Well that didn't go quite to plan!
The first half of the ride went well with 15 riders leaving Brackla to head out for a 'lumpy' amble taking in a few of our regular and one or two less regular hills. For once the BBC Met forecast was spot on as we initially rode with clear skies, a light (ish) breeze and a comfortable temperature of around 18 degrees. The first challenge was the mountain road over Mynnedd -Y-Gaer. The Amblers' haven't ridden this little treat for a couple of years and no wonder!
. After a comfortable start the road rears up resembling the North Face of the Eiger and becomes a real handlebar chewing experience just before the top. I received a few interesting comments about my route selection as we neared the top, at least from those who could still talk. The politest comment was 'this is a brutal climb' just about summed it up, although it's a beautiful summit when you finally get there. Tony Mansell also asked me if I chose my routes from the 'Book of Bastard Routes', to which my answer would have been yes, if I had been able to speak.
On the positive side the mountain road made all the other hills on route seem easy, even if they came thick and fast. We then climbed over Glynogwr, Llangeinor, Bettws and the Bryn, all in pleasant riding conditions, before the heavens opened just before Taibach. Within 10 minutes the temperature had dropped by 10 degrees and we were hit with stair rod like rain. By this time the group were getting cold, wet and in one or two cases almost blind from the slashing rain, so it was decided to head straight home along the A48, missing out the leg through Porthcawl. From here on in it became a case of every man for himself as we mostly took the straightest route possible back home.
I decided to call in at Parc Slip Nature Reserve cafe for a morale boosting coffee and cake but sensibly most of the group rode straight home. Despite the poor weather for the second half of the ride, the first half was really enjoyable (Ok I was crying near the top of Mynnedd-Y-Gaer) but that aside the climbs and the views were fantastic. We did lose one rider when climbing up Mynnedd-Y-Gaer but not only did we wait at the top, good old (well fit, young Mark Rosser) volunteered to ride back down and find our missing Ambler, before climbing back up the hill. Top man! So starting and mostly finishing today's ride were:
Mark Rosser
Haydn
Steve Chapman (climbing like Quintana)
Lee S
Paul Longthorn
Andrew Storrie
Chris Reed
Terry A
Tony M
Mal (Content)
Clayton
Neil Bartlett
Mark P
Wayne
Bugger - Forgot one!
Next week longer but flatter!
Mark
