Dragon Slayer
The brutality of the Dragon Devil is what makes it the toughest and most legendary sportive in the UK. To slay this dragon you have to show commitment, persistence, a tolerance to pain, courage, and of course be a little crazy.
You may of seen it advertised across numerous social media platforms, or even heard about its notoriety at your local club. The brutality of the route is definitely not something to take lightly.
For myself the major draw of attempting to tame this ‘Devil’ was the outrageous challenge that I would face, and of course to raise money for such a worthy cause as Macmillan Cancer. What I found was that when you are able to look up at your surroundings, and not down at your cassette hoping for another gear, the scenery is incredible. The Brecon Beacons is truly a breathtaking place to ride a bike. It’s a beautiful part of the world. Serene, quiet, mesmerising, and hilly. Really hilly. But what goes up must come down, and the descents are incredible. Fast and flowing with the openness of the quiet lanes allowing you to take a few calculated risks to keep your average speed up, or in my case make up for some time lost on the long, draggy climbs.
This years ride took place on Sunday 19th June and came in at a whopping 296km long with 4500m of climbing. Thankfully the sun was out, and the rain that was biblical the day before didn’t make an appearance all day. This meant all the riders had near perfect conditions, not just those riding the Devil, but those attempting the slightly shorter routes of the Gran Fondo, Medio Fondo and the Macmillan 100.
Is it really that difficult?
It’s brutal. Even for pro cyclists I think it would be difficult. It’s certainly not a ride to be taken lightly, especially for us mere mortals and amateur cyclists.
This year the event was ran in a clockwise direction, apart from the notorious climbs of the Devil Staircase and Devils Elbow, which were ridden the way they should be. Personally I think this was a great choice by the organisers, as the descents were wonderful and I think riding the route in the other direction would have made for a less enjoyable ride.
“You will have ups and downs - but believe anything is possible. With hard work, it can come off.”
Route overview
The route starts off relatively serenely at Margam Park in Port Talbot, but then your legs and lungs are soon kicked into action with a couple of short and steep little kickers up Sardis Hill. From there we headed over for the climb up Black Mountain. With an average gradient of around 6-7% and over 5km long it was the first real test of the mind and body.
Looking back from the second hairpin of the Devil Staircase.
The climb that’s etched into British cycling folk law was the next real test; the Devils Staircase. As we meandered through the twisting lane in the valley you can see what’s coming up. The scenery is epic but as you begin to get closer to the ‘Staircase’ you soon realise what’s in store. With a nice gentle starting gradient of around 25%, after a couple of hairpins it kicks up to a brutal 30%. It would be tough enough with fresh legs, but after over 130km of riding it’s simply vicious. Naturally my mind gave up before my legs did, but either way I would have struggled to muster enough inner strength to complete the climb. Stood at the second hairpin which hit around 30% watching the determination of other riders tackle it was amazing. I can’t fathom how they were doing it, let alone the young lad who flew up it. Kudos to all the riders who made it up without stopping.
The notorious Devil Staircase 30% hairpin.
After the legs and lungs had recovered on the amazing descent down from Devil Staircase we were then greeted by an idyllic stretch of road as we crossed the Brecon Beacons.
The 3rd feed stop came at 168km and for me this was now the longest ride I’d ever done. I was suffering. I was in a whole heap of pain. My lower back, ankles, quads, hands, neck, everything was hurting. My nutrition plan had gone out of the window. I was sick to death of gels, so reverted to taking on more Tailwind to make up for the lack of carbs I was taking on board.
As we set off to tackle more long draggy climbs, this time Bwlch Cerrig Duon (7km) and Bwlch Bryn-Rhudd (9km) I found a second wind. I put this down to adapting my nutrition plan. Even so I still decided to cruise up both climbs knowing what was coming next.
There’s no escaping the relentless, long, draggy climbs.
Around 230km in and we found ourselves weaving our way through the rugged and isolated wilderness towards the timed climb at Devils Elbow. After some gentle undulating climbing through the narrow twisting roads there was somewhat of a gulp, and a few expletives when the final bends of the ‘Elbow’ were coming into view, you could see the flags laid out showing just how steep the climb was. With it being timed I really wanted to try and get up it in one go. It wasn’t pretty. But I somehow conquered it. I found it similar in terrain and steepness to some of my local hills in the Peak District, so with a bit of mental toughness that I was lacking on the Devil Staircase, I managed to muster enough strength in my legs to get up it.
The temptation to rest at the top was eased by another thrilling descent. The grimace etched on my face was finally replaced by a huge joker like grin as the descent came into full force. This was until I realised what was coming up after the final few feed stops; Two long climbs up Rhigos and The Bwlch.
The Bwlch is an incredibly tough way to finish a ride - 8km of climbing with an average gradient close to 5%. I have no doubt the scenery was just as majestic as it had been for the whole ride, but by now I’d had enough. I was spent. I was in bits again. My second wind had long left. It took every last bit of effort I had to get up this final climb, weaving from side to side as I battled to keep the legs spinning. But seeing fellow riders suffering as much as I was helped me knowing I was not alone, and that is the point of this unbelievably tough sportive. You’re never alone.
“We were a band of brothers and sisters, in it together to slay this beast.”
The atmosphere, camaraderie and spirit amongst all the riders from the start and throughout the ride was incredible. I can see why the Dragon Ride has earned its iconic status of being the oldest and toughest sportive in the UK. The relief, bewilderment and proudness when crossing that finish line 15 hours later back at Margam Park is like nothing else I’ve ever felt.
14 hours and 57 mins later I made it back to where it all started.
Final Thoughts
I would like to thank the event organisers who did a wonderful job. The communication from start to finish was first class. The route was signposted extremely well, so much so that I would be confident in saying you could complete it without a GPS, not that I would, that would be utter madness. The feed stations were well stocked, aside from the final few, but that was more to do with the time we were getting to them, and the salted potatoes were to die for. The only slight mishap was that the top tube sticker detailing the route was wrong. But I can let them off that one slight error. Throughout the ride the support was wonderful, from all the staff who volunteered to help marshal the route and man the feed stations, and of course all the other cyclists who took part and supported each other on this epic journey. It was incredible to share the roads, pain and joy with you all. A special shoutout to Rich who I rode the majority of the ride with, without whom I would of struggled even more, and to my partner Chez for her continued support when I was undoubtedly in a foul mood.
The Dragon Ride, whichever route you choose, whether it’s the brutal Dragon Devil or the Macmillan 100, or any in between, it is truly one of the most spectacular Sportives you can attempt to ride in the UK. Each climb and subsequent descent has a unique character all to their own. The challenge really lies in your own personal determination to conquer its famous roads. To push yourself further than you ever have before, and to soak up some incredible scenery in a truly wonderful part of Wales.
I’m super proud of myself, and for everyone else who conquered their own personal challenge. For me the Dragon Devil was 140km further than I’ve ever ridden before. It had more climbing and elevation gain than I’d ever ridden before, and it was without doubt the toughest thing physically, mentally and emotionally I’ve ever done in my life.
But I can now call myself a Dragon Slayer.
The final question is will I be back?….