All Good Things Must Come To An End

The End is Nigh

Late to the Party?

Feeling the Burn

Winning Pair and Another Full Ferry

Simone Eder Wins Women's Full Route!

Finish Line Update - Great Orme Again Tonight

Sunday Evening Update - Homeward Bound

Sunday afternoon update - Having a (Stewart) Ball

Going Dotty

And there we have it! 10 days later and we're at the end of our coverage. Whilst there are a number of riders still out finishing the course we have a majority of them back home safely and out enjoying the finishers party.

I know I shouldn't really have favourites as a commentator, but I was particularly pleased to see clips from Andy showing Taylor and Tamzin rolling in for joint second and then Mimi and Lowri arriving not long afterwards:

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> 🎥 Andy Dodd - @andyd0dd

I don't have official confirmation of final standings, so this is purely based on tracker history as of 10pm on 19th July! Anyone with a dodgy tracker may not have made it but let's give it a go:

Overall:
1. Paul Wainwright
2. (Joint) Ceri Middleton & Dave Scott
3. Stephen Haines
4. Alex Boswell
5. (Joint) Guillaume de Lustrac & Steve Morgan
6. Richard Huntrods
7. John Sherlock
8. Simon Pope
9. Calum Fisher
10. Rodolphe Mannessier

Mens Solo Full:
1. Paul Wainwright
2. (Joint) Ceri Middleton & Dave Scott
3. Stephen Haines

Womens Solo Full:
1. Simone Eder
2. (Joint) Tamzin Dewar & Taylor Doyle
3. *Not Yet Finished*

Mens Solo Shorter:
1. Thomas Becker
2. Jon Gould
3. Ian Trevis

Womens Solo Shorter:
1. Elaine Burroughs
2. Donna Mitchell
3. Olivia De Briey

Pairs Full:
1. Christopher Grundberg & Ross Lovell
2. Alex Billson & Christian Sanderson
3. Lowri Morgan & Mimi Anderson

Pairs Shorter:
1. Matt Kuwertz & Neil Couchman
2. Duncan Fitter & Marcus McEwan
3. John Casey & Matt Starling

A huge thanks goes of course to the whole Pan Celtic team; Matt: Rebecca and Toby; plus the army of helpers and clan family who make the race what it is.

Thanks to Sarah for being on the ground to see the riders in from the Shannon ferry and for running commentary at various points.

I hope you've enjoyed reading along with the excitement - it has certainly been fun to try and keep up writing about it. Thanks for reading!

Steve

![WhatsApp Image 2022-07-12 at 10.15.00 PM](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/62U0XFdraFA5CX6jEGpavT/dca6b46dd99c3a77778d300dd8be8a0d/WhatsApp_Image_2022-07-12_at_10.15.00_PM.jpeg)

I'm pleased to report that a lot of folks made the ferry last night - I look to have been about right in my assessment and Jag, Taylor, Tamzin, Mimi, Lowri, Jason, Jacob, Tomáš and Michael are all showing at the ferry port a few hours ago.

It looks like it was indeed a big push through the night for all of them so a big well done for making it. The best thing I've seen from social media overnight is that they appear to have found somewhere to head out to enjoy the rest of the night after they reached Dublin?! Finding this energy after riding through the night is impressive!

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> 🎥 Tamzin Dewar - @tamzindewar

The team must be pretty tired, with the regular arrivals every 12 hours and setting up temporary base at the Orme every night for the last few days! I'm sure they're all looking forward for the chance to take a break and celebrate tonight for the finisher's party.

A big thanks to Andy Dodd for putting up a lot of Instagram Stories at the finish line.

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> 🎥 Andy Dodd - @andyd0dd

I'll cover this afternoon's last arrivals and a wrap-up but the commentary will be drawing to a close at the end of today. The live dots should continue for the foreseeable future for those dedicated folks still out on the road!

With all our podiums set (I hope to confirm the final podiums/top tens with PCR HQ soon!) there is only one race left to talk about. That's right, the race to the party.

On our short route our last rider is Jag and she's really close to Dublin. She posted on Instagram this morning that she is determined to get to the party, so we're really pleased to see that it's pretty much in the bag now.

<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CgIaLGVqJ9G/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" 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/CgIaLGVqJ9G/?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; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; 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; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CgIaLGVqJ9G/?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 Jag (@nice_and_sweet_jag)</a></p></div></blockquote> <script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>

On our long route it's a bit trickier. There are a number of riders strung out along the coastline in the north-west who unfortunately aren't going to make the party. There are a number on the home straight now who we hope will make the 8am ferry.

Allen Hutcheson is definitely going to be hard-pressed. He's got a smidgen under 200km to ride and barely nine hours in which to do it. Next closest is Stefan Lachinger with 170km to go. A bit more likely but still a big ask after so many days in the saddle! Tomáš Žižlavský has only 130km to go which is definitely looking more achievable but depends how much he's got left in the tank! Phil Stanley has 107km to go so hopefully he will make it in time, but he will be riding through the night to do so.

![WhatsApp Image 2022-07-18 at 10.08.48 PM](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/Myq8V8HYYa7oLwxv6POZn/59801f42e35b1e992bfab8f861f243ae/WhatsApp_Image_2022-07-18_at_10.08.48_PM.jpeg)

> Irish Ferries employees must have a very unusual impression of cyclists now!

> 📸 PCR

In front of him there seems to be a bit of a grupetto forming - Jacob Sanders, Jason Jeffery, Mimi Anderson and Lowri Morgan have banded together and hopefully with the boost that riding as a group brings and the cooler night air they will make the 100km they have remaining to get to the ferry. We're willing them on and hoping they don't have any issues along the way!

A little closer in we have Michael Drummond and then Taylor Doyle and Tamzin Dewar, all who should be well position to get the last bit done in the next few hours so they can get a rest on the ferry in the morning!

![WhatsApp Image 2022-07-18 at 10.07.10 PM](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/tVwJh1zd9c4Zb8conNxcR/93605f86ae1e915cdb33d577dc70aaa2/WhatsApp_Image_2022-07-18_at_10.07.10_PM.jpeg)

> 📸 PCR

Tonight is the last night where arrivals will be welcomed on the Great Orme. Every night the crew are setting up the temporary base and it looks like a bit of a major operation! It's great to see on social media just how many people are trekking up the Orme early every morning to welcome riders home.

As the race starts to come to a close it's great to now start seeing more posts coming out on social channels as riders reflect on their experiences. It's noticeable just how positive those reflections are, no matter how hard the riders have found it or whether they have completed their originally intended distance. I'll try and post up a few of them over the next day or so!

All of them point back to the now infamous motto of the Pan Celtic Clan:

> *We who travel have stories to tell.*

![WhatsApp Image 2022-07-18 at 6.19.37 PM](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/4L3k9dBibKydd3izw8BCHn/4c6e78419aa69c673bbe64b03cc2bf11/WhatsApp_Image_2022-07-18_at_6.19.37_PM.jpeg)

As those in England and Wales will testify, it's a bit warm today. The same goes for Ireland!

![Screenshot 2022-07-18 at 17.24.08](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/5R2i1igpYg4ReB0HNCvAvo/b565e5335ba9a9fc88feee8aa6620760/Screenshot_2022-07-18_at_17.24.08.png)

> Met Éireann - www.met.ie

Slogging through 30ºC temperatures to try and get to a ferry is probably not that much fun; lot of riders are heading right through from the north west coast towards Dublin today. I would imagine some are considering trying to get a lot of mileage in tonight, out of the hottest part of the day.

Mark Agar has the right approach though - I imagine ice cream is the perfect fuel for a day like this! He's nearly reached the ferry now and I imagine he'll be on the morning crossing.

![293921236 802036851168344 1629087152635659619 n](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/3zGYMQQj5VB8MRMtspM8ZU/0ee4c25ab678c79f8a85c5f694bb58a2/293921236_802036851168344_1629087152635659619_n.jpg)

> 📸 Mark Agar - @markymarkagar

Hopefully some of our favourites will be doing ok with the heat. It looks like Taylor and Tamzin have decided that riding together is the way forward; I had originally expected them to aim for the ferry tonight but with the heat it looks like they've made the sensible decision to aim for tomorrow morning's ferry instead. Mimi and Lowri are also pressing on for the morning ferry and I wonder if we'll see them doing more of their riding tonight once the sun sets.

Remember - tomorrow evening (19th) is the big finisher's party in Llandudno and so the 8am ferry tomorrow is the last one to get people to the party; I imagine that will be the goal for a lot of people and another busy crossing!

More updates this evening, assuming my computer doesn't melt! 🥵


Yesterday our first pair on the full route, Ross Lovell and Christopher Grundberg got back home in the afternoon. Looking back they have been away at the front of the pack for the majority of the race. So much so that in a few of my earlier updates I mistakenly omitted them when talking about the front of the race - sorry guys!

They put in a solid performance with around 300km a day for the last 8 days and by the time they reached the ferry at Dublin they had about a 200km lead over the next pair on the road, Alex and Christian.

Congratulations on a great ride!

![294588111 421158066609410 7229045102408219310 n](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/1BOmsO9d8oETalVATDTdJL/9ad0bd9db4c59487ce6a03e4fa9518c4/294588111_421158066609410_7229045102408219310_n.jpg)

> 📸 Jack @ The Friction Collective - @jacksebdavies

Any moment now another full ferryload of dots will be arriving into Holyhead and getting back on their bikes for the final ride to Llandudno. Whilst Holyhead and Llandudno are both out on the coast with a cooling breeze, the temperature reported right now in Bangor along the way is a scorching 30 degrees and expected to reach 33 by the time the riders are passing through. Running out of sunscreen probably wasn't high on the list of riders' expected problems for a Pan Celtic event, but what amazing weather we've had!

I have a feeling the atmosphere in Llandudno is going to be amazing with so many riders already finished and so many arriving this afternoon. I wonder if I can claim it's too hot to work and head over there?! 🤔

<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/tv/CgJQWmCA16D/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" 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/tv/CgJQWmCA16D/?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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One of the pairs still on the road are Lowri and Mimi who are in great spirits and seem to be loving the weather and the views! They are putting in a big day today to try and get the morning ferry tomorrow - presumably to try and make the party tomorrow night! Fingers crossed they'll make it! 🤞

Steve

Congratulations to Simone on being the winning woman on the full route! She absolutely blew the rest of the field away and as such had no rivals on the final run from Holyhead to Llandudno.

It's a thoroughly well-deserved win - let's take a look back!

## How The Race Was Won

Simone was already a marked woman, having only recently finished as second woman in Dead Ends and Cake in Switzerland behind Jana Kesenheimer. Not only that but she was sixth overall in a field of nearly 70 riders.

### Day One
As with many riders, Simone rode at a sociable pace on the first day with others down to Pembroke for the ferry. Even once she arrived in Rosslare she didn't power off immediately. At the start it's noticeable that she rode amongst the other women and by the look of it rode with Anna Linden for a little while. By late evening she was ahead of the rest and by about 02:00 her later-to-be-rivals Kate and Tamzin had both stopped for the night and it was only she and Taylor still riding.

At about 3am she stopped for a rest having covered 186km (116mi) since arriving in Rosslare. Taylor continued to ride until 07:00.

### Day Two
Only two and a half hours later at 05:30 Simone was up and back on the road in pursuit of Taylor who had stopped in Cork. She got within a very short distance of Cork before Taylor set off again at about 08:30 after just a 1.5 hour break. By this stage both Kate and Tamzin were trailing by a fair distance. By mid-morning Simone had caught up with Taylor; they then rode neck-and-neck for a few hours before Taylor stopped around noon. 

Don't forget that Taylor was reliant on dehydrated meals amongst other things as part of her quest to complete the race without *any* single-use plastic which would play a part in her needing to stop more often for fuelling.

Simone would hold a short lead over Taylor for the rest of the day until Taylor stopped at 22:00 and Simone continued to ride into the night. Simone continued, reaching CP1 at Mount Gabriel at around 23:00 and staying for 45 minutes or so before heading off into the night.

![294372877 1444486802694780 4939795104522577483 n](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/6UT9zlqZfQ26xgorTCsGFX/81fef33a3643efabdc1c0e4bfa2439f8/294372877_1444486802694780_4939795104522577483_n.jpg)

> 📸 PCR

It wasn't until 03:30 that Simone would stop for the night, having covered 340km (211mi) that day over the course of 22 hours. At this point her closest rivals were 80km and one checkpoint behind!

### Day Three
![293133354 733324881219770 6624402987017866919 n](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/2Ym9PfS3aWPWsS2PfRiZmC/9d80787c294388915c001e603d3a1918/293133354_733324881219770_6624402987017866919_n.jpg)

> 📸 @styrkr.uk

Four and a half hours later at 08:00 she was back on the road once again, heading for the fearsome Priest's Leap climb. At one stage Taylor, who had woken earlier than Simone, got within about 35km of her but ultimately none of these rivals would ever catch her - she would be out in front to the end of the race. She rode through until 01:30 having covered 264km (164mi) over the course of 17.5 hours.

### Day Four
Another four and a half hour rest and Simone was back at it just before 06:00. By this stage Simone is making it a bit tricky for me to keep things interesting in terms of reporting because she's just flying, leaving her rivals for dust and charging on ahead. Just before noon she arrives at CP2. At this point Kate is her nearest rival and has only just reached the point where Simone had slept the night before 120km (75mi) back.

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After two and a half hours Simone leaves CP2 and heads out round the Dingle peninsular before returning the checkpoint at about 17:30. Less than an hour later she heads out for the Shannon ferry, just minutes before Kate arrives. She continues to ride but not quite as late as usual. With the ferry at Tarbert already stopped for the night she has the luxury of choosing where to break for the night, with the rest to cover before the first sailing at 07:30. At 23:30 she settles in for the night having covered 248km (154mi) over 17.5 hours and only 60km (37mi) to ride to the ferry in the morning.

### Day Five
To reach the ferry, Simone sets off at around 05:00 and times her arrival perfectly, getting into the ferry port with 15 minutes to spare before the first sailing of the day. It's a busy one, with many other riders having made the ferry, but her rivals had all opted to stay overnight at the checkpoint and none will reach the ferry until later in the day.

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Simone rides on up the West Coast all day; the gap on her rivals is so significant that she doesn't need to ride into the night and stops at 23:30 having ridden 333km (207mi).

### Day Six
Despite having such a huge lead, Simone is up early for a 05:00 start. It's interesting how she keeps pressing on to consolidate her already significant lead. She now seems to have the routine down to a fine art, riding from around sunrise until near midnight having completed her loop on Achill Island. Another 315km (196mi) in the bank over 18 hours and she beds down around midnight.

### Day Seven
Once again Simone follows the same regular, consistent routine that is serving her well. She is up and on the road just before sunrise at about 05:00, rides another ~300km/200mi day and then sleeps. This metronomic consistency must surely be one of the keys to her win: knowing how much sleep she needs to be able to sustain the routine and being able to put out such consistent mileages day upon day.

![294360547 535705035011266 4565999923286541844 n](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/6wgvqYygNT31IZmEnpxlJb/0a51b4920795c410528c18bc61e64d2d/294360547_535705035011266_4565999923286541844_n.jpg)

> 📸 PCR

On day seven she pushes on a little harder into the night to get herself in place for a push to the ferry the next day. Still a similar mileage for the day of 334km (208mi) but an 02:00 finish.

### Day Eight
Just to keep things interesting, Simone gets up early and sets off not long after 04:00 to make the final push for Dublin. As we've seen for many riders, the timing of ferry arrivals can be pretty tactical. Simone is clearly very aware of the timings and rides a little slower today. She still makes the ferry in good time, arriving into Dublin at 18:00 for a brief stop before getting the 20:55 ferry. The last long day is done with a smaller 246km (153mi) done over 14 hours.

By this point Simone is 300km (190mi) ahead of her nearest rival Tamzin so effectively a full day - wow!

### Day Nine
As with my description of Paul's finish, this was hardly another day since the ferry docks at Holyhead at 00:20. It's an 80km (50mi) ride down to Llandudno and the finish line was the Great Orme again, meaning a summit finish, but a stunning viewpoint at which to finish such an incredible race. Simone came in at 04:45 to take the win.

It's clear that Simone's ability to get into a manageable routine that matches a consistent daily mileage with the right amount of rest to sustain it has been key to her win and to the huge margin of her win.

A huge congratulations again to Simone on her win and we look forward to seeing where she's going to be racing next!

Check back later today for a further update on other overnight and Day 9 news!

Important note if you are intending to welcome any riders in overnight tonight (on this evening's Dublin ferry). The race finish will once again move to the Great Orme until 8am on Monday morning after which it reverts to normal.

Location details below:

![Screenshot 2022-07-16 at 20.21.37](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/7nhpb0DWOEuXckF3AQm9Xj/2484d3b4ca153efdc0aea9984ca3beb3/Screenshot_2022-07-16_at_20.21.37.png)

 - Google Maps: [https://goo.gl/maps/yJc37oqjoDQns9qo6](https://goo.gl/maps/yJc37oqjoDQns9qo6)
 - What3Words: [games.mourner.lasted](https://what3words.com/games.mourner.lasted)
 - Lat/Long: 53.33933,-3.871407
 - OS Grid: SH754841


Clan members on both the long and short routes have been making their way toward Dublin for this evenings Ferry. The passenger list looks as follows (but i can't be 100% sure):

- Simone Eder (leader of the women's long route race)
- Alex Billson (L)
- Seamus O'Leary (L)
- Christian Sanderson (L)
- Leon Newton (L)
- Simon Wareing (L)
- David Atkinson (L)
- Mark Coutier (L)
- Harold Lenud-Pilc (L)
- George Bennet (L)
- Micheil Lonergan (L)
- Harry Pemberton (L)
- Bryn William (L)
- Mark Archer (L)
- Chris Spray (S)
- Harry Roberts (S)
- Peter Worsfold (S)
- Alexandre Esselin Botelho (S)
- Loo Nalton (S)
- Ronan Joncours (S)

They're bound to be racing each other and the impending heat wave when they arrive in Holyhead.

Pinky fans will be please to know that Pinky arrived safely in Llandudno this morning with guardian angel Benoit Gilliot. I'm sure they are both recovering from their adventure. I for one can't wait to see what Pinky does next PCR 2023?! 

![Pinky completes PCR ](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/7M27orQUj5AtB7ZFZdOe3i/712f5af6545ef5a6a489ca10e1abd707/FB_IMG_1658081654635.jpg)

Sarah Burns

The sun and crowds were out in Llandudno to welcome home the awesome father and son pairing of Duncan and Sam Stewart-Ball. Sam is only 14 years of age and this is the second time he's completed the PCR short route with his dad Duncan. Massive kudos to both of them. There's been a steady trickle of riders over the finish line today on both the short and long routes so lots of reasons to celebrate. 

![Duncan and Sam being welcomed home](//videos.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/4xdmvXyXTeohfm9Yh7UaCk/da095c49e590f34ce395aee9ea357564/VID-20220717-WA0021.mp4)

With the next ferry departing Dublin 20:55 there's group of about 27 riders within striking distance of the port. This group include Simone Eder who's leading the women's race. She has a significant 120 mile lead over her nearest rival Tamzin Dewar. They should all be track to make this evenings Ferry.

The warm weather both sides of the Irish Sea will add another layer of difficutly for the riders still out on the course. Of all the weather they expected from the Wild Atlantic Way, scorching temparatures was probably way down the list. 

This morning Kate Brennan who was sitting third in the womens long route race made the brave but difficult decision to scratch after having ridden over 1200 miles. She reported issues with her left leg as the deciding factor. Scratching is not a decision that riders make lightly, especially after having ridden so far. Kate should rightly be proud of her ride and proud of making the right call for her. She plans to get a train to the Ferry then ride the last part of the route to the finish. Chapeau Kate!
Sarah Burns

Most of the clan on the long route have made it past Galway. Having broken the back of the race the final few days can be difficult with the finish line feeling so near yet so far. Riders will be having to dig deep to push for the finish over the next couple of days. Third place woman Kate Brennan posted saying “#imspent” but her dot continues moving. Taylor Doyle also continues to push on and is now only 15 miles behind Kate. Tamzin Dewar retains her second place on the road 30 miles ahead of Kate. If they all keep pushing, they may end up on the same Ferry back to Holyhead. First place lady on the long route Simone Eder is about 90 miles outside Dublin. She's sure to be on a Ferry today it's just a matter of which one?

Lots of riders on the short route have taken the right turn below Galway and are heading cross country towards Dublin. There should be a fair few riders boarding the Ferry today. 

“Pinky” accompanied by Benoit Gilliot was on last nights Ferry crossing from Dublin and the pair are heading towards the finish. What an epic journey these 2 have had. I can’t wait to see the finish photos. Father and son pair Duncan and Sam Steward Ball (14 years old) on the short route were also on the same boat. It looks like they stopped for some sleep before the final push to the finish. I had the pleasure of meeting this awesome pair on the road at last years event they are a true inspiration and they’re sure to get a big welcome at the finish. Stuart Blofeld and his stand-up bike are also Llandudno bound.

A big shout out Jackie Brennan who’s the Lantern Rouge on the long route and is currently near Kilkee having completed the ride around the Loop Head Peninsular. I bumped into her just after she’s crossed the Shannon yesterday. She was in fine spirits and enjoying her journey. 

We’ll catch up with the riders later today when there should be some more finishers and another Ferry load arriving in Holyhead. 
Sarah Burns


Sarah Burns

Steve Haskew

A race around a selection of the Celtic Nations will take riders from Wales to Ireland and back including three ferry journeys, much climbing and whatever the Celtic summer weather throws at riders.

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