Going next weekend to Tenby so do a training weekend and some socialising.
Taking the wetsuit for show but will not be using it, thanks 
(I’ll think of an excuse by the time they’re ready to go for it).
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Ok. So i wrote a VERY rough 25 week plan leading up to Wales. I very creatively split this into 3 sections named Light, Med and Big. I have just completed phase 1 ‘Light’.
Target was 5-10 hrs per week, 35-70 for the block. No particular focus, just get out and enjoy it, trying to find some consistency and setting good habits.
Started off ok with 5.5, 7.5, 3, 7.5 hr weeks, exercising 5-6 times a week. But then it dropped to a 3.5, 4.5 and a 5. With these final 3 really being propped up by long(er) rides, but down to only 2 or 3 sessions in a week.
I totalled just under 36.5 hrs for this section. Mix of run and ride. No swims. I felt like i was starting to find some consistency and fitness at the start, but then really slipped off with work, family and a bit of a motivation drop.
I’m trying to focus on picking things up again now, and will start to utilise mornings and evenings more, as lunchtimes aren’t a guarantee with work etc. Started phase 2 well with a swim as well, but that’s REALLY highlighted how far i’ve got to go. Plan is to get in the pool once a week if i can - Tuesday early am seem to work logistically as long as i don’t have to go into the office. And then i’ll add some OW in a few weeks when it warms up a bit.
Going to try to keep those longer rides happening on the weekends, building up to my big solstice adventure on 16/17 June. Using that intermediate goal as a bit of a kick up the ass to get working on the bike.
Trying not to worry too much, and am going to hold off setting any targets until much later, as i just don’t know if i’m going to have the time to train enough for my original target times. But i’ll never say never.
Plan is to try to get up to 60-90 hours over the next 7 week block. Let’s see how that goes!!!
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I know this is absolutely miles away, but from a related conversation with a mate that is looking to sell his bike got me thinking about wheels.
Last year i bought a disc rear from a friend, and a deep (but admittedly quite heavy) front from @adam. Now these were absolutely perfect for Cotswolds which was my A race last year. I’m thinking that they may well be less than ideal for Wales.
- Good chance of wind
- Not the lightest wheelset going, for a notoriously hilly race.
I can’t afford to buy any more wheels, but I started looking at wheel hire. I found a website that will hire Zipp 808s, 606s, 404s plus a few other carbon hoops (50mm etc). Looks to be £60 for a 4 day weekend on the Zipps and £40 for the others. That seems to me to be pretty good value for money for a big A race like this
Any thoughts on a) wheel choice generally at Wales and b) anyone got any experience of these wheel hire places?
ta
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Pretty sure I used a Hed tri spike and rear Zipp disk!
Probably wouldn’t these days though!
That looks like a reasonable deal though.
Looking again at the site, I think it may be defunct. I’m not finding many other options popping up. So I’ve fired an email off to them to see if they’re still in existence!
Anyone know of any other simialr services?
Could chat to my bike shop mate actually. He may have a pair knocking about that I could rent off him for the weekend.
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Most of the ones I’ve seen tend to be European or American!
Edit: I’m not sure a rear disc will be a huge problem but people might think you’re a cyclist 
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If I hadn’t bought an 808 rear I would be using my disc for Wales. On the front, anything 55 or below. I might even use my Tri spoke yet. Rear fine it’s only the front that gets jumpy and it’s just being aware of openings in hedgerows etc
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Have you got disc or rim brakes?
Rim. It’s a pretty old, basic Trinity.
I have a set of Flo wheels, a 60 on the front and a 90 for the back, 10 speed (though somewhere I have the 11 speed thingey but never got round to putting it on).
The rear has a bit of a wobble to it that might be an issue if the frame’s a tight fit, and I don’t think they’ve got any rim tape on them just now, but with the above taken into consideration if they or part of the set would give you some flexibility you’d be welcome to borrow them.
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Cheers dude. I’ll have a look at the oprions etc and let you know. That’s very kind of you.
From what @Blueandy said, i may just man up and tough it out! 
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Use your disc @gingerbongo - that SRAM wheel would be fine I’d imagine but it is old and like you say a bit heavy
I’d always use a disc but I have used a shallower front at Wales previously (2017 with the proper shit weather)
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Fair points.
I guess the real crux is, would i even notice that a wheel was 50g lighter?! That’s just a couple of gels. So i doubt it’ll make much difference at all. Probs just me overthinking. Though i guess the original question was legit around the use of discs etc, and you all seem to be pretty unanimous on that point.
You’re still planning on being there aren’t you @Adam ?
I’d lost track of who’s in and out, as i know a couple of early entrants have since pulled out.
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Yeah you’re not noticing 50 grams - my P3 all tarted up with bottles, bento box etc weighs a tonne but it still goes uphill alright
100% will be there in September!
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I’m still in as well. Although in what shape, who knows. Training cannot have been worse so far.
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The winners have used discs in years gone past. I’ve only ever used Firecrest 404s and never had a real issue ( apart from trying to stop in 2017 )
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A disc is always faster unless you’re doing a TT straight up a mountain and finishing at the top. I used mine at Wales last year. Front was a ffwd f6r so not particularly shallow either. It was fine.
I’ve used my disc at Wales, both times at Mallorca (Full and half), etc.
A disc is actually easier in the wind from my experience. The fact it’s solid means the pressure is always on it, whereas a deep rim can catch gusts more unpredictably. Plus, you actually get the sail effect with high yaw angles (cross winds) so actually gain propulsion.
If you have a really shallow front then I’d take that with you, just incase it suddenly is blowing a hurricane on race morning. I did that last year just in case but didn’t use it. But I was always using the disc.
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How are you all getting on with your training? I was a DNF last year (finished it twice previously), and really not aiming for anything other than a finish this year. 3 months out (today), and my weekend included a 4 hour ride and a 1 hour hilly run. I am sort of surviving on minimal training compared to prior years, but life is busy.
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This pretty much!
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Be more Phill 
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