Wednesday, 6th April 2016
https://www.facebook.com/events/1529262570708763/
https://www.goskyride.com/Search/Details?eventid=72291
Distance 18 miles – Difficulty 1/5
Ride to the Golden Lion in Magor, via Llanfair Discoed and Carrow Hill to celebrate Sue’s birthday.
Riders:
Sunday, April 3rd 2016
https://www.facebook.com/events/824085284364679/
Distance – 34 miles – Difficulty 2/5
This event was only arranged at the last minute, but with good numbers, a new route, fair weather and good company it turned out a success. Ten riders left the Choir Hall and headed for the first challenge of the day, a climb up over the motorway to Dewstow. It was good to see Chris and Marion Davidson, and Darren Canty from Caldicot Town Cycle Club join us for the event
With a few different lanes encountered, we eventually ended up at the Seawall Tearooms and marveled at Wendy’s latest garden shelter as well as her teacakes, sausage rolls and beverages. Once fueled up, it was back along the flat lanes before climbing up Rockfield Grove at Undy and on to Carrow Hill via a new route, and then back to Caldicot descending from Highmoor Hill.
Riders:
Sunday, 27th March 2016
https://www.facebook.com/events/465452276998979/
RIDE CANCELLED DUE TO WITHDRAWALS AND BAD WEATHER
Wednesday, 23rd March 2016
https://www.facebook.com/events/1716373201941456/
Another good night at the Rose Inn for the last Night Ride of the Winter. As usual, the riders filled their boots with various dishes (and chips), washed down with a pint of beer.
With a couple of weeks break, the club will again be visited local pubs to sample their beer and food, this time under the banner of ‘Pub Rides’ – no lights necessary (well maybe for the first couple) due to the lighter evenings.
Please see below a number of photos from the last 6 months of Night Rides.
Riders:
Sunday, 20th March 2016
https://www.facebook.com/events/1696316590608656/
Distance: 23 miles – Difficulty: 3/5 – Bikes: MTB
Scenic but tough ride from the Blaenafon and Pontypool Railway terminus, over the mountain to Brymawr before crossing the Ebbw and the Sirhowy valleys before arriving at Trefil, some 1500 feet above sea-level. With snow still visible on the tops of the Brecon Beacons and Black Mountains, you were certainly exposed to the cold wind on this beautiful, but exposed upland.
Only three riders made the trip, having to contend with three testing climbs on the return at Sirhowy, Beaufort and Blaenafon. Refreshment was had at the Tafern Ty Uchaf (Top House) pub before the return.
The ride was to test the suitability of the route for the Charity Ride in August. Certainly some parts would be good, starting at Trefil and the paths around Blaenafon, but concern was raised with the severity of three tough climbs in succession, on busy roads.
Riders:
Wednesday, 16th March 2016
https://www.facebook.com/events/1532566057042557/
Another nice evening was had by the night-riders at the Rose Inn. Seven cyclists made the start on a warmer early Spring evening, although there was a terrific head-wind on the return that slowed down the homeward-bound progress.
Pints of Hobgoblin, Stella and Cider, along with copious servings of Cottage Pie, Fish and Chips, Faggots and Brie were consumed by the lycra stretching athletes, before the windy ride home.
Riders:
Sunday, 13th March 2016
Distance – From Caldicot 47 miles : From Chepstow 34 miles : Difficulty 3/5
On a beautiful early Spring morning, 13 riders departing from the Choir Hall and Chepstow, made their way across the Old Severn Bridge. Heading along the quite lanes through Littleton-Upon-Severn, Oldbury and Hill to the pretty village, with the magnificent castle, Berkeley.
The usual stop was made at the Tea Rooms, where coffee and tea quenched the thirsty riders, and plates of cake, poached egg on toast and teacakes quieted the rumbling stomachs. Soon it was time to make the long journey back, made easier by the lovely, but weak sunshine. Journey’s end was hastened when the twin towers of the bridge were in sight, as one by one the riders departed for home and a sit down.
Riders:
Sunday, 28th February 2016
https://www.facebook.com/events/1041306289223835/
https://www.goskyride.com/Search/Details?eventid=68984
Distance 26 miles – Difficulty 3/5
Thirteen riders made the start at the Choir Hall, on a cold but sunny morning for the 4 mile climb to Gaerllwyd and beyond. Many times I was asked ‘is there any more hills?’, to which I replied, probably but it is ‘flat on the map’!
The first obstacle was the long grind up the Shirenewton drag, stopping for breath and re-grouping at Shirenewton Church. Then the harder part of the climb, towards the little chapel at Gaerllwyd with gradients of up to 11%. More re-grouping and then it was onto the Old Road that links Gaerllwyd to Wentwood, very narrow with again some nasty little rises, before arriving on the Usk road, just below the the top of Wentwood. Just a short, bu steep climb up to the top before descending, some more quickly than others, down past the reservoir before turning off for Llanvaches and onwards to the Square in Magor for a well deserved drink in the Golden Lion.
The last part of the ride saw us climbing back up to Carrow Hill and Highmoor Hill to home.
Riders:
Wednesday, 24th February 2016
On a cold, February night, due to illness and work commitments, only two brave souls made the trip to the Rose Inn for beer and food, although two other riders had taken the early shift and attended the pub earlier.
Riders:
Sunday, 21st February 2016
https://www.facebook.com/events/884439471654853/
Distance 10 miles – Difficulty: 2/5
Despite the rainy conditions, five riders made it out on the Coleford Trails to be rewarded at the end with hot coffee and bacon sandwiches.
Riders: