A Club affiliated to Cycling UK covering Cardiff & South Wales
Spokes Cycle Touring Club
Spokes 2020 Activity summary...
March 28th/29th Chepstow to Cheddar and return.
Weekend Cancelled - possible 1 day alternative ride from Severn beach to be confirmed
1 night in Cheddar YHA (Unsupported) Full ride details Here
Contact: Juls Sims, email: juls.sims352@btinternet.com
Sunday 29th March: Cardiff - Bridgend return
Start/Distance: Meet at 10.00 at the River Taff bridge, Llandaff North (next to Hailey Park). NB: Don't forget to put your clocks forward an hour for the start of British Summertime!
Route/GPX download: Cardiff - Llantrisant, Llanharan, Brynna, Bryncethin, Coity, Colwinston, Llancarfan, St. Fagans, Cardiff.
Terrain/Ride Category: Moderate
Route Co-ordinator/Contact: Dave Miller, email: david.cgmiller@gmail.com
Ride Leader: Richard Cook
Sunday 5th April: 14 Locks Circular
Start/Distance: Meet 9.30 Tongwynlais , Lewis Arms, 35-40 miles
Route/GPX download: Caerphilly, Bedwas, Machen, Draethen, Bassleg and Rogerstone, 14 locks cafe for lunch.
Return via Pye corner, Tredegar House and coast road back to Cardiff.
Terrain/Ride Category: Moderate ride suitable for all riders and bikes early season.
Route Co-ordinator/Contact: Dave Griffiths, email: sad.griffs@yahoo.co.uk
Ride Leader:
Sunday 12th April: Usk ride
Start/Distance: Tongwynlais at 10.00, 50-60 miles
Route/GPX download: Caerphilly, Dreathen, Basseleg Caeleon, Catnash,canals,cycle paths and Roman Roads , along the flats on the way home. Coffee stops in Usk and caerleon if required
Terrain/Ride Category: Moderate
Route Co-ordinator/Contact: Ivor Rodway, email: malivo@aol.com
Ride Leader:
Sunday 19th April:
Start/Distance: 9.30 start Tongwynlais, Its 35 -40 miles with 3600 ft of climb
Route/GPX download: Tongwynlais, Llantrisant, Beddau, Tonyrefail, Mynnydd y Gaer, Brynna, Llanharan, Llanharry, Ysradowen, Llandaf. Mainly on roads and if closed I will put a note out to bring food. but rough track in 2 places, The Cafe stop will be in Llanharry, if open, but I will check when reccying
Terrain/Ride Category: There are some climbs which are Strenuous, so its not an easy ride. Suitable for all bikes with suitable tyres.
Route Co-ordinator/Contact: Dave Miles, email: davemiles2@hotmail.com
Ride Leader:
April 22nd -29th Majorca
Trip Cancelled - possible reschedule till later in the year
7 nights. Details have already been circulated.
Contact: Richard Cook, email: richard.cook5@ntlworld.com
Sunday 26th April:
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Route Co-ordinator/Contact: Roger Bradshaw
Ride Leader:
Sunday 3th May: 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
Route Co-ordinator/Contact: Graeme Davies, email: rs29jones@gmail.com, tel: 07587 170819
Ride Leader:
Sunday 10th May:
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Route Co-ordinator/Contact: Julie Williams
Ride Leader:
May 14-19th Lowestoft to Cardiff
Cycling C2C (unsupported). Fully booked - but Contact Dave G. for a possible shortlist entry.
Details:
Trip will be self supported using own bikes. Bikes will be transported from Cardiff to Lowestoft using an off hire van. Riders will travel to Lowestoft by train arriving mid afternoon on first day. The ride will commence at Ness point in Lowestoft (the most easterly point in the UK) and will proceed as follows:-
Day 1 – 10-12 miles to Beccles (overnight in hotel)
Day 2- 60-65 miles to Cambridge (overnight in YHA)
Day 3- 45-50 miles to Milton Keynes (overnight in Premier inn)
Day 4 - 45 miles to Oxford (overnight in YHA)
Day 5 – 60 miles to Dursley/Wooton under Edge area (accom yet to be determined)
Day 6 – 55- 60 miles to Cardiff
The terrain will be mostly undulating with no major mountain ranges to scale. Hence the distances are reasonable for this type of terrain. We will use NCR cycle routes as far as possible & quiet byways and lanes as available. Days will be well paced & punctuated with coffee, lunch & tea stops as appropriate. I have not reccied substantial parts of the route yet, but will have done by May. Cost will be in the region of £250 per person
Contact: Dave Griffiths, email: sad.griffs@yahoo.co.uk
Sunday 17th May:
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Sunday 24th May:
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Route Co-ordinator/Contact: John Griffith
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May 29th-31st Herefordshire Mike Hutchinson’s 90th birthday.
Contact: Julie Williams/Moira Knowles, email: julieontherun@gmail.com
Sunday 31st May:
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Route Co-ordinator/Contact: Caroline Dallimore
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June 2nd/3rd(Dates TBC) Bulgaria
Flight from Heathrow to Sofia. Then 6 days cycling possibly in the Rhodopi or Pirin mountains.
7 nights. Daily mileage not expected to exceed 50 miles.
Mountain bikes will be provided locally, Hotel accomodation.
Support car to carry luggage
Estimate cost to be in the £450 - £500 range plus flights. This covered all costs including bike hire, support, accommodation and all food and drink.
Limited spaces.
Contact: Glen Dermody, email: g.dermody@ntlworld.com
Sunday 7th June:
Start/Distance: Lewis Arms Tongwynlais 10.00 hrs. 36 miles.
Route/GPX download: Tongwynlais - Abertridwr/Sengenydd - Mynydd Eglwysilan - Nelson - Gelligaer common - Bargoed ( lunch ) -Pengam - Maesycmmer - Bedwas - Caerphilly - Tongwynlais.
Terrain/Ride Category: Overall, Moderate ride with climbs out of Sengenydd and up to Gelligaer common. Ride on mix of cycle trails and lanes.
Route Co-ordinator/Contact: Ray Robins, email: ray.robins1927@gmail.com
Ride Leader:
Sunday 14th June:
Start/Distance: 50 miles
Route/GPX download: Llangynidr - Talgarth - Hay on Wye - Ecsley brook - Crickhowell - Llangynidr.
Terrain/Ride Category: Strenuous
Route Co-ordinator/Contact: Martin Watson, email: mdwcycle@gmail.com
Ride Leader:
Sunday 21st June:
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Sunday 28th June:
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Route Co-ordinator/Contact: Jackie Thomas
Ride Leader:
Sunday 5th July: Chepstow to Slimbridge
Start/Distance: Start: Cycle route starts adjacent to south bound layby on A466, 200 yards from M48 junction 2 ( Chepstow turn off) at 9.30am. Distance 55 miles (approx 6 to 7 hours)
Route/GPX download: GPX Download HERE Chepstow to Slimbridge via Sharpness across Severn Bridge. Return via Thornbury.
Terrain/Ride Category: Moderate Generally gentle undulations with three significant climbs.
Route Co-ordinator/Contact: Chris Metcalfe, tel: 07568490547
Ride Leader:
Sunday 12th July
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Route Co-ordinator/Contact: Claus Sogaard
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July 17th/19th Porlock Cycling - BBQ - Walking
WEEKEND POSTPONED
This is very much a social weekend so it's also open to non cycling partners.
Roger and Di have been hosting our almost annual BBQ's for what must have been at least 20 years. (I'm sure I'll be corrected by someone). An I do hope I'm not tempting fate when I mention that in all this time, we have never failed to eat outdoors.
This is the weekend itinerary:
Fri 17th: Arrive anytime to explore the lovely village of Porlock, or join us for a small ride in the afternoon. Evening: Meet up for a meal in a local hostelry. Venue and times to be confirmed
Sat 18th: Full day ride led by our local guide Alan Jones. Visit the quaint villages and tea rooms with splendid views from the top of Porlock Hill. Evening BBQ at Roger and Di's house. Bring along a bottle with a small contribution towards the BBQ (amount to be advised) along with their address and directions.
Sun 19th: Interesting local knowledge morning walk led by our hosts Roger and Di and then all back to their house to finish off any leftovers from the night before. Depart at your leisure or meet up in the evening for any stragglers staying until Monday. I've booked the Porlock caravan park site from the Friday to Monday
https://www.porlockcaravanpark.co.uk/camping
There is also another campsite nearby. Plus hotels and B&B's in the centre of the village. NB this is the first weekend of the school holidays, so probably the sooner you book the better. see https://www.porlock.co.uk/
Please let me know if you'll be joining us on this wonderful weekend.
Contacts: Julie Williams/Roger Hall/Alan Jones, email: julieontherun@gmail.com
Sunday 19th July: Tongwynlais - Fochriw loop
Start/Distance: Lewis Arms, Tongwynlais 10am 45miles
Route/GPX download: GPX Download Here
Terrain/Ride Category: Moderate
Route Co-ordinator/Contact: Mel Pruchnie tel: 07979367321
Ride Leader: Julie Williams
Sunday 26th July: Porthkerry
Start/Distance: Lewis Arms, Tongwynlais 10am, 35 miles around 4hrs including coffee-stop
Route/GPX download: GARMIN download Here Taff trail to Radyr pedestrian Bridge - Radyr - Peterston - Bonvilston - Porthkerry (coffee stop at Porthkerry Marios) Penmark - Llancarfan - Creigiau - Garth
(NB: Marios is take-away drinks-only during C-19 so please bring your own snacks)
Terrain/Ride Category: Moderate - some rather longer hills (Radyr-Bonvilston-Pentyrch) tarmac lanes - some short graded track through Porthkerry
Route Co-ordinator/Contact: Stephen Kite, email: kites@cardiff.ac.uk
Ride Leader: Roger Bradshaw
Sunday 2nd August: Llangynidr - Hay on Wye Loop
Start/Distance: 10:00 Llangynidr Village Hall, 50 miles(car park nr cycle shop on B4558, os map 161 grid ref 155196).
Route/GPX download: Talgarth, Hay on Wye, along Escley Brook, Forest Coal Pit, Crickhowell and back to Llangynidr. Cafe/shop in Hay
Terrain/Ride Category: Strenuous
Route Coordinator/Contact: Martin Watson, email: mdwcycle@gmail.com
Ride Leader: Richard Cook
August 7-9th: Gloucester weekender
Weekend Cancelled
Travelling from Cardiff to Gloucester on Friday, returning Sunday. Saturday ride heading north to Upton-on-Severn and Tewksbury.
Option exists to make your own way to Gloucester, cycle Saturday and then travel with main group on Sunday returning to Gloucester after coffee stop.
Around 60 miles a day(3 days) but fairly flat. Suitable for all bikes. Mostly road but there will be some cycling on canal paths.
Accommodation: Probably in Travelodge and Premier Inn which are next door to each other near the centre of town.
Cyclists will have to carry their own luggage on Friday and Sunday. There may be an option to have luggage delivered if someone is driving up.
Contact: Glen Dermody, email: g.dermody@ntlworld.com
Sunday 9th August:
Start/Distance: Lewis Arms at 10.00, 35 miles, 5-6 hours including cafe stop
Route/GPX download: Taff Trail north to junction with Lady Windsor trail, then cross A470 onto A4054, to Llanfabon Road, Nelson, RCN 47 to Sirhowey, Valley, Cafe Stop Risca, then Lower Ocherwyth, Rhiwderin, Draethen, Caerphilly, Tongwynlais.
Terrain/Ride Category: Moderate
Route Co-ordinator/Contact: Richard Cook, Tel: 07891 204 315
Ride Leader:
Sunday 16th August:
Start/Distance: 10am, Llandaff north bridge, 50miles
Route/GPX download: Peterston, Warren Mill, Llantrithid, Llantwit Major(cafe/shop for lunch) St. Brides Major, Colwinston, City, Ystradowen, Tre Dodridge, St. Brides sup.ely, Home
Terrain/Ride Category: Moderate
Route Co-ordinator/Contact: Martin Watson, email: mdwcycle@gmail.com
Ride Leader: Richard Cook
Sunday 6th September: Rhigos - Aberdare loop
Start/Distance: Lewis Arms, Tongwynlais – 10am, 56 miles, 6 hours
Route/GPX download: Using Trails where possible and B roads to Treorchy, Treherbert and over the Rhigos to Hirwaun. Follow Cynon/dare Valley Trails from Hirwaun to Aberdare and Abercynon, B roads may be used where more practical and quiet. From Abercynon to Pontypridd/Tongwynlais via Taff Trail. Lunch stop – Treorchy or Aberdare depending on availability, Refreshment Van on top of the Rhigos. At the time I recce’ed the ride in June Open Café’s were sparse but it ‘might’ be a lot better in September.
Terrain/Ride Category: Strenuous
Route Coordinator/Contact: Ivor Rodway, email: malivo@aol.com
Ride Leader: Dave Miles
Sunday 13th September: Devils Elbow
Start/Distance: Albion Cafe, Cilfynydd at 9.30, 63 miles.
Route/GPX download: Strava link Here Ride out to Glyneath, then onto Pen-y-cae ( possible cafe stop ) past Craig-y-nos And then through Heol Senni and over Devil’s Elbow. Return through Penderyn and Aberdare. Might also be able to get food in Ystradfellte or Aberdare.
Terrain/Ride Category: Strenuous 4334 ft of climbing
Route Coordinator/Contact: Dave Jenkins, email: jenkins_s5@sky.com
Ride Leader: Claus Sogaard
Sunday 20st September: Gower Ride
Start/Distance: Car Park adjacent to Blackpill Lido Mumbles Road, Swansea. 45 miles approx, 6 hours. 10.00 am
Route/GPX download: Swansea bay-mumbles-bishopston-kittle-pennard-southgate-parkmill coffee and cake stop. Track to lechrhyd bridge-Llanridian-oldwalls-Burry Green-llanmadoc (lunch at the Britainnia Pub)-cheriton- Weobly Castle. Llanrhidian-crofty -Penclawdd-Gowerton-cyclepath down clyne valley back to Blackpill.
