Sunday, 22nd September 2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

With the cancellation of the planned trip to Coleford, it was a trip to the Sea Wall Cafe in Goldcliff where we were sure of a warm welcome and some scrumptious tea-cakes.

Five members made the trip on a muggy autumn morning, starting out at the Choir Hall before dropping down to Caerwent, on through Carrow Hill to Magor before cycling on the new road just opened through Llanwern Steelworks and on to Goldcliff.

On reaching the cafe, it was a pleasant surprise to meet up with our comrades from the Caldicot Town AFC Cycle Club who obviously had the same idea.

Riders:

1. Tony Griffiths
2. Leon Jones
3. Grahame Morton
4. Nick Powell
5. Carolyn Griffiths

 

Sunday, 15th September 2013

 

 

 

 

 

With a storm brewing, the decision was made to go on the ride with the intention that if the weather was too bad we would turn back.

Three members started at the Choir Hall; Grahame Morton, David Whittle and Tony Griffiths to take the route up to Devauden, with Carolyn Griffiths and Julie Donoghue starting later and following a shorter, flatter route to Mathern.

The Devauden route included some tough climbing, firstly Shirenewton drag, then the steeper climb to Itton and the long drag up to Devauden. Some respite was had descending on the Chepstow road before the steep climb up to the top of St. Arvans.

The two groups met at the Millers Arms for a coffee and a break before completing the journey back to Caldicot, just before the rain started.

Riders:

1. Grahame Morton
2. Tony Griffiths
3. David Whittle
4. Julie Donoghue
5. Carolyn Griffiths

Sunday, 25th August 2013

Following the successful choir tour to Cornwall and a late arrival back in Caldicot the night before, it was little surprising that only two members; Grahame Morton and Tony Griffiths made this ride.

On road bikes, it was on the Newport Road down to Undy then to Redwick before heading through Llanwern Steelworks and turning left into Goldcliff with a visit to the Sea Wall Cafe for coffee and tea cakes. The return journey through Undy, Rogiet and home was about 27 miles for the whole trip.

 

Sunday, 11th August 2013

Well that was different!

Seven members turned-up early on a lovely Sunday morning to see how many laps around the 2 mile Redwick loop they could do in 4 hours. Well, it got downgraded to 3 hours once the pub opened and it got a bit boring.

So from 9am, the team circled the village and marked-up on a whiteboard the number of laps completed. The purpose of this exercise was to trial an idea of Grahame Morton’s to run a similar event next Summer for charity over 12 hours.

Once the clock struck midday, the pub opened and we where joined for a drink on the patio by Carolyn Griffiths and Julie Donoghue who had cycled down from Caldicot.

The results:

1. Nathan Finney – 26 laps (about 52 miles)
2. Greg Tinker – 24 laps (48 miles)
3. Nick Powell – 20 laps (40 miles)
4. Leon Jones – 17 laps (34 miles)
5. Grahame Morton – 17 laps (34 miles)
6. Tony Griffiths – 17 laps (34 miles)
7. David Gould – 7 laps (14 miles)

 

RIDE CANCELLED DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER.

Sunday, 5th August 2013

https://www.facebook.com/events/346694535460493/

Meet Choir Hall at 10am

Saturday, 13th July 2013

Brecon – Caldicot

Fueled by a hearty breakfast of bacon butties at the choir hall, ten members of Cor Meibion Caldicot Cycle Club and another thirty supporters and friends (with bicycles) were transported to the canal basin at Brecon.  At 10am in already sweltering July heat they started to cycle the 60 miles or so from Brecon to Caldicot.  About twelve struggled up the long 7 km climb to the 518 metre (1792ft) top of Llangynidr mountain before descending rapidly through Brynmawr and down the spectacular Clydach gorge to meet the Monmouthshire and Brecon canal at Gilwern.

Simultaneously, the remainder cycled the less arduous, but beautifully scenic route along the canal towpath, through Brynich lock, Talybont on Usk, Llangattock, Gilwern and on to Goytre Wharf where they were met by the mountain route cyclists.  Each route was kept well supplied with water, energy drinks and snacks by a Support Team of seven vehicles including first aiders (fortunately not needed until the end).  The canal is navigable from Brecon right through to Pontymoile basin at Pontypool.  The canal goes underground at Pontnewydd and becomes navigable again where it meets the Sirhowy Valley canal at Newport.

Following  a well deserved rest under the shade of the trees at Goytre wharf, (packed with boats and canal barges of all descriptions), the riders then continued the ride along the canal tow path through Pontypool, Cwmbran and on to the end of the canal at Malpas in Newport.  Following the new cycle path along the River Usk, behind the Riverside Theatre and the new University campus to arrive at the iconic and world famous Transporter Bridge.  Built in 1906 and refurbished in 1994, this bridge is one of only six of a similar type of arial bridge surviving today.  At 4-30 pm. the whole group crossed the 645 ft across the River Usk on the gondola, supported by cables from the traveller and beam some 165 ft above. The height of the towers is 241 ft above the road and it is possible to climb the towers and walk along the beam.  The cyclists thought it too difficult to get their bikes up there though.  The Cycle Club would like to thank the staff at the bridge who were amazing in organising us on and off the bridge and for setting up photo shoot locations.

With banners and flags waving, the cycling club set off from the bridge at Stephenson Street, still in blistering heat and headed towards Nash and Pye Corner before making their weary way along Broadstreet and Bowleaze common to come to rest at The Rose Inn in Redwick.  Suitably refreshed, they all, with aching legs and breathless lungs, set off to Undy to finally assemble at Mill Lane, Caldicot before riding together with banners waving, around the corner to be met at the Choir Hall in Caldicot by a large, welcoming cheering crowd.  At this point, chorister and organiser Tony Griffiths, after cycling 60 miles found it difficult to manage a flag, his bike and a sleeping policeman all at the same time and fell off.  Fortunately he recovered after some first aid treatment from Siân, take a full part in the evening’s celebrations.

Why did they do such a crazy thing in this sweltering heat?  This event has been in the planning by a team of choristers; Tony Griffiths, Leon Jones, Grahame Morton, Lyn Gauntlett, Graham Hughes and supporter Nick Powell for several months to raise funds for local charity, The Victims of Chernobyl Children’s Trust.  This charity raises funds and organises relief aid for those children in Belarus who are suffering the adverse effects of the disastrous nuclear explosion in 1988 in nearby Chernobyl across the river in The Ukraine.  Organised by Marcia and Michael Doyle, the charity also aims to bring children from Belarus to Caldicot for a month’s respite. Currently six children and their interpreter Hannah are staying with Marcia and Michael for this month.  Following a moving visit by children from Belarus last year, the choir decided that it would nominate this charity for its fund raising efforts during its 50th Anniversary year.  Other events and fund raising have so far raised nearly £600 for the charity this year.

The evening culminated in a celebratory hog roast and party at the Choir Hall attended by about 150 supporters, who generously bought raffle tickets made donations (including £300 from Tata Steel and £350 from Reliance Water Controls) to the The Victims of Chernobyl Children’s Trust Charity.  Marcia, Michael, interpreter Hannah and six children from Belarus were enthusiastically welcomed by all as  honoured guests at the party.  Some choristers also set out earlier in the year to try to locally cycle the equivalent distance from Caldicot to Belarus (1600 miles) before this event.  Tony Griffiths was the only chorister to complete this monumental task and was presented with a certificate to mark his achievement by choir chairman, Leon Jones.

Many people and local businesses have supported the Côr Meibion Caldicot Cycle Club in this very worthwhile venture and a separate post will be put on this web site to give them, in a small way an expression of the Choir’s gratitude in helping us to achieve this incredible adventure for all involved.

 

 

CANCELLED

Sunday, 7th July 2013

Meet 10am at the Choir Hall

A bit of practice for those that are taking on the mountain on the Charity Ride, up over Shirenewton.

There could be an alternative route for those who don’t want to take-on the climbs.

 

Sunday, 30th June 2013

https://www.facebook.com/events/328042023994381/?context=create

With only two weeks to the big Charity Ride, nine members turned-up for this club ride down to the fabulous Sea Wall Cafe for refreshments.

It was decided that there would be two ride options; a harder route and the planned route. Five members decided to add a few more miles and gain some altitude by going via Shirenewton, whilst the other four opted for the planned variation.

The Shirenewton gang of Leon, Nick, Nathan, Grahame and Greg ended up doing 37 miles and gained in excess of 1300 feet in height, whilst the other route was 28 miles ridden by Carolyn, Jason, Peter and Tony.

Both groups met-up at the cafe and it was coffee and toasted teacakes all round with a group photo taken outside before the return ride to Caldicot.

Riders:

1. Leon Jones
2. Jason Dawe
3. Nick Powell
4. Grahame Morton
5. Tony Griffiths
6. Carolyn Griffiths
7. Peter Hanks
8. Nathan Finney
9. Greg Tinker

Sunday, 9th June 2013

Great ride yesterday to Tidenham Diving Centre with Nick Powell, Grahame Morton, Nathan Finney,  Greg Tinkler and Tony Griffiths.

Some nasty little climbs at Leechpool, Dark Hill (Mathern), Castleford Hill, School Hill and Dewstow Hill kept the legs screaming, good practice for the big charity ride coming up in July.

There was a welcome stop for coffee at the Diving Centre – not sure about the zip-wire though!

Distance: 24 miles

 

 

Route:

• From Choir Hall through Portskewett and on to Black Rock
• Up Black Rock Road to the main road and up the hill through Leechpool
• On to the A48 at the Indian Empire roundabout
• Follow A48 past St. Pierre and take lane to Mathern
• Up Dark Hill lane to Bulwark and back to Larkfield roundabout (Category 5 hill)
• Past the hospital and turn into Kingsmark Lane to Welsh Street
• Turn in to the Castle Dell and follow path to the bottom of town
• Over the old Chepstow Bridge and up Castleford Hill to Tutshill
• Back on A48 for a short while to the Tidenham Diving Centre
• Chance for a break and a cup of coffee
• Return back to Chepstow via the new bridge to Garden City (possible School Hill)
• Follow the cycle path through the woods back to Bulwark
• Follow Mathern Lane and back to Larkfield roundabout
• Head towards the hospital on St. Lawrence Road and turn left to Mounton
• From Mounton take lanes back to Hays Gate and then Crick
• Crick via Caerwent along A48
• Up Dewstow hill and then back to Caldicot

See link below – website dedicated to the Diving Centre at Tidenham

http://www.ndac.co.uk/

Sunday, 26th May 2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Great ride on Sunday to check out the route from Pontymoile Canal Basin to Newport, across the Transporter Bridge and back to Caldicot.

On the ride : Spike Hughes, Leon Jones, Nick Powell and Tony Griffiths.

Distance : 27 miles