Sunday, 30th July 2017

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

With a lot of riders unavailable, being away, injured or riding at other events, and with the weather looking decidely dodgy, a decision was made to ride to the Seawall instead of the advertised trip to Usk. The three riders who made the trip to Goldcliff via Caerwent, St. Brides, Magor, Nash were fortunate to only get wet on one occasion, and managed to make it to the Tearooms for much needed refreshment. The return journey to Caldicot was made via Whitson, Redwick and Undy.

Riders:

1. Tony Griffiths
2. Sue Earnshaw
3. Sharon Ward

Saturday, 22nd July 2017

Distance: 55 miles – Difficulty: 4/5 – Weather: Very wet

The 2017 edition of the Choir’s Charity Bike ride, was to take on the challenging 55 mile Taff Trail, from the highlands of Brecon to the bustling city of Cardiff. In all, 16 riders took up the challenge, starting in bright sunshine which within an hour, turned into heavy, cold showers and it wasn’t until the group reached the city limits that they had some sun on their back. We endured it all, falls, punctures, rain, steep hills, fabulous scenery, fast descents and getting lost on more than one occasion, we were nearly on the train to Barry Island at Abercynon! But we made it, and hopefully will raise a significant donation to the Severn View Sensory Garden. None of this would have been possible if it wasn’t for the help of the support team; David Kirton who drove the bus with his wing-man David Currie; Sharon Davies for taking the trailer with the bikes to Brecon; Jayne Stallard and Rob’s sister, Gaynor for driving the support car; and Chris Duffy for meeting us at Cardiff to bring the bikes back. Also to all those that turned up at the Choir Hall for the after ride party, entertained by the JJ Duo.

Thank you all.

Riders:

1. Sue Murphy
2. Jan Orum
3. Tracey Eastabrook
4. Sharon M Maybury Ward
5. Sue Earnshaw
6. Lesley Russell
7. Carolyn Griffiths
8. Grahame Morton
9. Alyn Dawe
10. Chris Orum
11. Ian Russell
12. Dave Gould
13. Stephen Davies
14. Robert Stallard
15. Andrew Alford
16. Anthony Griffiths

Wednesday, 19th July 2017

Distance: 18 miles – Difficulty: 1/5 – Weather: Warm with rain threatening

Ten riders made the trip for a nice ride down to the Rose Inn at Redwick via Caerwent, St. Brides and Magor.  The group welcomed David Kealaher and it was good to see Sue Murphy and Alyn Dawe, out practicing for the forthcoming Charity Ride on the Taff Trail.

It is always nice to partake in the fine selection of drinks and food at the pub, and once they were consumed it was back along the flats to Caldicot.

Riders:

1. Tony Griffiths
2. Carolyn Griffiths
3. Tracey Eastabrook
4. Jan Orum
5. Chris Orum
6. Grahame Morton
7. Sue Murphy
8. Alyn Dawe
9. Rob Stallard
10. David Kealaher

Sunday, 16th July 2017

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

The latest Starter Ride unfortunately did not have any Starter’s, never mind we had a nice easy trip down along the flats to Undy and then onwards to the Rose Inn for coffee.

Riders:

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

Sunday, 9th July 2017

Distance: 35 miles – Difficulty: 2/5 – Weather: Warm

Great ride today down to the Newport Wetlands. All riders on off-road bikes so the route took us down the Caldicot Levels, along the gravel tracks. Stopped at the lighthouse for photos before calling in for refreshments at the Seawall Tearooms, before heading back to Caldicot.

Riders:

1. Tony Griffiths
2. Carolyn Griffiths
3. Robert Stallard
4. Helen Garrett
5. Chris Orum

Wednesday, 5th July 2017

Distance: 18 miles – Difficulty: 3/5 – Weather: Warm

Four riders made the start on a lovely, warm Summer’s evening. The group headed away from the Choir Hall, past the David Broome Event Centre towards Crick. Through the back lanes to Hayes Gate and on-wards through Mathern, taking on the steep climb of Dark Hill to Bulwark. A descent through the woods to Garden City, before reaching our destination on the historic riverbank at Chepstow, and the Boat Inn.

Following much needed refreshment and food, it was time to go back through the narrow streets, with the joy of ascending the steep School Hill back to Garden City. From there it was a reverse of the outbound route before arriving back in Caldicot.

Riders:

1. Carolyn Griffiths
2. Sue Earnshaw
3. Tony Griffiths
4. Tracey Eastabrook

Sunday, 26th June 2015

Distance: 32 miles – Difficulty: 2/5 – Weather: Showery

Although there was a showery start to the ride, the rain eventually cleared up and the sun came out, for a nice ride down to Goldcliff and the Seawall Cafe. Starting off at the Choir Hall, the group made they way through Caerwent, Carrow Hill and Magor, passing through Wilcrick and onto the Queensway past Llanwern Steelworks before arriving in Goldcliff and the Seawall Tearooms. Fully refreshed with coffee and teacakes, a small deter was made to the aptly named ‘Gold Cliff’, which stands near Hill Top Farm.  A marvelous view of the Severn Estuary can be had, from the bridges across to the English side, and further out to sea. With more photographs taken, it was time to head back home to Caldicot via Redwick, Undy and Rogiet.

Riders:

1. Carolyn Griffiths
2. Janet Vale
3. Angela Ball
4. Tony Griffiths

Wednesday, 21st June 2017

Distance: 15 miles – Difficulty: 3/5 – Weather: Warm evening

Nice evening at the Huntsman Inn, hot ride up the lanes but nice and cool speeding down the Shirenewton drag.

Riders:

1. Tony Griffiths
2. David Vass
3. Tracey Eastabrook
4. Sue Earnshaw

Sunday, 18th June 2017

Distance: 36 miles – Difficulty: 3/5 – Weather: Hot

What a scorcher? Five riders made the start at the Choir Hall for the annual Roman Holiday ride to Caerleon, meeting two more cyclists at Magor. With the temperature hotting-up, and the climbs getting harder, welcome breaks were taken on at Newbridge on Usk, and in the shade of the at Tredunnock village green before reaching Caerleon and the ‘Green’ cafe for coffee and cakes. The hard work was not over though, more climbing through Bulmore and to the top of Cats Ash, with temperatures well into the 80’s, before heading back to Caldicot and home for a cool shower. Well done everyone.

Riders:

1. Tony Griffiths
2. Carolyn Griffiths
3. Lesley Russell
4. Janet Vale
5. Nick Powell
6. Chris Orum
7. Jan Orum

Wednesday, 7th June 2017

CANCELLED DUE TO RAIN