Once again all eyes were on the weather forecasts leading up to the 3rd round of the Trek Marathon series. After the last very wet round at Sherwood, hopes were high that the weather Gods would be kinder, though initial forecast were for foreboding wet downfalls.

Despite this the brave, the dedicated and those just excited to be riding their bikes in such a scenic and challenging course duly lined up and were delighted when the forecast rain failed to make an appearance. Nearly 200 competitors lined up to tackle 4 long 25km laps, created by local organiser Steve Williams, with lots of help from his family, taking advantage of natural features, winding up long climbs, dipping in and out of the valley, taking on board expansive views of the surrounding. If you had chance to look up and take it all in, you could just about make out Devon glistening in the distance over the surreal industrial landscape of Port Talbot Steelworks as you wound your way up the longest climb, before descending rapidly towards the event village, hoping that the herds of deer didn’t choose that moment to run across the course...