Caldicot Choir Social Cycling

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

Sunday, July 14th 2019

Distance: 33 miles – Difficulty: 2/5 – Weather: Sunny

Nine riders made the start for this trip to the Seawall Tearooms and Goldcliff. Welcome to Mike Powell for his first ride out with us, and nice to see Wayne Mumford at the tearooms. The route took us via Rogiet, Undy and Redwick to Goldcliff via the scenic Chapel Lane, with its abundance of wildlife, herons, swans and ducks. Refreshments at the tearooms before photos on Goldcliff with its magical views of the Severn Estuary. Return journey was via Whitson, Wilcrick, Magor, St Brides, Carrow Hill, Caerwent and Crick. That’s 33 miles in the bag in preparation for the charity ride to the Elan Valley at the end of the week.

Riders:

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

Tuesday, 18th June 2019

RIDE CANCELLED – DUE TO THE WEATHER

Sunday, 2nd June 2019

RIDE IS CANCELLED – HEAVY RAIN

Sunday, 12th May 2019

On a lovely sunny Spring day, despite a poor attendance with only 21 riders (including 2 children), an enjoyable day was had for the Seventh running of the Redwick Challenge. The event was won by Shirley Watson (Queens Park and Ride) with 46 laps of the 2 miles course and in doing so, broke the Women’s record.

Many thanks to all the riders who took part, and the support crew especially those who are not choir members, Sharon Ward, Jayne Stallard and Tracey Eastabrook, and those that came down to support and provided cakes.

The trophy for overall and the Best Lady was presented to Shirley Watson who completed 90 miles.

The Best Man trophy went to Top Tenor Robert Stallard, who completed 43 laps (84 miles).

The trophy for the Best Chorister was awarded to Tony Griffiths as Robert Stallard had taken the Best Man award, with 30 laps (59 miles).

The ‘Theo Roberts Cup’, for the best Choir section is again won by the ‘Baritone’ section, with the following riders contributing; Tony Griffiths (30 laps), Mark Antell (25) and David Gould (16).

Tuesday, 30th April 2019

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

First Pub Night Ride of the year saw 5 bikers head for the Rose Inn at Redwick, on a nice Spring evening. The route took us along the moors gravel road to Undy and on to the lanes to Redwick and the Rose. Thirsts were quenched with Cider and Hobgoblin, which aided the washing down of fish, cheese and curries along with the mandatory chips. The return journey saw us retracing our tyre marks, arriving back at the Choir Hall while it was just about still light.

Riders:

1. Tony Griffiths
2. Lesley Russell
3. Brian Phillips
4. Tracey Eastabrook
5. Chris Orum
6. Grahame Morton

Sunday, 14th April 2019

Distance: 38 miles – Difficulty: 3/5 – Weather: Fine but cold

Riders:

1. Chris Orum
2. Janice Orum
3. Sue Earnshaw
4. Martyn Peel