Spokes 2023 Activities

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 Sunday 26th March: Caerphilly Loop via Penylan 

Start/Distance: 10.00 am, Radyr Weir, Approx 30 miles

Route/GPX download: GPX Download Refreshments at Caerphilly Visitor Centre overlooking Caerphilly Castle.  Approx 4.5 hrs depending on how long we stop for refreshments. NB The cafe stop is quite late on during the ride, So suggest you bring snacks to keep you going.

Terrain/Ride Category: Moderate (500m climbing) on road, lanes & trails.

Route Coordinator/Contact: Mel Pruchnie, email: mel.pruchnie@gmail.com

Ride Leader: Graham Davies

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Sunday 2nd April:  Llanwonno via Barry Sidings

Start/Distance: 10.00 am from Radar weir, 50km,

Route/GPX download: GPX Download Cafe stop at Berry Sidings

Terrain/Ride Category: Moderate Some quite steep hills. 600m climb, mainly cycle path and quiet roads.

Route Coordinator/Contact: Nick Dallimore, email: nick@dallimore.org.uk

Ride Leader: Caroline Dallimore

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Sunday 9th April: Guardian Monument

Start/Distance: 10.00 am. Albion Cafe, Cilfynydd. 37 miles.

Route/GPX download: Head out to Oakdale via roads and cycle paths. Stop in Pen Y Fan Country Park , then onto 6 Bells to have a look at the Guardian Monument. Return via Crumlin and Hengoed. A few hills but nothing really steep. There a few cafes dotted about but if not open might have to use burger van or supermarket.

Terrain/Ride Category: Moderate 2500 ft of climbing.

Route Coordinator/Contact: ​Dave Jenkins, email: jenkins_s5@sky.com

Ride Leader: Calum Taylor

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Sunday 16th April: Somerset Circular

Start/Distance: 10am, Yatton Rail Station, OS landranger 182 GR 425660, 40+ miles

Route/GPX download: Chew Valley lake, Cheddar Gorge(downhill) Strawberry line trail

Terrain/Ride Category: Easy - Moderate

Route Coordinator/Contact: Calum Taylor, tel: 07718974789

Ride Leader: Arlene Morrison, tel: 07786266445

   

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19-26th April: Majorca

Email circulated to members

Please Contact Richard Cook for further information

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Sunday 30th April: Gower

Start/Distance: 10.00 am Car Park adjacent to Blackpill Lido Mumbles Road, Swansea, SA3 5AT. Cost of parking £3. 35 miles approx, 5 hours.

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 Jones, tel: 07932121221

Ride Leader: Graham, tel: 07587 170819

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Sunday 7th May: Graveyard climb via Taff Trail, Deri and Bargoed

Start/Distance: 10.00 am Radyr Weir. 45 miles, Approx 4-5 hours

Route/GPX download: Refreshments at kiosk in Taf Bargoed Park, Treharris.

Terrain/Ride Category: Moderate (with one steep climb) on roads, lanes and trails.

Route Coordinator/Contact: Howard James, Email: jhwrdjames@aol.com

Ride Leader: Dave Jenkins

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May 12-13th: Swansea to Cardiff Weekender

Two days cycling from Swansea around the Gower peninsula and then back to Cardiff via the Bwlch

and Rhondda. Cycling on a combination of quiet roads and tarmacked cycle trails. Suitable for any bike. 

Details: Start: Swansea train station 12 May at 11.00 hrs. 

•  Support: no support vehicle. Cyclists to carry their own luggage.  

• Transport to Swansea. Cyclists asked to book bikes as passengers on trains Cardiff to Swansea. Alternatively, make own arrangements for bikes to be taken by car to start point at station. 

• Digs- cyclists to arrange own accommodation in Swansea city centre 

•  Approximate cost £70- train ticket and digs. 

•  There is a sixteen cyclist limit on this trip. A reserve list will be made up, if necessary. 

Routes: Day (1) Swansea, circular route around the Gower via Mumbles ,  Oystermouth ,  Three Cliffs Bay, Reynoldston, Penclawdd, Gowerton to central Swansea. (37 miles) 

Day (2) Swansea , cycle trail to Port Talbot, Afan Valley, Blaengwynfi,  Bwlch, Rhondda Fawr , Pontypridd and Cardiff ( 52 miles) 

If you’re interested in coming on this Weekender please email me. If you want additional information before you commit, you’re welcome to either email or phone me. 

Please aim to respond to me by Monday 20th February. 

Event coordinator Ray Robins. ray.robins1927@gmail.com. tel: 07917844791 

Ride Leader Ivor Rodway. malivo@aol.com

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Sunday 14th May: Start from Radyr Weir Sunday ride

Start/Distance: 10am

Route/GPX download: to be decided by the participants

Terrain/Ride Category:

Route Coordinator/Contact: N/A

Ride Leader: N/A

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Sunday 21st May: North Avon Cycleway

Start/Distance:  10.00 am lay-by Link Rd Chepstow 75km(47 miles) 720m Climbing.

Route/GPX download: Chepstow, Aust, Littleton on Severn, Wickwar, Iron Acton, Northwick, Aust, Chepstow

Terrain/Ride Category: Moderate (one or two steep climbs) on roads and lanes

Route Coordinator/Contact: Gwyn Tudor, email: gwyntudor@me.com

Ride Leader: Diane Park

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May 24th - 31st: Bulgaria

Itinerary: Fly from Heathrow to Sofia and back, Mountain bikes will be provided, staying in hotels, Support car for transporting luggage, Flights about £200 Hotels, bike hire, support vehicle around 400 euros. Cost estimate difficult as Bulgaria has higher inflation than UK.

Event fully booked, possible waiting list tbc

Organiser: Glen Dermody

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Sunday 28th May: Start from Radyr Weir Sunday ride

Start/Distance: 10am

Route/GPX download: to be decided by the participants

Terrain/Ride Category:

Route Coordinator/Contact: N/A

Ride Leader: N/A

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Sunday 4th June: Llangorse Circular

Start/Distance: 9.30am Llangorse Lake car park, 51 miles

Route/GPX download: Llangorse, Crickhowell, Llanthony, Hay on wye. Cafe stops at Llanthony abbey/Hay on wye 

Terrain/Ride Category: Strenuous 1300mtrs climbing on lanes and roads

Route Coordinator/Contact: Rosemary Hardy, email: rosemary.starlings@hotmail.co.uk

Ride Leader:

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Sunday 11th June: Magor Circular

Start/Distance: 10.00 am meeting in free car park off Magor square, 45 miles

Route/GPX download: Over Wentwood via Parc Seymour to descend onto Usk road by Alpaca farm. Lunch stop at Raglan golf club, and back through Clytha park, into Usk, with possible ice cream break, before returning over Cats Ash via Llanwern , Bishton back to Magor.

Terrain/Ride Category: Moderate

Route Coordinator/Contact: Jackie, email jackiethomas18@icloud.com

Ride Leader: Karl

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Sunday 18th June: Raglan Castle

Start/Distance: 10.00 Pontypool leisure centre car park. Approx 46 miles, Approx 6hrs depending on how long we stop for refreshments.

Route/GPX download: GPX download Refreshments at Millbrook garden centre, Monmouth (20 miles) and Goytre Wharf (40miles) Some of the roads are narrow country lanes with their usual crop of pot holes, gravel and mud with the last few miles along a canal tow path

Terrain/Ride Category: Strenuous (1100m climbing), all road, mostly quiet lanes.

Route Coordinator/Contact: Martin Watson, email: mdwcycle@gmail.com

Ride Leader: Mike Hyde

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Sunday 25th June: Slimbridge

Start/Distance: Ride starts adjacent to southbound layby on A466, 200 yards from M48 junction 2 (Chepstow first turn off). 9:15am for 9:30am start. Distance 55 miles (approx 6 to 7 hours). Two tea stops(Slimbridge and Thornbury) but best to bring some food.

Route/GPX download: GPX File Chepstow to Slimbridge via Sharpness port 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, tel: 07568490547, email: cmetcalfe3@gmail.com

Ride Leader: Jane Carrie, Peter Jackson

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Sunday 2nd July: Southerndown and the Vale

Start/Distance: 10.00am Radyr Weir, 56 miles. Approx 5-6 hrs

Route/GPX download: GPX Link Llandaf / Pentrebane Rd / St Bride's / St George's / Dyffryn / Moulton

Llancarfan / Cross Inn / Llanmaes / Llantwit Major / St Donat's / Marcross / St Bride's Major / Southerndown

Return: Wick / Llanmaes / Llantrithyd / Clawdd-coch. Short coffee stop: Velo cafe - Llantwit Major -

Lunch stop: West Farm - Southerndown

Terrain/Ride Category: Moderate Suitable for all bikes. 3,500 feet of Vale undulations

Route Coordinator/Contact: Stephen Kite, tel: 07716231056

Ride Leader: Rachel Jones

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Sunday 9th July: Magor, Chepstow & Tintern Ride

Start/Distance: Magor free car park. 10am

Route/GPX download: Chepstow via lanes and trails, past race course, St Arvans hill, Tintern, lunch stop in Water Mill, across new bridge down to Bat cave.Through the tunnel, chepstow, Mathern, Magor.(mix of lanes, trails and quiet roads)

Terrain/Ride Category: Moderate 2000FT Elevation Gain, some light rough ground before the tunnel, no problem for road bikes. 

Route Coordinator/Contact: Jane Carrie, email: jane.karrie3@gmail.com

Ride Leader: Peter Jackson

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Sunday 16th July: Avon Cycleway 100 miles (with 50 miles option) Pre ride gathering Saturday night at Di’s (Usk) for fish and chips 5pm. Members welcome to camp overnight. 

Start/Distance: Chepstow Leisure Centre car park. Meet at 8:30 am for a 9:00 am start prompt.

Route/GPX download: Over Severn Bridge, anti-clockwise around Avon Cycleway to return across bridge to start. 10-11 hr ride (5 hr for 50 miles). Stops at Iron Acton, and Chew Magna. 

Terrain/Ride Category: Strenuous Rolling elevation, some gravel, ideal for road bikes.

Route Coordinator/Contact: Diane Park, email: diane.park@live.co.uk

Ride Leader: Gwyn Tudor

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July 21-23rd: Porlock Weekender

Organisers: Roger & Di

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Sunday 23rd July: Ad Hoc ride from Radyr weir

Start/Distance: 10am

Route/GPX download: to be decided by the participants

Terrain/Ride Category:

Route Coordinator/Contact: n/a

Ride Leader: n/a

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Sunday 30th July: Mike's Machen Loop

Start/Distance: 10am from Pedal Power, Pontcanna Fields, 35 miles, approximately 5 hours.

Route/GPX download: GPX Download Taff Trail to Caerphilly, Bedwas, Machen (coffee stop), Rudry, Caerphilly, Cardiff. On trails and tarmac, with some hills.

Terrain/Ride Category: Moderate Suitable for most bikes, but not skinny tyres.

Route Coordinator/Contact: Clare Johnson, email: clarejohnson45@hotmail.co.uk

Ride Leader: Mel Pruchnie

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Sunday 6th August: Mynydd y Gaer

Start/Distance: 10.00 at Radyr Weir, 40miles, 3000ft of ascent

Route/GPX download: Church Village, Tonyrefail, Mynydd y Gaer, Pontyclun

Terrain/Ride Category: Strenuous Two short but steep climbs and about one mile of rough track. Bring own food as may not find a cafe open on Sunday. Plenty of garages & shops on route.

Route Coordinator/Contact: Richard Cook, email: richardcook5@ntlworld.com

Ride Leader: Martin Watson

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Ireland 2023

 10-16th August Event Fully Booked

Contact: Alison McErlane or Glen to be put on a shortlist

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Sunday 13th August: A Trip around Powys

Start/Distance: Car Park by or opposite Llangynidr New Village Hall, 10am, 40 or 60mile options depending on weather and participants

Route/GPX download: Heading north

Terrain/Ride Category: Strenuous +4000ft climbing(Powys is Lumpy!)

Route Coordinator/Contact: Claus Sogaard, email: lakesideracer@hotmail.com

Ride Leader: Richard Cook

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Sunday 20th August: The ITV4 Blaengarw Bus Stop Tour.

Start/Distance: 2 Starting Points

Unofficial start: Outside DWP offices on Trefforest Industrial Estate. OS Ref 113858 OS map 171, Plenty of parking.

76km, 1100m climbing, We will leave a 9am sharp to ensure we get to Tonyrefail by 10.

Official Start: 10 am, Shorter ride starts outside Red Cow in Tonyrefail (not Pontprennau!) Ref 018882 OS map 170.

45km, 800m climbing, Very moderate. Both rides a bit bumpy but no really big hills.

Route/GPX download: GPX link Beddau, Tonyrefail, Gilfach Goch (missing out last year's loop!), Blackmill, Llangeinor, Blaengarw, and back via somewhere, Includes Cycle Route 4 over the hill by Tonyrefail; about 600m of gravel.  OK on a road bike if you're worried.

Terrain/Ride Category: Moderate

Route Coordinator/Contact: John Griffith, email: johng@globalnet.co.uk

Ride Leader: Mark Docker

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Sunday 27th August: Thornbury – Badminton – Sherston – Thornbury Circular

Start/Distance: Meet at Rock Street Car Park, Thornbury (opposite Aldi), 10.00 a.m. 46 mile loop into the Cotswolds, via Badminton. Coffee/lunch at the Courtyard Café, Sherston after 26 miles.

Route/GPX download: GPX Download

Terrain/Ride Category: Moderate Mainly rolling terrain, with one ascent of the Cotswold scarp and several short, sharp ramps.

Route Coordinator/Contact: Peter Jackson, email: pete4100@virginmedia.com

Ride Leader: Jane Karrie

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September 2-12th: Bavaria Week

Email circulated to members - Event fully booked, possible waiting list tbc

Organisers: Gareth & Tony

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Sunday 3rd September: Start from Radyr Weir Sunday ride

Start/Distance: 10am

Route/GPX download: to be decided by the participants

Terrain/Ride Category:

Route Coordinator/Contact: N/A

Ride Leader: N/A

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Sunday 10th September: Llanwonno - to watch final stage of Tour of Britain. 

Start/Distance: 10am, about 40 miles

Route/GPX download: Up to Llanwonno to watch the final stage of Tour of Britain cycle over the hill at 14.00. Please wear your club kit of you have it.

Terrain/Ride Category:

Route Coordinator/Contact: N/A

Ride Leader: N/A

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Sunday 17th September: Valleys loop

Start/Distance: Radyr Weir at 10.00. 50ish miles 

Route/GPX download: GPX link Senghenydd, Trelewis climbing centre (coffee/lunch), Fochriw, Tredegar burial ground, Aberbargoed, Maes y cwmmer, Caerphilly, Home. Probably only one coffee stop at Trelewis climbing centre and a costa express at morrisons in Bargoed but local shops available for snacks and sandwiches.

Terrain/Ride Category: Strenuous 1100m climbing, 2 long steep  climbs and 1 east long climb

Route Coordinator/Contact: Martin Watson

Ride Leader: Sybil Upton

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Sunday 24th September: Ad Hoc ride from Radyr weir

Start/Distance: Radyr weir 10am

Route/GPX download: to be determined by the participants

Terrain/Ride Category:

Route Coordinator/Contact:

Ride Leader:

22nd-24th September: ​Cotswold Weekender

Update: there are a couple of spaces remaining and anyone interested should contact the organisers

Organisers: Mel, Rachel & Graham

Saturday 23rd September: Burford - Guiting Power - Bourton-on-the-Water Loop

Start/Distance: Burford/Approx 42.5 miles

Route/GPX download: GPX Download  A loop around the Cotswolds, stopping for lunch in Guiting Power.  Quite a bit of climbing in the first half of the ride, but a lovely descent back towards Burford.  NB The cafe stop is approx. 26.5 miles into the ride, so suggest you bring snacks to keep you going.

Terrain/Ride Category: Strenuous (Approx.725m climbing) mainly on roads and lanes.

Sunday 24th September: Burford - Bourton-on-the-Water - Stow-in-the-Wold Loop

Start/Distance: Burford/Approx 32.5 miles

Route/GPX download: GPX Download A chance to ride through more pretty Cotswold lanes and villages, stopping for lunch in Stow-in-the-Wold.  The lunch stop is approx. 18.5 miles into the ride.

Terrain/Ride Category: Moderate (Approx.550m climbing) mainly on roads and lanes.

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Sunday 1st October:

Start/Distance: 10am Taffs well train station, about 38 miles with 2,000 feet of climbing. allow 4-5 hours

Route/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: Mel Pruchnie

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Sunday 8th October: A trip round the Mumbles

Start/Distance: 10am Residential parking on Clyne drive just off Mubles road, Swansea SA3 5BU

Route/GPX download: Mumbles, Bishopstone, Kittle, Southgate, Park Mill, Parc Le Breos, Oldwalls, Cheriton, Llanrhidian, Crofty, Penclawdd, Gowerton, Black Pill. Cafe stops in Southgate and Penclawdd

Terrain/Ride Category: Moderate with some steep climbs and descents. 1 mile section of track that is not suitable for a posh road bike. I would recommend a tourer or gravel bike.

Route Coordinator/Contact: Rachel Jones, tel: 07932121221

Ride Leader: Graham Davies, tel: 07587170819

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Sunday 15th October: Vale circular via Penarth and Nash Point

Start/Distance: 09.30am at Llandaff North River Bridge OS ref ST 148786 Map 151. Street parking available in nearby roads or next to Radyr Weir about 2 miles up the Taff Trail. 90 km/56 miles 5-6hrs

Route/GPX download: Taff trail to Penarth, Penarth Head, Swanbridge, Dinas Powys, Wenvoe, Dyffryn, Llancarfan, St Athan, Lantwitt Major, Nash Point, St Hilary, Peterston-super-Ely. Two stops - coffee stop in Dinas Powys. Lunch stop at Cafe Unwind in Llantwitt Major, although everyone is free to go to other cafes. Note: Cafe Unwind is CASH only.

Terrain/Ride Category: Moderate 830 meters (2,700 ft) climbing, Suitable for all bikes. Mainly lanes and tarmac cycle paths. A few short steep ramps, but nothing major.

Route Coordinator/Contact: Steve Sims, tel: 07889 685756, email: steve.sims710@gmail.com

Ride Leader: Gareth O Thomas

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Sunday 22nd October: Caerleon loop

Start/Distance: Caerleon, Car Park at Broadway, Caerleon, Newport Map Link:

 https://maps.app.goo.gl/ZgftLBEzcdiZHnBJ8  35miles

Route/GPX download: GPX Link A meander from Caerleon up the Usk Valley beyond Usk and back to Caerleon, two cafe stops, both in Usk, the first 11 miles in and the second 23 miles in.

Route/GPX download: A meander from Caerleon up the Usk Valley beyond Usk and back to Caerleon

Terrain/Ride Category: Moderate (~700m climbing) on road, lanes & trails. Some rougher terrain going up Clytha Hill but should be manageable on any bike if road conditions are not too wet.

Route Coordinator/Contact: Mel Pruchnie

Ride Leader: Julie Williams

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The Spokes-CTC annual AGM will be held at Chapter Arts Centre in Canton, on Thurs 26th October.(We only have room hire for 2 hours so the meeting will start promptly at 6pm.)    NB.The bar will be open before and after the meeting.

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End of summertime marks the start of the Spokes winter season - there are no pre-planned rides or ride leaders - Members usually meet up every Sunday(10am) at Radyr Weir for a ride to be decided by the participants

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​Spokes 2023 Christmas Party

Thursday 14th December, The Janata Palace, 325 Cowbridge Rd E, Cardiff CF5 1JD, 7pm for 7:30pm

The venue holds about 50. Last year I believe we were 35+. Vegetarian starters are provided for the table e.g. samosa bhaji, poppadoms with the usual chutneys for which they charge a nominal fee. Then you just order whatever you want. Simples!

Partners are always welcome, but do remind them there may be a lot of cycling related chat. If you'd like to secure your seat please inform Richard asap, email: richard.cook5@ntlworld.com

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