Audaxes and sportives - Hilly sportives

Hilly sportives - Dragon Ride

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Topic: Hilly sportives - Dragon Ride

Posted By: Tweaker
Subject: Hilly sportives - Dragon Ride
Date Posted: 14 June 2018 at 11:26pm

Dear all, I'm wondering whether anyone has ever done a hilly sportive such as the Dragon Ride in the Brecons on a 'bent. I did it on Sunday 10th June and judging by the comments from fellow riders and the compere it seemed that I was a novelty.

It is a taxing ride - I did the 223km/138mile route, which has over 10,000ft of climbing, although the downhills are wickedly good fun (GoPro footage has been popular).

My steed is an aluminium-framed Metaphysic, running 155mm cranks on a 28/38/50 triple to a 12-36 10spd cassette. The steepest climb (middle bit of Devils Elbow) became impossible for me to balance at the slow speed I was going up in lowest gear, but otherwise it was do-able.

If anyone knows whether it's been done before it'd be great to be put in touch with them and find out how they got on, including how to get up really steep hills quick enough to keep balanced.

If anyone wants to hook up to do it next year on 9th June 2019 then let me know, as I'm already booked in with family and friends on their DF bikes. I've suggested to the organisers (tongue-in-cheek) to have a recumbent section but at the moment there's only me in it I believe!

Looking forwards to having some feedback.

Maybe I'll even get around to entering one of your races....

Replies:

Posted By: Phil Wh
Date Posted: 30 August 2019 at 7:48pm

Did you do it this year. I've generally found Spirtives of interest have not allowed recumbents so have never actually entered one. How did you check the Dragon accepted recumbents?

Posted By: lyhelM
Date Posted: 22 February 2024 at 3:10pm

Digging out old topics…

I’ll be riding the Granfondo next June - well I’ll try to ^^

Any other bentriders registered?

Recumbents are allowed as clearly stated in the FAQ: https://hrcycling.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/5554125293469-Dragon-Ride-What-type-of-bike-can-I-use" rel="nofollow - https://hrcycling.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/5554125293469-Dragon-Ride-What-type-of-bike-can-I-use