2017 Activity Summary

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Sunday 2nd April: Cardiff - Caerleon return

Start/Distance: National Museum, Cardiff  at 09.30 am, 35 miles

Route/GPX download: Tea stop in The Green Caerleon

Terrain/Ride Category: Moderate Some hills, 1500 ft. of climbing, a mixture of roads and trails, suitable for all bikes.

Ride Leaders/Contact: Dave Miles

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Sunday 9th April: Bedwas/Caerphilly Ride

Start/Distance: Tongwynlais, Lewis Arms at 10.00 am

Route/GPX download: Taff trail to Quakers Yard, Lanes & trails to Nelson - Maesycymmer - Bedwas -  Caerphilly, trails from Caerphilly to Tongwynlais.

Terrain/Ride Category: Moderate

Ride Leaders/Contact: Ray Robins

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Sunday 16th April: There are no official Spokes day rides on Bank Holiday weekends, but keep an eye on the Noticeboard as some members may go out for a ride.

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Sunday 23rd April: Gower Ride

Start/Distance: 10.00 at the junction of A4067 (Mumbles Road) and B4436 (The Mayals). Recommended free parking on residential road, Clyne Drive (SA2 5BU),which is 1st right turn off the Mayals (B4436). Alternatively, you can pay for car parking at Black Pill car park. Approximately 40 miles.

Route/GPX download: Black Pill – Mumbles – Caswell Bay – Bishopston – Kittle – Pennard – Southgate (stop at café) – Parkmill – Llethrid – up over Cefn Bryn – Reynolston – Oldwalls - Llanrihidian and Dolphin Pub –  Llanridian Marsh – Crofty – Pencladwdd - Gowerton – cycle path back to Black Pill.

Terrain/Ride Category: Moderate ride. Road surface mixed (forestry track, cycle track and road). Recommend touring bike, but not road bike with skinny tyres. There are 3 big hills, the rest of the ride is undulating. 2 tea stops.

Ride Leaders/Contact: Rachel Jones/Graham Davies

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26th April - 3th May Majorca 

Book your own flights; available from Bristol (Easyjet) or Cardiff (Vueling)

Staying at the Aparthotel Flora apartments in Puerto de Pollenca

organiser Graham Davies

Photo link from Chris M. Here

Photo link from Sa Calobra Here

Photo link from Linda E. Here

Photo link from Bob L. Here

Photo link from Nick D. Here

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Sunday 30th April: There are no official Spokes day rides on Bank Holiday weekends, but keep an eye on the Noticeboard as some members may go out for a ride.

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Sunday 7th May: Vale Ramble

Start/Distance: Pedal Power @ 10.00 am, 50 miles approx

Route/GPX download: 

Terrain/Ride Category: Moderate to Strenuous. 980 metres of climbing, some short sharp hills.  2 x 0.7mile stretches of farm track.

Ride Leaders/Contact: Richard Cook

- Fabulous tour of the Vale in the sunshine. Thanks Richard

- Thanks for a superb day in the saddle.  Great route! Clare 

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Wednesday May 10th Spokes at the Newport Velodrome...

The session is booked for 8-10pm. Numbers are limited to 16 riders, but you are also welcome to come along for the introduction(free) and cheer on those who have the courage to try a few laps "on the boards" Anyone wanting to participate should email Claus with their intentions. Cost for the session is fixed and shared equally between the participants. Prices start at approx £24pp(includes bike hire) increasing if there is less than 16 riders.

The session briefly consists of:

- An introduction to track cycling - bikes/track rules/Do's and Dont's/questions etc.

- On-track cycling session supervised by an appointed coach.

organiser: Claus Sogaard

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Sunday 14th May: Thornbury / Chipping Sodbury Ride

Start/Distance: Rock Street car park, Thornbury BS35 2FH at 9.30 a.m., about 1 hour from Cardiff via M48 Severn Crossing(£6.70 on return journey) ride of about 58 miles, 6-6.5 hours depending on stops.

Route/GPX download: Thornbury - Tetbury for lunch (mainly lanes, with short strectches of more major road )- Chipping Sodbury via Badminton for tea (mainly lanes, with short strectches of more major road )

- Thornbury ( lanes, with one short stretch of cycle path) www.strava.com/routes/7483574

Terrain/Ride Category: Moderate, 3200 ft of climbing, one significant,butnot too challenging climb and 
several short sharp climbs.Suitable for road bikes/hybrids/tourers

Ride Leaders/Contact: Pete Jackson

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Sunday 21st May: Tongwynlais - Nelson - Caerphilly

Start/Distance: Tongwynlais, Lewis Arms @ 10.00 am. approx 30 miles.

Route/GPX download: Taff trail to Quakers Yard, lanes & trails to Nelson - coffee stop - then up over Nelson Common- Caerphilly - trails from Caerphilly to Tongwynlais. Click Here for GPX link

Terrain/Ride Category: Moderate approx 2,300 feet of climbing

Ride Leaders/Contact: Mel Pruchnie

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Sunday 28th May Newport - Usk - Magor - Shirenewton circular

Start/Distance: Waitrose car park Pontprennau, About 60 miles, 9.30am start

Route/GPX download: Newport, Usk, Shirenewton, Magor, Home. Coffee stops: Usk and Magor

Terrain/Ride Category: Moderate to Strenuous Suitable for all bikes

Ride Leaders/Contact: Glen Dermody

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Sunday 4th June: Four Castles Ride

Start/Distance: Abergavenny train station at 10 am, 38 - 40 miles

Route/GPX download: Café stop around Grosmont. Click Here for GPX link

Terrain/Ride Category: Moderate to Strenuous 1200m of climbing.

Ride Leaders/Contact: Dave Miles

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Sunday 11th June:  Four Hills Rhondda Ride

Start/Distance: Lewis Arms, Tongwynlais @ 10.00, 35 miles

Route/GPX download: Tongwynlais - Gwlaeodygarth - lane to near Pentyrch - Efail Isaf - Beddau
Trebanog - Tonypandy - Penrhys - Blaenllechau - Llanwonno - Pontypridd, Taff Trail to Tongwynlais.Route mainly on lanes. Lunch stop. Key hills at Gwlaeodygarth - Capel(near Trebanog) Penrhys & Blaenllechau

Terrain/Ride Category: Strenuous 

Ride Leaders/Contact: Ray Robins

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June 14th - 23rd: Bulgaria 

Event already fully booked

A return visit for the club

organiser Glen Dermody

Youtube link from this years trip

 

June 16th - 19th Two Castles(long weekender)

4 day supported event starting from Conwy Castle & finishing at Cardiff Castle

Overnight stops and evening meals at Dolgellau, Rhayader and Llandovery en route. Book your own accomodation.

Start on the Friday from Conwy Castle heading south towards Betws-y-coed and Festiniog ending in Dolgellau with an evening meal organised for all. Saturday we will be revisiting a section of the infamous Trans-cambrian route heading for Machynlleth, Nant-y-Moch reservoir and devil’s bridge falls before heading for Rhayader again with an evening meal arranged for everyone. Sunday we’ll be take on the Devils Staircase and the Llyn Brianne reservoir on route to Llandovery arriving early with plenty time to sample the local cuisine. Monday we head for Cardiff Castle via a route yet to be determined but the cycling shouldn’t be too hard considering we’ll all be heading for home. organiser: Claus Sogaard

Photo link from Richard C.

- Thanks Claus for the very challenging but spectacular route through the principality. I thought I knew North and Mid wales pretty well ,but there were lots of new corners to see in brilliant weather. Thanks as ever also to Roger who was always on hand with the fig rolls and water and an encouraging word! Dave G

-  Second comments from Dave G. Thanks to Claus and Roger for a great trip, weather, organisation, company and scenery all superb. Richard

 

Sunday 25th June: Pen Y Fan pond & 6 Bells

Start/Distance: Albion Café in Cilfynydd@ 10.00am, approx 37 miles with 3000 ft of climbing

Route/GPX download: Head out to Oakdale, stop at Pen y Fan pond for café stop, the on to 6 Bells for Coffee stop and view the Guardian Statue ( miners memorial ). Return via cycle paths and roads to Ystrad Mynach, Nelson, Treharris and back to Cilfynydd. Some climbing but nothing steep or to challenging.

Terrain/Ride Category: Moderate, suitable for all bikes.

Ride Leaders/Contact: Dave Jenkins

- Thanks Dave - great ride and we all enjoyed being on new turf. Grae

- Thanks for having me on Sunday, I'll be back for sure! Holly

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Sunday 2nd July: Wye Valley ride & Peregrine Trail

Start/Distance: Monmouth Riverside car park, NP25 3EG @ 9.30am, 1 hour from Cardiff & Talgarth, turn left after tunnel going north over bridge & left, Now only 50 miles, 6 hours. Best bring some food. Again Bob and Alicae have coffee/tea and cake for us at the extraordinary Shipley Gardens. Optional second stop at Goodrich Castle cafe.

Route/GPX download: Link to GPX download/view

Terrain/Ride Category: Generally Moderate with some harder bits, flat sections with occasional hills
generally undulating with no big hills. Glorious countryside. Generally follows Wye river valley. Suitable for all bikes.

Ride Leaders/Contact: Chris Metcalfe

- Thanks again to Chris - fantastic scenery and lovely café stops.

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Sunday 9th July: Cardiff - Ewenny - Return

Start/Distance: 10am at Llandaff North Bridge,  Approx 45 miles.

Route/GPX download: Llandaff - City - Ystradowen - Treoes - Waterton - Ewenny. Return via Cowbridge

Terrain/Ride Category: Moderate, suitable for all bikes

Ride Leaders/Contact: Ivor Rodway

- Many thanks to Ivor for the ride today, everyone enjoyed it and a good route in great weather.

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Sunday 16th July: Llantrisant loop

Start/Distance: Pedal power, Pontcanna. @10am, 35 miles, 1050mtrs climbing

Route/GPX download: Cardiff - Gwaelod y garth - Tonteg - Pontypridd - Llantrisant - home

Terrain/Ride Category: Moderate, Some short steep climbs, suitable for all bikes

Ride Leaders/Contact: Richard Cook

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Sunday 23rd July: Avon Cycleway Century Ride

Start/Distance: 8am, Chepstow Castle car park, 100 miles with over 4,300 feet of climbing

Route/GPX download: Over Severn Bridge, clockwise circuit of the Avon Cycleway with return over bridge to start point. Coffee stops: Thornbury, Pensford and Clapton in Gordano

Terrain/Ride Category: Strenuous Suitable for all bikes.

Important Note – The nature of the ride involves an early start and no doubt a late finish. Shorter options are not available. Anyone attending will be expected to be fit enough to complete the whole route. Only real options for cutting ride short are to cycle into the centre of Bristol and get the train back.

Ride Leaders/Contact: Glen Dermody

- Thanks Glen for leading the ride. Four hardy souls braved torrential rain showers, the sun did come out for this coffee stop! Richard

- Respect to the four guys who survived some very rough weather to complete their ride.
Tom

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July 28th - 30th Archery and Cycling based in Abergavenny

Archery: One or Two days on a 3D archery course. No previous experience required as full induction and equipment provided. Cost £15. Tea and Coffee provided, but please bring along a packed lunch.

Cycling: One or Two days, routes starting from Abergavenny

organisers Julie and Nigel Williams

- Thanks to Nigel and Julie for a very different weekender!!

- Thanks to everyone who took time out from cycling and walking to come and try some archery on the Abergavenny weekend. It was big fun sharing my other sporting passion with you. Special thanks to Rachel for leaving some of our woodland trees standing. Nigel

- Fantastic weekend! Top cycling and archery! Big thanks to Julie and Nigel for organising it all. Re-introduced me to camping too. Thoroughly enjoyed it all......but those poor trees!

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Sunday 6th August: Sirhowey Valley/ Forest Drive

Start/Distance: Lewis Arms, Tongwynlais at 10.00am

Route/GPX download: Nantgarw, Sengennedd, Eglwysilan common, Sirhowey Valley, Forest drive, Ochrwyth, Draethen, Cardiff.

Terrain/Ride Category: Moderate-Strenuous, quite short/strenuous climbing

Ride Leaders/Contact: Mike Cranwell

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August 11th - 13th Cycling from Cardiff to Swansea

With panniers staying in University accommodation

organiser: Glen Dermody

- Spoke cycling weekend at Swansea thanks to Glen for organising a Fab tour including sightseeing from a restaurant at the 28th floor. Tour leader Glen demonstrated a real Live training  on one of the steep hills about his super skills of falling off bike , but no panic or shouting. Only kicking off his water bottle to send his follow riders to chase the bottle and  to block the oncoming traffic. He fell onto the road and rolled over with his bike wheels above him in the air, another warning to be seen by the incoming traffic. Xiu

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Sunday 20th August: Monmouthshire Ride

Start/Distance: Start: Tredegar House car park at 10.00 (free parking in Imperial Business Park opposite) 45 miles about 5 hours

Route/GPX download: Magor - Catsash - Llantrisant in Usk - Usk - Llandegfedd - New Inn - Newport

Terrain/Ride Category: Moderate-Strenuous Suitable for all bike types

Ride Leaders/Contact: Jackie Thomas

- Thanks Jackie for a lovely tour. Even organised for the Transporter Bridge to be open!

- A big day for me! Had a huge feast of roasted turkey tonite after All of the sweat! My dream of cycling along the Ask valley and Canal became true today!  Xiu

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August 25th - September 8th Bavaria 

Flying to Munich from Cardiff. Hire bikes and tour Southern Bavaria. No support.

Option to stay for less than two weeks on this 3 centre event.

organiser Gareth Thomas

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Sunday 3rd September: Tongwynlais to Barry Sidings via Llanwonno

Start/Distance:  Lewis Arms, Tongwynlais at 10am, 50km, 638m climbing

Route/Gpx Download: Taff trail to Pontypridd then on to Ynysybwl using roads and trails - some gravelly sections- steep road climb to Llanwonno. Steep down on way to Pontygraigwen then on to Cafe at Barry Sidings. 
Return via Ponty, Treforest Industrial estate and Gwaelod. Click for GPX view/Download

Terrain/Ride Category: Trails and lanes, Moderate - Strenuous

Ride Leaders/Contact: Caroline Dallimore

- The predicted heavy rain held off so we stuck with plan A and puffed our way up and down the hills to be rewarded with excellent coffee and cake at the Barry Sidings Café. Hopefully we havn't put Phil off joining Spokes! 

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Sunday 10th September: Valleys and mountain tour

Start/Distance: Lewis arms, Tongwynlais 09.30, 55 miles

Route/GPX download: Valley roads to Ton y pandy; tea stop. Ascent of the Bwlch via outskirts of Treorchy.. Descend to Black Mill (lunch) through Ogmore Vale. Return via northern Vale.

Terrain/Ride Category: Strenuous, suitable for all bikes

Ride Leaders/Contact: Dave Griffith

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Sunday 17th September: Ogmore / Southerdown

Start/Distance: Llandaf Bridge @ 10.00 am, 48miles

Route/GPX download: Mainly through lanes. Lunch at Ewenny.

Terrain/Ride Category: Moderate

Ride Leaders/Contact: Ray Robins

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Sunday 24th September: Taff trail and the Commons

Start/Distance: Taffs well train station, 10am, 45miles, 3000ft climbing. 5-6hrs.

Route/GPX download: trails and lanes to Ystrad Mynach, onto Markham common towards Bryn Bach Park(cafe stop) Return via Gelligaer Common/Quakers Yard and Taff trail. Route subject to change in case of bad weather.

Terrain/Ride Category: Moderate to Strenuous No steep hills but fairly long, low gradient, climbs. 

Ride Leaders/Contact: Claus Sogaard

- Thanks to Claus, our now country cousin for a cracking scenic valleys loop ride. As to be expected definition of 'steep' depends on your fitness!! Nice to ride on particular roads for first time. Lovely location for tea stop at Tredegar lake with reasonable prices and friendly staff. The commons had the wow factor. Thankfully rain held off. Great day and great company. Chris

- Thanks to Clause for leading and Richard for the back guarding. It was my first attempt to join Claus for his famous color- fitness ride! It was a true Fab scenic ride, totaling over 50miles for me if it includes my ride from/ to home. Xiu

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Sunday 1st October: Cowbridge circular

Start/Distance: Cowbridge CF71 7HJ, 10am, 25miles

Route/GPX download: Colwinston to Ewenny, then follow the coast road through Ogmore,  Southerndown, St. Donat’s to Llantwit, then Sigingstone, Llandough and Llanblethian. About 25 miles with one avoidable hill up to Norton and about ¾ mile of fairly rough track, also avoidable.

Terrain/Ride Category: Easy

Ride Leaders/Contact: Roger Bradshaw

- Another great cycling through history tour today.  Many thanks to Roger for all the research.

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October 6th - 8th Cheddar/Glastonbury

Event fully booked

organiser Martin Pingel

- 20+ members enjoyed 3 days of cycling from Glastonbury visiting Burham-on-Sea, Cheddar Gorge, Mendip Hills and Wells.  Weather was kind to us, the food and drink good but best of all was the usual relaxed Spokes company

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Sunday 15th October: Llangorse Circular

Start/Distance: Llangorse Lake car park 9.30 am, 50 miles, 7 hrs approx

Route/GPX download: Llangorse - Bwlch - Crickhowell - Cwmyoy - Llantony (coffee)Hay via Gospel Pass (lunch)Talgarth - Llangorse

Terrain/Ride Category: Strenuous

Ride Leaders/Contact: Graham Davies

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Sunday 22nd October: Through the Vale

Start/Distance: 9.30am at the stone cross,  Llandaff Village Green, by the Cathedral. 9.45am at St. Fagans junction(cricket ground) 30 miles.

Route/GPX download: Fairwater - Peterston - Pendoylan - Welsh St Donats - Cowbridge (coffee stop) and back via St Mary Church - Llantrithyd - Peterston - Fairwater - home.

Terrain/Ride Category: Moderate Suitable for all bikes

Ride leaders: Clare Johnson

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