I did it last year, driving over from the SE England it worked out expensive. Great atmosphere out on the road. Nice to ride on closed roads but the route was boring after the Tumble, long stretches of dull duel carriageway it seemed like a event looking for a couple of long climbs.
Looking at a map of the area there are not that many options for the organizers.
Not doing it again, trying the Wiggle French Revolution in a few weeks

It was badly done last year, and anecdotally, it isn’t great this year either. I think the thing that doesn’t sit well is that it’s being done for profit by the organizers, rather than a community based/charity event. I don’t have an issue with commercial ventures, but it has to be organized better if it is going to be over 140k of local roads.

I did it last year and enjoyed it, although it felt a bit kammikazi with people not used to group riding getting carried away with the closed roads, cutting corners, etc. If it was cheaper, I might consider it, but I’d rather do an audax or just a long ride in the proper Welsh hills rather than on the main roads and dual carriageways.

I rode it (unofficially) last year. As a local; the route is pretty naff. There are so many other options that could have included a lot more scenic, and better route options. As said – lots of boring roads.
I guess by starting in Cardiff they limited themselves somewhat to road closures.

I hear the start and feed stations were horrendous, but out on the road things seemed fine enough.

The local anger towards it last year was because they did not inform locals about the road closures; lots found themselves unable to get out in car.

I will (unofficially) ride it again. Then again; if forecast is right … I may not. The thought of descending fast wet roads with thousands of squirrels kinda scares me some!!

Linky

Was very frustrating for local people last year, it seemed like the organisers had not given any thought to people trying to go about their daily business. I personally was trying to go to work for a night shift and every alternative route I tried I was faced with closed roads . A 35 min commute turned into 2 hrs of frustration , luckily I’m not on shift this year.

It was literally carnage last year, must’ve seen half a dozen broken collarbones and one serious crash. Riding standard was poor, spent most of the time on edge watching out for other riders.

The problem last year was partly poor alternative traffic route planning and the fact that so little info was handed out prior to it. My work knew about it but could not get any info about road closures until two days beforehand, so delivery vans going out and staff starting shifts had no idea how to get around the closures! We’ve been able to get 0 information this year too. All we know is the route but as it completely encircles our depot we’re resigned to being cut off for the day again. To be fair we had the same problem when the half marathon was in town too, so it’s not just bikes causing problems! Whatever the problems though, nothing justifies the tack-attacks last year, hopefully that won’t be repeated.

Will most likely wander out to watch the riders coming back (weather depending) so good luck to all the riders 🙂

I’m doing it. First time, riding with some pals I don’t get see so often since they moved. Was looking forward to it, kind of still am after reading this. Weather looks, umm, interesting.

What’s the STW secret handshake? I’ll be on a very blue Planet X so do say hi.

First sportive for me, have I picked a bad un? 😆

Lol at gwaelod. (south walian born and bred and match your description)

Did it last year and doing it again this year.

Closed roads make it a very enjoyable ride and is more than worth it even if you aren’t riding ‘the best roads’ in the area.

Last year there were lots of moaners – however there were also lots of locals behind it and some great support on the route.

The only closed bit on last year’s Dragon was the single track road that leads up the valley to the Devils Elbow climb, which ironically (and perhaps fortunately!) was the only place I saw a crash.

I’m looking forward to this one, not done a closed road event since the first Ride London in 2013 when the pace was remarkably quick. Not got such an early start this time though, I’m off at 07.48.

Pace was quick at the start of last year due to westerly winds, which I think you’ll have on Sunday. Just beware a) on Wentloog flats, there are a series of right angle bends that people will take a racing line on and cut you up b) on the bits after you leave the A48 by the velodrome and go through housing estates to join up with the steelworks road. Lots of corners and street furniture there.

I’m going to stick the daughter in the trailer and ride over to Caerphilly – the roads will be nice n quiet as no once can drive through Caerphilly. Then I’m going to sit at the bottom of the mountain and cheer people on sat in the pop up cafe that one entrepreneurial local business is setting up for the day.

I rode this last year and felt really let down, having done some brilliant Welsh road events like the Dragon Devil and Etape Cymru, which were well selected routes designed to show the best of the Welsh scenery, apart from around the Tumble, the Velothon seemed to shy away from any rural real roads and anywhere scenic to take you down a load of dual carriageways. Fun going up and down the Tumble but that was it.

Shame really as Etape Cymru was closed roads (Aware it is other end of Wales) due to low numbers, but it was much better event, and there is so much great riding in South Wales, that it seemed a waste. I guess the route had to allow the large numbers taking part, and also be good for pro’s race.

Completely passed me by this year despite it running almost past my house – I way home with the Kids.

Mrs. Jay had to get a special pass to get through some of the road blocks (District Nurse) but reported no problems and didn’t have to get in the way of any bikes.

Saw quite a few tired and sore looking Roadies milling about in North Cardiff in the evening trying to ride home after the event, I really felt for them, they were clearly spent and just wanted to get home, I hate that feeling.

Being up the front can be slightly safer than mid pack with the weekend warriors, but there isn’t a huge amount in it. The front is all Cat 2/3 racers, and while most of them do know how to ride in a group, they’re going at pretty much race pace at very close quarters in much bigger groups than you’d get in a typical road race. Only takes one or two mistakes for some big consequences.