So, not content with a fairly epic (in my terms) ride at Rhayader, and ignoring the very adverse weather forecasts for North Wales the Friday of my holiday was planned for the Marin Trail. I am a woman on a mission. I want not just to get a personal best time for the trail but I want to smash it.
The first time I did the trail it took 4 hours. The next time was, I think 3hrs 15 but I totally blamed this on my riding companion and his complex issue with hills. I wanted to smash this, to prove to myself I could get up there with the better times for the trail. In honesty I wanted 2 hours but would be happy with 2hrs 15 or 2hrs 30.
This is the trail:
http://mbwales.com/marin_trail.aspx
As can be seen from the overall route description, 2 hours should be feasible.
So, I get to the head of trail somewhat later than anticipated due to grandad driving from cars on the long windy single carriage way A roads and dive into my sandwiches in the car park. Best to fuel up early, I think. In spirit of optimism, the sun comes out and I load my bike with just one single bottle. I am going to be speedy. Not much water required.
It starts well. I am punishingly harsh to myself. Using frequent reference to watch, I refuse to stop more frequently than once every 15 minutes no matter how hard it feels, and this does indeed spur me on, and after the first couple of stops I become more comfortable with going for 30 minutes plus without break. The trail has some diversions and this is frustrating, particularly when I fail to find the signs pulling me back onto trail and end up downhill and back uphill as I realise I have gone wrong. It's also a little scary finding that a trail I've done before and is clearly marked still holds potential for getting lost. Time keeps marching on.
Another side effect of being a woman alone on a trail in the midweek is the lack of other riders and walkers on the trail. It's quite isolated and you feel very much alone. As a result, I am noticeably more cautious about the descents, realising falling off just isn't an option, and although romping up the hills, I am meandering down the flowing woodland singletrack at sedate pace. I am staying well within my comfort zone as far as risk taking is concerned.
The final diversion is a nightmare. There is a cross roads where those who are 2 hours in cross paths with those who have just done the 15 minute climb out of the car park. Yet, the diversion sign for the near completers takes them along the same direction as those who are 15 minutes in. Surely this can't be right, there's no way off this trail, it's going to make me go round again my head needlessly panics. And I get out the map and chat with a couple of blokes who have appeared on their bikes at the start of their mid afternoon ride. Fortunately they turn out to be local, and know the diversions and know where I need to go. In fact, they offer to escort me and show me the turnoff I need to take after the next climb and sweeping descent. I protest, having been out for 2 hours I don't want to hold them up. No worries say they. So, giving it all I can to avoid delaying and spoiling their ride I go up the hill with them. Chatting as I go, and making sure I stay a wheel ahead of the guy I am conversing with. After all, I don't want to hold him up. It's only when we get to the top of the climb I realise we dropped the other guy half way up the hill.
They drop me off at the bottom of the descent and I'm on my way again. Finally I reach the end 2hrs 32mins after starting, and I'm pleased with that.
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