My Community

Hi Nige

Do we have an outline agenda we could start with / give various captains / secretaries notice it would be nice to get a few words on their area? If anyone can't make it they could give us a summary, or delegate to someone else.

I don't think we had an Audax summary last year. Given I think that is the biggest event type in terms of events participated in (all be it by only a few individuals) I would like to hear a quick review in that area, and a reminder for everyone how they can take part.

I would also like to make sure TT / hillclimbs are on the agenda, not least to prompt better planning for the hill climb which I think I have failed to get going this year; my chairman's legacy!

To be clearer than I was when I posted this. The plan is for a single session. On a Friday evening.

If people are keen on going a bit more regularly there are a number of different sessions we can agree to meet at. These are *much* easier to arrange. However you do need to have done some accredication to prove you aren't a danger to other riders. These are typically 1 hour sessions and are easy to book on, and you'll typically need to attend 4 sessions to get to level 3 which will let you ride pretty much any session. If you'd like to get all your accreditation done in one hit there are a couple of dates for that too. If anyone is interested I can point you at those. If you want some semi regular indoor riding over winter that we can make a bit social these are probably the way to go.

I'm in.

Earliest advertised start of any OVW ride on Sunday saw Paul (fresh from his warm-weather training camp), Nige, and I trundle away from Brackla at 8am with the mist just about lifted. Nige was keen to push things along in the early stages and we drifted past a few late Dragon Ride starters as I reminded my companions that our schedule would mean we’d be unlikely to see any more from the sportive after the turn for Pontrhydyfen.
Early stop at Craig-y-Nos for breakfast cake before pushing on up Cerrig Duon (the Crai) where a handful of very early Dragon riders were coming the other direction.

Turning left towards Black Mountain we noticed a couple more keen event riders as we crested past Usk reservoir and began descending to the little bridge at Pont-ar-llechau past no more than 15-20 bajillion Dragon riders. Few sketchy moments as the odd car coming towards us was unable to adapt to cyclists travelling in opposite directions.

Over Black Mountain and the group made the foolish decision to follow me while I wasn’t concerning myself with the little direction arrows on my head unit. Fortunately this afforded us the opportunity to avail ourselves of more bike paths and parks in Carmarthenshire and we did eventually make a second cake stop at Ammanford.

Paul was whinging about sore legs at this point so he was delighted to get stuck into the joys of the climb over Garnswllt to shake off his laziness. From there it was the usual trip towards Briton Ferry and spin home down Harbour Way offering a wheel to Dragon stragglers.

Another scoot through the Vale. Coffee at Ground Control in Brynna. See you on Sunday morning, 9am.

https://www.komoot.com/tour/1625215593

31 miles along the coast. Coffee in Llantwit or Cowbridge depending on how thirsty we are. Pace for the slowest rider, no one gets left behind.

9am start at Brackla.

https://www.komoot.com/tour/1615137827

Despite disaster before 9am when it transpired Gregg's is being refitted, 4 of us manfully pushed aside the anguish and rolled out in bright but cool conditions. Heading west, Paul, Nige, Mark and I made the most of a tail wind out for an easy ride to Neath before heading north on rolling roads through Resolven to Glynneath. Mark in particular making sure we stayed warm on increasingly saturated roads although we always seemed to be just behind a deluge. Two step climb up the Rhigos with Nige notbaly keeping in touch until at least the first hairpin despite leaving his fast bike in the garage. Gliding down into Treorchy most of us turned into Cwm Farm Shop; Nige going so fast at this stage he sailed straight past. Refueling with apple pie and custard, just like Tadej does, we were ready for a final ascent of the Bwlch and an astounding descent by me to beat Paul to the bottom which was in no way due to traffic, and entirely my awesome skills.

I'm unwisely doing an Audax with Dave next Saturday and there is as much chance of me turning up on Sunday as Chris Frome finishing in the top 150 at the tour so please post an exciting Pacer's route in my absence.