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Report: Wiggle Dragon Ride

Event: 5th June 2011
Sell-out Wiggle Dragon Ride is biggest ever

The sell-out Wiggle Dragon Ride saw 3600 cyclists start the 2011 event in South Wales on Sunday 5th June, making it the biggest ever.

With three challenging routes for competitors to tackle, the grey skies didn't deter many as they cycled around the coastal roads and stunning mountains of South Wales, many with the aim of raising vital funds for charity partner Prostate Cancer Charity.

With seven hundred more starters than the previous year, and the need to stagger the start, riders were set off in groups at two minute intervals, and despite the extra numbers, the last riders started just fifteen minutes later than last year.

Wiggle Dragon Ride organiser Lou Lusadi said: "We're aware of a few issues with riders not getting away as early as they would have liked, so we're already looking into having different start times for next year's ride. Our proposal is that the Gran Fondo riders begin at the earlier time of 7.30am and the Medio Fondo riders afterwards, which should make things smoother.

"We don't allocate individual start times, and this has been popular with riders who want to start as a group of friends or club mates, but we will certainly look to get the Gran Fondo riders off first next year."

Lusardi added: "Reaction to the route has been positive. People enjoyed the beauty of the coastal roads, and the challenge of the mountains. We'll go through a process of getting rider feedback in the coming months before deciding where to take the ride next year. We won't necessarily use the same start venue, but the core elements that are the most popular will remain - the climbs of the Bwlch and Rigos are what keep people coming back to South Wales, and are what people love about the ride."

First time rider Christy McKee enjoyed the event so much that she's planning on entering next year as well: "It's the first time I've taken part and I loved it," she said. "The ride was great, I rode it on my own because my boyfriend was aiming to do the longer route, but the people were so nice and friendly.

"I definitely want to do it again next year!"

Paul Fraser travelled from the South Coast to take part. He said: "I think this was the best one yet, and this is easily the best sportive event."

While many participants' times and event photographs can be found on www.wiggledragonride.com, there are a number of results that are not yet available. The timing company are working on recovering competitor's times and are hopeful to have nearly all times available by next week. Participants are encouraged to keep checking the website for their time if they haven't already got it.

For further details, visit http://www.wiggledragonride.com.