Wednesday, 29th July 2015
Distance 22 miles – Difficulty 1/5
https://www.facebook.com/events/388097424729535/
An evening’s ride down to the Rose Inn in Redwick for the usual fare of beer and chips. Nice to welcome two new members to the club, Tim Watson from Rogiet and Colin Davies from Cinderford. Hope you both enjoyed the ride.
Riders:
Saturday, 25th July 2015
Distance: 31 miles – Difficulty: 2/5
https://www.facebook.com/events/497040313782466/
Seven riders made the start from the Choir Hall on a fine summer’s morning. Heading through Caerwent, Carrow Hill and Magor before taking the lanes at Wilcrick and then the Queen’s Way before arriving at the Seawall Cafe in Goldcliff. Nice to meet up with a few of Newport Social Cycling riders before coffee and cake were consumed. The return journey was through Redwick, Undy and Rogiet before everyone went their separate ways, although a few riders put in some extra miles by visiting Black Rock. Another excellent day in the saddle for CMCCC.
Riders:
Wednesday, 22nd July 2015
Distance: 14 miles – Difficulty: 2/5
The latest pub ride saw the group of 8 riders leave the Choir Hall and head through the back lanes around Crick before climbing up to Shirenewton. A stop at the Huntsman Inn for cider and chips, meeting up with Sue Earnshaw and Andrew, before the long downhill free-wheel down the Shirenewton drag.
Riders:
Thursday, 9th to Saturday, 11th July 2015
Photos by Lyn and Colleen Gauntlett and Leon Jones. Left click on images to enlarge.
From the source of the River Severn and steep slopes of Plynlimon, across the mid Wales hills to Shrewsbury, up hill and down dale through Shropshire including Ironbridge gorge, to Bridgenorth, Stourport-on-Severn to Worcester and Tewkesbury and then on the third day to Gloucester, Sheerness and Slimbridge before crossing the Severn Bridge to come home to a rapturous welcome at the Choir Hall cycling choristers and friends of Côr Meibion Caldicot Cycling Club endured this epic 210 mile, 3 day journey to raise funds for its chosen charities Sparkle and Annalese Gosling.
Sparkle is a Newport based charity based at the Serennu Centre in Newport which aims to provide additional support for severely disabled children and those with learning difficulties to enjoy and experience a life enjoyed by the majority of young people. It funds a cinema club, social activities, physiotherapy and a hydrotherapy centre at High Cross and also provides support for the children’s families. These facilities are not provided by the NHS or the local authorities. The Serennu Centre at High Cross is the only centre of its kind in Britain which provides all the care the children and their families of Newport, south Monmouthshire and parts of Torfaen need under one roof.
Annalese Gosling is a five year old Caldicot youngster who benefits from the resources provided by the Serennu centre and Sparkle. Annalese suffers from the incurable disease FOP (Fibrodisplasia Ossifans Progressiva) which means that if she is injured her body replaces damaged tissue with bone. This creates the growth of a second skeleton which will enventually encase her body in a second skeleton. The choir’s aim is to raise the £4500 needed to provide her with a custom made bed to reduce her risk of injury and to provide suitable support for her as she sleeps.
Thirteen members of the club, together with a support team of seven choristers in their vehicles, made their way by bus on July 8th to spend the night at Llanidloes on the edge of the river bank, some 10 miles from the source of the Severn above Hafren forest on the slopes of Plynlimon where they got as close to the source of the Severn as they could to enjoy a cooling paddle in the waters newly sprung from the depths of the earth. The following morning saw the intrepid cyclists make their way along 60 miles of winding roads through picturesque Newtown and Welshpool before arriving at Montford Bridge near Shrewsbury to spend the second night on the banks of the Severn, now 10 metres wide.
The second day of riding proved incredibly hard and difficult as the riders endured searing heat to ride the challenging 85 mile route along the B roads of Shropshire, up hill and down dale through the industrial revolution gorge of Ironbridge and Coalport, the arduous energy sapping climbs of the Shropshire hills to Bridgenorth and then on through Worcestershire to Stourport, Worcester and finally arriving exhausted after 10 hours of riding at Dawley’s campsite near Tewkesbury to a very welcome fish and chip supper. Many were in bed, exhausted by 9-30.
At Tewkesbury they were joined by chorister Spike Hughes and 13 friends for the final 55 mile ride back to Caldicot via Gloucester Quays before riding on along the picturesque Sheerness gravel canal bank to Slimbridge for lunch. A brief stop at the ancient White Hart pub in Littleton for light refreshments (coffee maybe) was enjoyed by all before the final crossing back into Wales over the Severn Bridge before returning to the Choir Hall via Mathern (the Miller’s Arms) and the Caldicot levels.
The riders and support teams were greeted to a rapturous welcome by over 100 supporters and their families at the choir hall as they made their triumphant, flag waving entrance into the car park. Many riders were reduced to near tears as they saw the size of the welcome received and the support is greatly appreciated.
Many stayed to enjoy the welcome pork roast reception made possible by the cycle club sponsors; Hire One, Prosteel, Reliance Water Systems and Jaga Brothers transport for whom the club is extremely grateful. The evening was made more special by the entertainment provided by about twenty members of the Magor based The Serenata Ladies Choir. This newly formed choir has recently performed its first Annual concert at Caldicot Methodist Church and delighted our audience with the quality of their singing and choice of songs. We have invited them to be our guest artistes at next years Gala Concert. Food, water and other supplies for the ride were provided by Tesco (Chepstow), Asda, Richelds Pharmacy, Sean Ford at the market, Gregg’s and a voucher from Waitrose.
Côr Meibion Cycle Club and Caldicot Male Voice Choir are rightly proud of its charity fund raising efforts through many years and we hope you can support us in our events and concerts throughout the rest of the year. We are of course grateful to all who have shown their support by sponsoring the cyclists on this epic journey and to our sponsors and supporters who have made this possible.
Many thanks to to all those who set up the hall for the evening, the bar staff of Wyn and Lee and all those who cleaned up afterwards.
3 day Riders: Choristers: Alyn Dawe, Chris Nolan, Leon Jones, Tony Griffiths, Grahame Morton, Karl Gregory, Stephen Davies, Russ Woodward
Guests: Bob Stevenson, Nick Powell, Nathan Finney, Greg Tinker, Steve Tobin
Tewkesbury to Caldicot:
Choristers: Spike Hughes,
Guests: Kirstie Benjamin, Sue Earnshaw, Carolyn Griffiths, Tracy Eastabrook, Kenneth Dann, Adrian Brooks, Rhys Jones, Diane Potter, Mike Griffiths, Shane Carey and Lorraine Leahy.
Support Teams:
Ron Powell, Richie Llewellyn, Peter Williams, Roger Matthews, Dave Currie, Dave Kirton, John MacArthur, Lyn Gauntlett, Colleen Gauntlett.
Wednesday, 1st July 2015
https://www.facebook.com/events/375194195938524/
http://www.goskyride.com/Search/Details?eventid=56701
Ride difficulty 2/5 – Distance 17 miles
Five riders turned up on this hot summer’s evening for the hilly ride into Chepstow and down to the riverbank. It was nice to welcome new member Jan Cain from Newport, who coped well with the short but steep inclines we encountered.
The route from the Choir Hall saw us climb to Park Wall before the speedy downhill past St. Pierre and onto Mathern. The first of the uphill ‘digs’ had us take on the 10% Dark Hill to Bulwark before descending through the woods and into the town centre. The original destination was the Afon Gwy, which looked as if it was closed so a decision was made to go to the Boat Inn right on the riverbank. Sat outside in the busy garden, overlooking the stunning River Wye, eating fish and chips and quaffing cold cider was an excellent evening before it was time to go.
The return journey took us up the short but extremely steep School Hill (17% at its maximum) which tested the legs before climbing back to Bulwark through the woods. It was downhill at Dark Hill taking the back roads through Hayes Gate, Crick and Mount Ballan to Caldicot,
Riders:
Wednesday, 17th June 2015
https://www.facebook.com/events/846894895345633/
Nice evening ride down to the Millers Arms in the lovely village of Mathern. Twelve riders made the trip, with Rhys, Aimee, Mike and Rachel lowered the average age of the group significantly. Great to have some younger riders with us. It was Butcombe beer and various dishes with chips before heading back to Caldicot.
Riders:
Sunday, 14th June 2015
https://www.facebook.com/events/904757819566161/904757822899494/
http://www.goskyride.com/Search/Details?eventid=61146
Newport Wetlands – Difficulty 2/5 – Distance 34 miles
Ten riders made the start at the Choir Hall and made their way down to Newport Wetlands via the back lanes through Undy, Redwick and Goldcliff. A stop at the lighthouse for photos, before returning via the Seawall Cafe where a stop for coffee and refreshments was much needed.
Nice to see three new members; son and daughter of Leon Jones, Rhys and Aimee and Lorraine Leahy from Cardiff, as well as some of the usual faces.
Riders:
Wednesday, 3rd June 2015
https://www.facebook.com/events/834032826685304/
http://www.goskyride.com/Search/Details?eventid=56698
Cracking ride down to the Rose Inn on a lovely, but chilly evening. Route took us through Caerwent, Carrow Hill, Magor and Wilcrick before arriving in Redwick. Pints of Reverend James, chips and assorted other dishes was had, before the ride back to Caldicot via the Moors gravel tracks. Great to see another new face as David Vass from Newport joined us for the ride – welcome David.
Riders:
Sunday, 31st May 2015
https://www.facebook.com/events/1576915725876912/
http://www.goskyride.com/Search/Details?eventid=52258
The Redwick Endurance event which was attended by 34 riders who completed a record breaking 780 laps of the 2 mile circuit. Top man again was Mike Blake who extended his pb to 55 laps during the eight hour period. The event raised £460 on the day with promises of further donations to make it up to £1,000. Also thanks to Barclays Bank and the ladies at the Caldicot Branch who have offered to match fund the amount, and also provided cakes and drinks for the hungry riders.
Pictures of the day
Here is a list of the riders with number of laps and the distance covered in miles.
| Mike Blake | 55 | 107.25 |
| Nick Powell | 52 | 101.14 |
| Tony Griffiths | 36 | 70.2 |
| Steve Tobin | 36 | 70.2 |
| Tony Ward | 34 | 66.3 |
| Gareth Davies | 33 | 64.35 |
| Mark Body | 32 | 62.4 |
| Leon Jones | 32 | 62.4 |
| David Whittle | 31 | 60.45 |
| Michael Malolepszy | 31 | 60.45 |
| Grahame Morton | 30 | 58.5 |
| Kenneth Dann | 29 | 56.55 |
| Linda Malolepszy | 28 | 54.6 |
| Greg Tinker | 28 | 54.6 |
| Sharon Ward | 25 | 48.75 |
| Mike Pobjoy | 25 | 48.75 |
| Sue Earnshaw | 23 | 44.85 |
| Chris Nolan | 22 | 42.9 |
| Kirstie Benjamin | 21 | 40.95 |
| Karl Gregory | 18 | 35.1 |
| Corrine Kenney | 16 | 31.2 |
| Tracey Eastabrook | 16 | 31.2 |
| Brigette Widdas | 16 | 31.2 |
| Diane Potter | 16 | 31.2 |
| Steve Davies | 16 | 31.2 |
| Carolyn Griffiths | 16 | 31.2 |
| Robert Eastabrook | 11 | 21.45 |
| Stefan Edwards | 10 | 19.5 |
| Delyth Gregory | 10 | 19.5 |
| Peter Williams | 8 | 15.60 |
| Ron Powell | 6 | 11.7 |
| Alyn Dawe | 6 | 11.7 |
| Sonia Black | 5 | 9.75 |
| John Searle | 5 | 9.75 |
| Richie Llewellyn | 3 | 5.85 |
Wednesday, 20th May 2015
https://www.facebook.com/events/1653810544842105/
http://www.goskyride.com/Search/Details?eventid=55423
The latest ride was to the Groes Wen pub on the A48 at Penhow. The smallest group for a while, 3 riders left the Choir Hall and made their way through Caerwent and Carrow Hill to the pub at the top of the rise opposite Parc Seymour, where we were met by Gareth Davies who had cycled in from Bassaleg.
Riders:
