


A Club affiliated to Cycling UK covering Cardiff & South Wales
Spokes Cycle Touring Club

Spokes 2023 Activities
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
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
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
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
19-26th April: Majorca
Email circulated to members
Please Contact Richard Cook for further information
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
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
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.
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Support: no support vehicle. Cyclists to carry their own luggage.
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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.
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Digs- cyclists to arrange own accommodation in Swansea city centre
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Approximate cost £70- train ticket and digs.
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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
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
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
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
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
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:
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
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
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
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
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
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
July 21-23rd: Porlock Weekender
Organisers: Roger & Di
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
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
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
Ireland 2023
10-16th August Event Fully Booked
Contact: Alison McErlane or Glen to be put on a shortlist
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
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
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
September 2-12th: Bavaria Week
Email circulated to members - Event fully booked, possible waiting list tbc
Organisers: Gareth & Tony
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
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
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
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.
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
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
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
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
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.
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
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