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General Category => Club Runs => Topic started by: Ben on October 04, 2017, 12:14:29 PM

Title: Amblers ride 8th October - Options
Post by: Ben on October 04, 2017, 12:14:29 PM
Weather so far is looking ok. 15 degrees but cloudy. I'll put it to a vote.
Who would like a flattish Vale tour?
Who would like a nice big hill?
Title: Re: Amblers ride 8th October - Options
Post by: Paul E on October 05, 2017, 01:20:26 PM
Flattish vale tour!
Title: Re: Amblers ride 8th October - Options
Post by: Ben on October 05, 2017, 01:24:01 PM
Here's the choices

https://www.strava.com/routes/10800548
Bwlch - 37.miles with a coffee stop in Treorchy.

https://www.strava.com/routes/10800678
Vale tour - 40 miles with a coffee stop at Duffryn Gardens - Cheeky look at Norton Hill for anyone who is suicidal (it's not that bad if you pace yourself)
Title: Re: Amblers ride 8th October - Options
Post by: mal jones on October 05, 2017, 01:39:45 PM
The bwlch route is not really an amblers ride if you want to do the chasers route Ben I'll take the amblers down the vale route but may miss out norton hill depending on who turns up
Title: Re: Amblers ride 8th October - Options
Post by: Ben on October 05, 2017, 01:48:31 PM
I'm erring on the flattish route too. My legs weren't happy yesterday. So Vale route it is then. Norton is an optional route anyway. I could take Ben and G up there if they want to try it. They're more than capable of riding it.
Title: Re: Amblers ride 8th October - Options
Post by: Nick H on October 05, 2017, 04:36:02 PM
I've just come up Penllyn Hill (Witches Hill) coming home this afternoon. There's currently a mat of wet leaves covering the hairpin bend. Having full panniers didn't help, but it was a bit hairy at the sharp bit and I was very glad there was no traffic around. I wouldn't be too keen on descending there just at the moment on a road bike either. Looking at Saturday's weather, personally I don't fancy it for this Sunday...
Title: Re: Amblers ride 8th October - Options
Post by: benevs on October 05, 2017, 05:26:47 PM
Hope your not talking about me going up Norton Hill! its a killer! :-\ but I've not been able to get out on the bike for over a week, so hopefully I'll be fresh! ha
Title: Re: Amblers ride 8th October - Options
Post by: Ben on October 05, 2017, 05:56:34 PM
We'll avoid Penllyn hill if we can then Nick. I'll investigate my routing again tonight
Title: Re: Amblers ride 8th October - Options
Post by: Ben on October 05, 2017, 05:57:10 PM
And Ben yes you !   ;D ;D
Title: Re: Amblers ride 8th October - Options
Post by: Teresa on October 05, 2017, 09:21:20 PM
From a very distant memory of riding up Norton, it's not too bad unless it is the club hill climb and you are compelled to racing up it :o

Have fun whichever route you choose.
Title: Re: Amblers ride 8th October - Options
Post by: Ade on October 05, 2017, 10:50:32 PM
I'll be there this week and will be disappointed if we don't go up Norton hill #shutuplegs
Title: Re: Amblers ride 8th October - Options
Post by: Ben on October 06, 2017, 06:21:05 AM
It'll be the flat route then looking at the replies :) don't worry Ade you can try Norton.
Title: Re: Amblers ride 8th October - Options
Post by: Ben on October 06, 2017, 09:46:42 AM
Updated the route to avoid Penllyn Hill.
Title: Re: Amblers ride 8th October - Options
Post by: mal jones on October 06, 2017, 01:11:22 PM
I came down penllyn hill yesterday very slowly lots of dead leaves and moisture on the hill the trouble with norton is not the steepness of the hill but the fact that you may lose traction get wheel spin and struggle I won't do it but the whippersnappers may still fancy it
Title: Re: Amblers ride 8th October - Options
Post by: Ben on October 06, 2017, 02:03:52 PM
Going up and round Norton or Ogmore should take about the same sort of time. So I'm happy to take people who want to go up Norton hill and meet you further round.
Title: Re: Amblers ride 8th October - Options
Post by: ron b on October 06, 2017, 07:13:23 PM
What we have to take into account is that many potential new members and even those a little older can read the routes set out and will not take the plunge and turn up at Physiques for a "third group" rideA a club we advertise that the slower group do a certain speed and terrain. We do not want to put riders out of their comfort zone on Ambler rides we leave that to Harpo and Co. Climbing Norton, Witches hill are ok but one are coming down, the leaves on the floor and the width of the road can lead to a fall which no one needs. The three groups need to stick to the club guidelines on speed and distance for club rides.
Title: Re: Amblers ride 8th October - Options
Post by: RoyH on October 06, 2017, 08:35:58 PM
What a shame the 25ers rides were scrapped and replaced with slower chasers rides though with the same distance and terrain, it would be nice to bring some newbies along, though at the moment the club are not accommodating them.
Title: Re: Amblers ride 8th October - Options
Post by: Ben on October 06, 2017, 10:40:17 PM
The Amblers routes on the Main page are between 25 and 40 miles. The two routes were to give people a choice. It's probably the last time we will get over the Bwlch now until the new year. It's a route that the Amblers have done before so is the Vale route.
Title: Re: Amblers ride 8th October - Options
Post by: Tom on October 07, 2017, 07:48:32 AM
In fairness to Ben(and it's a thankless task!)I can remember the 25 ers going over the Bwllch in days of yore.Plus ce change etc!
Title: Re: Amblers ride 8th October - Options
Post by: Andy H on October 07, 2017, 07:59:22 AM
He has also made it clear that the route can be altered depending on who turns up.

I’ve been trying to get a novice ride going once a month over the summer, most of the people who attended ( not huge numbers, I admit ) happily moved up into the Amblers group
Title: Re: Amblers ride 8th October - Options
Post by: Ben on October 07, 2017, 09:25:39 AM
Thanks Tom and Andy.
I always make it clear that I can alter routes or have a back up route available if a newbie turns up. A fair few of the Amblers could cope with the pace, and distance, of the Chasers but may Not be confident enough in themselves to make the step up.
The reason I proposed a choice was to try and accommodate new people who may turn up or be reading.
Title: Re: Amblers ride 8th October - Options
Post by: Ben on October 07, 2017, 04:49:56 PM
Just to confirm to anyone wanting to join us tomorrow we will be riding the Vale option.
Title: Re: Amblers ride 8th October - Options
Post by: mal jones on October 07, 2017, 05:33:07 PM
Look forward to it weather looks ok and dyffryn gardens a good stop
Title: Re: Amblers ride 8th October - Options
Post by: Ben on October 08, 2017, 03:44:33 PM
Seven left Physiques for the Amblers ride today. Myself, Mal, Paul E, Carrie H, Nick H, Mike (who is recovering very well with his hip) and Adrian. We chose the flatish Vale route and set off with the sun just starting to warm us up. Was nice to be out riding in the dry and the sun after the horrendous weather last weekend. I needed the run after the crappy week I had and it was nice to get some friendly and sociable miles under my legs. We went up round the coast to Ogmore then over the common at the back of Ogmore down into St Brides. Keeping along the coast road past the Plough and Harrow to Llantwit. Fighting the urge to stop at Cafe Velo we pushed on through Llanmaes and up the 7km climb Strava segment through Llantrithyd and on to the A48 by the Old Post. We stayed on the A48 to Dyffryn Gardens where we had a nice cup of coffee and some Tiffin (for me anyway) enjoying the Sunshine. I had a massive sugar rush at that point after giving up on refined sugar (apart from the cake and bars/gels on a ride). Trying to help with Clair through Sober for October.  Paul went straight back to Llantwit from there. The sugar rush passed as we went to Pendoylan and through Tredodridge. At the bottom of Watery Lane I went off towards Cowbridge and another stint along the A-48. Tried to get a few extra miles in to get upto the 100km for the day but I snapped my rear gear cable, at the shifter end, coming past Sigingstone. So I tootled back via the Happy Jakes campsite and into the back of Llanmaes. It was a great ride with some great company.
Title: Re: Amblers ride 8th October - Options
Post by: Carrie H on October 08, 2017, 03:54:43 PM
Very enjoyable ride Ben, thanks for organising it. Looking forward to the next one.  :)
Title: Re: Amblers ride 8th October - Options
Post by: Nick H on October 08, 2017, 05:07:16 PM
It was a good route Ben, some novel variations to a familiar ride. Nice pace too! Cheers.
Title: Re: Amblers ride 8th October - Options
Post by: benevs on October 08, 2017, 05:31:53 PM
Sorry I didn't turn up, has to work :(
Title: Re: Amblers ride 8th October - Options
Post by: mal jones on October 08, 2017, 10:12:01 PM
Enjoyed the ride Ben off to Mallorca next weekend but with a couple of non cycling mates although I may try to hire a bike for 1 day be back the following week hope you get the bike sorted