Sunday, 19th May 2013

What a ride on a beautiful day!

Congrats to all the lads who made it up the big hill in preparation for the Charity Ride in July.

Four members started at the Coach and Horses in Llangynidr and about an hour later, we were standing at the top looking over the gorgeous views of the Brecon Beacons and the Black Mountains.

Well done to Leon on his maiden attempt at this, Tony, Nick and Spike had been there before. An great downhill section which saw Spike overtake Leon at about 40 mph (he had brakes this time) before descending down the beautiful Clydach Gorge to the canal at Gilwern.

We were not alone making our way back to Llangynidr, it seemed like half the girls in the Valleys were raising money for cancer with their ‘Pink Walk’. Lots of comments were shouted at the unsuspecting cyclists including ‘give us a ride’ and ‘can I have a baccy’ by the girls in-between sips from their bottles of wine and beer.

A welcome drink in the garden of the Coach and Horses in the hot sunshine before heading for home to soak aching muscles.

22 miles round trip, first 5 uphill at an average gradient of 7%, total climb 3000 feet.

Riders: Nick Powell, Spike Hughes, Leon Jones and Tony Griffiths

Sunday, 5th May 2013

https://www.facebook.com/events/588043037886997/?context=create

On a lovely Spring day, the latest ride saw only two cyclists enjoy the 30 mile round trip to the Whitson Sea Wall, and partake in a toasted teacake and coffee in the warm sun at the cafe.

The  route from the Choir Hall up  Sandy Lane before dropping down to Caerwent. Through the village to Five Lanes and up over Carrow Hill before entering Magor. Up past the brewery and down the lane at Wilcrick ending up at the railway junction at Bishton. Heading then for Redwick before turning right in the direction of Whitson and Goldcliffe and down to the Sea Wall. The return was via Redwick and Undy.

Distance 30 miles.

Riders:

1. Tony Griffiths
2. Leon Jones

27th April 2013
The latest trip by the cycle club saw four members pedal their way to Piercefield Park, adjacent to the Chepstow Racecourse and sporting this wonderful, derelict old mansion.

Tony Griffiths and Nick Powell were pleased to see two newcomers, Nathan Finney and Steve Tobin turn-up for the ride. Both these lads have signed-up for the Charity, Brecon to Caldicot ride that the cycle club are holding on the 13th July.

The route included a visit to Black Rock and then up through Leechpool to Parkwall. Then it was down the A48 and through the lanes to Mathern before taking-on the steep climb up Dark Hill to Bulwark. Up towards the racecourse before turning into Crossway Green and entering the woods, with some off-roading to the Mansion. Time for a drink so it was a decision of going to the Piercefield Inn or to Nick’s house for a welcome coffee which got the vote because it was free. Climbing the hill up to the hospital then it was a downhill plunge to Mounton before following the lanes back through Hayes Gate to Crick and home.

No, it wasn’t snowing when we were at the Mansion, this is just an old picture of a previous visit.

Sunday, 7th April 2013

One of the best rides we have undertaken.

Four riders turned-up, Spike Hughes, Nick Powell, Grahame Morton and Tony Griffiths headed for Black Rock for a brief stop for a photo. From there it was up the hill at Leechpool before heading towards Chepstow on the A48. Then started the four mile climb (category 3), not too steep but certainly got your heart going before arriving at the turn-off for Earlswood. A rolling section of road through the hamlet before a couple of steep downhills before rising again to the Usk road. Up to the top of Wentwood before descending past the reservoir and into Llanvair Discoed for a welcome cup of coffee at the Woodlands Tavern. The final leg of the trip was over to Five Lanes and up through Highmoor Hill to descend back to Caldicot. Good ride of approximately 25 miles.

Thursday, 4th April 2013 at 7pm (Choir Hall)

http://www.facebook.com/events/268848139914625/

Great night at the Choir Hall, the boys sang to a packed audience which included distinguished guests, sponsors, families of the choir boys and the general public. Biscuits and cakes, tea and coffee and the bar open made it a relaxing evening, with the raffle and collection buckets dotted around the hall, £404 was raised for the ‘Victims of Chernobyl Children’s Fund’.

Nick Powell, resplendent in his charity ride t-shirt was on hand to answers questions about the forthcoming charity bike ride. Also on display were two of the mountain bikes that will be used for the ride.

Mike and Marcia Doyle from the charity were also present to run the raffle and answer questions on the charity, while local MP Jessica Morden, has promised to consider joining the charity ride.

Sunday, 24th March 2013

http://www.facebook.com/events/532141786830453/

The planned ride to Newport Wetlands had to be cut short due to severe cold weather and a re-route via Bishton to the Rose Inn at Redwick was made.

Five members made the trip leaving the Choir Hall, through the castle on onwards to Caerwent via Sandy Lane. The group followed the A48 towards Five Lanes with Grahame Morton hitting the deck along the cycle track, couldn’t get his feet out of the spd pedals. On over Carrow Hill to Magor, past the Brewery and down the lane at Wilcrick towards Bishton before ducking very low under the railway. Past Wilkinsons and then onto Redwick where a welcome cup of coffee and a Fredo warmed the cyclist before the last push towards home against the biting wind – somebody said it was -7 with the wind factor!

Newport Wetlands will have to wait for a warmer, dryer and windless day.

Distance covered: 22 miles

Riders:

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

Date to be confirmed.

http://www.facebook.com/events/133203466849360/

Second trial run for the Big Charity Ride in July.

Interested Riders:

1. Leon Jones
2. Nick Powell
3. Spike Hughes
4. Tony Griffiths

Sunday, 25th February 2013

http://www.facebook.com/events/335108186600035/

Excellent ride to the Sea Wall at Whitson in freezing conditions. A big thank-you must go to the kind owners of the Sea Wall Cafe who opened up just for us. Coffee and toasted sandwiches warmed us up.

On the ride were; Leon Jones, Nick Powell, Tony Griffiths and a warm welcome to Peter Hanks, who at age 70, did a remarkable ride to complete the 30 mile run.  Well done Peter!

Sunday, 10th February 2013

 http://www.facebook.com/events/523701881008045/

Meet at Choir Hall at 10:30am – through Sudbrook and Leechpool, down A48 to New Inn, Pwllmeyric – onwards to Shirenewton then Earlswood – through Wentwood (perhaps take in the mountain bike trails) towards Parc Seymour – Penhow to Slade Woods (downhill trails) – Rogiet and back to Choir Hall via back lanes.

Sunday, 27th January 2013

http://www.facebook.com/events/405284389556893/

Another excellent ride with the boys from the Choir Cycle Club. Five members braved the very windy conditions which made cycling up the A48 very difficult.

After meeting at the Choir Hall, it was a trip through Caldicot Castle grounds before climbing-up Sandy Lane and on to Caerwent. A long struggle against the wind along the A48 passing Penhow Castle perched on the cliff-top, before turning off the main road to head uphill to Llandevaud passing Pencoed Castle. From there it was downhill through the lanes that were streaming with water before reaching Llanmartin. Another uphill climb past Underwood and on to Bishton before taking the flat-roads to Redwick and the Rose Inn. A cup of coffee and it was back on the bikes through Undy and Rogiet being pursued by some very dark clouds, just managing to get home before a rainstorm.

Riders: Nick Powell, Spike Hughes, Grahame Morton, Barry Morton, Tony Griffiths