159 – Bristol Harbourside

Sunday, 17th April 2016

https://www.facebook.com/events/704492466357206/

Distance: 64 miles – Difficulty: 3/5

What a special ride, it had everything; thrills, spills, great weather, fabulous company, wonderful coffee stop and quiet lanes!

Five riders made the start at the Choir Hall, and following a ride through Crick and Mathern, taking on the steep Dark Hill, three more riders joined the band at the Motorway Slip-Road in Chepstow. The route from there took us across the Old Severn Bridge, onto Pilning and Easter Compton. Through the lanes and cycle paths onto the industrial estate at Avonmouth before following the A4 Portway, marveling at the Clifton Suspension Bridge before arriving at the busy, and very sunny Harbourside. Cakes, burgers, toasties were washed down with Latte’s and Americanos, being thoroughly entertained by the Dragon Boats, and replica Galleons plying their way through the bustling waters of the docklands.

The return journey started without fuss, but when we reached the road closures just before Pilning, all hell broke loose. Because of the diversions, we were completely lost in an industrial estate, we could see where we wanted to go but there appeared to be no road to it. Eventually, after two crashes caused by water bottles and clips, a bridle-path was found that took us to Easter Compton although another crash happened negotiating a gate. The Severn Bridge was now on the horizon, but unfortunately the lanes around Pilning all look the same, we seemed to be heading for it and then found we were further away from than when we started. With a visit to Olverston and Northwick, we finally got to Aust and the Severn Bridge and home. What started as a 50 mile ride became an exhausting 64 miles, but at least the weather was good to us.

Riders:

  1. Robert Stallard
  2. Carolyn Griffiths
  3. Tony Griffiths
  4. Sue Earnshaw
  5. Helen Gilmore
  6. Andrew Alford
  7. Nick Powell
  8. Neil Gilmore

156 – Seawall Cafe

Sunday, April 3rd 2016

https://www.facebook.com/events/824085284364679/

Distance – 34 miles – Difficulty 2/5

This event was only arranged at the last minute, but with good numbers, a new route, fair weather and good company it turned out a success. Ten riders left the Choir Hall and headed for the first challenge of the day, a climb up over the motorway to Dewstow. It was good to see Chris and Marion Davidson, and Darren Canty from Caldicot Town Cycle Club join us for the event

With a few different lanes encountered, we eventually ended up at the Seawall Tearooms and marveled at Wendy’s latest garden shelter as well as her teacakes, sausage rolls and beverages. Once fueled up, it was back along the flat lanes before climbing up Rockfield Grove at Undy and on to Carrow Hill via a new route, and then back to Caldicot descending from Highmoor Hill. 

Riders:

  1. Tony Griffiths
  2. Sharon Ward
  3. Tony Ward
  4. Sue Earnshaw
  5. Darren Canty
  6. Grahame Morton
  7. Janet Vale
  8. Nick Powell
  9. Marion Davidson
  10. Chris Davidson

154 – Night Ride (Rose Inn)

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

153 – Trefil Tryout

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

152 – Night Ride (Rose Inn)

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

151 – Berkeley Castle

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)