Sunday, 27th March 2016

https://www.facebook.com/events/465452276998979/

RIDE CANCELLED DUE TO WITHDRAWALS AND BAD WEATHER

Wednesday, 23rd March 2016

https://www.facebook.com/events/1716373201941456/

Another good night at the Rose Inn for the last Night Ride of the Winter. As usual, the riders filled their boots with various dishes (and chips), washed down with a pint of beer.

With a couple of weeks break, the club will again be visited local pubs to sample their beer and food, this time under the banner of ‘Pub Rides’ – no lights necessary (well maybe for the first couple) due to the lighter evenings.

Please see below a number of photos from the last 6 months of Night Rides.

Riders:

1. Carolyn Griffiths
2. Tracey Eastabrook
3. Grahame Morton
4. Tony Griffiths
5. Sue Earnshaw
6. Sharon Ward
7. Tony Ward

Sunday, 20th March 2016

https://www.facebook.com/events/1696316590608656/

Distance: 23 miles – Difficulty: 3/5 – Bikes: MTB

Scenic but tough ride from the Blaenafon and Pontypool Railway terminus, over the mountain to Brymawr before crossing the Ebbw and the Sirhowy valleys before arriving at Trefil, some 1500 feet above sea-level. With snow still visible on the tops of the Brecon Beacons and Black Mountains, you were certainly exposed to the cold wind on this beautiful, but exposed upland.

Only three riders made the trip, having to contend with three testing climbs on the return at Sirhowy, Beaufort and Blaenafon. Refreshment was had at the Tafern Ty Uchaf (Top House) pub before the return.

The ride was to test the suitability of the route for the Charity Ride in August. Certainly some parts would be good, starting at Trefil and the paths around Blaenafon, but concern was raised with the severity of three tough climbs in succession, on busy roads.

Riders:

1. Tony Griffiths
2. Chris Nolan
3. Sue Earnshaw

Wednesday, 16th March 2016

https://www.facebook.com/events/1532566057042557/

Another nice evening was had by the night-riders at the Rose Inn. Seven cyclists made the start on a warmer early Spring evening, although there was a terrific head-wind on the return that slowed down the homeward-bound progress.

Pints of Hobgoblin, Stella and Cider, along with copious servings of Cottage Pie, Fish and Chips, Faggots and Brie were consumed by the lycra stretching athletes, before the windy ride home.

Riders:

1. Sue Earnshaw
2. Carolyn Griffiths
3. Tony Griffiths
4. David Vass
5. Grahame Morton
6. Chris Nolan
7. Robert Stallard

Sunday, 13th March 2016

Distance – From Caldicot 47 miles : From Chepstow 34 miles : Difficulty 3/5

On a beautiful early Spring morning, 13 riders departing from the Choir Hall and Chepstow, made their way across the Old Severn Bridge. Heading along the quite lanes through Littleton-Upon-Severn, Oldbury and Hill to the pretty village, with the magnificent castle, Berkeley.

The usual stop was made at the Tea Rooms, where coffee and tea quenched the thirsty riders, and plates of cake, poached egg on toast and teacakes quieted the rumbling stomachs. Soon it was time to make the long journey back, made easier by the lovely, but weak sunshine. Journey’s end was hastened when the twin towers of the bridge were in sight, as one by one the riders departed for home and a sit down.

Riders:

1. Sue Earnshaw
2. Chris Nolan
3. Tracey Eastabrook
4. Kirstie Benjamin
5. Tony Griffiths
6. David Vass
7. Helen Gilmore
8. Glyn Watkins
9. Tony Ward
10. Sharon Ward
11. Gareth Davies
12. Neil Gilmore
13. Francesca Cooper
14. Nick Powell (turned up late but still completed ride to Berkeley)

Sunday, 28th February 2016

https://www.facebook.com/events/1041306289223835/

https://www.goskyride.com/Search/Details?eventid=68984

Distance 26 miles – Difficulty 3/5

Thirteen riders made the start at the Choir Hall, on a cold but sunny morning for the 4 mile climb to Gaerllwyd and beyond. Many times I was asked ‘is there any more hills?’, to which I replied, probably but it is ‘flat on the map’!

The first obstacle was the long grind up the Shirenewton drag, stopping for breath and re-grouping at Shirenewton Church. Then the harder part of the climb, towards the little chapel at Gaerllwyd with gradients of up to 11%. More re-grouping and then it was onto the Old Road that links Gaerllwyd to Wentwood, very narrow with again some nasty little rises, before arriving on the Usk road, just below the the top of Wentwood. Just a short, bu steep climb up to the top before descending, some more quickly than others, down past the reservoir before turning off for Llanvaches and onwards to the Square in Magor for a well deserved drink in the Golden Lion.

The last part of the ride saw us climbing back up to Carrow Hill and Highmoor Hill to home.

Riders:

1. Tony Griffiths
2. Helen Gilmore
3. Tracey Eastabrook
4. Chris Nolan
5. Robert Stallard
6. David Whittle
7. Kirstie Benjamin
8. Sue Earnshaw
9. Carolyn Griffiths
10. Gareth Davies
11. David Vass
12. Neil Gilmore
13. Shane Carey

Wednesday, 24th February 2016

On a cold, February night, due to illness and work commitments, only two brave souls made the trip to the Rose Inn for beer and food, although two other riders had taken the early shift and attended the pub earlier.

Riders:

1. David Vass
2. Sue Earnshaw
3. Kirstie Benjamin
4. Chris Nolan

Sunday, 21st February 2016

https://www.facebook.com/events/884439471654853/

Distance 10 miles – Difficulty:  2/5

Despite the rainy conditions, five riders made it out on the Coleford Trails to be rewarded at the end with hot coffee and bacon sandwiches.

Riders:

1. Tony Griffiths
2. Kirstie Benjamin
3. Chris Nolan
4. Sharon Ward
5. Tony Ward

Sunday, 14th February 2016

https://www.facebook.com/events/621697291302023/

https://www.goskyride.com/Search/Details?eventid=68981

For once this year, the sun shone as 11 cyclists made their way from the Choir Hall heading to Black Rock, before heading to Shirenewton and then Chepstow. With the Old Wye Bridge open again, it was decided to take-on the Castleford climb and make for the National Diving Centre at Tidenham for coffee and cakes. From there it was down the windy peninsular road to the Old Ferry Inn.  After a brief stop, the riders headed back for Chepstow and returned to Caldicot via Bulwark, Mathern and Crick. With over 1700 feet in climbing, it certainly warmed-up the riders up. One highlight was School Hill in Chepstow, although not long, certainly gets the heart pumping.

It was nice to welcome a new rider, Hayley Yates, I hope that you enjoyed the ride.

Riders:

1. Tony Griffiths
2. Sue Earnshaw
3. Carolyn Griffiths
4. Tracey Eastabrook
5. Gareth Davies
6. Robert Stallard
7. Grahame Morton
8. Janet Vale
9. David Vass
10. Sharon Ward
11. Hayley Yates

Wednesday, 3rd February 2016

https://www.facebook.com/events/945982278819354/

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

For once this Winter, there was no ice, no rain and no punctures on the dark lanes to Redwick and the Rose Inn. Six cyclists made the start at the Choir Hall, then taking the back lanes along the Moors to Undy and onward to the Rose Inn at Redwick. Pints of Hobgoblin, plates of chips, faggots, lasagne, pies, ham and egg were then consumed, before heading back to Caldicot via the dark, bumpy tracks.

Riders:

1. Tony Griffiths
2. Chris Nolan
3. Kirstie Benjamin
4. Carolyn Griffiths
5. Sue Earnshaw
6. David Vass