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Spokes Cycle Touring Club
Spokes 2021 Activity summary...
Sunday 2nd May: Cwmcarn
Start/Distance: Taffs Well train station @ 9.30am (Strenuous ride) and 10.00a.m (Moderate ride)48 or 40 miles.
Route/GPX download: GPX Download(option 1) GPX Download(option 2)
Option 1. Moderate ride - Trail to Caerphilly, and lanes to Bedwas, Pandy Lane,
Sirrhowy Trail to Cross Keys and Risca, returning via Pye Corner and Penylan Hill. 40 miles approx.
Option 2. Strenuous ride - as above with the addition at Cross Keys of a circuit of the Cwmcarn Forest ride -
approx 8 miles with heavy climbing of + 10% gradients.
Terrain/Ride Category: Main ride moderate in difficulty suitable for all bikes. According to numbers and weather, a strenuous extension ride will be added suitable for all bikes
Route Co-ordinator/Contact: Dave Griffith
Anyone wishing to go on either of these rides must email the ride coordinator Dave Griffiths indicating their preference for either ride before Friday 30th April. According to the numbers signed up either one or two rides will be organised.
Ride Leader: Ray Robins/ Rachel Jones/ Graeme Davies
Sunday 9th May: Aberdare
Start/Distance: 10am Taffs well train station, about 38 miles with 2,000 feet of climbing. allow 4-5 hours
Route/GPX download: GPX download Head North along the Taff Trail. Picking up the Lady Windsor Trail north of Pontypridd towards Ynysybwl. then Mountain Ash, Abercwmboi, Aberaman. Lunch Stop will be in the square beside the library and Bradley's Coffee shop on High St. Aberdare. There are plenty of benches and walls to sit on in the square, if you bring along your own food. All the climbing has now been done and it's mostly flat or downhill all the way home. After lunch heading south past the Michael Sobell Leisure Centre and canal back towards Abercynon. Re-joining the Taff Trail (south) at Abercynon
Terrain/Ride Category: Moderate with a couple of short steep climbs. Suitable for any bike, using a mixture of trails and cycle path
Route Co-ordinator/Contact: Julie Williams
Ride Leader: Phill Thomas
Sunday 16th May: Llanharry
Meet 10.00 Taffs Well railway station. 36 miles
Route/GPX download: Here Tonteg, Tonyrefail, Pontyclun Llanharry, Ysradowen, Llandaf. Mainly on roads, there is a stetch of forest track, but suitable for all bikes. Bring food and drink etc. The lunch stop is Llanharry and the Spar sells coffee etc.
If you intend joining this ride please email me.
Terrain/Ride Category: Moderate with some steep climbs
Route Co-ordinator/Contact: Dave Miles
Ride Leader: Julie Williams
Sunday 23rd May: Vale ride
Start/Distance: Meet 10am Hailey Park Bridge, Llandaff North, 30 miles, 4 hours to include a coffee stop.
Route/GPX download: Fairwater - Peterston-super-Ely - Pendoylan - Hensol - Welsh St Donats - Cowbridge (coffee stop) and return. Email me if you intend to join me.
Terrain/Ride Category: Easy to Moderate, all on road
Route Co-ordinator/Contact: Clare Johnson
Ride Leader:
Sunday 30th May: Twin Peaks challenge
Start/Distance: Taffs Well Station 9.30, 80km, 3000 ft ascent.
Route/GPX download: Two options:(1). Bwlch via Tonyrefail and Tonypandy. Treorchy Greggs for lunch then return to Cardiff via Ponty. (2) Follow route 1 to Greggs then over the Rhigos and home via Cynon trail.100km, 4000ft ascent. There will be an opportunity to avoid the Bwlch and return direct from Treorchy if you want.
Terrain/Ride Category: Strenuous
Route Co-ordinator/Contact: John Griffiths
Ride Leader:
Sunday 6th June: Lost lanes of the lower Wye valley
Start/Distance: Route starts adjacent to southbound layby on A466, 200 yards from M48 junction 2 ( Chepstow turn off) at 10.00h. Distance: 30 miles, 900 metres of ascent. Park in layby.
Route/GPX download: St Arvans, Tintern, Trelleck, Devauden, Shirenewton. Roads and lanes, suitable for all bike. Some steep climbs.
Terrain/Ride Category: Strenuous
Route Co-ordinator/Contact: Richard Cook
Ride Leader: John Griffiths and Karl Hitchings
Sunday 13th June: Llantwit Major
Start/Distance: 10am Taffs Well station, approx 5 hrs, 44 miles
Route/GPX download: GPX Click Here Taffs Well-Pentrebane-Clawdd-Coch-Llantrithyd-St Hilary-St Mary Church-Llanmaes-Llantwit Major beach. Return: Llantwit Major beach-Llanmaes-Cross Inn-Bonvilston-Peterston-Pentrebane-Taffs Well. Cafe stop at cafe on beach(cash only) - but bring own snacks as may be drinks only?
Terrain/Ride Category: Moderate
Route Co-ordinator/Contact: Stephen Kite
Ride Leader: Roger Bradshaw
Sunday 20th June: Chepstow to Slimbridge
Start/Distance: Ride starts adjacent to southbound layby on A466, 200 yards from M48 junction 2 (Chepstow first turn off). Meet at 9:15am for 9:30am start. Distance 55 miles (approx 6 to 7 hours). Two tea stops but best to bring some food.
Route/GPX download: GPX Download Chepstow to Slimbridge via Sharpness across the first Severn Bridge. Return via Thornbury
Terrain/Ride Category: Moderate Generally gentle undulations with three significant climbs.
Route Co-ordinator/Contact: Chris Metcalfe
Ride Leader:
Sunday 27th June: Clydach Lakes, near Tonypandy
Start/Distance: Taffs Well railway station 09.30 and 10.00am. 31 miles, 4.5 hours
Route/GPX download: GPX Download Taffs well - Pentyrch - Beddau - Coedely - Penygraig . Main roads and lanes. From Penygraig, back streets and compacted gravel path to Clydach lakes. Return ( road, trails and lanes ) Tonypandy - Trealaw - Porth - Trehafod - Pontyprid-Taff Trail - home. Lunch stop: Nothing available. Take packed lunch for Clydach lakes stop.
Terrain/Ride Category: Moderate with some stiff climbs. Suitable for all bikes
Notes: I have taken it that there will be sufficient take-up for this ride to require two sets of leaders. I will be following Spokes committee guidelines and working to two groups of twelve. Once I get to 24 cyclists I will put together a reserve list. If I dont get twelve I'll run with one group. Please keep an eye on Spokes notice board. Anyone wishing to go on this trip is required to Email me please. If you have a preference for a start time please let me know. I will come back to everyone with either confirmations of start times or telling them they're on reserve list.
Route Co-ordinator/Contact: Ray Robins/Phill Thomas
Ride Leader: Grae Davies + A.N.Other
Sunday 4th July: Pontymoile Basin - Brynmawr
Start/Distance: Pontymoile Basin, Fountain Road, NP48ER at 10.00am.Follow the brown boat signs to the boat yard from the A4042. You turn left on the roundabout with Macdonald’s on it. 40 miles
Route/GPX download: The route goes to Aberbeeg, Six Bells, Abertillery, Blaina and Brynmawr for lunch. There is a Greggs and a small cafe but you might wish to bring your own food.
From Brynmawr , we’ll cycle across the mountain with views of the Sugar Loaf and the Skirrid, to pick up the canal trail back to Pontymoile with a tea/ coffee stop at Goitre Wharf. The route is very picturesque and would suit tourers and hybrids best due to the canal path.
Terrain/Ride Category: Moderate
Route Co-ordinator/Contact: Jackie & Karl
Ride Leader: Jackie & Karl
Sunday 11th July: Peterston - Porthkerry - Penarth
Start/Distance: Meet 10.00 Llandaff North Bridge. Approx. 35 miles
Route/GPX download: GPX download Depart Llandaff North Bridge/Peterston-Super-Ely/Five Mile Lane/Porthkerry Park Barry/Sully/Cosmeston/Penarth. Cafe stop at Porthkerry Park but you might wish to bring your own food. Please email the ride co-ordinator if you intend coming on this ride.
Terrain/Ride Category: Moderate Mainly on roads and trails. 1425 ft of climbing
Route Co-ordinator/Contact: Mel Pruchnie
Ride Leader: Grae and Rachel
July 16th - 18th, Porlock Barbecue/Cycle Weekend...
A social weekend on the lines of the event held in Porlock last year. The main activity being the BBQ at Roger Hall’s place. The itinerary for the weekend includes a cycle ride on the Saturday, followed by a BBQ at Roger and Di’s in the evening. Sunday, there will be a walk led by Roger.
Roger has requested that those attending the Saturday BBQ should have at least one COVID-19 vaccination/jab.
Event fully booked
Sunday 25th July: Caerleon - Llantilio - Caerleon
Start/Distance: Caerleon Amphitheatre parking at 10.00, 50 miles, 6 hours
Route/GPX download: Caerleon - up Usk Valley, Raglan and Llantilio, Crossenny return via Bettws Newydd.
Terrain/Ride Category: Moderate Suitable for touring bikes.
Route Co-ordinator/Contact: Gareth Thomas
Ride Leader:
Sunday 1st August: Llangorse Circular
Start/Distance: Llangorse Lake car park 9.30 am, 50 miles, 7 hrs approx
Route/GPX download: Llangorse - Bwlch - Crickhowell - Longtown - Hay on wye (lunch) Return via Talgarth Llangorse
Terrain/Ride Category: Strenuous
Route Co-ordinator/Contact: Grae & Rachel
Ride Leader: Rachel Jones
Sunday 8th August: Rhondda hills ride
Start/Distance: 09.30 and 10.00 Taffs well railway station, 32 miles, 5 Hrs
Route/GPX download: GPX Download Taffs well - Gwaelod- lanes and trails to Treforest- Pontypridd and Porth. Roads to Tonyandy (cafe)- Ystrad - Penrhys- Ferndale - Llanwonno ( lunch pub) - Pontypridd. From Pontypridd to Taff trail with finish at Taffs well.
Terrain/Ride Category: Moderate Any bike. Two stiff climbs over Penrhys and Llanwonno.
Route Co-ordinator/Contact: Ray Robins
It's likely that I will need to split cyclists into two groups. Please email me if you want to come on this ride. Add a time preference if you want. I shall respond by back coming back to all cyclists advising them of their start times. Please don't just turn up. If your coming please email or phone me.
Ride Leader:
Sunday 15th August: Brecon Beacons tour
Start/Distance: Brecon Mtn Cntr, Libanus 10am (parking £1/all day - coins only) 52 miles.
Route/GPX download: GPX Download Pencelli, Talybont on usk, Llangorse (cafe), Llanddew, Penrte'r felin, Crai, Heol Senni, Libanus.
Terrain/Ride Category: Strenuous undulating on tarmac roads with some long or steep climbs. 1500m (5000ft) climbing
Route Co-ordinator/Contact: Martin Watson
Ride Leader: Richard Cook
Sunday 22nd August: Southerndown
Start/Distance: Meet 10.00 Llandaff North Bridge. Approx. 50 miles, 7 hrs
Route/GPX download: Depart Llandaff North Bridge and through the Vale to Southerndown. Please email the ride co-ordinator if you are planning to come on this ride.
Terrain/Ride Category: Moderate Mainly on roads. Approx. 3,000 ft of climbing
Route Co-ordinator/Contact: Nest Evans
Ride Leader: Mel Pruchnie
Sunday 5th September: Margam Park & Bwlch
Start/Distance: Albion Cafe, Cilfynydd, 9.30am. 62 miles
Route/GPX download: GPX Download Head out to Llantrisant, Heol Y Cyw, Margam Park, cafe stop in Afan Argoed , then long climb up the Bwlch and return via Treorchy and Pontypridd
Terrain/Ride Category: Strenuous Part of the route is on main roads
Route Coordinator/Contact: Dave Jenkins
Ride Leader: Claus Sogaard
Sunday 12th September: Tintern
Start/Distance: Meet at Magor Square free carpark NP26 3EP at 10am, 38 miles
Route/GPX download: We are heading for Chepstow and the Tidenham tunnel, A couple of stiff hills, moderate ride, would suggest hybrid bikes as some rough ground/mix of road, lanes and rough ground. Magor, Cerwent, Crick, Mounton, Chepstow racecourse, St Arvans devauden climb, Tintern, Bishton, Chepstow, Mathern, Cerwent, Magor.
Terrain/Ride Category: Moderate 2200ft elevation
Route Coordinator/Contact: Jane Carrie
Ride Leader:
Sunday 19th September: Pontymoile Basin - Brynmawr
Start/Distance: Pontymoile Basin, Fountain Road, NP48ER at 10.00am.Follow the brown boat signs to the boat yard from the A4042. You turn left on the roundabout with Macdonald’s on it. 40 miles
Route/GPX download: The route goes to Aberbeeg, Six Bells, Abertillery, Blaina and Brynmawr for lunch. There is a Greggs and a small cafe but you might wish to bring your own food.
From Brynmawr , we’ll cycle across the mountain with views of the Sugar Loaf and the Skirrid, to pick up the canal trail back to Pontymoile with a tea/ coffee stop at Goitre Wharf. The route is very picturesque and would suit tourers and hybrids best due to the canal path.
Terrain/Ride Category: Moderate
Route Co-ordinator/Contact: Jackie & Karl
Ride Leader: Jackie & Karl
Sunday 26th September: Fochriw Loop
Start/Distance: 10.00am. At Taffs Well station 42 miles
Route/GPX download: Mainly cycle path with a short sections on minor roads. Bring food, spares etc. Cafe stop at Parc Cwm Darren. ( In the event of bad weather there is a shorter route back avoiding Fochriw in which case the Summit Centre will be coffee stop).
Terrain/Ride Category: Moderate, Elevation 572m with one long climb which is steep at start.
Route Coordinator/Contact: Caroline Dallimore
Ride Leader:
Sunday 3rd October: Llantrisant, Miskin, the Vale
Start/Distance: Llandaff North Bridge, 10am. 35 miles approx
Route/GPX download: Pentrebane, Pentyrch, Llantrisant, Miskin returning to Cardiff through the Vale of Glamorgan.
Terrain/Ride Category: Moderate, mostly along quiet roads, some climbs
Route Coordinator/Contact: David Miller
Ride Leader:
Sunday 10th October: Magor - Usk - return
Start/Distance: 10.00 am start in Magor Square (free parking) approximately 46 miles.
Route/GPX download: Magor Square ( free parking )ascending Wentwood via Parc Seymour, following route 42 to Earlswood , before long descent through Llangym for lunch in Usk. After lunch to Raglan via Llandenny and along Abergavenny road picking up route 42 again to Bettws Newydd , back to Usk and through Llantrisant , Cats Ash and Bishton , back to Magor
Terrain/Ride Category: Moderate (climb over Wentwood)
Suitable for all bikes
Route Coordinator/Contact: Jackie and Karl
Ride Leader: Jackie and Karl
14th -21st October Majorca 2021
Book your own flights; available from Bristol (Easyjet) or Cardiff (Vueling)
Staying at the Aparthotel Flora apartments in Puerto de Pollenca
Organiser: Richard Cook
Sunday 17th October: Gower Ride
Start/Distance: Car Park adjacent to Blackpill Lido Mumbles Road, Swansea, SA3 5AT. Cost of parking £3. 35 miles approx, 5 hours. Start 10.00 am
Route/GPX download: Mumbles - Bishopstone - Kittle - Southgate - Park Mill - Parc Le Breos - Oldwalls - Cheriton - Llanrhidian - Crofty - Penclawdd - Gowerton - Black Pill carpark, Cafe stop Britannia Inn.
Terrain/Ride Category: Moderate with some steep climbs and descents. 1 mile section of track that is not suitable for posh road bikes. I would recommend a tourer or gravel bike.
Route Coordinator/Contact: Rachel
Ride Leader: Graham
Sunday 24th October: Vale Ramble
Start/Distance: 10am at Pedal power, Cardiff caravan & camping park. Pontcanna Fields, Cardiff CF11 9XR. 50 miles. Car access and parking from Sophie Close - past cricket ground.
Route/GPX download: Cardiff, Wenwoe, Llancarfan, Llantwit Major, Wick, Llampha, Dyffryn
Terrain/Ride Category: Moderate Suitable for all bikes, Some short steep hills.
Route Co-ordinator/Contact: Richard Cook
Ride Leader: TBC
