Caldicot Choir Cycling / Running / Walking

Sunday, 5th January 2020

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

With weather not the best, the advertised ride to the Seawall Tearooms was shortened due to the conditions. Three riders made the start at the Choir Hall, so it was to around the loop at Redwick and into Magor for coffee from the Co-op. The return journey was made through Rogiet and the back lanes to Caldicot.

Riders:

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

Friday, 27th December 2019

Distance: 14 miles – Difficulty: 1/5 – Weather: Murky

Last ride out of the year saw 5 riders make the start at the Choir Hall, on mountain bikes due to the wet and muddy roads to Mathern. First port of call was Black Rock for the obligatory photograph, then onto Mathern via Crick and Hayes Gate, dodging the yapping sheepdog who took a bite out of Mike’s trousers, and the muddy lanes.

Once at Mathern, it was into the Millers Arms for food, washed down with a pint of beer. Soon it was time to leave, returning to Caldicot via St Pierre hill and Portskewett.

Riders:

1. Tony Griffiths
2. Carolyn Griffiths
3. Sue Earnshaw
4. Brian Phillips
5. Mike Jones

Sunday, 24th November 2019

Distance: 17 miles – Difficulty: 1/5 – Bike Type: Off-road (Cross, Gravel or MTB)

Weather not brilliant, wet initially and very foggy although it came out better later. Decided to do the Magor circular instead, just two of us although Mike Jones and Brian Phillips decided to go over the bridge. Nice to get back out on the MTB.

Riders:

1. Tony Griffiths
2. Sue Earnshaw
3. Brian Phillips (Over the bridge)
4. Mike Jones (Over the bridge)

Sunday, 10th November 2019

Distance: 29 miles – Difficulty: 2/5 – Weather: Cold but sunny

It has been a while, but the Choir Riders were out again taking in the Armistice Service in Magor and then onwards to the Seawall Tearooms in Goldcliff. Eight riders made the start at the Choir Hall on a cold but sunny day, and it was nice to welcome back Janet Vale, and to see some old friends at the Tearooms. The return journey was interesting, with a fall (no harm done), a puncture and a sunbathing sheep all at the same spot.

Photos from the day

Riders:

1. Tony Griffiths
2. Carolyn Griffiths
3. Tracey Eastabrook
4. Sue Earnshaw
5. Sharon Ward
6. Janet Vale
7. Brian Stephens
8. Nick Powell

Sunday, 3rd November 2019

EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED – WEATHER WARNINGS FORECAST

Tuesday, 1st October 2019

EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED – WEATHER WARNINGS FORECAST

Tuesday, 10th September 2019

Six riders made the start at the Choir Hall for the first Night Ride of the Autumn / Winter, to the Rose Inn at Redwick. Nice to be back out on the mountain bikes, along the gravel track to Undy and then the quiet roads to Redwick. Food and beverages was as always, very good and plentiful, before the dark ride back to Caldicot under flashlight.

Riders:

1. Tony Griffiths
2. Sue Earnshaw
3. Robert Stallard
4. Sharon Ward
5. Carolyn Griffiths
6. Brian Phillips

Sunday, 25th August 2019

Distance: 24 miles – Difficulty: 2/5 – Weather: Very warm

Lovely morning out with the Choir Cycle Club, as eight riders made the start at the Choir Hall. The ride was a mixture of sea and hills, first visiting the Cornfield Project at Portskewett, moving on to Sudbrook and clambering down the nettle shrouded paths to the old dock, with its waterfall of excess from the Severn Tunnel. Moving on to Black Rock, previous scene of the New Passage Ferry. Time for hills, so heading for Shirenewton before descending back closer to sea level via ‘The Cwm’. A stop at the Dewstow Gardens Tearooms for refreshments of tea, coffee and cake before returning to Caldicot.

Riders:

1. Tony Griffiths
2. Sharon Ward
3. Sue Earnshaw
4. Chris Orum
5. Janice Orum
6. Robert Stallard
7. Brian Phillips
8. Nick Powell

Tuesday, 20th August 2019

Distance: 15 miles – Difficulty: 2/5 – Weather: Fine

Seven riders made the start for the last Pub ride of the Summer. On leaving the Choir Hall it was along Church Road and Sandy Lane to Caerwent, Carrow Hill and St. Brides, stopping at the Wheatsheaf in Magor for refreshments. Must say, that the food was excellent, washed down with ales and cider. Soon it was back on the bikes for the trip back via Carrow Hill and Highmoor to Caldicot, arriving just before dark.

Riders:

1. Tony Griffiths
2. Carolyn Griffiths
3. Sue Earnshaw
4. Tracey Eastabrook
5. Chris Orum
6. Sharon Ward
7. Brian Phillips

18th – 20th July 2019

Day 1 – Caldicot to Bronllys – 53 miles (Ride No. 299)

Five riders made the start of the 2019 Charity Ride, that will see the riders explore the Brecon Beacons and the Black Mountains, raising money for the Choir’s chosen charity, Sepsis Trust UK (Wales). The route started off with the first of many climbs, up the Shirenewton drag. Dropping down to Usk for coffee at the Museum Cafe, before heading through the picturesque lanes through the Llanover Estate. Following the path of the canal, from Llanfoist to Gilwern, stopping off for lunch at the Bridge Inn at Crickhowell, and a brief stop for coffee at the Coach and Horses in Llangynidr. Onwards towards Brecon, crossing over the A40 to Gwenffordd and Llanfilo, over some brutal climbs before arriving at the Riverside International campsite at Bronllys, our home for the next two nights.

Photos from Day 1

Day 2 – Bronllys to Builth Wells to Bronllys – 32 miles (Ride No. 300)

The intrepid cyclists woke to heavy rain and wind, and a decision to delay the start of the cycling, whilst breakfast was had at the Honey Cafe. The planned route to the Elan Valley was shortened due to the weather conditions. However, nothing was going to stop them venturing out, and riding through Llyswen along the path of the old railway through Boughrood and Abertridwr, arriving in Builth Wells to be greeted by the support team of Roger, Dave and Ron, along with visitors for the day, Jayne and Gaynor. Refreshment was had at a cafe in the town, before the return journey along the main road to Erwood Station was done in heavy rain showers, made worse by the spray off the heavy traffic. The weather did clear at Erwood, and we managed to roll home to Bronllys in the dry.

Photos from Day 2

Day 3 – Hay-on-Wye to Caldicot – 58 miles (Ride No. 301)

For the last stage of the journey back home, we were joined by another five riders, who had been taxied up from Caldicot, with their bikes being kindly ferried by Paul and Lyn Thomas. Also arriving was Dave Gould, who would follow the riders all the way back to Caldicot. The route took us along the ‘Golden Valley’, under the shadow of the Black Mountains, with a stop at Peterchurch, to view the grave of Private Robert Jones, a hero and VC winner at the Battle of Rorkes Drift in 1879. Through Abbey Dore and Ewyas Harold, heading along the main road to Abergavenny before stopping for refreshments, again at the Museum Cafe in Usk. The final leg saw the riders pass through Llantrisant and Langstone before reaching home at Caldicot, totally shattered.

Photos from Day 3

Riders:

1. Tony Griffiths
2. Grahame Morton
3. Brian Phillips
4. Robert Stallard
5. Lesley Russell
6. Carolyn Griffiths
7. Sharon Ward
8. Tracey Eastabrook
9. Sue Earnshaw
10. Russell Woodward

Support Team:

1. Roger Matthews
2. David Currie
3. Ron Ashton
4. David Gould