Peter Wan | Published on: May 21, 2025 | Edited on: May 22, 2025Very bad and very testing! I am thankful that everyone has given their two pence of advice, as I used everything to just about make it. From the constant fuelling to the full meals, and breaking down the ride into sections – all kept my mind in check, just!
Only a few images, so I must learn to shoot the camera on the go.
The goal: finish! The strategy: keep the HR under 152 for as long as possible, always pick the easiest gear, fuel relentlessly, carry speed from the climb over the crest and into the descent, stick to the plan.
Here is how it went down, then up, then down again...
Prologue - 4AM
Start - Exeter Racecourse 5AM - 0k
Massive unit and a really tall chappy make an immediate break away from the start down the hill, descending in the dark, winding and silent roads for 12k down to Exmouth Port. I'm third wheel, tagging along. 7 degrees – so glad I had leggings and a jacket. A wonderful sight as the sun wakes over the harbour.
Sadly, massive unit and the really tall chappy are so fast, and I don't know how to shoot on the go, so I missed this breathtaking view. They hit the first lump at 5% at 18k in Dawlish Warren. As third wheel, I struggled for just a few seconds, spotted the watts and HR spike, so I came back to my senses and returned to the plan.
Who am I kidding! Massive unit has done this before! Others caught up and overtook coming into the start of the climbs at 44k, but that's OK. I was too busy cooking in the jacket at 12 degrees, with solid climbing on the menu...
57k – met Robert Edge (he came 7th overall) who seemed to match my climbing and flats, descended fast. He was a local, knew the roads, and was an ex-Ironman! Perfect. First alliance made as we both agree 9PM is the target! Bring it on!
Stop 1 - Postbridge 7:58AM - 68k
Rob had a little break. I dropped my jacket off to find I was a human sous vide – very much overcooked. Quiche was on the menu, so two slices down the hatch, electrolyte and flapjack bar reload... and Rob's gone. No matter – onwards! Stretched, selfie, crack on! Stick to the plan.
Met an old boy called Beat in Princetown, where we both took turns at the front, made a few wrong turns and endured a long, cold and wet Grenofen Tunnel. Very scary! Breathtaking, but something straight out of a horror film where creatures of your nightmares lurk...
Felt bad, but I dropped him after Tavistock. Stick to the plan.
Getting hot now – 14 degrees! Descents were wide and the road surface was smooth and enticing. Clocked 77.2kph! Confidence is growing. I got this!
Stop 2 - Roadford Lake 11.06AM - 136k
Feeling strong, getting tanned, kept to my plan and optimistic about the day! Stretched as a precaution, met Tom and Nathan (a duo I'd later encounter) – they set off quite swiftly. Reload electrolytes, stock some bars and gels for the first time. More quiche – quiche is good. Also, turns out I can stomach gels on the go!
This next leg – there was a lot of headwind, and the elevation picks up. Great!
I shared this leg with Glen (finished 8th) who seemingly climbed at my pace, but I left him on the flats and descents. Cat and mouse for this stretch until the second visit at Postbridge.
Oh, head unit battery low... Damn, forgot to charge it at Stop 1?! Schoolboy error... Who would believe me if I had nothing to prove it?!
Stop 3 - Postbridge 2:29PM - 208k
Cooked. 24 degrees and body struggling. Half the elevation was completed, but I neglected to look at the figures. 3000m... hmm, that should be 2750m? Charge head unit, die quietly... bum was sore, knees tightening, lower back screaming, feet numb, willpower waning. Not good!
But I kept to the plan. Somehow, Tom and Nathan turn up after me, although they left before me... must be losing my mind. Glen arrived shortly after – a lot of blasphemy was exchanged and suffering shared.
More quiche, more flapjack, and teammates? I suggested the four of us team up and take turns to minimise the hit of the last third. All in – second alliance formed!
Sadly, I descended that bit too fast, Glen and Tom climbed that bit too fast, and Nathan was struggling throughout... We all hurt and although the intention was positive, the execution was lacking.
My chocolate teapot team were hopeless! The group was short-lived and split, but I had to stick to the plan. Lots of descents to capitalise on – just as well because 23 degrees was hot and draining. Stick to the plan!
Stop 4 - Moorhaven VIllage 4:54PM - 250k
Feeling good again! Got to this stop first, affording myself more stretching time. Restock, check the bike, everyone regroups – all is well. More blasphemy ensued, more snacks, more quiche!
Eyes on the prize, focus on the end – I got this!
Started this leg with a descent – nice! But I wasn't ready for what came next... Coming out of Ashbourne, the straight steeps struck hard. 25% RED TRIANGLE? STOP IT, GIVE UP, I HATE THIS, WHY?
Out the saddle, sit back, move forward, zig-zag, deeper breaths – nothing helped... Was I bonking? Was I dehydrated? Who am I? Just wanted to give up, walk and not tell anyone – but then Glen comes shooting past?!
Mind's focus shifted for that crucial moment. I reminded myself – stick to the plan!
Head up, push on and get over it! Struggled with the inner voice and body – both screaming torture – but I focussed on each pedal stroke as a small win. Win after win, just keep going...
For what felt like an eternity, I emerged, alone, at one of the highest points in the course. Finally, I made it to Postbridge for the last time.
Stop 5 - Postbridge 6:59PM 284k
Broken. Not even quiche was doing it. Limits reached, but it was only another 34.5k left... only...
Whole body was still and not willing, the spirit wavering and questionable, airways coarse and torso limp. What was the plan again? Even focussing on one thing was an ask at this point.
Last hurdle – only 34.5k... Glen and I met briefly before he swiftly departed to make his time cut. The poise and composure!
Tom and Nathan arrived shortly after – more blasphemy and suffering shared. But when I turned my back, they ditched me. My chocolate teapot team abandoned me! I'll get you, if it's the last thing I do!
Got my SCC jersey on – started this lonely last leg. The fleeting sun, heralded by many bleating sheep and mooing cows, cheering me on for my final solo push to the line.
Stick to the plan! Pedal stroke after pedal stroke, look up, push on, descend!
Hit 83kph in a mesmerising blur of determination. Catch them! And I did! 302k in and I overtook them! See you at the end!
Only a 4k climb and then last descent to the finish... Pedal stroke after pedal stroke... So close...
Finish! Exeter Racecourse 8:55PM - 318.5k
Found a second wind and aerotucked my last 5k into the venue in 15 hours and 53 minutes! Came 9th overall too!
Oh God, I hurt everywhere – but it's OK. I made it. I did it!
The sun set moments after my arrival to end this attritional challenge. There were exceptional highs (before I descended) and terrible lows (6000m of it!) – but that's Dartmoor Legends Ultra, conquered!
I came into this event having completed some big rides with big elevation, asking the right questions and adopting all advice given.
The event asked the question, and I just about had the answer – just!
Thank you all for the help and support, and everyone who has followed my journey on this sportive. Cannot stress enough how thankful I am to be part of this club!
Although I am in no rush to sign up for another sportive, I would implore you to take on one yourself – but NOT solo! Share the suffering.
Distance: 318.5km
Elevation: 6066m
Elapsed time: 15:57
Avg. speed: 23.3kph
Calories: 7943
Position: 9th
