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General Category => Club Runs => Topic started by: Andy H on November 06, 2014, 01:27:35 PM
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Forecast for rest of the week is grim but improves for Sunday! Cold and sunny spells.
With this in mind I've planned a hilly, long one. Around 75 miles, Gilfach, Penrhiwfer, Llanwonno and Penderyn.
Café stop in Aberdare, just before half way point.
http://www.strava.com/routes/1133434
This is definitely weather dependant 'cos the descents will be tricky even in good weather, so see you Sunday and I'll bring along a bad weather route just in case.
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Let's hope the weather is atrocious and we get to go to Swansea Marina!
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May revisit this route anyway, few to many miles and cafe stop not at the best point in the ride.
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This maybe a better option. Cafe stop in Ponty, or detour to Duffryn Gdns
http://www.strava.com/routes/1135364
60 miles
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Either look good to me -- I should be there.
Swansea marina..... ::)
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I'll be there - quite like the idea of the long one (opposite way round makes the cafe stop over half way?)
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Will be very wet (the roads at least). Bwlch, rhigos, penderyn (a4059) and back via a470 and merthyr vale always a good winter ride. Cafe stop at garwnant. Thats if you wanted a longish hilly one without dangerous descents.
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http://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/4077448
not being presumptious with the title, course was created ages ago for a club run
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Have enjoyed that route before Rob but think the descent from Penderyn Moor to the reservoir is the scariest we do!
Fast decent then narrow road, nearly always mossy and nasty bends at the bottom, give me Llanwonno anytime.
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I agree Andy...but it doesn't take that descent to the reservoir. It stays on the A4059 all the way to the A470.
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Would've seen that if I'd looked at the map properly! :-[ and should've guessed from the suggestion of Garwnant for cafe stop.
Are you likely to be out tomorrow Rob?
Happy to put suggestion to the 'massive'
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Yes Andy, fancy some good company and coffee tomorrow.
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Remembrance Sunday, please avoid town centres , many will be shut to traffic.
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Good point.
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11 pacers started out on the revised route via Gilfach, Penrhiwfer and Llanwonno. Steven, Allan, Chris G, Chris R, Haydn, Wayne, Rob, Jason, Toestrap Steve, Mark Nott and myself. Steven led us out at a sensible pace to Blackmill and the first climb of the day at Glynogwr. The usual partition occurred with two distinct groups, the climbers (Rob, Allan TS Steve, Jason, Mark and Haydn) and the 'autobus' Steven, Chris R, Wayne and me, with Chris G yo-yo-ing between the groups on his 15 kilo winter resistance training bike. In two minds whether to sit in or bust a gut and stick with the climbers, he ended up doing a bit of both. Mark Nott on his first winter club run looking strong early on but would he pay for it later?!
Continued over Gilfach Goch with a regroup at the top before the gentle climb up Penrhiwfer and descent into Penygraig. Weather holding fine but as we made our way up the Rhondda Fach we could see the mist and clouds on top of 'Tylorstown tip'.
After the softening up of the first couple of climbs we dropped down from Ferndale and through the switchbacks onto the Queen climb of the day up Llanwoon. Always a favorite, the climbers soon opened a gap while the rest of us grovelled our way up. Descent through Llanwonno forest is also a favorite but in today's wet conditions, was taken with care! Cheeky climb out of the forest to Perthcelyn where we observed 2 minutes silence.
With most of the climbing done, all thoughts were now on the coffee stop, we decided on Duffryn Gardens but had a brainwave as we headed for Tongwynlais. new coffee stop for all of us and worth revisiting. Ride fragmented slightly after the cafe as Rob headed for Cardiff and the group left 4 behind! :-[ (sorry guys lack of communication). There was plenty of communication from Haydn when they chased us down later near St Fagan's! ;D Chris R and Jason pealed off in Rhydlafar.
Steven, Haydn and myself led us through the lanes to P.S.E., Welsh St Donat's and City. Steven looking stronger as the day went on, put in a big effort to lead the sharp climb up from Graig Penllyn, probably sensing Mark starting to suffer.
Coasted from Treos back to Brackla, to end another enjoyable club run.
p.s. Haydn always moans about going over Glynogwr and Gilfach, so as captains prerogative I now wish to rename them Haydn's humps.
Thank you and see you next week
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Good ride again Andy, I'd not done Llanwonno before but I won't forget it in a hurry ! Got stronger as we got into the 4th hour of riding and did have a cheeky go as I'd preserved some energy by taking a tow from the tractor! The cafe in Tongwynlais was a keeper, the scone was good and the apple pie looked immense !
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At last, finally put my name to something, shame its about moaning, never mind think positive! great ride, thanks for tips and advise, especially what to do when your behind a tractor towing a trailer! good write up captain!!
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Great route Andy. As usual, a highly enjoyable ride with good company. Mark Nott looking strong to me, and toestrap Steve also climbing very well. Thanks to Jason for waiting on me at the cafe so we could 2-up back to the bunch, and to Harpo for waiting further on to make it a 3-up.
I'm worried that the cafe in Tongwynlais is on one of my commuting routes and could lead me into temptation. The apple crumble was indeed immense.
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Yes i agree the route was good today a lot of climbing in first half with a flatter section towards Ponty and home.Weather was good a little rain . Good Cafe stop the sun. came out as we sat outside .
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Spot on Andy; 15kg, just weighed it and the other bits of ballast.
Would have been nicer to ride to Swansea Marina but a good bit of strength work. Missed my 25mm armadillos though, I can't fit them on this bike. Good route today.
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Spot on Andy; 15kg, just weighed it and the other bits of ballast.
Would have been nicer to ride to Swansea Marina but a good bit of strength work. Missed my 25mm armadillos though, I can't fit them on this bike. Good route today.
the ride to Swansea marina....A48, Fabian Way...urghh!
I was itching to be on the open mountain roads on such a nice calm late autumn day but the forecast was dodgy and there were some pleasant views from todays interesting loop. Another good value coffee stop too for the collection, whilst from a selfish perspective it worked well for me and my 1pm curfew. Cheers all especially the new club captain.
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Great route - I had a tough day in the saddle so thanks to all for words of encouragement. Was certainly glad to get home to my garage sofa for a little lay down!
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Hi Gents,
Great route today, spot on Andy.
First club ride for some time.....felt strong on the initial climbs but your right,soon paid for it later.
Definitely beats the "golf course" !!!
Thanks guys !!!
Mark.N
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Was certainly glad to get home to my garage sofa for a little lay down!
I want one. I don't have a garage though. A shed sofa will do - currently all I have is an upturned bucket. I have attached an artists impression of me on my bucket. (If you Google Oor Wullie...carefully...you'll discover where my Strava name comes from too).
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