2013 Events | spokesnew

Spokes 2013 Events

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Sunday 10th March: Cardiff to Nelson – Return

Start/Distance: Lewis Arms Tongwynlais at 10.00 hrs, 35 miles, 4.5 – 5 hours.

Ride Leader: Ray Robins

Sunday 17th March: Cardiff to Usk - Return

Start/Distance: National Museum of Wales, Museum Avenue, Cardiff at 9.30, 55 miles, 5 – 6 hours

Ride Leader: Dave Miles

Gloucester Weekend Ride

Weekend in Gloucester 22-24 March, Organised by Glen Dermody.

Based at the Holiday Inn Express in Quedgeley just outside of Gloucester. There is a real ale pub and restaurant attached to the hotel.

The ride on Saturday will be between 50 and 60 miles but I will try and keep it fairly flat as it will be early in the season. There will be a 30-odd mile ride arranged for the Sunday. If there is enough interest I have a route planned for anyone who would like to cycle up from Cardiff on the Friday and come back on the Sunday. If you are looking to share a room then contact me and I will try and hook you up with someone. Can you let me know in advance if you will be attending as I will try and book a table in the local pub for the evening meals.

Sunday 7th April: Spokes/Cardiff CTC Ride Caerphilly Mountain - Parc Cwm Darran - Return

Start/Distance: Caerphilly Mountain Snack Bar, CF83 1JA at 9.30, 55 miles, 7 hours

Ride Leader Clive Cazeauz

Sunday 14th April: Cardiff - Llandegfedd Reservoir - Cardiff.

Start/Distance: Llanishen railway station 9.30am, 55 miles, approx. 6hrs.

Ride leader: Claus Sogaard

Mid & West Wales Cycling Tour

5 day tour of Mid and West Wales 18-22 April,

Organised by Ray Robins.

Starting from Cardiff the route will include Hay, Llandovery, Llangadog, Haverfordwest and Burry Port before returning to Cardiff.

There will be a support driver. Map & Tour Notes

"Thanks everyone for your cooperation and support throughout the trip. It helped make the tour, I think, a success.To those of you who cycled Day (5) in appalling conditions over the Bwlch, well done and thank goodness for top support driver Roger and Fagins in Ton Pentre!"

Ray

Sunday 28th April: Caerleon – Usk - Return.

Start/Distance: Caerleon Amphitheatre at 10.00, 50 miles, 6 hours

Ride Leader: Gareth Thomas.

Kent Weekend Ride

Weekend in Rye, Kent 11-12 May,

Organised by Juls Sims & John Hufton,

Expecting people to arrive on the Friday, so 2 nights accommodation probably required..

Various options for accommodation will be provided for people to sort out their own accommodation choices, there is camping, B&Bs and hotels. Routes will be based on quiet lanes and along the coastline of Kent. Rides planned for Saturday and Sunday. Sundays will be a figure of 8 to give people a chance to cut out lunchtime if required.

Sunday 19th May: Cardiff to Llanwonno - Return

Start/Distance: Lewis Arms Tongwynlais at 10.00 hrs, 40 miles, 5+ hours

Ride Leader: Ray Robins

Sunday 2nd June: Sirhowey Valley by mountain bike

Start/Distance: Taff’s Well Station at 10.00, 35 miles, duration 5 hours, including tea stops.

Ride Leader: Mike Cranwell

1-2. June 2103: Mike Hutchinsons Birthday Party Weekend.

Mike has invited everyone to his 83rd birthday ride on 1-2. June 2013. An 83km ride is planned for Saturday, New starting point details: The New Inn pub in Pembridge at 9.30am - a shorter ride(30-40 miles) is planned for the Sunday.

Accommodation is available in nearby pubs or there is camping at The Beeches approx. 1/2 mile down the road. Once he knows numbers, Mike will be organising an evening meal for all at the New Inn pub.

Sunday 9th June: Spokes/Cardiff CTC Ride Cardiff - Boar’s Head, Aust, - Return

Start/Distance: National Museum of Wales at 9am, 75 miles, 9 hours

Ride Leader: Ivor Rodway

Bulgaria

Week long Bulgarian trip 11-18 June,

Organised by Glen Dermody, Approximate costs for flights, support vehicle, Bulgarian organiser, hotels and bikes should be between £300 to £350, based on current exchange rates. Because we are flying in and out of Sofia we have to fly from Heathrow.

Sunday 16 June: Wye Valley

Start/Distance: Monmouth riverside car park, 55 miles 6 hours or shorter 35 miles.

Ride Leader: Chris Metcalfe

"Thanks to Martin Judith P Clare Jenny and Juls and Richard for making it a great day ride. Will find a more welcoming alternative lunch stop next time! One tea bag between two ! what!" Chris

"Thanks for a lovely ride around Monmouth Chris - yep, agree about lunchstop but stop Ross more than made up for it! We should have more rides up this way :)" Juls

Sunday 23rd June: Cardiff to Llantrisant to Gilfach Goch

Start/Distance: Lewis Arms Tongwynlais at 10.00 hrs, 45 miles, 5 – 6 hours

Ride Leader: Ray Robins

Sunday 30th June: Crickhowell - Llanwrtyd Wells - Return

Start/Distance: From Martin's home address Crickhowell. Prompt 9am Start - Approx 80 miles.

Ride Leader: Martin Pingel

"Only get out with Spokes now and again so really enjoyed Martins Sunday ride, great route and great company. Where was the club? If it was too far or a long day couldn't people just come out for a shorter cut off route?" Adrian

Sunday 7 July: Gowerton – Carreg Cennen – Return

Start/Distance: Gowerton Railway Station at 10.00am, Approx: 50 miles – 6 hours

Ride Leader: Phil Jones

"Never ridden in this area so looking forward to tomorrow. See you at 10.00" Richard

Porlock Weekend Ride

Weekend in Porlock 12-14 July including a barbecue at

Roger Hall’s

The itinerary for the weekend includes a 32 mile cycle ride on the

Saturday, followed by a BBQ at Roger and Di’s. Next morning,

Sunday, there will be a six mile walk-led by Roger.

Some key points...
Accommodation: please refer to Roger’s note below and organise

your own digs. As the cycle ride will start at 10.00hrs on the

Saturday I suggest you book accommodation for Friday and

Saturday nights
Ride: I will try to keep the route as flat as I can and follow Sustrans trails. Inevitably though, there will be some climbs. Hence the short cycling distance...OS map links (1) (2)
BBQ: please again refer to Roger’s note. The BBQ will start, at Roger’s home at 18.00 hrs.
If you intend going to the Porlock weekend please let me know if you intend:

Riding on the Saturday
Coming to the BBQ at Roger’s on Saturday night-please let me know if you are bringing guests
Going on Rogers walk

Once I know the names of those committed to this weekend I will expand on this note and provide further information in the lead-up to the event. Will you please aim to get this information to me by Friday 7th June.
If you have any queries relating to the weekend, please write direct to me.

Rogers Note:

We have a sumptuous BBQ planned for the Saturday late afternoon / evening.
Loads of accommodation is available in Porlock from campsites to a hotel.
Please do contact the Porlock Visitors Centre – they have a brilliant accommodation booking service and know all the local people. Say it is for Roger’s cycling weekend and that you want to be within easy walking distance to the High Street. Best to come on Friday and stay 2 or 3 nights. There will be cycling and eating and drinking events arranged.
Porlock Visitor Centre
01643 863150 http://www.porlock.co.uk/visitors/ mailto:visit@porlock.co.uk

Usual £5 per head for all food and drink. Email me with any dietary requirements.

"Many thanks to Ray and Roger for organising a brilliant club weekender in Porlock - if you weren't there then you missed a great time and the "special guest" appearance of Martin Steer who drove down for the BBQ Saturday night." Martin

Sunday 21st July: Cardiff – Nash Point - return

Start/Distance: Cardiff Museum at 09.30, approx 55 miles 6 - 7 hrs

Ride Leader: Dave Miles

Sunday 28th July: Beacons Tour

Start/Distance: Brecon Beacons National Park Visitor Centre, 9.30am prompt, 45 miles – 6 hours

Ride Leader: Tony Ritson.

Wiltshire Cycleway Weekend Ride

2-4 August 2013, Organised by Chris Metcalfe. A 2 day ride scheduled for 3 - 4th August. 50 -55 miles each day with only 3 cat 5 easy climbs on lightly trafficked roads generally. One or two nights accommodation required depending if you arrive Friday evening. At the moment the ride is unsupported but if someone with a car wants to join us they will be most welcome. Basically Chippenham to Salisbury and back. Modified Wiltshire Circular Ride including the Wylye Valley and Vale of Pewsey routes. Route map

"Cycling in Wiltshire's peaceful, glorious countryside will show you rural England at its very best. The Wiltshire Cycleway threads its way through Wiltshire along quiet country lanes and passes many of the county's most attractive places to visit."

"Thanks to Grae, Rach, Carmen, Mike C, Moira (and Fiona) for your company and for making my first event so enjoyable. Particular thanks to Mike H (and Annie ) for acting as bagman and especially Jim for navigational backup, bike emergency repair work (don't ask!) and personal guiding services (wings in the post!) . I did say it would not rain! (OMG!!!) . A trip worthy of another go in future years." Chris

Sunday 11th August: Chepstow – Slimbridge – Thornbury - Return

Start/Distance: lay-by on A466 Chepstow at 10.00, Approx 55 miles, 6-7 hours including stops.

Ride Leader: Jim Moon

"Thank you all for turning out on Sunday. Great company, great weather & thank you for the photos."

Jim

Sunday 18th August: Usk – Symonds Yat - Usk

Start/Distance: Maryport Street Car park in Usk at 09.30, 54 miles 3,500' ascent (approx 6 hours)

Ride Leader: Adrian Orringe

"Only expected 2 or 3 so great to see 9 intrepid souls enjoying the scenic route over to F of D. Well done to everyone who conquered 'The Rock'. Great ride and great company." Adrian

"Fabulous ride around Usk today led by Adrian, great route, company and led really well, description, dangers, pace superb! Hope I get to go on one if yours again Adrian" Juls

"yes thanks Adrian (now nicknamed the "animal" for sticking on the front and dragging us around the whole route!! ;o) - a great ride on quite a few roads most of us haven't used before." Martin

Sunday 1st September: Cardiff - Llangeinor(OS925880) - Return

Start/Distance: 9.00 a.m. Pedal Power, Pontcanna Fields. 65 miles, eight hours.

Ride Leader: Clive Cazeauz

Sunday 8th September: Cardiff - Brynmawr - Return

Start/Distance: Lewis Arms Tongwynlais at 9.30, 63 miles, approx 7 hours plus café stop

Ride Leader: Claus Sogaard

Brittany,France. Venture Ride

Gite based week in Brittany 13-22 September,

Organised by Tony Ritson.

Friday night ferry crossing from Portsmouth to St Malo. Saturday morning ride to a gite within a 15/20 mile radius which will be the base for the week. Returning to St Malo for a Saturday night stay at a hotel before returning on the Sunday morning ferry. There will be no support vehicle.

Sunday 22nd September: Black Mountains Tour

Ride Leader: Adrian Orringe

Sunday 29th September: Taffs Well - Risca - Taffs Well

Start/Distance: Taffs Well railway station 0930hrs.

Ride leader: Graham Davies

"Lovely ride today Grae, thanks for stepping into the breach."Julie

Sunday 6th October, Port Talbot - Cardiff

Start/Distance: Tesco, Port Talbot, 10.45am, 53 miles. 6-7 hrs including stops

Ride Leader: Dave Griffiths

Peak District Weekend Ride

Weekend in the Peak District, 11-13 October 2013, Organised by Martin Steer/Glen Dermody.

The October weekender will take place from Friday 11th to Sunday 13th. It will be a weekend in the Peak District jointly organised by Martin Steer and Glen Dermody.It will be a joint event for both Spokes and Phoenix members.

We will be based in Ashbourne, just south of the Peak District National Park. We have booked the Gateway Residential Centre as our main accommodation. This is a converted Methodist day school which can sleep up to 27 people in six rooms. There is also a fully equipped kitchen, dining and recreation room, two lounges, toilets and showers. The intention is to prepare our own breakfasts but to dine in one of the local pubs in the evening. There is an 11 bedded dormitory, two 4 bedded rooms, a 5 bed room, a 2 bed room and a single room. Depending upon numbers it may be possible to allocate some of the smaller rooms to couples. The cost will be between £12 and £20 per night, again depending upon number of people attending.

The centre has a website at

http://www.ashbournemethodist.org.uk/activities/in-the-community/gateway/

If you would prefer a bit more comfort, we have a list of alternative places to stay.

The Saturday ride will be a trip north into the Peak District using lanes and quiet roads, returning to Ashbourne via the Tissington Trail. Sunday’s ride will be similar to the ride on the last Peak District event we organised, making use of the Tissington and High Peaks Trails.

Martin is hoping that he may be able to cycle with us but, if not, is happy to use his car as a support vehicle.

"The Peaks weekender was another great Spokes do thanks to Martin Steer, Glen and Roger Hall for all the organising - we all got thoroughly wet both days but thoroughly enjoyed ourselves - the ride on saturday was particularly epic as we only just got back before dark but it was a cracking route and one we should definitely do again :)" Martin

Sunday 20th October– Rhigos – Aberdare – Return

Start/Distance: 09.30 Lewis Arms Tongwynlais, Approx 55 miles

Ride Leader: Dave Miles

Sunday 27th October: Gower Tour

Start/Distance: Swansea Train Station at 11.00, Approx 45 miles

Ride Leader: Graham Davies

Sunday 3rd November marks the start of the Spokes 2013-14 Winter program.

We meet every Sunday at 10am at the Lewis Arms in Tongwynlais.The Winter rides are very informal, we’ll be deciding on the day where to go and a Cafe stop along the way is almost compulsory. We cycle at a steady pace, so everyone can participate, usually a 30 to 40 mile round trip locally, depending on the weather and road conditions. Contact us if you are tempted to join us on a Sunday ride

Spokes Winter Program 2012-13

Our 2012 Winter Rides Program runs until 3rd March 2013. We meet every Sunday at 10am at the Lewis Arms in Tongwynlais.

The Winter rides are very informal, we’ll be deciding on the day where to go and a Cafe stop along the way is almost compulsory. We cycle at a steady pace, so everyone can participate, usually a 30 to 40 mile round trip locally, depending on the weather and road conditions.Contact us if you are tempted to join us on a Sunday ride.