Dragon Ride 2025

215km and 3500 metres of climbing in the Brecon Beacons, this is the annual Dragon Ride. 12 of us made our way to Wales with Anne, Tim, Jonathan and Fran taking it on for the first time, while for others it’s an annual event. Lining up on the start line, everyone is eager to get going, after a quick briefing the hooter sounded and we are riding. Simon, straight on the front cutting through other riders leading everyone out on his Raleigh Banana.

Past the steelworks, then we turn right and start heading into the hills. We are getting all the seasons in one day, rain, sun and a relentless wind, but we are riding well and push on past the first food stop and keep to our plan to stop at the second one only.

4 of us are riding together, Helga, Anne, Andrew and myself. After a quick stop, we get going on the second half, the wind is forcing us to pedal downhill just to keep going.  Can’t really attack the descents, but that’s just how it is sometimes. We stick to our one stop plan and come to the last climb, around 6km of climbing and then a long descent and flat section to the finish. Andrew goes to the front, starts riding like he’s on the track and leads us to the line.

It was a tough ride, very up and down, windy but really enjoyable. Everyone finished and all of times were very respectable. Special mention to Simon who rode it on a bike that’s 35yrs old. Also to Anne and Helga who crossed the line as the 3rd and 4th fastest female riders overall, very impressive. Tim was the fastest in our group with a time of 7hrs 59 mins and 20secs, finishing in around 30th place out of more than 1000 riders.

Thanks to Simon for arranging the accommodation and making it all happen.