15th July 2012

Weather: Fine

Distance: 28 miles

Climbs: Talybont reservoir, Taf Fechan forest.

Terrain: tarmac until the forest

Riders: Leon Jones, Graham ‘Spike’ Hughes, Grahame Morton, Tony Griffiths, Michael Griffiths

As a reconnaissance ride to check out the supposedly hard part of the Taff Trail, the 14 miles out from the Brecon start to Talybont Reservoir and up through the forest to the summit of the climb. The cycle started badly for Grahame Morton, who on inspecting his bike in the car park in Brecon noticed a tear in the sidewall of his tyre, which luckily, Leon was able to repair with some glue. The first part along the canal bank was easy going despite the puddles from the previous days rain, before starting the climb up to the reservoir at Talybont. After crossing the reservoir via the dam, the forest track starts and it is a constant four mile uphill, although not steep, peddle on a stoney track before the nasty climb of some 200 yards to the summit. Following a stop for food and drink it was downhill all the way back to Brecon.

8th July 2012

Weather: Sunny

Distance: 32 miles

Climbs: Leechpool, Mounton, St. Pierre

Terrain: tarmac

Riders: Leon Jones, Graham ‘Spike’ Hughes, Grahame Morton, Tony Griffiths, Karl Gregory, Ron Griffiths

With the forthcoming Taff Trail challenge approaching, the cycle club again decided to up the practice run mileage with a trip across the Old Severn Bridge to the New Passage which lies at the foot of the New Severn Bridge. Six club members set-off from the Choir Hall to travel via Sudbrook and Black Rock then via the long climb up through Leechpool before reaching Parkwall. It was down the St. Pierre hill and turning off opposite the New Inn towards Mounton on the Shirenewton road. There are two nasty climbs coming out of Mounton to the main road near Chepstow hospital, from there it was downhill all the way across the bridge and back towards Caldicot with just the hill at St. Pierre to Parkwall to negotiate.

24th June 2012

Weather: Sunny spells

Distance: 25 miles

Climbs: Bishton, Llanwern, Llandevaud, A48 hill to the Groes Wen, Butcher’s Lane.

Terrain: tarmac, stony for a mile at Undy

Riders: Leon Jones, Graham ‘Spike’ Hughes, Grahame Morton, Nick Powell, Tony Griffiths, Michael Griffiths, Josh Birch

The longest ride so far undertaken by the group, some 25 miles from the Choir Hall, through the flat straight roads of the Caldicot levels to the village of Llanwern. From there it was back to the A48 through Langstone, back to the Caldicot road to Llanmartin, through the lanes to Llandevaud and the A48, up the hill at the Foresters Oaks to the Groes Wen. The lane at the side of the pub, Butcher’s Lane I believe, was torturous, and the descent to the Magor road was something else in the rainy conditions, with waves of water running down the hill on the rough track, which resulted in Nick showing his skills by staying on the bike despite riding half way up the wall of the lane.  The ride was completed along the main road from Magor to Caldicot.

17th June 2012

Weather: Rain

Distance: 18 miles

Climbs: Llanvair Discoed church, long ascent to the reservoir.

Terrain: tarmac but wet slippery lanes to Llanvaches

Riders: Leon Jones, Graham ‘Spike’ Hughes, Tony Griffiths, Michael Griffiths

Probably the hardest ride to date, from the choir hall, through Caerwent and up through Llanvair Discoed to the reservoir at Wentwood. This involved some very steep climbs at Llanvair Church, and three others prior to the reservoir. From there it was a downhill run on the slippery back lanes to Llanvaches before crossing the A48 at the Rock and Fountain before returning to Caldicot via St. Brides and Magor.

10th June 2012

Weather: Cloudy

Distance: 15 miles

Climbs: Bottom road St. Pierre hill, ascent to Shirenewton, Tredegar Arms slope.

Terrain: tarmac all the way

Riders: Leon Jones, Graham ‘Spike’ Hughes, Tony Griffiths, Nick Powell, Michael Griffiths, Josh Birch

On a route suggested by Grahame Morton, the intrepid cycle club made their way from the Choir Hall, through Portskewett, Subrook to Black Rock, back to the main road with the first major challenge, the hill at St. Pierre to Parkwall. Eventually all the members assembled at Parkwall with tired legs, and it was downhill on the A48 past St. Pierre Golf Course to the left turning for Shirenewton opposite the New Inn. From here there is the 2 mile ascent to the Tan House and the very sharp, steep climb at the Tredegar Arms to contend with before the long, very fast descent to Crick, on which, Spike was clocked at 38 mph.

3rd June 2012

Weather: Rain

Distance: 20 miles

Terrain: no hills, tarmac most of the way except for about 1 mile on the grass and mud of the sea wall.

Riders: Leon Jones, Graham ‘Spike’ Hughes, Grahame Morton, Nick Powell and Tony Griffiths.

The first cycle ride of the Caldicot Male Voice Choir Cycle Club, was a 20 mile ride from the Choir Hall through Caerwent and Llanvair Discoed, crossing the A48 through Magor and down to the sea-wall. It was a bit hit and miss as we got lost down on the moor, but eventually found our way back to Undy and back on the main road to the Choir Hall. Despite consistent rain, everybody enjoyed the ride with only minor mishaps when Leon and Tony took a nosedive into the mud, trying to take-on a drainage ditch on the sea wall.