I went up to Nympsfield to experience ridge running with Trevor Stuart in Wales. We set off around 12:00 with hopes of completing a 180km ridge task. The long glide to the ridge showed signs of wave which was no forecast. We eventually arrived at the ridge and set off on task. The first leg of the task was completed with an average task speed in excess of 150kph, zooming past walkers below the ridge top.
However as we progressed it became clear that the wind wasn't in the correct direction to complete the task. After some battling, we decided to abort and head back towards the strong point where Trevor let me have a go!
However as we progressed it became clear that the wind wasn't in the correct direction to complete the task. After some battling, we decided to abort and head back towards the strong point where Trevor let me have a go!
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| Up to the base of the airway FL125 (Pete Bennett) |
We attempted to try and soar back home but a mixture of a 30 knot headwind and weak thermals made it impossible. Just as we planned to fire up the engine for the long glide home, Andy Davis (2-time world champion) said there were signs of wave at Talgarth so we made the jump through 15 knots of sink to Talgarth where we contacted wave. The highest average was 9.9kts on the vario and we climbed to the base of the airspace FL125 (just over 12000ft!)
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| 9.9 on the averager (Pete Bennett) |
We took a long glide out to Long Mynd and back to Talgarth to increase the task distance, before topping up and taking the glide home. Most of the glide was done above the VNE of the K6!!! In the end we totalled a distance of 292km. (Pete's flight on the BGA Ladder)
Needless to say, I was very lucky to get the chance and the weather I did! I cannot thank Trevor enough for the flight I would also like to encourage everybody to think about having a go, I have never learnt so much in one flight. - Pete Bennett
Needless to say, I was very lucky to get the chance and the weather I did! I cannot thank Trevor enough for the flight I would also like to encourage everybody to think about having a go, I have never learnt so much in one flight. - Pete Bennett
