Daffodil Classic 2010

February 28th

Six months ago I was lying unconscious in a gutter at the side of the National Highway of Crete. My back was broken and a leg and ankle torn and fractured by the impact of a car hitting me from behind and forcing my leg out of my clip pedals. Comparatively speaking I am so lucky; there are so many that are either not with us today or who are still struggling to overcome their misfortunes. Today I can walk. Today I can cycle. Today I can smile and enjoy the camaraderie that a cyclo sportif can bring to a group of people that decide on a cold, rainy morning in late February to take on 43 miles of the Daffodil Classic and raise money for the chosen charities.

Thinking it to be an easy job I ask Gethin with his dislocated shoulder to take charge of signing in the cyclists. Registration is a nightmare as the 60 pre-registered are swamped by another 60 who have turned up on the morning. Geth is disorientated after a heavy night out celebrating his 30th and struggles with the pace of updating the database with his one finger typing.

12 midday and Pendine hill awaits the 122 registered cyclists. I let them get on with it, pump my tyres up to required 100ish. My intent is to be a so called back marker sweeping cyclists up looking after any punctures, keeping in touch with marshals and having a chat with whoever would take the time out. It's an excuse to take it easy and not to suffer too much on the hills. Reports were fed back to me that the realisation of a lack of any bigger cogs had meant that many pushed their bikes up the first 1 in 20 and that one or two had missed the big downhill left hander and had headed off-road towards the stream running alongside the road. Hawthorn and blackthorn cutting accounts for the first puncture not 5 miles from the start. Others find that within 6 miles of mountainous hills and a fast pace that they have bitten off too much, too soon in the season and call it an early day and take a route to get them back to the safety of Pendine. I soon catch up with the cycling god that is Mike from Kidwelly, determined to finish the course we spend an hour or so together chatting about the cycling fraternity and Jimi Hendrix' relationship with Little Richard. I leave Mike resting on his way to Trelech, eating a banana and perusing his route card.

The rather fiery red haired photographer has clicked through a thousand photos. Cyclists in the distance abound in his portfolio with many hedge and verge shots aswell as numerous photos of the side of the sag wagon as he lent out to get the one perfect image that he strives for. I arrive at the attractive food stop and Ian has moved on in search of the golden shot for his horticultural project. Fifteen minutes, three cups of tea and two chunks of chocolate cake are consumed greedily. Phil's sag wagon comes in with Mike. Brian has had his second puncture. Phil provides mechanical service and a tube as part of his extensive value that he brings to the Daffy Classic. The cross winds over the top section slow us up as we are buffeted by the northerly winds. Turning south 5 miles on and everyone realised what they had been fighting against for the the last 20 odd miles. Speeds got higher as the 10 mile drop towards St Clears flew by. Onward to Laugharne and with the wind changing direction the headwinds that greet a cyclist entering Pendine from the east. Phil in the sag wagon came home in under 4 and a half hours.

The pasta party followed 43 murderous miles. Curses of the extreme hill climbs have passed as cyclists come together in collective smugness that they understand as the achievement of overcoming the challenge that was set out before them. The third Daffodil Classic is aspiring to become 'the' early season event for cyclists of all ages and all abilities in South Wales. It can only grow bigger and the organisation will have to become more efficient. The length and toughness of the course will hopefully shock and at the same time attract more cyclists. The hard frost of the winters has kept the daffodils away but the cyclists keep on coming.

Donations of help have been gratefully accepted from: Princes Gate Spring Water, Castell Howell Cash & Carry, Gilbert's Cafe and Morfa Bay Adventure. Without these institutions, the sportif would still go on but it's nice that they contribute and a huge thank you for your kindness.

Many thanks to the various marshalls and to all at the food stop: Gethin, Rhys, Tom, Suzie, Mandy, Lowri, Ffion, Charlie and Henry.

Thank you everyone for making it a special day.

Photos available - click here and click here for some more