Finished the Dartmoor Classic Medio route yesterday. It was the first time I've cycled on Dartmoor and it didn't disappoint. Early doors it was quiet apart from the couple thousand cyclists, and with roads in good nick I can see why folks head out that way.
The
route is front-loaded with the bulk of the climbs so once you get to Dartmeet you know it's, relatively, downhill. None of the climbs are super-steep, with perhaps a handful of short ramps around 15%. They are nice and long though, so getting into a good, steady rhythm was key. If I shed 20kg, was 20 years younger, and had 200% more bike skill then I'd be a climber. It's where I'm most "comfortable" and it's my sweet spot. There's something about passing others that satisfies the ego...
Downhill is a different matter
and I played yo-yo with a core group of riders. The final 15 miles are all downhill and where you pretend you're time-trialling. I made up some good ground there as well.
It's very well organised, brilliantly marshalled and the feed-station at Dartmeet was quality and free (part of the entry cost), with plenty of food and drink available.
I definitely wouldn't bother riding it in crappy weather. It'd be bleak and soul-destroying, and on the descents, very perilous. I was pleased to comfortably finish in the silver medal category, but that was rudely put into perspective watching le Tour
Had I not stopped I'd have got gold...but what's the point in that?! Speaking of, I encountered 2 aliens, who absolutely creamed the field.
I was too busy taking in the amazing views to stop and take pics but I grabbed these:
The lead out start
Feed station time at Dartmeet. Sadly no beer on tap...
Esatto performed perfectly. Respect to the tandem I passed, and a couple of folks on bone-shakers!
There were tons of photographers on route so I'm looking forward to see my chops sweating it out
