A varied route from the last time I did this ride 3yrs ago. 18 starters and I finished 2nd behind the Seamons CC rider - the club did put on the ride so thought it would be a bit rude to go ahead of him. A steady group of 8 was at the front which was making good time with an increasing head wind. But once the proper climbing started around the 40km mark the group slowed and the 1st finisher decided to go off the front. I followed without to much effort and rode with him. A few wrong turns - the Garmin was taken off auto correct meant he took the lead but with the first stop at Prospect Tea rooms there was no doubt that I would see him there. A coffee later, the rain came in over the Panorma - a very pretty road that overlooks the valley of Rhosllanerchrugofg. Good for walking, geology trips and obviously cycling. The decents off the Panaroma are steep and single track making for interesting decent. Not as interesting as a 20% grad single track road at 60km - front wheel kept wanting to leave the tarmac, so to counter this I stood up but the greasy road and skinny road tyres dont make for traction. It was a get off the bike and push. The climb for the second time got the better of me. A plateau after the climb made for great views - you have to remember to look up and around from the tarmac. The nice long decent to the second and lunch stop made for a welcome change with the hardest part of the ride done.