Amblers Sunday Club Run 12th October 2014

[Paul Longthorn]

I'm not around this weekend. Who is going to post a route? But I'm planning on a start of the week ride on Monday I'll post Sunday night, if anyone is interested.

[Andy H]

Faster Amblers welcome to join the Pacers 

[Mark Pope]

I know that a number of the sportier Amblers are joining Andy's Pacer's group this Sunday. However, for the more sedate Amblers, or for those with a bit less time, I propose the following route:

Brackla, Ewenny, Ogmore, Southerndown, Monknash, St Donats, Llantwit Major, St Athan, Flemingstown, Llantrithyd, Welsh St Donats, Hensol Forest, Miskin, Talbot Green, LLantrisant Forest, Thomastown, Gilfach Goch, Blackmill, Llangeinor Mountain, Garw Valley, Bryncethin, Sarn, Coity, Brackla.

It's about 84 kms in total and backloaded with a few cheeky climbs. There are a few escape routes if anyone wants to cut it short and a cafe stop option at Blackmill. See you tomorrow.

Mark P

[ron b]

A Café stop in Blackmill? Go over the top to Bryngarw at least. Nice route with a sting at the end and the weather is looking good.

[Tom]

Sounds about right to me Mark after 2 weeks of Pasta&Pizza!See you in the morning

[RichardB]

Good route today. Enjoyed.

[Mark Pope]

A great turn-out for today's club run and good to see some of the Reserve Team Squad stepping up to join the First Teamers in the Pacers group (and put their hands up for regular selection). Very unusually there were less Amblers out today than Pacers, although at our peak we still had 13 riders in the group.  The route today was backloaded with hills, so we were able to ride like Kings for the first half before grovelling like peasants over the hills later in the ride. We set off from Brackla with 12 riders but were soon joined for a stretch by Mark Cook. We followed the Coast around Ogmore and Southerndown before making for Llantwit Major. At Cafe Velo Ron and Tim peeled off before the rest of us headed for St Athan, Flemingstown and the A48. So far so easy, we then crossed the main carriageway where the 7th cavalry (including Pete Phillips and Roy 1) turned back and the rest of us headed via some very quiet back lanes towards Miskin and Talbot Green.

The hard work started at Llantrisant Forest, after which we added a bit more pain by climbing up to Gilfach Goch before descending to that cheeky little hill towards Blackmill that we all forget exists but hurts like buggery. Four of us then had a hero's coffee in Blackmill before climbing Llangeinor and finishing off by heading home via the Garw Valley. The rest took a shorter route home from Blackmill. Great weather today and good company. The legs are burning a bit, so it was obviously a decent ride. Today's Amblers were:

Roy 1
Roy2
Tom
Andy Samuels (newbie - strong rider)
Tony (climbing like a Pacer)
Lee
Rich Bowmer
Mark P
Tim Raine
Ron
Pete Phillips (4 club rides only - honest)
Mark Cook (fast bloke - shot off and left us)
Andrew Storey

[Tom]

Good report Mark-the club obviously has a number of Literary Lions!Excellent route-one we could do in reverse and front load the hills and enjoy the flat without trepidation over what's to come!

[Mark Pope]

Good point Tom, it would probably be better doing the hills first. Perhaps we could climb Llangeinor via the lane as we don't do it that often (I've never been up it). It would allow for a nice, fast ride back along the coast with a stop for coffee in Llantwit Major.