Sunday, 29th May 2016

https://www.facebook.com/events/197029223964844/

What a fabulous day, the weather was hot and sunny, the riders came in their droves and the support team as usual were magnificent.

Forty Five riders in all made their way to Redwick for the annual, 8 hour Redwick Endurance Challenge around the 2 mile circuit to raise money for the 2016 Charity Motor Neurone Disease Association (MNDA). It was also good to see the event supported by family and friends who came down riders, who ages ranged from 2 to 80, some of who had not ridden for a while. We are also grateful for the support of riders from Newport Social Cycling, the Caldicot Sustrans Group and the Monmouthshire Breeze Group.

Last year’s total team effort managed 765 laps of the circuit, but this was smashed with the new best of 990 laps, which is equivalent to 1,930 miles. A commemorative ‘Collage’ will be hung at the Rose Inn, and the joint winners of today’s event, Gareth Davies and Nick Powell with 51 circuits each, will be engraved on the trophy. A total of £607 was raised for the charity from this effort.

Here is a selection of photos from the 420 odd that were taken, with thanks to Colleen and Lyndon Gauntlett.

Here is the full list of participants with their lap records:

 

Sunday, 22nd May 2016

https://www.facebook.com/events/175534189511864/

Taking the more gentle route down to the Seawall Tearooms, unlike some of our club-mates who were taking to the hills in the Velothon, nine riders made the start at the Choir Hall on a fine Spring morning. It was great to welcome new member, Lloyd Jones to the fold and also to see Jan Cain once again.

The route through Caldicot, Caerwent, St. Bride’s and Magor, with a brief stop at the Rose Inn at Redwick to confirm some things for next week’s Endurance ride, the group made their way to the Seawall and the always welcoming Tearooms.

Once fully refreshed with coffee, cakes and other savouries, the team made their way back along the flats to Undy, then through the lanes to Carrow Hill, Highmoor Hill and Dewstow before returning to the Choir Hall. A good day had by all.

Riders:

1. Tony Griffiths
2. Carolyn Griffiths
3. Sharon Ward
4. Tracey Eastabrook
5. Lloyd Jones
6. Jan Cain
7. Janet Vale
8. Grahame Morton
9. Gareth Davies

Wednesday, 18th May 2016

https://www.facebook.com/events/1680883278840691/

It was back to the old faithful for the mid-week Pub Ride, four riders making the trip to Redwick and the Rose Inn,

 

Riders:

1. Tony Griffiths
2. Tracey Eastabrook
3. Rob Stallard
4. Sue Earnshaw

Sunday, 15th May 2016

https://www.facebook.com/events/470219969840395/

http://www.goskyride.com/Search/Details?eventid=76959

Distance: 37 miles – Climbing: 1,768 feet – Difficulty: 3/5 – Weather: Sunny

Another great ride out with the club along the beautiful Golden Valley, starting from Ewyas Harold, following the River Dore (did not look much more than a stream), to Hay-on-Wye where copious amounts of food and coffee was partaken. This ride will be the first part of the 2016 Charity Ride, and it will be ideal. Challenging without silly steep climbs, although there is one coming back into Ewyas Harold, but quiet country lanes even if they were a bit bumpy. Thanks to everybody who came along and survived.

Riders:

1. Tony Griffiths
2. Sue Earnshaw
3. Grahame Morton
4. Diane Potter
5. Sharon Ward
6. Helen Gilmore
7. Neil Gilmore

Wednesday, 4th May 2016

Distance 14 miles – Climbing 467 feet – Difficulty 1/5

An interesting night at the Rock and Fountain, nice route along the gravel tracks to Magor then up St. Brides Road to the pub in Penhow. They seem to have gone a bit upmarket these days, don’t think they were too impressed with us turning up in cycle gear but we had food and a drink in a dark corner of the restaurant. I must say, that the garlic bread was huge and awesome.

Riders:

1. Carolyn Griffiths
2. Sue Earnshaw
3. Tony Griffiths
4. Helen Gilmore

Sunday, 1st May 2016

https://www.facebook.com/events/1714041372215479/

Distance 35 miles – Difficulty 4/5

With a dry start, seven riders left the Choir Hall car-park heading for the steep inclines of Wentwood Forest. It was good to see Diane Potter back after her marathon exploits, bringing along her friend Brigitte Widdas for her first ride with us. The climb up to the top of Wentwood is 2.5 miles long, with some severe gradients starting with 14% at the church in Llanfair Discoed, and 16% at one point. Once at the top the rain started, but then a nice downhill section before following the lanes to Gaerllwyd, Llangwm and finally Usk for a stop for refreshments at Cafe 49. The return journey saw us riding past the prison and on through Llantrisant before the last climb of the day to Cat’s Ash, returning to Caldicot via Langstone, Llanmartin, Magor, Undy and Rogiet.

Riders:

1. Tony Griffiths
2. Carolyn Griffiths
3. Sue Earnshaw
4. Tracey Eastabrook
5. Brigitte Widdas
6. Diane Potter
7. Gareth Davies

Sunday, 24th April 2016

https://www.facebook.com/events/1691507977786093/

Distance: 21 miles approx – Difficulty: 2/5

The original ride to the Seawall Cafe was cancelled with only two riders turning up, but wheels were turned with a replacement ride to Severn Beach

Riders:

1. Tony Ward
2. Sharon Ward

Wednesday, 20th April 2016

Distance: 11 miles – Difficulty: 1/5

 Riders:

1. Carolyn Griffiths
2. Grahame Morton
3. Tony Griffiths

Sunday, 17th April 2016

https://www.facebook.com/events/704492466357206/

Distance: 64 miles – Difficulty: 3/5

What a special ride, it had everything; thrills, spills, great weather, fabulous company, wonderful coffee stop and quiet lanes!

Five riders made the start at the Choir Hall, and following a ride through Crick and Mathern, taking on the steep Dark Hill, three more riders joined the band at the Motorway Slip-Road in Chepstow. The route from there took us across the Old Severn Bridge, onto Pilning and Easter Compton. Through the lanes and cycle paths onto the industrial estate at Avonmouth before following the A4 Portway, marveling at the Clifton Suspension Bridge before arriving at the busy, and very sunny Harbourside. Cakes, burgers, toasties were washed down with Latte’s and Americanos, being thoroughly entertained by the Dragon Boats, and replica Galleons plying their way through the bustling waters of the docklands.

The return journey started without fuss, but when we reached the road closures just before Pilning, all hell broke loose. Because of the diversions, we were completely lost in an industrial estate, we could see where we wanted to go but there appeared to be no road to it. Eventually, after two crashes caused by water bottles and clips, a bridle-path was found that took us to Easter Compton although another crash happened negotiating a gate. The Severn Bridge was now on the horizon, but unfortunately the lanes around Pilning all look the same, we seemed to be heading for it and then found we were further away from than when we started. With a visit to Olverston and Northwick, we finally got to Aust and the Severn Bridge and home. What started as a 50 mile ride became an exhausting 64 miles, but at least the weather was good to us.

Riders:

1. Robert Stallard
2. Carolyn Griffiths
3. Tony Griffiths
4. Sue Earnshaw
5. Helen Gilmore
6. Andrew Alford
7. Nick Powell
8. Neil Gilmore

Wednesday, 13th April 2016

https://www.facebook.com/events/374137919376490/

Impromptu Club ride to the Rose Inn to clarify a few things with Gary about the forthcoming Redwick Endurance. Although still a bit cold, the evenings are getting lighter and almost time to put the lights away.

Riders:

1. Sharon Ward
2. Carolyn Griffiths
3. Chris Davidson
4. Tony Griffiths