170 – Wye Valley Wander

Sunday, 12th June 2016

https://www.facebook.com/events/131104357302379/

Distance: 30 miles – Difficulty: 3/5 – Weather: Wet initially but cleared later

Despite the wet weather, six riders made the start at the Choir Hall and ventured up towards Shirenewton, Itton, Devauden before cycling down the beautiful valley through Cot to Tintern and onwards to Brockweir. Brief stop at this lovely setting, before heading for Tintern Station and a cafe stop. Fully refreshed, it was a return to Caldicot via St. Arvans, Chepstow and Mounton. Nice to have the company of Michael Malolepszy and Linda Malolepszy from Newport Social Cycling, along with Carolyn Griffiths, Francesca Cooper and Tracey Eastabrook. Ride was around 30 miles with about 2,500 feet of climbing.

Riders:

  1. Tony Griffiths
  2. Carolyn Griffiths
  3. Tracey Eastabrook
  4. Linda Malolepszy
  5. Michael Malolepszy
  6. Francesca Cooper

169 – Pub Ride (Boat Inn)

Wednesday, 8th June 2016

https://www.facebook.com/events/1412496922109388/

Distance: 17 miles – Difficulty: 2/5 – Weather: Very Warm

Lovely ride into Chepstow via Crick and Mathern. Dark Hill never gets any easier, certainly puffing a bit at the top. Rode down through the town to the Boat Inn, bumped into a few old friends and then to find out there is a fifty minute wait for food. So, change of plan and cycled towards home, via the very steep (12%), School Hill before finding some solace and food at the Millers Arms in Mathern.

the-boat-inn

IMG_0374Riders:

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

168 – Lunch at the Rose Inn

Saturday, 4th June 2016

https://www.facebook.com/events/868367519955735/

Distance: 34 miles – Difficulty: 2/5 – Weather: not sunny but warm

Four riders made the start at the Choir Hall for a trip to Redwick and the Rose Inn for lunch. Knowing that the pub was not due to open until mid-day, the ride diverted through Sudbrook and onto Black Rock. The attached photos were taken at this attractive setting, before moving on to Leechpool, Parkwall, Hayes Gate and eventually back on the A48 at Crick. A ride through the Roman Town of Caerwent before taking the St. Bride’s Road to Magor and onto Wilcrick.

At the Redwick junction, we were met by what seemed like hundreds of riders, with two charity rides on. Apparently there were 650 riders who had ridden from Portishead, on the second stage of their 120 mile journey from Taunton to Miskin as part of the ‘Wheels and Wickets Charity Ride’. Also out, and crossing at Redwick junction were lots of riders on the local ‘Dalmation Bike Ride’, raising money fro St. David’s Hospice.

Once we had negotiated the traffic, it was a quick burst down the Queens Way towards Nash before calling back at the Rose in Redwick for lunch, where we met a resting Sue Earnshaw, taking it easy before her big Dragon Ride tomorrow.

Riders:

  1. Tony Griffiths
  2. Sharon Ward
  3. Tony Ward
  4. Robert Stallard

167 – MNDA Redwick Challenge

Sunday, 29th May 2016

https://www.facebook.com/events/197029223964844/

What a fabulous day, the weather was hot and sunny, the riders came in their droves and the support team as usual were magnificent.

Forty Five riders in all made their way to Redwick for the annual, 8 hour Redwick Endurance Challenge around the 2 mile circuit to raise money for the 2016 Charity Motor Neurone Disease Association (MNDA). It was also good to see the event supported by family and friends who came down riders, who ages ranged from 2 to 80, some of who had not ridden for a while. We are also grateful for the support of riders from Newport Social Cycling, the Caldicot Sustrans Group and the Monmouthshire Breeze Group.

Last year’s total team effort managed 765 laps of the circuit, but this was smashed with the new best of 990 laps, which is equivalent to 1,930 miles. A commemorative ‘Collage’ will be hung at the Rose Inn, and the joint winners of today’s event, Gareth Davies and Nick Powell with 51 circuits each, will be engraved on the trophy. A total of £607 was raised for the charity from this effort.

Here is a selection of photos from the 420 odd that were taken, with thanks to Colleen and Lyndon Gauntlett.

Here is the full list of participants with their lap records:

Official Lap Counts

 

166 – Not the Velothon

Sunday, 22nd May 2016

https://www.facebook.com/events/175534189511864/

Taking the more gentle route down to the Seawall Tearooms, unlike some of our club-mates who were taking to the hills in the Velothon, nine riders made the start at the Choir Hall on a fine Spring morning. It was great to welcome new member, Lloyd Jones to the fold and also to see Jan Cain once again.

The route through Caldicot, Caerwent, St. Bride’s and Magor, with a brief stop at the Rose Inn at Redwick to confirm some things for next week’s Endurance ride, the group made their way to the Seawall and the always welcoming Tearooms.

Once fully refreshed with coffee, cakes and other savouries, the team made their way back along the flats to Undy, then through the lanes to Carrow Hill, Highmoor Hill and Dewstow before returning to the Choir Hall. A good day had by all.

Riders:

  1. Tony Griffiths
  2. Carolyn Griffiths
  3. Sharon Ward
  4. Tracey Eastabrook
  5. Lloyd Jones
  6. Jan Cain
  7. Janet Vale
  8. Grahame Morton
  9. Gareth Davies

164 – Golden Valley

Sunday, 15th May 2016

https://www.facebook.com/events/470219969840395/

http://www.goskyride.com/Search/Details?eventid=76959

Distance: 37 miles – Climbing: 1,768 feet – Difficulty: 3/5 – Weather: Sunny

Another great ride out with the club along the beautiful Golden Valley, starting from Ewyas Harold, following the River Dore (did not look much more than a stream), to Hay-on-Wye where copious amounts of food and coffee was partaken. This ride will be the first part of the 2016 Charity Ride, and it will be ideal. Challenging without silly steep climbs, although there is one coming back into Ewyas Harold, but quiet country lanes even if they were a bit bumpy. Thanks to everybody who came along and survived.


Riders:

  1. Tony Griffiths
  2. Sue Earnshaw
  3. Grahame Morton
  4. Diane Potter
  5. Sharon Ward
  6. Helen Gilmore
  7. Neil Gilmore

163 – Pub Ride (Rock and Fountain)

Wednesday, 4th May 2016

Distance 14 miles – Climbing 467 feet – Difficulty 1/5

An interesting night at the Rock and Fountain, nice route along the gravel tracks to Magor then up St. Brides Road to the pub in Penhow. They seem to have gone a bit upmarket these days, don’t think they were too impressed with us turning up in cycle gear but we had food and a drink in a dark corner of the restaurant. I must say, that the garlic bread was huge and awesome.

Riders:

  1. Carolyn Griffiths
  2. Sue Earnshaw
  3. Tony Griffiths
  4. Helen Gilmore

162 – Cafe 49 Usk

Sunday, 1st May 2016

https://www.facebook.com/events/1714041372215479/

Distance 35 miles – Difficulty 4/5

With a dry start, seven riders left the Choir Hall car-park heading for the steep inclines of Wentwood Forest. It was good to see Diane Potter back after her marathon exploits, bringing along her friend Brigitte Widdas for her first ride with us. The climb up to the top of Wentwood is 2.5 miles long, with some severe gradients starting with 14% at the church in Llanfair Discoed, and 16% at one point. Once at the top the rain started, but then a nice downhill section before following the lanes to Gaerllwyd, Llangwm and finally Usk for a stop for refreshments at Cafe 49. The return journey saw us riding past the prison and on through Llantrisant before the last climb of the day to Cat’s Ash, returning to Caldicot via Langstone, Llanmartin, Magor, Undy and Rogiet.

Riders:

  1. Tony Griffiths
  2. Carolyn Griffiths
  3. Sue Earnshaw
  4. Tracey Eastabrook
  5. Brigitte Widdas
  6. Diane Potter
  7. Gareth Davies