50 – Coastal Loop

Sunday, 16th March 2014

https://www.facebook.com/events/526112677496556/

http://www.goskyride.com/Search/Details?eventid=37007

What a day, sunshine, blue skies and magnificent views.

Seven members met-up at Aberavon Beach to make their way to the Llanelli and the campsite, The Gateway Holiday Park that is to be used on the first two days of the Summer’s Charity Ride in July.  Riding into a strong breeze along the busy beach front at Aberavon before taking to the main road and climbing over the Briton Ferry bridge. Along Jersey Marine before entering the revitalised dockyards at Swansea, passing the elegant marina with its shops and cafe before following the promenade past Swansea Bay. The next stage saw the riders climb through the lovely wooded Clyne valley, past Dunvant Rugby Club before arriving in Lougher. A nasty headwind slowed the riders up crossing the bridge and then it was to the back lanes before arriving at the campsite.

Following a chat to the manager, getting allocated a camping spot for the summer, it was into the busy bar for coffee and kit-kats.

Fully refreshed, the return journey followed the same route before arriving back at Aberavon Beach suitably tired.

Mileage: 45 miles

Riders:

  1. David Whittle
  2. Sue Earnshaw
  3. Russ Woodward
  4. Nick Powell
  5. Leon Jones
  6. Grahame Morton
  7. Tony Griffiths

scarlet fever

47 – Spikeys Ride (Bishops Cleeve)

Sunday, 26th January 2014

DUE TO BAD WEATHER EXPECTED RIDE CANCELLED

https://www.facebook.com/events/1495133400710945/

http://www.goskyride.com/Search/Details?eventid=34746

A visit to our good friend and choir mate, Graham ‘Spike’ Hughes to tackle some of the climbs he has on his doorstep around Cheltenham.

Meet at the Choir Hall at 9am, you will need transport to get to Cheltenham.

Interested so far:

  1. Spike Hughes
  2. Leon Jones
  3. Tony Griffiths
  4. David Whittle
  5. Stefan Edwards

46 – Wentwood Workout

Sunday, 12th January 2014

https://www.facebook.com/events/1377973565789684/

http://www.goskyride.com/Search/Details?eventid=32694

Well we did say it would be tough!

On a cold, misty Winter’s day, six members of the club headed out from the Choir Hall to take on the elements of the Wentwood Workout. After a bit of confusion loosing the flatter group riders at Sudbrook, there was the long climb up through Shirenewton and onwards to Gaerllwyd, rsing from sea-level to over 1000 feet. Taking the wet back lanes to the top of Wentwood, it was a welcome descent past the reservoir to the A48 with a brief stop at the Woodland Tavern. The final part of the journey included the last climb of the day, up over Highmoor Hill before descending from Dewstow back to the Choir Hall.

Hilly Route (26 miles)

  1. Tony Griffiths
  2. Grahame Morton
  3. Sue Earnshaw
  4. Stefan Edwards

Flatter Route (15 miles)

  1. Carolyn Griffiths
  2. Julie Donoghue

 

45 – Xmas Redwick 3 Hours

Sunday, 29th December 2013

https://www.facebook.com/events/635969693131896/

http://www.goskyride.com/Search/Details?eventid=32467

A cold and frosty morning only brought out three intrepid souls for the latest attempt at 3 Hours around the Redwick loop.

With ice on the roads it was never going to see many records set, but as the roads started thawing the average pace got better. Progress was only halted by a puncture for Tony Griffiths which may have cost the team a lap.

Results:

  1. Leon Jones (Specialized Secteur Elite RB) 18 laps (PB)
  2. Greg Tinker (BeOne Diablo RB) 17 laps
  3. Tony Griffiths (Specialized Secteur Sport RB) 17 laps

On completion of the 3 hours, it was into the Rose Inn for a warming cup of coffee.

44 – Giro de Wetlands

Sunday, 8th December 2013

https://www.facebook.com/events/231778990316644/?ref=23

http://www.goskyride.com/Search/Details?eventid=32466

What a great ride. The day started off with rain-showers but a decision was made to go anyway and we were rewarded with a dry, sunny morning and not too cold for December.

Leon, Tony and recent newcomer Sue Earnshaw (recruited from the excellent on-line cycling website GoSkyRide www.goskyride.com) started from the Choir Hall and made their way down towards Magor via the off-road lanes through Undy. Climbing the hill up to the brewery before turning down the lane at Wilcrick and heading for the low railway bridge at Bishton passing the model aircraft field.

At Bishton, choir member, photographer and now a new cycle club member Stefan Edwards joined the trio and together rode the rest of the way to the Wetlands via Saltmarsh Lane in Goldcliff. Once on the Wetlands, Stefan proved his worth with his camera and snapped the photos that can be seen on this post.

The return journey was interrupted for a welcome stop at the Seawall Cafe for teacakes and coffee before heading home.

Riders:

  1. Leon Jones
  2. Tony Griffiths
  3. Sue Earnshaw
  4. Stefan Edwards

 

43 – Tidenham Diving Centre

Sunday, 24th November 2013

Tidenham Diving Centre Route – 24 miles

Three members made this ride on a cold late November morning. The ride went through Portskewett and Sudbrook to Black Rock, climbing up through Leechpool before joining the A48 and turning off for the long ascent to Shirenewton.

A lovely ride down the valley alongside Mounton Brook before entering Chepstow at the former Racecourse Garage. Taking in some of the beauty spots of the old town including descending through the Castle Dell before crossing the old Wye Bridge and crossing the border into England.

A steep climb up Castleford Hill before entering the village of Tutshill and then back on the A48 for the short ride to the Diving Centre at Tidenham.

Bacon rolls and coffee was in order on this cold day, with photos taken with the quarry lake forming the backdrop before returning to Caldicot via Garden City, Bulwark and Mathern.

Riders:

  1. Leon Jones
  2. Tony Griffiths
  3. Garry Veale

42 – Armistice Day ride

Sunday, 10th November 2013

https://www.facebook.com/events/564421183613697/

Thanks to the GoSkyRide web site (www.goskyride.com), the club gained four new members, Vince Beacham, Sue Earnshaw, Diane Potter and Mike Kinnersley along with the appearance of an old school friend of Leon’s, Garry Veale doubled the rides attendance to 10 making their way from the Choir Hall on a sunny Sunday morning.

Along with regular attendees; Nathan Finney, Grahame Morton, David Whittle, Leon Jones and Tony Griffiths, the group made their way through Caldicot, taking note of the cenotaph on the way. Dropping down to Caerwent again going past the cenotaph before eventually arriving at the packed centre of Magor, with hundreds of people thronging the square around the war memorial just in time for the Remembrance Service. A special treat was the attendance at the service of the Serenata Ladies Choir, of which regular cyclist Carolyn Griffiths is a member. Following the ‘Last Post’ and the laying of wreaths, the choir performed an excellent version of the song ‘Wherever You Are’, made famous by the Military Wives choir.

Once complete the group made their way along the new road through the Llanwern Steelworks, stopping whilst a puncture repair was made. It was then onto Goldcliff with the regular stop for coffee and tea-cakes and a chat with the already arrived Caldicot Town Cycle Club.

Fed and watered the return journey was made via Redwick, Undy and Rogiet before arriving back at the Choir Hall for photographs and goodbyes. An excellent ride made better by the new arrivals, the weather and the lovely remembrance service at Magor.

Approximate Distance: 28 miles

Riders:

  1. Leon Jones
  2. Tony Griffiths
  3. Grahame Morton
  4. David Whittle
  5. Nathan Finney
  6. Garry Veale
  7. Diane Potter
  8. Sue Earnshaw
  9. Vince Beacham
  10. Mike Kinnersley

41 – Redwick 3 Hours

Sunday, 27th October 2013

https://www.facebook.com/events/186998404816607/

The second running of the Redwick 3 Hours was held on a very blustery, Autumn morning. Disappointingly, only three cyclists turned up on what was a wild day, with the wind blowing down the back straight making the completion of each lap very difficult.

That being said, there was some good efforts made with club newcomer, David Whittle completing 22 laps in the 3 hour period and Tony Griffiths beating his personal best with 18 laps in the period. This despite the harsh conditions which was made worse on the windy back straight with a section of road heavily made muddy by tractors and cows. On top of this, a puncture for David and a fifteen minute delay for both David and Tony negotiating a herd of cows being moved to another field.

The boys were joined later by Carolyn Griffiths who ventured out and completed 4 laps. A special thank you must go to Dave Kirton who took out 3 hours of his life to record the laps and keep time and also Lyn Gauntlett who came and took the photos displayed on this post.

Following the completion of the event, it was over to The Rose Inn for a very welcome cup of coffee by the warm fire.

Full Results

  1. David Whittle (Specialized Allez Road Bike)          22 laps (approx 43 miles)
  2. Tony Griffiths (Specialized Secteur Road Bike)     18 laps (approx 35 miles)
  3. Carolyn Griffiths (Specialized Myka MTB)               4 laps (approx 8 miles)