Given the gloomy weather-not what was forecast-and that Nick&Carrie who'd requested a sortie over the Bwllch couldn't make it I thought we'd be settling for a Vale ride this morning,however I underestimated the mid-weekers enthusiasm for suffering.7 of us set out,Chris,Patrick,Roy,Mike,Carrie,Mal and myself.We had a stop start ride to the Bwllch via Llangeinor and Wyndham-the stops caused by frequent putting on and taking off of jackets.Chris set a comfy pace up the climb and everyone was happy till Malcolm spoilt it for everyone with repeated accelerations.
Sadly he got his come-uppance once we got to the first summit and carried on up to the Afan Valley.They were remarking the white lines and in an effort to be courteous and let a timber waggon through Mal touched a newly painted line and came off-fortunately we were only doing about 5MPH and hopefully no serious injury to Mal or his bike.Carrie then punctured but as per her last 2 or 3 punctures Chris was on hand to change it(assisted by Mike).We dropped down and climbed back up to Maesteg via Caerrau,and followed the valley down to the Shwtt turn where we climbed(yet again)before descending to Bryngarw for a well deserved cuppa.Excellent ride which I hope everyone else enjoyed as much as me!
