Port Talbot Wheelers 2-up '25' preview

Team Grumpy's season kicks off as usual with the Port Talbot Wheelers 2-up '25' on 6th March.  The last report posted on this site was rather encouraging.  Grumpy Bob reported good threshold power levels and good progression in his training.  Similarly, 'Grumpy' Art Vanderlay had been making progress in the winter schedule.


Unfortunately things may just have gone awry.  Grumpy Bob has suffered what was either two colds (albeit relatively mild), or one long cold, which has left him feeling drained to the point of limiting the duration and intensity of his training.  In a vague hope that the situation might get salvaged by tremendous fitness on the part of 'Grumpy' Art, an email correspondence was initiated.  Unfortunately it seems that 'Grumpy' Art has been afflicted by an enormous workload which has been limiting his training.

However, we should look on the bright side.  There are just under four weeks to go, so maybe some intensive training may raise our game enough not to embarrass ourselves.

The Port Talbot Wheelers event is once again being held on the more scenic (and therefore less cheaty) version of the Neath valley courses.  In actual fact Team Grumpy prefers this course: Grumpy Bob finds the wind chill of descending Neath Bank at speeds of around 52mph in sub-zero temperatures rather horrible.  And 'Grumpy' Art just hates high speed descending, full stop.  The course to be used is dual carriageway for the first half, then uses the old road for the second half: it's this section that is rather more sporting (and scenic).

Here's hoping for a dry morning, ideally warmer than last year's -4 centigrade...