The Tour of Pembrokeshire

Rated Event: 98.889%

daen169 wrote:

The biggest and best TOP yet. This is an outstanding event and involves the whole community of Pembrokeshire. Even the feed stations were stocked with locally sourced products. The weather was appalling - strong winds and lashing rain - which made it a very tough day for all. In the end this only added to everyone's sense of achievement.

Rated Event: 93.333%

Pebble wrote:

Fantastic event, completed 3 years on a trot and I will be back for a fourth :)

Rated Event: 94.444%

Bakers wrote:

3rd time on the Tour Of Pembroke. Usually my first sportive of the year and always a good one to gauge fitness. The weather made it ultra tough this year so chapeau to all those who turned up on the start line after seeing the forecast.

Will definitely be back for a 4th go. Always nice and friendly and the feed station by the house always has a brilliant stock of food and even a hot cup of tea this year which was much needed! One of the few sportives where you feel you're not getting fobbed off with unnecessary "freebies" and instead are given proper food at finish and good facilities.

Rated Event: 95.556%

RobertJones1 wrote:

We enjoyed this event enormously and want to express our thanks particularly to all the marshals who were still 'on post' and cheerfully encouraging late in the day. Even the wind, which was in our faces on the way out, did the decent thing and remained constant to assist on the return run! The crew at Letterston Feed Station were magnificent, as were the provisions. The scenery was glorious of course, the route well chosen to avoid traffic and provide a challenge and the signs were generally well sited.

It was disappointing to see the number of gel wrappers discarded along the route, especially as the organisers had particularly asked that none were dropped.

Can I ask that experienced riders treat slower entrants with more caution? We were passed several times by riders who were clearly used to group riding, and brushed shoulders as they rode by. They were affording our cycling ability more respect than it deserved; some of us tend to wander a bit when getting tired!

Rated Event: 96.667%

wrote:

energy drink needed at feed stations. Bring on sunny dry weather for 2014

Rated Event: 93.333%

Edje wrote:

Brilliant event!

Rated Event: 100.000%

Stevepedrocymru wrote:

Great day in the saddle. This was an excellent season opener. I would just like to say to the nay sayers.
1. This time last year it was boiling. 2 years ago in June it was freezing heavy rain with 40-50 mph winds. If you want nice warm sportives then use a turbo. I like this earlier so it spreads the best big rides out (Dragon, Merlin)
2. Energy drinks. All sportive state that feedstations are there to assist. You are responsible for your own nutrition. If you could not get enough carbs from the bananas, welsh cakes, ham wraps, soreen pasties then well I don't know what to say. I used water all the way and had no issues at all.

So the ride was windy but that is Pembrokeshire it was mostly dry which is unusual for Wales any time of year. It is very challenging and hard hence the 3 distances and for those who don't like hills well stick to Time trials on flat busy A roads. The fact that you are getting the best climbs means you have to go onto lesser used roads and less traffic but you get farms and poo in the road as well as roaming animals (I hope Craig is recovering). It makes the ride more skillful and technical after all it is not a race!

The signage was great. I had a Garmin at the ready but did not need it. The feed stations where great especially the Gwaun Villa.

Timing chips are a bit of a pain but then how much did it cost to enter? I paid £15. You get the easier systems but pay £55 + for the privilege.
Great improvement on the little issues last year. Can't wait for 2014!

Rated Event: 100.000%

wrote:

A great event, the wind was brutal, the climbs and views were fantastic. Food stops were great, particularly the Gwaun Valley sun trap, nobody wanted to leave!

Rated Event: 71.111%

DougJohnson wrote:

Used to be run in June. This is a tough sportive, so early in the season. Should be mid summer. No energy drinks at feed stops and the timing chips were from the dark ages - they had to be worn on a lanyard round the neck and presented to a marshall at timing points.

Rated Event: 100.000%

daen169 wrote:

This is an exceptional event. A totally different feel to most sportives. A real 'Tour' with great spirit from the organisers, volunteers and local populace

Rated Event: 97.778%

tph3414 wrote:

I was extremely impressed with the improvements after last years event. The signage was excellent especially with the advance notice on the feed stations. There were far more marshals/ volunteers this year, all of whom couldn't do enough to help you, whether it was to refill your water bottles or hold your bike while you got food (Boncath). The food at the stations were ideal especially the ham wraps. The timing was very good with instant printout of your times at the end of the event, the only improvement would be timing chips so you wouldn't have to swipe at various points although there were no queues and this is only a minor point.
The two changes from last year were an improvement although there was mud on the road although this is to be expected when travelling along country roads! The massage at the end was well worth the money and ensured I was able to drive home without cramps!

Overall, an excellent event with the hills being the same as last year namely brutal and relentless which was made worse due to the wind! Can't wait for next year!

Rated Event: 91.111%

robgriffith wrote:

Did 100 miler, very tough but excellent. One minor point energy drinks at stops could.

The stops were good though, especially the Gwaun Valley where the hot drink was awesome

Rated Event: 92.222%

Bakers wrote:

This was my 2nd year at the Tour of Pembroke & again it was another brilliant day. It's certainly a tough course with more lumps than a Welsh girl! There was a strong wind this year too so extra kudos to folk taking part for having to deal with that too. A top event which I'll be returning to next year.

Rated Event: 95.556%

DicconHill wrote:

The volunteers were without exception just fantastic. The life boat men were a great laugh the sea cadets were numerous and polite (the land lord of that pub needs a hug, I'll send the wife.) Also as I remember them from last year; that lovely bunch in the house in the Gwan (you know were) valley.
Peter and Pembrokeshire bikes deserves specil praise.
The torq bloke for being trusting and not making me have the Rubarb and Custard gel.

Rated Event: 88.889%

pc wrote:

Hard but beautiful sportive

Rated Event: 100.000%

Simon66 wrote:

Felt like I was in the tour. People cheering you along the route and the finish was exceptional with music and Welsh Cawl to finish. You can make a family weekend of it as well. Excellent.

Rated Event: 96.667%

BethanOuseley wrote:

A truly fantastic event. Can't wait to do it again next year.

Rated Event: 77.778%

StephenSmith wrote:

My first sportive and I opted for the 105 mile route, very hilly but beautiful scenery, a challenging ride and great day out with friends, will be back next year

Rated Event: 87.778%

SianRichardson wrote:

Loved the day. Friendly to a non competitive old bag fun rider like myself. Everyone very encouraging. Never saw any support vehicles and I was the last rider to come in, that is the only element I would check out for next year as I like to know there is someone out there if I need them. I am pretty convinced that should I have called the emergency number clearly marked on my race number I would have had assistance though as the organisers did a damn good job with everything else. I appreciated the volunteers on the food stops waiting around all
Day for me and I know what effort the organisers put into the day because i saw them pounding the routes in the months running up to the day of the event. Will do it again next year x

Rated Event: 97.778%

wrote:

Great ride, the new course was excellent with over 3000 metres of climbing according to my garmin! Feed stops were great with plenty of choice, and as much energy drink as you could consume! One small thing but shows what thought went into the event was having a track pump at all the feed stops! I punctured about 30 miles in and having the pump at the Poppit Sands stop to get the tyres back up to full pressure was great!

The end of the course going through the cathedral was unexpected and a great sight (despite the fact a car driver stopped on the hill in front of me...).

Overall a great ride, and will be back again next year!