My Community

Proposed route for next Sunday 21 June

Out to Carmarthen and back, it will be around 120/130 miles, with an early start 7am. That will give everyone an opportunity to tag some extra miles on the end. I did make a start plotting this on Strava and Garmin but they both keep taking me off course and on cycle paths so I have given up on that.

Here is the route

Bridgend out on the a48 through Pyle over Stormy Down and down Harbour Way to the Briton Ferry Bridge, down Fabian Way and Oystermouth Road and then pick up the cycle path from Clyne to Dunvant, through Gowerton to Loughor and then follow the coast road all the way round Llanelli, Pembrey, Burry Port, Kidwelly on the main road to Carmarthen. Before Carmarthen we will cut across to Llangunnor and pick up the road from Capel Dewi all the way along the Towy to Ffairfach. Direct route home from there through Llandybie, Ammanfard, Pontardawe, Neath and Briton Ferry.

Not much climbing, I think the only notable hill is Llandyfaelog just outside Kidwelly plus the drag up from Pontardawe en route to Neath.

Potential stops in Llanelli for breakfast, Llandeilo/Ammanford for lunch, and a later stop around Baglan if needed. I'll do some research on cafes that are open on Sunday and opening times.

3 riders out for a Social/Amblers spin around Porthcawl loop. Myself, Richard B and 'new' rider Stephen Wheeler, returning to the club after 30 years!

Managed a solid 15mph pace, kept dry and enjoyed coffee stop on the harbour in Porthcawl. Enjoyable and uneventful ride.

I'll be out to lead a 'Social 'NO DROP' club run this Sunday.
Around 30 miles steady pace usually 13-15mph but depending on the pace of the slowest rider.
At least one coffee stop, all welcome, old, new, male, female.

Depart from dialysis unit car park, rear of Brackla triangle at 9:00am

Modify message

Folks. I've had a few suggestions for improvements / changes in the club. I'd like to put together some agenda items for a half-yearly meeting (in July?) and we can decide if we want to move forward with them.

Some example ideas

Modernise our web presence. The web site does look a bit "Myspace", and the pictures we have very dated and perhaps not as exciting to new members as they once were.

We have someone enthusiastically running our social media again. I don't expect anyone to dissent but we should probably quickly formalise that.

Re-introduce our awards night. I'm too young to remember this, but I am told there was one. This is absolutely not just for anyone racing. There are a lot of successes we could celebrate and essentially use as a get-together.

If anyone else has any ideas we could add to an agenda, eg replace the chairman, please let me know.

Ali joined me for the Amblers ride, initially following the Pacers/Chasers group for the first 10 miles or so. We 'let them' forge on after Llantrisant and settled into a steadier pace for the rest of the day.
After cycle path past Llantrisant followed the route to Pontypridd then diverted to Abercynon. Almost did myself a mischief on the sharp rise out of the village, when the skewer came loose on my rear wheel, bike came to a standstill but I carried on to land astride the front stem. Lucky escape!!
Quick coffee stop in Pontypridd before retracing our steps as far as Llantrisant and returning home via Ystradowen, City and Graig Penllyn

47 miles @15.8mph average, bit faster than a normal Amblers due to the speedy tow at the start