100 at 100mph

Drum Roll please, this is my 100th Post! Can't believe I have done 100 blogworthy things in the last year. Its obviously been an exciting one.
So this blog post had to be a good one and I think the timing is just perfect.
Today, Beth and I went to Zipworld Velocity in Bethesda to tackle the longest zip wire in Europe and the fastest in the World!
Regular readers will know that I have done Titan twice this year, which is not as fast and you go down in a sitting position. Velocity is anything up to 119mph head first and face down. Scary stuff!
Got there in plenty of time but the facilities are really basic at the moment so we sat with our coffee in the car watching for zippers coming down. There were none. For over half an hour. We found out later that there had been an issue with the braking systems and a technician had been called out. Not the most inspiring of news to those about to launch themselves off a mountain!

It did give us plenty of time to admire the scenery. Quarry and slate lake in the front, mountains to the side, and the Sea behind.  Even if we didn't get to zip, it was worth the trip for the views!

Finally we were ready to go and get strapped in. I must warn anyone deciding to have a go to leave their dignity in the car. Not only is it the bright red jumpsuits and harnesses again, but the strapping in positions are extremely unseemly! Basically a push-up position with your bum in the air and someone faffing around you looking for straps!

There are 2 zips in total. The first, Little Zipper, takes about 30secs and you dawdle along at about 45mph(!). Just really to get you used to the position. 
We are then transported to the top in an open backed truck. Given a fabulous history lesson about the quarry on the way up via an audio tour recorded by a retired quarry worker. The trip was hair raising enough with very steep tracks and hairpin bends!

Finally we get to the top and the views are completely staggering. It is very cloudy, but dry and not too cold which is all we could ask for.

The next picture is the view down. The little white dot I have etched into the picture shows where the zip ends, a long way down and a long way away!

This isn't Beth or me, but the person before us ready to be launched. You can see just how high we had got and how fantastic the views are.

So we are strapped in and launched. It is difficult to find words to describe the experience.

 

 This was the landing strip on the left, with the starting point being the white square top centre. You can just see the zip wires coming from it.

It was scary. You have no idea just how fast 100mph is until you fly it! The wind completely takes your breath and you feel that your stomach is trying to find a way out through your feet. But the overriding thought is "OMG I can't believe I'm doing this!" The lake is 100ft below you and you can see your shadow skimming over it and the trees just a blur as you rush past. It is breathtaking, astounding and quite simply the most amazing and terrifying thing I have ever done!

Worthy of a 100th blog post methinks!

Lessons Learned: I am fearless and I can fly! I don't know where this new and improved Sharon has come from, but I like her!

Diet Diary: Not going to end on a down, so not going to talk about it!