2018 Activity Summary

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Sunday 25th March Tongwynlais - Barry Island return

Start/Distance: Lewis Arms, Tongwynlais at 10.00, 36miles approx

Route/GPX download: Tongwynlais - Pentyrch - Dyffryn - Barry Island - return

Terrain/Ride Category: Moderate (Pentyrch hill) suitable for touring bikes

Ride Leaders/Contact: Gareth Thomas, tel: 07483 221049 email: bryntyrchgareth@btinternet.com

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Sunday 1st April: 14 Locks

Start/Distance: Lewis Arms @ 10.00am, 30/35 Miles 

Route/GPX download: Caerphilly Bedwas Machen Draethen and up to 14 locks for lunch. Return via coast road

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

Ride Leaders/Contact: David Griffiths, email: sad.griffs@yahoo.co.uk

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Sunday 8th April: Llantwit Major

Start/Distance: Pedal power Cardiff @ 10.00, 45miles approx.

Route/GPX download: Easy route along the coast,  Click Here to view route/download GPX file

Terrain/Ride Category: Moderate

Ride Leaders/Contact: Ivor Rodway,

- Cracking route today. I even got a bit sunburnt! Thanks to Ray, Ivor et al. Michael C

- Just to echo Michael's comments about yesterday's ride. Really grateful for everybody's encouragement. Lawrence & Ann

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Sunday 15th April: Risca

Start/Distance: Lewis Arms, Tongwynlais @ 10.00am

Route/GPX download: Tongwynlais, Pandy lane, Maesycwmmer, Gelligroes, Mynydd Islwyn, pub lunch if  available, Risca, Greggs Cafe, Bassaleg, Cardiff.

Terrain/Ride Category: Moderate

Ride Leaders/Contact: Dave Miles, email: davemiles2@hotmail.com

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April 18th- 25th Majorca 

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

Staying at the Aparthotel Flora apartments in Puerto de Pollenca

organiser Gareth Thomas

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Sunday 29th April:  Bwlch via Nant y Moel and lanes to Tonyrefail 

Start/Distance: Albion Café at 10.00am. ( Cilfynydd ) 35 Miles with 3800 ft of climbing, Should take about 4 hours

Route/GPX download: Maritime estate, lanes to Tonyrefail, Road to Blackmill, cycle track to Nant Y Moel, Over the Bwlch and down the valley to Pontypridd. Some potholes to be aware of in the lanes to Tonyrefail but still ok for a road bike. There are 2 long climbs but nothing too steep. Stopping at Smithys for lunch. Click Here for strava link/GPX file(strava account required)

Terrain/Ride Category: Moderate-Strenuous suitable for all bikes.

Ride Leaders/Contact: Dave Jenkins, email: Jenkins_s5@sky.com

- Good ride Dave, well done, Sun shining 5 mins after getting home! Typical Johng

- We all made it up those the hill.  Warm welcome to Mike and thanks for keeping me company up the Bwlch  M.

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Sunday 6th May: Vale ride 

Start/Distance: Cowbridge CF71 7HJ, 10.00am, 25 miles

Route/GPX download: Colwinston to Ewenny then follow the coast road, Ogmore, St Donats to Llantrisant, then Sigingstone, Llandough and Llanblethian about25 miles with one Avoidable hill up to Norton and about 3/4 mile fairly Rough track also avoidable.

Terrain/Ride Category: Easy

Ride Leaders/Contact: Roger Bradshaw, email; 7millbrow@gmail.com

- Thanks Roger for a great historical tour of the Vale. Included were some ancient monuments spotted in the church at Llanilltud Fawr.

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May 12th: CARTEN 2018

Cardiff-Tenby Charity Ride

Organiser: Claus Sogaard

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Sunday 13th May: Tour of the Cotswolds

Start/Distance: Rock street car park,Thornbury BS35 2FH @ 9.30am, About 1 hour from Cardiff via Severn crossing , £5.60 tolls. On return journey, about 60 Miles, 6.5 to 7 hours depending on stops.

Route/GPX download: Thornbury , Castle Combe, 23 Miles for brunch / lunch Mainly lanes with short stretch’s of more major road Chipping Sodbury,  48 Miles for tea, Mainly lanes with short stretch’s of more major road Thornbury, lanes with cycle path. Click Here for Strava link.

Terrain/Ride Category: Moderate, 3200 ft of climbing, but not to challenging Climb and several short sharp climbs, Suitable for road bikes / hybrids and tourers

Ride Leaders/Contact: Pete and Sheala, email: pete4100@virginmedia.com

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Sunday 20th May: Cardiff - Parc Cwm Darren - Return

Start/Distance: Lewis Arms, Tongwynlais at 09.30, 50+ miles, 6-7 hours

Route/GPX download: Tongwynlais, Pandy lane, Maesycwmmer, Bargoed, lunch stop at Parc Cwm Darran, Pentwyn, Cwmfelin, Trelewis, Parc Penallta, Nelson, Taff Trail, Tongwynlais.

Terrain/Ride Category: Moderate  Mainly on roads, lanes and trails. Big hill up to Pentwyn (followed by nice views on the common). Bike type, suitable for all bikes

Ride Leaders/Contact: RC: Julie Williams, RL: Rachel Jones, email: julieontherun@gmail.com.

tel: 07958482282

- Thank-you Julie! 😀 

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May 25th -27th: Mike Hutchinson 87th Birthday

The ride will be no more than 50 miles, will be suitable for any bike and the route will be as flat as Mike can make it. In a change from previous years we will start the ride from the large car park in front of Shobdon Stores. It is about a quarter of a mile past the Bateman Arms. Anyone arriving by car will be able to leave their vehicle there for the day. The ride will start at 10am to allow people to travel up on the morning. There will be a celebration meal at The Bateman Arms on the Saturday evening. For those looking to stay on the Friday/Saturday night there is The Beeches Campsite about half a mile from Shobdon,  01568 708678 or http://www.thebeechescampsite.co.uk/. The Bateman Arms also does rooms although I do not know whether any are still available, 01568 708374.If you are planning to attend can you please let me know on 0786 4984385 or g.dermody@ntlworld.com. It is particularly important to know numbers for the evening meal. The table needs to be booked as soon as possible as it is a bank holiday weekend.

organiser: Glen Dermody

 

Sunday 3rd June: Raglan Castle

Start/Distance: 09:30 Lidl Car park, Maes y Coed RD. Approx 70 miles

Route/GPX download: Out through lanes to Bassaleg, down the newly tarmacked canal towpath round the north of Newport and up the canal through Cwmbran to Pontypool. Cafe stop in the canal basin. East via Llandegfedd Reservoir dam to Usk then NE over Gwehelog to Raglan for lunch at the Castle cafe. Return to Usk via a lowland route and then to Caerleon and Newport, returning to Cardiff along the outward route.

Terrain/Ride Category: Moderate, Undulating with one short steep climb by Llandegfedd reservoir.

Ride Leaders/Contact: Martin Watson, email: mdwcycle@gmail.com

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Sunday 10th June: Wye Valley ride & Peregrine Trail via Ross on Wye

Start/Distance: Monmouth Riverside car park @ 9.30am, 1 hour from Cardiff & Talgarth, turn left after tunnel. Approaching Monmouth going north, turn right over bridge & left into car park. Now only 50 miles 6 hours.

Route/GPX download: Again Bob and Alicae have coffee and tea with cake for us at the extraordinary Shipley Gardens, optional stop at Goodrich castle cafe. Best bring some food. Let me know if you want a gpx file

Terrain/Ride Category: Generally Moderate with some harder bits, flat sections with occasional hills. Generally follows Wye river valley. Suitable for all bikes.

Ride Leaders/Contact: Chris Metcalfe, email: cmetcalfe3@gmail.com, tel: 07568 490547

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June 14th -18th: Ray Robins 5 day tour of South & Mid Wales 

Starting from Cardiff, Stopping at Ross on Wye, Bishops Castle, Llanidloes & Hay on Wye. Supported Ride.

Link to GPX Downloads: Day1  Day2  Day3  Day4  Day5

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Sunday 24th June: Blaenavon - return

Start/Distance: Llanishen Train Station @ 9.30am, 64 miles, 6-7hrs approx.

Route/GPX download: Click Here for route maps/GPX. Llanishen to 14 locks - NCR 49/492 to Blaenavon - Return via Abertillery - Risca - Rogerstone - Home.

Terrain/Ride Category: Moderate Mostly flat cycle lanes

Ride Leaders/Contact: Claus Sogaard, email: Lakesideracer@hotmail.com

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Sunday 1st July: Nelson Round trip

Start/Distance: Lewis Arms, Tongwynlais at 09.30, Approx 35 miles, 6 hours including cafe stop.

Route/GPX download: Nantgarw,  Abertridwr, Senghenydd, Nelson, Crosskeys, Machen, Caerphilly, Tongwynlais. 

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

Ride Leaders/Contact: Mike Cranwell, email: michael2051@hotmail.co.uk

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July 8th: Spokes participation in the VELOTHON

organiser: Richard Cook

Smiling at 07.00h, a bit hot and sweaty at the end, but all finished safely.

Well done to everyone especially in this heat.

Richard

Sunday 15th July: 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: Nick & Caroline, email: Caroline@dallimore.org.uk. tel: 07765560665

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July 20th - 22nd: BBQ at Roger's in Porlock

Saturday Cycle organised by Alan Jones. Sunday Walk organised by Roger

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Sunday 29th July: Shirenewton - Usk Circular

Start/Distance: Three Arches Pub at 9:30. Just over 60 miles. 7-8 hours.

Route/GPX download: Cardiff, Magor, Shirenewton, Usk return. Cafe stops at Magor and Usk.

Terrain/Ride Category: Moderate with one fairly long climb up to Shirenewton, Suitable for all bikes.

Ride Leaders/Contact: Glen Dermody, email: g.dermody@ntlworld.com

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Saturday-Sunday August 4th - 5th: Wiltshire 2 day Circular Ride

Start/Distance: Saturday meet at Chippenham Railway Station 09:15am for a 09:30am start, 55 miles.  Sunday 50 miles.  Suitable for all types of bikes. Thanks to Fiona a small amount of luggage, restricted to one small bag per person, can be transported from and to Chippenham.

Route/GPX download: Chippenham, Bradford upon Avon, Longleat, Warminster, Salisbury. Overnight stay at Salisbury returning Amesbury, Caen Hill Locks, Calne, Chippenham.

Terrain/Ride Category: Moderate ‘Glorious Wiltshire countryside’ Undulating but only 3 significant climbs

Ride Leaders/Contact: Chris Metcalfe, email: cmetcalfe3@gmail.com 07568490547

- Many thanks to Chris M for organising a great weekend - lovely countryside, great food but next time think I'll bring my mountain bike!! 😉 Martin

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Sunday 12th August: Redwick

Start/Distance: Caerleon Amphitheater at 10.00, 36 miles

Route/GPX download: To Llanhennock and Llantrisant to climb up Wentwood from the Usk side, taking the route to Shirenewton around the back of Wentwwod for lunch either in The Woodland Tavern or Shirenewton  before crossing the A48 to go to Dewstow ( between Caerwent and Caldicot) across the moors to Redwick for a drink in The Rose if everyone wants to stop and then back to Caerloen via Bishton and Llanwern up Cats Ash and the back of the Celtic  Manor golf course to go back too Caerleon. The ride is about 4 hours plus lunch stop  as there is one long climb up Wentwood, the climb is long and 16% gradient in parts. Click here for route view/GPX file

Terrain/Ride Category: Moderate, Suitable for all bikes

Ride Leaders/Contact: Jackie Price email: jackietprice@aol.com

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Sunday 19th August: Millenium Coastal Path 

Start/Distance: 1030am Car Park adjacent to Blackpill Lido, Mumbles Rd, Swansea, approx 75km. 5 hours including stops

Route/GPX download: Cycle Path though Clyne Valley to Gorseinon and Loughor. Millennium Coast Path to Llanelli, Burry Port and Pembrey.  Return same. Cafes - close to start at Blackpill, Llanelli, Burry Port and Pembrey.

Terrain/Ride Category: Easy  Almost all good tarmac path. Suitable for all bikes.

Ride Leaders/Contact: Gareth & Denise, email: geeden19@aol.com

- Cracking ride with Gareth and Den, enjoyed the company, the banter and the views along the coast. Thanks for a good day guys. PK

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Sunday 26th August: Margam ride Ride Cancelled but Re-scheduled to 23rd September

Start/Distance: 10am, Cowbridge CF71 7HJ, 45miles, 6hrs

Route/GPX download: Cowbridge, Bridgend, Porthcawl, Margam, Pyle Parc Slip nature reserve. Coffee/ice cream at Porthcawl

Terrain/Ride Category: Very few hills, Moderate

Ride Leaders/Contact: Roger Bradshaw,  email; 7millbrow@gmail.com

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Sunday 2-9th September. Belgium Trip 

Organiser Glen Dermody

Truly great 8 sunny days cycling in Flanders.  Ending in Ypres with visits to unforgettable WW1 cemeteries and the most moving last post at Menin Gate with Scottish Guards and Military Wives Choir. Not to mention the company! As usual Simply the best! Chris

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Sunday 16th September: Route based on the book "Lost Lanes of Wales" by Jack Thurston

Start/Distance: 10.00h from Byefield lane car park Abergavenny(free parking) about 35 miles and 4000 ft of climbing.

Route/GPX download: heading north to skirt the Skirrid, and then west past the Sugarloaf.  At Llanbedr head south to Govilon, then climb the western side of the Tumble past Pwll Du and descend back to Abergavenny. There is an option to avoid the final climb of the Tumble and cycle along the canal path to Abergavenny if we have bad weather or people have tired legs! 

Terrain/Ride Category: Moderate-Strenuous, some gravel and rough road surfaces, not suitable for road bikes.

Ride Leaders/Contact: Richard Cook, email: richard.cook5@ntlworld.com

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Sunday 23rd September: Margam ride

Start/Distance: 10am, Cowbridge CF71 7HJ, 45miles, 6hrs

Route/GPX download: Cowbridge, Bridgend, Porthcawl, Margam, Pyle Parc Slip nature reserve. Coffee/ice cream at Porthcawl

Terrain/Ride Category: Very few hills, Moderate

Ride Leaders/Contact: Roger Bradshaw,  email; 7millbrow@gmail.com

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Sunday 30th September: Tredegar

Start/Distance: 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, email: jackietprice@aol.com

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Sunday 7th October: Bwlch Circular

Start/Distance: St Fagans crossroads (cricket club) at 09.30, 85km, 1300m climbing. Anyone who want to leave a car outside my house in the village is welcome to do so.

Route/GPX download: Cycle via Peterstone, Groesfaen, RhiwSaeson, Llantrisant, Tonyrefail to Tonypandy where there will no doubt be a clamouring to stop for coffee.  Then on to Treorchy, over the Bwlch and drop down for lunch at the Old Forge, before returning to St Fagans via the Vale (Coychurch, City, Welsh St Donats)

Terrain/Ride Category: Moderate-Strenuous Small roads and cycle tracks where possible.

Ride Leaders/Contact: John Griffiths, email: johng@globalnet.co.uk

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Sunday 14th October: Gower Circuit

Start/Distance: 10.00 start 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. 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: Ride Coordinator: Graham Davies, Ride Leader: Rachel Jones, email: gpdavies1967@gmail.com

- Thanks to Rach & Grae for a  great ride, and good routes.  Who would have thought we would be riding in sunshine!!

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Sunday 21nd October: Cowbridge loop

Start/Distance: 10 am start at the stone-cross Llandaff Village Green, 30 miles (approx. 4hrs including Cowbridge coffee/snack stop) 

Route/GPX download: Llandaff – Welsh St Donats – Cowbridge (coffee/snack stop)  St Mary Church - Llancarfan

St Fagans - home. Click Here to view/download GPX

Terrain/Ride Category: Moderate, all on roads/lanes – suitable or all bikes 

Ride Leaders/Contact: Stephen Kite, email: Kites@cardiff.ac.uk

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Thursday 25th October: Spokes Annual AGM

This year held at The Old Market Tavern in Cardiff CF10 1BH from 7pm - come along and revisit the years cycle highlights and a preview of next years main events.

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Spokes Christmas Do - Saturday 15th. December

Join us at the Halfway Pub on Cathedral Road in Cardiff CF11 2PP from 7pm.

Organiser: Rachel Jones, Email: rs29jones@gmail.com