First Home

The  Podium is complete

The First Woman home

The race has begun, its a gloriously crisp autumn day in South Wales, the land is basked in golden sunshine for now. It is cold, and this route takes riders over exposed mountains, so bulky cold weather gear is needed. The group whatsapp chat has been alive with competitors sharing pictures of their ever expanding kit grids the last few days ... ![4c67cd07-613e-4090-9d2e-5b4393e3a252](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/UZgHGsvWcjqgOCwoFcLy3/d002a2ffa634095a4813dae69d98125d/4c67cd07-613e-4090-9d2e-5b4393e3a252.jpg)

The route takes the riders through Llanthony and for all those that ride road bikes its the off road version of the gospel pass climb. I am looking forward to seeing the vent photographs, the views from the top today will be peak Welsh!

We have had a mechanical issue or two, Richard Burkard has had a mishap with his SRAM AXS but abergavenny to the rescue and its been fixed so he is rolling again.

The faster riders who are looking to do this in one will have a challenge today, we have had a lot of rainfall in south wales and some of the black mountain pass can become a bog! I am hazarding a guess that some will push on over, and but some will stay somewhere before the pass - time will tell!

I will keep a eye on the tracker for you and update you throughout this glorious autumn day 

And they are off

The afternoon is drawing in on the first day of riding. Its been glorious today, never ending september sun. A quick look at the forecast and it would seem this weather that has eluded south wales all summer is going to repeat itself tomorrow. Perfect for the intrepid riders.
This is the inagural Black Mountains Challenge, and it looks like everyone is thoroughly enjoying themselves so far
![cf218c7e-e2de-4c9c-805d-c8467dc8b377](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/5Afjj7zTgDhVDLvMhVQEYb/42826a50a7385196ab3001f48185b6e9/cf218c7e-e2de-4c9c-805d-c8467dc8b377.jpg)
Out in the lead is David Conde, he has a fair buffer to the second rider who is Daniel Powell. Looks like they potentially will clear the Black mountain today. Which would mean for them most of the hardest climbing is done. 
The black mountain pass is a stunning bridleway, quite technical inplaces (from memory, I havent however ridden it since I was a teenager, which was a little while ago!). It is stunningly beautiful but remote, one of the remotest places in Wales, so the riders either clear it or they may well be exposed up there to the elements, luckily tonight is fine with not too much wind. The approach to the pass is a steep climb and there will be a degree of hiking that bike up there, but the views at the top, trust me are amazing!


Afternoon update

Riding a ultra is a physical and mental challenge. We often refer to Ultra cycling as being a all you can eat challenge, get as much in to you as can stomach to keep those legs turn. There are many different ways of getting nutrition, carb drinks, sports specific nutrition, or just a stock up from your local co-op or spa. I have always prefered solid food, thats the audaxer in me, and I can never say no to a mid ride fish and chips .... luckily the first checkpoint of the Black Mountains Challenge is right next to a local chippy! 
![1a487759-c55a-4cf4-b25a-c7a074b6b0d9](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/cyXFAeN8aYbuaGLXEnPye/b1a0ee6903d3c0ea6942c01f8521d2c2/1a487759-c55a-4cf4-b25a-c7a074b6b0d9.jpg)
The organisers have put on food at each of the two checkpoints, I can attest from riding their last event these are stocked full of sweet and importantly savoury snacks! Its very tempting for long distance rides to just have sweet stuff, but this strategy is fraught with danger, mouth ulcers, long term teeth damage and more importantly you get fed up with just sweet stuff which will mean you likely underfuel your ride! There is always time for a pork pie, a chunk of cheese or a pile of chips!
![9f343260-1989-4e10-9d7d-0d8b6a6b8264](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/4uagzWCp1bJBnWDiRePUf/93f465b82f854524a55f5c3e8f9f1781/9f343260-1989-4e10-9d7d-0d8b6a6b8264.jpg)

Fueling for success

The sun has set and its officially night time. David Conde is still heading the field and is up on the top of the Black Mountain. Looking at his bike he is travelling super light so is definitely trying to do this in one!![6664862d-79ab-4024-9af0-46ceea2de683](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/4WHrw0RiLLf4urUyzUaQVP/2b563c288476e1c4226f2dd2c9520e01/6664862d-79ab-4024-9af0-46ceea2de683.jpg)
He has a fair gap still with Daniel Powell in second just starting seriously steep ascent.
There will be bog up there, so I hope our riders are keeping a eye out! The route after the Black Mountain bridleway goes through the northern trails of waterfall country, passing near Abercraf, which local knowledge will tell you has a pub and a cemetery, maybe a key point to get water and some supplies although they will be in scarce supply!

In the Women's field there is two riders, Amy Holman is our first women on the course and she is not far from Glasfynydd forest at around 75km, with Frances Mundy a while further back not far from Libanus at about 60km. 
A massive shout out to Adam Robbins, who kept me entertained on the other All Mountain adventures event this year, hails from Essex so he has travelled up after work to set off on a very special ITT later than the mess start. Kicking off at 8:15, lets all cheer him onwards!
![3d967ce1-f123-4654-b929-69e5c31f5fcd](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/3L8Oyx8ZvDYKAdNu3vmafn/3e9ac6297fa0fc6cf4ef6556facff098/3d967ce1-f123-4654-b929-69e5c31f5fcd.jpg)

We have had a some scratches, Mark Lythall and Thomas Bell have stopped pedalling at checkpoint one citing not enough preparation. We hope that they had a good time riding in the Welsh sun today! 

The field in general is quite strung out, and it looks like some have already bedded down for the night
![bd1e68fd-a626-4730-8bf5-a9aab414e278](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/3EXpHjima6DPlNjze3mVbU/9de81356304e885d49073a033d0dbed4/bd1e68fd-a626-4730-8bf5-a9aab414e278.jpg)
Hopefully a stunning day of riding awaits them all tomorrow


Evening all

David Conde is home! Just shy of 20 hours and we have the first finisher. A thoroughly impressive ride. Speaking to the organiser, he described the Black Mountain pass as that b****** mountain, which having ridden it, I can whole heartedly agree with. His win was celebrated with a Mcdonalds breakfast and a good old sleep! Congratulations David!

We have our podium! In what looks like a super tight finish for second between Wayne Davies and Daniel Powell, Wayne managed to sneak home at 7:20am in second with Daniel finishing in third not long after at 7:52. 
Both finishing well within 24 hours, which is a stonking achievement, Well done both! Here's to hoping they get a decent breakfast and a sleep today!


The riders are making progress, we have our podium of David, Wayne and Daniel. Amy Holman is still leading the women, she has cleared the black mountain and should be making her way to this finish this afternoon/evening!

The sun is shinning and the mountains look stunning. The route takes in some beautiful trails, the phrase everyday I thank the lord I am welsh springs to mind.

The pack are moving well, all have been tucking in to some much needed carbs today, including a good old full english which Mark Rigby was tucking in to at Sennybridge Cafe![4fe1c82f-f8fd-4abc-ba2f-94f471a8ff05](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/7KhuGXILOB0cQEsiMfhEL2/554832b094c4c959df47e678d9310a55/4fe1c82f-f8fd-4abc-ba2f-94f471a8ff05.jpg)
And one or two Pasties
![a4e38abb-648f-46e2-960d-4b6ea0e941b5](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/664kwjfxuhuiVfzXsbu0cI/fd71cd0f5f5bf5580e564df9955211ed/a4e38abb-648f-46e2-960d-4b6ea0e941b5.jpg)

We have had a few scratches today, inevitable on such a tough off road route, James Bracey and Duncan Vallom-Smith have stopped as they have had 'nothing but issues' with Duncans bike and the climbs were starting to take their toll. Aaron Priestly has also scratched near Talgarth finding the route tough. Welsh mountains do have a bit of a bite to them!

We also have been notified of a route issue, where the route crosses the heads of the Valleys road which is due to roadworks that have been going on here for about a million years. The route has had to be ammended slightly, a route file with the diversion has been sent out to the competitors via whatsapp, so if you see your loved one or friends are a bit off route it may well be that!

Just a quick update on Adam Robbins, he is making rapid progress and is in Brecon, after having repeated his gear finding exploits of his last ultra he has been spotted picking up a pair of Oakley sunnies. Keep cheering the lad on, he has to be back early Sunday to catch his beloved Arsenal play![a1a42c08-6af4-40ed-9375-cec32a85bcc5](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/3Xbl8tRiXQ4i4DXTfkoO0j/7ba1e6cbf41c4434f865428b49fe7c3e/a1a42c08-6af4-40ed-9375-cec32a85bcc5.jpg)

Day 2 

The first female finisher is home! Amy Holman finished this evening at about 8pm. We have a very dark and moody photo of her at the finish line, can't see her smile but we have been reasurred that Amy loved the course, especially the final descent down into talybont via the Brinore Tramway. Amy hails from Yorkshire so is used to big hills and technical terrain. She took a sensible approach to this event, prioritising good sleep by staying in a AirBnB. She takes 6th place overall as well which is outstanding! Well Done Amy!!

We have had quite a bit of action at the finish line today with Craig and Greg arriving to a joint 4th place and then Amy Holman the First woman coming in 6th.
![4c958322-0f10-4ed1-9029-8ff00e87a601](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/69TehvaLXqU8qmeAIZYOXX/721ee7b468c036c90a644226922e1cea/4c958322-0f10-4ed1-9029-8ff00e87a601.jpg)
Hers Craig and Greg looking like they had a great time at the finish line!

We unfortunately have another scratch, Adam Robbins has called not far from Brecon and riden home along the canal, mainly to make sure he gets back to watch his beloved Arsenal tomorrow at 2pm!

As I have been added to the participants whatsapp group I have been enjoying watching their updates and photos of Bannau Bryncheiniog national park. Here is one such snap from Chris Anderson ![f610008e-44e6-4996-9169-e3630f0ceb68](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/5FipOJMIxMR0Hi2xzJZ061/3bb6d823659aa05cdcab108d06194676/f610008e-44e6-4996-9169-e3630f0ceb68.jpg)

There are eight more riders on the course, and it looks like most have settled in for the night or are making their way down the canal to the finish! I will be back with some more updates, and also some stories from the route from the riders.

Day 2 Round up

Jess Notzing

The Black Mountain Challenge 2024 Tracking and Commentary: An off-road challenge tackling one of the most demanding and scenic routes in South Wales. This self-supported bikepacking event begins and ends in the historic town of Abergavenny and takes participants through the rugged heart of the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park.

The Black Mountain Challenge 2024 Tracking

An off-road challenge tackling one of the most demanding and scenic routes in South Wales. This self-supported bikepacking event begins and ends in the historic town of Abergavenny and takes participants through the rugged heart of the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park.

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The Black Mountain Challenge 2024

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