Velothon Wales. PH posse/Accomodation

[JSquaredJim]

Hi Guys.
With the big event getting closer I am wondering what peoples arrangements are for the weekend?
Does anyone fancy trying to get a group together and sharing a hotel and a good meal out the night before?
I can recommend a few good restaurants in Cardiff.
What do you think?

[JSquaredJim]

Anyone?
I thought there were loads of powerfully built PH types doing this event.

[Gruffy]

I'm signed up, with Mrs Gruffy doing the 50km, and another couple doing 130/50km. We've rented this place in The Mumbles on airbnb. It's a bit of a drive to the Velothon start but we're making a weekend of it.

[Cookie338]

I'm staying in the Best Western Maldron I think

[anonymous-user]

Staying at my mother in laws and driving down in the morning, if anyone wants a lift from the cwmbran area give me a shout. Should be a good route, looking towards to it. Could do a pre race carb/beer meet in Cardiff if there is one.

[JSquaredJim]

Blimey Gruffy. Mumbles is miles away. You'll need to leave early to get through Swansea and onto the M4, especially in June. I lived in Swansea for 6 years.
Doesn't look too promising for a PH night in Cardiff at the minute.
I have also looked at Hotel prices and they are a bit, uuurrm, steep. Cheapest I can find is £120 for a night!

[Gruffy]

Yeah, I know. We wanted to make a weekend of it and there was nothing decent on airbnb any closer. I got up at 5:45 this morning for the No Excuses sportive, so even The Mumbles to Cardiff will feel easy in comparison.

[JSquaredJim]

Hi Gruffy,
At least the "expressway" from Jct 33 into the bay is easy. I may just drive down in the morning, stay with the folks in Hereford the night before. We'll have to organise a PH meeting point if nothing else.
What sort of times are people hoping for?

[Gruffy]

130km. Aiming for 4h15m.

[anonymous-user]

Getting closer to the day, should we be getting emails or start times or anything like that? Do we just rock up at the start line between the times stated and get set off in groups? There is something about seeding on the website but its not clear.

I'll probably pick up my race pack on Saturday so if anyone needs their pack picking up or will be in town during the day and wants to meet up for a beer or something in the centre, we can arrange something. If anyone does want their pack picking up, to hand it over on the day, I'm planning to park in one of the multi-storeys early on Sunday morning. I imagine the area near the start will be busy so propose we have a PH meeting point on Queen Street at stupid o'clock... 140kmers are off from 0745 so 0715, that leaves enough time for faff and then bimbling over to the start. There is a Starbucks on Queen Street for a cheeky pre-ride espresso and croissant!...

[ajk]

Staying at the Park Plaza with a couple of others.
I booked a couple of months ago and accommodation was pretty scarce (and expensive) then...

[Gruffy]

Start times have been published. Time for a list?

08:55 - Gruffy (D2, 140km)

[Gruffy]

Bugger. Mrs Gruffy has a 07:00 start on her 50km

[anonymous-user]

Crikey bobbins I'm off at 8:55 too, you may be able to get MrsGruffy into a later slot claiming traffic etc bit I doubt you'll be allowed to start earlier based on the road closure timings as the window for the additional loop on the 140km route isn't that long from memory.

[Gruffy]

Is anybody able to help with collecting our race packs? We're staying over in The Mumbles, miles away from Cardiff, but only passing after registration closes on Friday. The only challenge is my GF is starting at 07:00 so I guess it'll need to be somebody who's also starting (or at least arriving) early too.

Also, was there talk of a pre-race PH coffee meet somewhere?

[anonymous-user]

I'm thinking how we can sort out this registration pack issue, leave it with me for a day!...

There is a caffe nero on St John St open from 0800 which I suggest making our meting point, its close to the start but by that time, I think most riders will be in pens or have departed.

[MadDad]

I'm going, no idea where I am staying (mate booked the accommodation), 140kms course and riding with a few friends from my club - just hoping we can all stay together for all of the distance.......I am not slowing for those who can't be arsed to train!!!!

[SwissJonese]

Gruffy said:

We're staying over in The Mumbles, miles away from Cardiff,

Note there is a Half Marathon in Swansea on the same day that runs all the way to the Mumbles, although if you are out early it shouldn't be a problem.

[Herman Toothrot]

My parents live on the route out past Caerleon, basically event day the only way to get around is going to be by bike, road closures all over the shop so plan carefully if you are going to drive anywhere.

[Gruffy]

pablo said:

I'm thinking how we can sort out this registration pack issue, leave it with me for a day!...

Did you come up with any clever ideas? I've emailed the organisers, hoping they'll have some provision for on-the-day registrations, but no response yet.