My Community
General Category => Club Runs => Topic started by: Rob Jones on October 31, 2013, 07:03:40 PM
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how about some big hills this Sunday if we get a break from the weather...before winter proper kicks in!
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As you know, I'd normally be up for this and prepared to suffer. Unfortunately I have a real bad case of the lurgy and feel like............
Despite this I shall try and draw up a suitable plan action and endeavor to make it Sunday!
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This is one we did some time ago, makes me feel dizzy looking at it. :(
http://connect.garmin.com/course/3242174
Hoping for a miraculous recovery!
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I hope to make this Sunday... that is if any of my bikes will be ready as both are having work done in the shop.
Guess I'll also see some of you this evening at the AGM.
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Bloody Hell; Smilog -> Lanes up past the Mint -> Llanwonno :o -> Rhigos -> Bwlch
Happy to give this a go if people are willing to put up with my slow climbing capabilities.
I can't say that I've been up to Llanwonno from the Ferndale side, I hope it's not as bad as coming up from Ponty and White Rock (probably is :)).
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Not quite as steep but longer.
And don't worry about climbing you're quicker than me.
Weather may be an issue and don't know a good coffee stop! :-[
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Which one do you refer to as Smilog Jason (and you not allowed to say Smilog)?
Suggest we skip Llantrisant Forest (mucky and slippy)
Fingers crossed for a quick recovery Andy. Otherwise I read in Cycling Weekly a few days ago that when you have a cold, you should MTFdown (rather than up). You can damage your heart otherwise they say (permanently). So if you are still not feeling great then perhaps posted route is not the best plan. I'm sure you know that mind and it does look good on screen.
In addition to the ones Jason mentioned, did I see Aberdare to Maerdy and Penycoedcae on there too!?! Sure looks like a good winter challenge!
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Smilog would be the one you suggest skipping, Llantrisant Forest, which goes around the back of Royal Glamorgan Hospital.
If the weather is Ok then we might be able to sit outside Servini's in Aberdare which is around the half way point (unless there's a Costa or whatnot to be found when on the route):
https://maps.google.co.uk/?ll=51.712741,-3.443525&spn=0.000791,0.002064&t=h&z=20&layer=c&cbll=51.712741,-3.443525&panoid=8dTDzl3MVIhAw06k_CE_2A&cbp=12,34.72,,0,8.95
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No Maerdy or Pencoedcae, we'd have to go back overLlanwonno to get back to Rhigos/Bwlch combo and not sure where to fit in Pencoedcae. :(
Now that would be a long day!
Rob, I've literally done nothing since aborting chaingang with a puncture on Tues. Starting to improve v. slowly but will wait and see for Sunday
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Mark N, Jason S and I are riding from Cardiff to Chester- If anyone fancies a flatter ( but slightly longer) route- please join us!
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Good luck with that guys - strong cross wind all the way.
Looking windy tomorrow (strong westerly easing through morning). An alternative might be to take advantage of the wind and let it help us up the valley from port Talbot to bwlch summit.
Certainly wouldn't want to be up high heading into that wind for any length of time. The route Andy has in mind does seem to largely avoid that scenario, and if wind does ease later could work out quite nicely. There is a risk however we could have tricky crosswinds as we head back over rhigos and bwlch! Bring it on!!
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Keeping an eye on the forecast and as usual seems to change slightly every time you look.
Seem certain to catch a shower or two, just hope the wind isn't too strong!
On a personal note whilst not feeling 100%, I'll be out in the morning.
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Mark N, Jason S and I are riding from Cardiff to Chester- If anyone fancies a flatter ( but slightly longer) route- please join us!
I've just returned from Forza at Llantwit and I could just about keep the car on the road... hopefully you'll make it up there in a fairly decent time with this wind.
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We did Andy's long hilly route today as planned. Andy H, me, Wayne and Jason. Mark R also for about half the ride - took the flat route back from Mountain Ash as not feeling good.
It was steady pace and quite pleasant weather (if a bit chilly) as far as Aberdare where we stopped for a very good value coffee in the High St. Then it was over the Rhigos and Bwlch mostly into the wind, making for a really tough last 30 miles.
Just as we were enjoying the sunshine, out of nowhere we took a drenching (including some painful hailstones). Good route, good company - cheers
http://app.strava.com/activities/92939457
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Pretty basic Rob, but Garmin Connect tells me:
10℃
Feels like 7℃
18 mph W wind
Humidity 71%
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Set off for Brackla with some trepidation this morning.
Almost a week off the bike with the 'lurgy', rubbish weather forecast and 60+ hilly miles to look forward to!
However the weather behaved itself as 5 pacers set off via Llantrisant for the Rhondda fach. Stayed on main roads to Ferndale and first climb of the day up to Llanwonno. With a tail wind Mark Rosser set the early pace, despite feeling unwell. Rob soon took off at the front leaving the rest of us to grovel to the top. A careful descent through the forest as autumnal leaves and pine needles made for a slippery surface.
Sharp kick up to Perthcelyn, where Mark headed home, before dropping into Mountain Ash then Aberdare, where the Baguette express had excellent value cappuccino and welsh cakes.
The section from Aberdare up to Rhigos was a slog into a headwind which in turn became a slog up the Rhigos, at least until the switchbacks where the lee of the mountain offered some protection. Jason and Rob set the pace with Wayne and myself bringing up the rear. Joined by a cyclist who was on his way back to Pontardulais, (rather him than me as he had the Bwlch and about 30 miles of headwind to go).
Descent of the Rhigos was interesting in a crosswind and left the final climb of the day up the Bwlch. By now I was starting to flag, so the headwind climbing the Bwlch was most unwelcome. Fortunately the sun was shining and we quickly descended to Nantymoel to get the first and only soaking of the day. Short sharp shower with a hint of hailstones, to provide the sting. Grovelled over the common and got back to Brackla with that usual tired but happy feeling! :D
Garmin show 63 miles and 5800 ft of elevation gain, so not a bad mornings effort
thanks for the company, see you next week
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Nice report Andy, very thorough.
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Pretty basic Rob, but Garmin Connect tells me:
10℃
Feels like 7℃
18 mph W wind
Humidity 71%
Do you reckon Garmin works this out or just nicks it from a weather forecast from where the trip starts?
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Nice report Andy, very thorough.
So good, that it is now on the website ;)
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Pretty basic Rob, but Garmin Connect tells me:
10℃
Feels like 7℃
18 mph W wind
Humidity 71%
Do you reckon Garmin works this out or just nicks it from a weather forecast from where the trip starts?
It says; Source: EGDX
When I Google this it comes back with MOS St Athan.
I guess it takes it from the closest observation station as others seem to vary if I look at some of my history, at least it gives you an idea.... but it's a bit naff at the end of the day isn't it.
Nice report Andy, very thorough.
So good, that it is now on the website ;)
Gives a nice piece of info for anyone looking through the website for info on club runs rather than trawling through forums posts.