Sunday, 5th March 2017

Meet at the Choir Hall at 10am or on the M48 Link Road, Chepstow at 10:30am.

Distance: 32 miles – Difficulty: 3/5 (Due to strong winds) – Weather: Strong winds, rain storms.

7:30 this morning, it was hammering down with rain, but just before the ride was cancelled, the sun came out and off we went.

Three riders left the Choir Hall, picked-up Tracey on the way at Parkwall, before heading for Mathern and the first challenge of the day, Dark Hill. Met up with another four members at Chepstow and then the big challenges began. Not too bad going over the Severn Bridge, but then heading south towards Severn Beach, a heavy shower of rain, luckily wasn’t for too long. To get to Severn Beach, you have to cross over the M5 Motorway, the wind was so strong that it literally stopped you dead, not nice when you are clipped into your bike. Fortunately, we all arrived at the promenade safely for photos overlooking the New Severn Bridge, with a crazy fisherman down on the rocks below us contending with huge waves and severe gales. Photos taken, we climbed back aboard the bikes and headed inland to Tockington, and the lovely Swan Inn for some respite from the wind and refreshment.

The ride back over the bridge was not pleasant, straight into a gale and it was a relief to reach the Welsh side again. The rest of the journey was fairly uneventful, apart from a hail-shower coming out of Mathern. A very challenging ride, but great fun and good company.

Riders:

1. Tony Griffiths
2. David Whittle
3. Tracey Eastabrook
4. Nick Powell
5. Tony Ward
6. David Kirkby
7. Janet Vale
8. Simon Hughes

Sunday, February 26th 2017

Distance: 30 miles – Difficulty: 2/5 – Bike Type: Road

Five riders met-up at the Choir Hall, on a miserable wet morning with a decision being made to forego the ride to Brockweir (apparently it was very foggy and wet that way), and have an easier ride to Goldcliff and the Seawall Tearooms. It was nice to welcome a newcomer to our ranks, Simon Hughes from Lydney. Here’s hoping that he will return and ride with us again.

The ride down to Goldcliff, despite a miserable start was not too bad, with the welcoming at the tearooms from Wendy and Wayne, who furnished us with cakes, pasties and coffee. Again, we probably got away fairly lightly with the weather on the return journey, as later in the afternoon heavy rain came in.

Riders:

1. Tony Griffiths
2. Sue Earnshaw
3. Janet Vale
4. Brian Stephens
5. Simon Hughes

Wednesday, 15th February 2017

Distance: 15 miles – Difficulty: 1/5 – Weather: Pleasant

Quiet a warm evening for February, made a nice change cycling down the back lanes to Redwick. Three riders made the start but were joined by two others who decided on driving there due to injuries and other commitments. Fully refreshed with pints of Ale to wash down the chips etc, before cycling back to Caldicot

Riders:

1. Tony Griffiths
2. Carolyn Griffiths
3. Rob Stallard

RIDE CANCELLED – WEATHER CONDITIONS

Wednesday, 1st February 2017

The latest Night Ride saw four riders take to the gravel tracks through Undy, to wine and dine at the most welcoming Rose Inn, on what was a fairly balmy night for February. Beer, pies and pasta were consumed, and we were joined by the fit-again Tracey Eastabrook who could not ride due to light malfunctions. Soon it was time to go and leave the warm glow of the fire to head back along the same route to Caldicot.

Riders:

1. Carolyn Griffiths
2. Sue Earnshaw
3. Rob Stallard
4. Tony Griffiths

Sunday, 29th January 2017

RIDE CANCELLED – HEAVY RAIN

Wednesday, 18th January 2017

Distance: 16 miles – Difficulty: 1/5 – Weather: Fine

The latest ride to the Rose Inn was attended by four cyclists, who made their way along the muddy moors tracks to Undy and on-to Redwick. Pints of Hobgoblin and lashings of brie and cottage pie alongside the roaring fire, before heading back through the dark lanes to Caldicot.

Riders:

1. Tony Griffiths
2. Carolyn Griffiths
3. Sue Earnshaw
4. David Vass

Sunday, 15th January 2017

Distance: 22 miles – Difficulty: 4/5 – Weather: Fine, sunny periods

Toughest ride of the year so far, the steep climb up to Wentwood Forest to the reservoir before taking on the firetracks. Steep climbs and fast downhills on very muddy and slippery tracks, before exiting on the road to Earlswood. Another steep climb before cruising down to Shirenewton and the Tredegar Arms pub for refreshments. There was a time deep in the forest were we thought we had lost David Vass for good, the steep climbs and treacherous tracks taking its toll, but two sugary sweets and a pint of cider and he was off like a man possessed. Well done Dave. The ride concluded with the fast downhill to Cwm and the long climb to Highmore Hill and Dewstow. A good but somewhat muddy day.

Riders:

1. Tony Griffiths
2. Rob Stallard
3. Steve Chappelle
4. Grahame Morton
5. Lesley Russell
6. David Vass

Sunday, 8th January 2017

Distance: 30 miles – Difficulty: 2/5 – Weather: Mild

Lovely ride down to the Seawall to get 2017 kicked-off. Ten riders made the start at the Choir Hall, with the route seeing us ride through Caerwent, Carrow Hill, Magor, Wilcrick and Goldcliff to the Seawall Tearooms, returning via Redwick, Undy and Rogiet.

Riders:

1. Tony Griffiths
2. Carolyn Griffiths
3. Rob Stallard
4. Janet Vale
5. Steve Chappelle
6. Brian Stephens
7. Sue Earnshaw
8. Tony Ward
9. Grahame Morton
10. David Vass

Wednesday, 4th January 2017

Distance: 16 miles – Difficulty: 1/5 – Weather: Fine but cold

The original plan was to ride to the Llanwern Bull along the Queensway, but with the cold weather and the draw of the blazing fire at the Rose Inn, a unanimous decision was to go to the old faithful. Three riders made the trip along the gravel track to Undy, and then the lanes to Redwick to stop at the Rose for refreshments, before making their way back to Caldicot.

Riders:

1. Carolyn Griffiths
2. Sue Earnshaw
3. Tony Griffiths