Amblers/Chasers ride - 27th August

[Ben]

Andy is away again this weekend so maybe another Ambler/Chaser ride. If there's any newbies though I will have a separate ride ready.

But for the joint ride I think
Over the common - Brynna - Llanharan - Smilog - Tonyrefail - Tonypandy - Treorchy - Bwlch - Cymmer - Maesteg - Llangywyd - Fountains lane - Sarn - Back to Brackla

Just shy of 50 miles and some bigger bumps - I guess you could call Bwlch a hill.

[mal jones]

You've forgotten the most important bit  Ben The coffee stop . Maybe parc slip ??

[Ben]

Parc Slip is good for me. Or Margam discovery centre. I'm not sure about coffee shops up that way yet. Other than the nicish one in Treorchy.

[mal jones]

Bryngarw park also has a good coffee shop so a few options Ben

[Ade]

I won't be there Sunday. I have the Cardiff-Roubaix event on Monday.

[benevs]

I'm hoping to be there Sunday morning, but may have to go off half way, maybe the top of the bwlch, depending on time.

[Tom]

Like some of the riders in the Vuelta today(in a very broad manner of speaking)I went too far into the red on my ride home tonight! Don't think I'll be there at 9 but if my legs start obeying orders again I may go up the Bwllch from Nantymoel side and possibly intercept you! Any idea what time you expect to get to the top from Treorchy side Ben?

[Ben]

Hi Tom, We should be at the top of the Bwlch about 11ish pace dependant.

[Tom]

Thanks Ben-I was even later than I planned this morning but the crowd at the ice cream van told me you'd left about 10 minutes before I got there.I raced up to the wind-farm-Port Talbot side and every rider coming the other way told me you were just ahead. Of course I wasn't going to catch anyone once the road started going down.Wasn't sure which way you planned to go-I went up to Caerau and down through Maesteg.Sorry to miss you,hope you had a good ride

[Ben]

I arrived at the top at 11.02 As close as on time as I could manage. I'm surprised at you Tom you're always Mr Punctual. Lol.

Any way on with the ride report.

There was Myself, Alex (Provision rider Vistiting from Stoke), Karl, Nick L, James, Jonathan, Ben, Lee S and Lee E leaving Physiques this morning for a magical trot through the Welsh Valleys. We got a good pace going as we rode along Coity Common towards Brynna. I got a fair few PB's (75 in total today) on the way there. Then over Smilog which was a little busy in parts but not too bad. We then took in Cardiff Ajax's Hill climb and onto Treorcy via Gelli. A quick stop at the top of the Bwlch at the time I said we'd be there and Ben and Lee E shot off down Ogmore Valley as they had prior commitments. Off up past the wind farm and down Afan valley where instead of going through Maesteg we opted to go straight into Port Talbot. Karl, Alex and myself went for coffee at Piccolo Bar on the Esplanade. Then Three steps hill and back via dipping bridge and Ewenny. Karl peeled off to go home at this point leaving Alex and me to go back to Llantwit through Death Valley and past Plough and Harrow.

80 miles for Me and Alex at 16.5mph too so we were shifting. Great ride. Great company. Tired legs.

[Tom]

Yes I thought it was a long shot so wasn't in a hurry to get out but I saw Ben&Lee near the top of the descent to Nantymoel(and all the Ajax)so knew I was only minutes behind you!So near yet so far but my legs were protesting from Saturday night so may have been as well I messed you!

[Nick Langley]

Thanks Ben, good route on a glorious day