Amblers ride 29th October

[Ben]

As always there is other options if new riders come out. The weather however is looking like it could be quite nice this weekend. Maybe a little chilly but dry and not too much wind (unlike last weekend).

So here's the proposed route. Heol Spencer - Pen-y-Cae - Fountains lane - Margam - Cwmavon - Cymmer - Maesteg - Bettws - Llangeinor then home via Heol Spencer again. Maybe a coffee stop in Maesteg if anyone knows a nice cafe. It's a bit hilly but nothing like we did for the Bwlch. I did consider carrying on up Bwlch and back through Wyndam and over Llangeinor. But that was a bit too far for the Amblers. Closer to 50 miles than 40. This is a little over the 40 maximum but whats 4 miles between friends?

https://www.strava.com/routes/11001239

Other option could be coffee at the Broom Wagon and go the same way to but instead of Fountains lane go Cefn Cribwr - Kenfig hill - Kenfig - Porthcawl - 3 steps hill - Ewenny - Post Office hill - Lampha - Colwinston - Llangan - St Mary hill and back to Brackla. This is 34 miles with a cheeky climbs at Cefn Cribwr, 3 steps hill and Post Office hill. But they're all fairly short.

https://www.strava.com/routes/10871060

So, to quote Paddy Mcguinnes, the power is in your hands.

[xrayspecs]

I would check that Ben; I think the ride times are the same in November but change in December and January?
Chris

[Ben]

Thanks Chris. I wasn't too sure. I looked back through forum and homepage but could find want I was looking for. Hopefully someone will be along to clarify soon.

[Tom]

Yes in previous years the 9.30 start has been in Dec and Jan-you get an extra hour in bed this week anyway!

[Ben]

6 of us today. Myself, Mal, Paul L, Ade, Tracy and Sarah (Tracy's daughter and Hannah's twin sister). We went with the Porthcawl route. Up past the prison and down the S-bends towards Aberkenfig and the hill upto Cefn Cribwr. Once we got to Pyle we went along Pont George road to the A-48 and Margam park. Down through Kenfig and past the nature reserve. Once we got into Porthcawl we stopped at the Broomwagon. Good coffee and a really nice Bacon, egg and black pudding baguette gave me some fuel to do Mal's suggestion of Mount Pleasant hill. Nothing pleasant about it really. 16% but fairly short. Was a preferable option to 3 steps hill. From there we cut across to Pen-y-cae (Tracy and Sarah left us here) and Tondu then turned up Heol Llan (Paul carried on to Heol Y Cyw) up into Coity. Mal and Ade went home from here leaving me to ride back to Llantwit. I took the option of Ogmore by sea and then St Donats. It meant I managed 64miles today. I was aiming for the 100km as it was the last chance of getting my Strava badge for the month. Great ride. Everyone rode really well despite some cheeky climbs and a vicious head wind riding down past Margam park.