The 2016 Black Rat sportive proved to be an eventful day of unexpected weather, unforeseen closed roads, brushes with the opposition, and finally a wrong turn by your correspondent.
As was the case last year, the sportive was again based at Clifton Rugby Club on the outskirts of Bristol. The location is easily accessible off the M5 right next to The Mall shopping centre. Unfortunately, due to a rugby match the day before the ride there was no opportunity to sign on in advance and pick up the ride pack, but it made little difference on ride day, Sunday 22nd May.
There was ample car parking from 7.30am on the day and then three queues in the clubhouse for the three different ride distances. Most seemed to be in line for the Mediofondo (120km, 1552m ascending) but I was able to go straight to the front for the longest distance of the Granfondo (161km, 2079 m). The shortest ride was the Piccolofondo (86km, 1070m).
The ride pack was straightforward with just a handlebar number incorporating the timing chip and cable ties. Mechanics were on hand for any last-minute adjustments, and there were free hot drinks as well. The entry fee was £29 for those who signed up prior to 1st May and £32 thereafter.
As last year I managed to work my way to the front of the start line for the short briefing at 8.30am and then we were off. The course itself appeared to be almost identical to the previous year, with an initial flat section in South Gloucestershire before crossing the Severn Bridge and looping around the Wye Valley, Forest of Dean and parts of Wales for the majority of the ride before returning across the Severn Estuary by the bridge again and back to base.
All three routes took the same course on the Bristol side of the bridge and into the Wye Valley. The Bristol section was predominantly flat at sea level apart from a short climb out of Tockington up Old Down Hill at a maximum of 6%. The Severn Bridge itself is always a spectacular ride, and then it was through Chepstow and past the racecourse. At this point the route went along similar lines to last month's Wye Valley Warrior sportive, but it is a great place to ride following the river down past the ruins of Tintern Abbey.
The signs for the three routes were colour coded but there didn't appear to be any advance warning before the split between the Granfondo and the two shorter routes. The rider in front of me suddenly threw out the anchor and executed a sharp about turn in order to take his preferred route. I managed to take evasive action but it was a close run thing.
The weather had started off dry and bright with little in the way of wind. The forecast suggested a possible afternoon shower but it arrived early at around 11am. I gave myself a metaphorical smug pat on the back for packing my rain jacket as it looked like some others had just opted for shorts and jersey. At first the rain was fairly light and accompanied the first challenging climb up to St Briavels. It was about three kilometres and averaged around 7%.
There were three feed stations on the long route, two on the middle route and one on the short course. The first was at the village hall in St Briavels at 47km. It was only a narrow road with bicycles leant up against walls on both sides, but thankfully it was quiet. Some of the locals appeared quite intrigued at the sight of so many cyclists, or perhaps it was our table manners that piqued their curiosity.
There was energy drink and water, although the choice of food was a bit limited for my taste. It was mainly bananas, some wafer type biscuits to which you could add sachets of honey, jaffa cakes and some other bits and pieces. Personally I don't like anything too fiddly. None of my favourite jelly babies or peanuts were on the menu. Village hall toilets were available.
After leaving the feed station there was a descent further into the Forest of Dean with only one of the local sheep sat out in the road. Two climbs followed, both around a mile long of 5% and 7%. During this spell the showers turned into sustained hard rain. I was plugging away when I saw a gilet of a rival website come by me! In order to protect the good name of Sportive.com I raised my game and exchanged notes with Jennifer Trotman, aka the Cycling Mayor.
The route then descended into Monmouth as the rain finally relented after about an hour. After a skirt through town it went up the extended climb to Trellech that was also used in the Wye Valley Warrior. It lasted for around 8km at an average gradient of 6%, making for a sustained slog until the prize of the second feed station with similar fare to the first. There was also a mechanic at each feed station to assist with running repairs.
A friend I spoke to after the event took on the Mediofondo route and it appeared that there was a clash with some of the closed roads for the Velothon Wales that was being held on the same day. He navigated his way round to continue but I believe the Black Rat organisers put in proper diversions and handed out extra food supplies when informed of the issue. I did not encounter the problem myself, but that may have been due to a wrong turn that I took...
Generally I found the signs were well placed, although they occasionally blended into the background. I did not realise it at the time, but I missed a right hand turn off a B road and carried straight on. This meant I completely missed a 19 mile loop, but by going wrong I in fact rejoined the proper course a short time later, oblivious to my error.
The course headed back over the Severn Bridge to the final feed station just the other side. At last, salted peanuta - the delicacy I had been seeking. Following this final pit stop it was a mainly flat section back to base, where my GPS device showed 81 miles instead of the intended 101 - although I had still done most of the climbing.
I collected my souvenir mug and there was free food in the shape of a hog roast or cheese sandwich for the vegetarians. Timings were available at the finish as well.
The Black Rat is limited to 500 riders and I enjoy it every year, not just because it is my local sportive. Minor gripes would be for a wider variety of food and maybe signs that stand out a bit more. However, these are minor and overall it is a very well run event. This will probably only get better, as there are discussions of teaming up with a local cycling group for next year.
The Black Rat team also have their own website and app and run some shorter free training rides in the early spring as preparation for the big day. They also threw in a Christmas mystery ride on the app around the Mendips. It's definitely worth downloading if you live in the area and want to be prepared for Black Rat 2017.
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