jpg)

📸 [Rupert Hartley](https://www.instagram.com/ruperthartleyphoto/)

As the second checkpoint in St David's closed last night, we have a look at a couple of riders who've passed through in the previous few days.

Here's India Landy from Friday, she's posted on her Instagram that she's really struggling with some numbness in her right leg which sounds like it might be somewhat of a hindrance to cycling... Nonetheless, she's determined to make it to the finishers' party at 6pm on Tuesday night. She only has 105 miles left to go so we fancy her chances of making it to the party on time!

![India at cp2](//images.contentful.com/6hyijb95boju/yTADHLuZ3b8dNWxfAv4AT/2df1eb0270c9329e87f8912e3450116c/India_at_cp2.jpg)

Another rider who's not been spared from injury is Taylor Doyle. Although, her knee appears to not have hindered progress too much. Taylor reached CP2 on Friday evening and spent the night there. With a good night's sleep at the CP and last night's solid 7.5 hour sleep, she's all set for her remaining 300 miles. She has 47 hours to cover this distance in order to reach the party.

Taylor has generously shared with her followers her morning brew recipe of room temperature water, instant coffee, sugar and Coffee Mate. Shaken (in a bidon), not stirred.

![Taylor at cp2](//images.contentful.com/6hyijb95boju/4tN0ubk1VwSm99MBML0Rn9/1163f5706e0872c24237b509ae557d27/Taylor_at_cp2.jpg)

A rider who is yet to be spotted without a smile on his face is Chris Davis. Former Enigma employee who's recently branched out into his own frame business, Chris is currently riding a prototype frame.

![Chris Davis cp2](//images.contentful.com/6hyijb95boju/4g0ZWQN36TMBCQEdpjneLU/d12067bec3998619ff3cf8d924cd554e/Chris_Davis.jpg)

Vera is currently at 1,010m point and, unless there's any major mechanical, is set to take the third step on the women's podium for the long route. This would be a fine achievement for her first ultra race.

![Vera cp2](//images.contentful.com/6hyijb95boju/iXtScMj8u8loYiFFAxnJp/3d71e4aa2140d3521c292917c3453cc4/Vera_cp2.jpg)

There were a handful of riders who made it to the CP after the organiser had left at 6pm on Saturday night, meaning they were required to self-validate. The organiser left tea and coffee for the remainder of the Clan and the owner continues to allow riders to rest, shower and wash kit.

📸 all photos [Breakaway Digital](https://www.instagram.com/breakawaydigital/)

CP2 at the Celtic Camping Cabin in St David's is due to close tonight and there will be some riders pushing to make it in time. If they miss the deadline, then a photo of themselves and their bike in front of the Celtic Camping entrance sign will be sufficient. They can then have their brevet card stamped at the finish in 480 miles for the Full course riders and 190 miles for the Shorter route.

As the finish line is Matt Ryan's house, all Pan Celtic Clan members are welcome to arrive once the race is finished and there will undoubtedly be a brew and a warm welcome from Rebecca and Matt in Llandudno.

Rebecca was in charge of taking rider's bags to the finish for them and here's the photo she shared of them drying out back home after the biblical rain in Cornwall at the start.

![Becs drying kit in Llandudno](//images.contentful.com/6hyijb95boju/2dEpFcZzo5h6pBKAYyG5Mk/d66fbd645970e169b905ed4d324ab47c/Becs_drying_kit_in_Llandudno.jpg)

Day 7 - CP2 closes tonight

Gemma Dobson was the last rider to cross the bridge into Wales and is unlikely to make it to CP2 in time. She was a rider who was struck with stomach issues earlier in the race and has been fighting to catch back up ever since. Gemma also made the decision to post her camping equipment home in order to save weight and commit to taking hotels which should also help her rest and recover each night. We think Gemma is doing a fine job in her first ultra. She's made some hard decisions when faced with an unforeseeable issue and is still riding. We have no doubt she'll make it to Llandudno.

Give her some love if you get a moment and take a moment to read her most recent post, it's a very open and candid one. ❤️

<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CRJOgIwnE4N/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="13" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CRJOgIwnE4N/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; 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font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;"> View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"><div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; 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overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CRJOgIwnE4N/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Gemma (@gemma_dobson_precision_coach)</a></p></div></blockquote> <script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>

__"An té a bhíónn siúlach, bíonn scéalac"__

"We who travel have stories to tell"

And who better to tell a story than Jenny Graham. Here are some snaps of her mid-tale. We love it when a photo so truly captures a person's mannerisms and character.

![Jenny Graham](//images.contentful.com/6hyijb95boju/XHs4U0PjRzTXABEJp8JgJ/50f3c99e027d216c9e0fe657442107bb/Jenny_Graham.jpg)

![Jenny Graham 2](//images.contentful.com/6hyijb95boju/1Ppy3cmGt04IUp6k9xIBGT/859ebe28f000c4be26e71763d69a49d2/Jenny_Graham_2.jpg)

Earlier in the race, Shell (Mike Sheldrake) was sitting in third place but lost his position due to stomach issues. He's back on his bike and seems to be enjoying the ride now.

![Shell BD](//images.contentful.com/6hyijb95boju/1UYC05kfRPzEu9u7lCebzA/be567ff33db4ec0a1de6e8a9a2c1838e/Shell_BD.jpg)

In the background behind Shell, you can see "Cofiwch Dryweryn" (Remember Tryweryn) painted onto the stone. This is in memory of Tryweryn village which was flooded in order to create a reservoir to supply water to the people of Liverpool. A decision made in Westminster was not received well by the Welsh people and the "Cofiwch Dryweryn" can be found painted on rocks around Wales to mark their discontent with the decision. Very occasionally, when the water levels are low enough, some of the buildings and railway re-emerge from the water into sight.

![Shell BD remember treweryn](//images.contentful.com/6hyijb95boju/6ufRQTiRNAECZNlXFA83TM/5e5ab70b6403e8cb7c6d561df52e8d8e/Shell_BD_remember_treweryn.jpg)

King of the stories is Fergus Murray. We can only imagine what story he has to tell about that tyre around his neck.

![Fwrgus Murray BD](//images.contentful.com/6hyijb95boju/37VIVHvaIym2HhjHpfAy6g/7defd43fa0ba9af59b06c2d24a0efdfb/Fwrgus_Murray_BD.jpg)

Ollie Trewavas is currently heading to the bike shop in Cardigan his snapped rear mech cable. This is the same bike shop James Houston used in 2019, although the mechanic was out the shop allowed him to use their tools.

📸 all photos [Breakaway Digital](https://www.instagram.com/breakawaydigital/)

Day 7 - An té a bhíónn siúlach, bíonn scéalac

The filmaking team at PCR have captured the rivalry between Chris Pitblado and Paul Wainwright, who spent the best part of the route since CP jockeying for second place. Take 4 minutes of your day to watch this, you won't be disappointed.

Over the course of the first two days the riders behind the race's clear leader Angus Young were relatively bunched up. It wasn't until Bristol (510m) that Chris and Paul were able to pull away from their competitors. Over the succeeding 530 miles they leapfrogged each other through mid-Wales depending on how much or little sleep they each had. Over the relative flat lands of the Anglesy loop they rode within 2-3 minutes of each other with Chris pulling away on the climbs and Paul reeling him in when the terrain flattened again. Eventually they made a Gentleman's Agreement over breakfast to roll in together having battled it out head-to-head for 200 miles. We love to see these moments where the racing is defined by the characters of those racing and we take our hats off to Chris and Paul for their dogged efforts over the past few days. These races are hard enough without the constant stress of being chased so closely. Well done guys!

This is the second race this month where the second spot on the podium has been so hotly contested! Although, the finish of the Transpyrenees came down to a sprint. Check it out [here](https://dotwatcher.cc/race/transpyrenees-2021?post=2bAIsz1WNrPO1A5bLj2cwR#posts).

Second edition of PCR takes riders through two Celtic Nations: from the depths of Cornwall to Wales. An unrelenting course with a great line-up of riders who are riding head first into the poor weather forecast.

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