Mid-week wk of 3/8

[Tom]

Planning to get out for the normal Tuesday ride tomorrow-so long as it's dry.Lee has suggested as it's school hols we may be able to go earlier-9.00 at B&Q?Does this suit?I'll assume yes if no-one says different.
Planning an expedition to Monmouthshire on Thursday-weather looks ok.Plan is to get train to Newport(Lee&myself)and meet Mark P in Newport or Caerleon.Terry also hoping to come-be good if anyone else available could make it.
Plan is to do a loop of Monmouthshire on quiet roads-nothing mammoth but likely to be most of the day,including a lunch stop.
I haven't checked train yet but I normally get one at 9 from Bridgend,in Newport 9.40-it's a London train with a Guards Van for bikes-after the rush hour there's normally plenty of room.Alternatively anyone wanting to come could drive/ride out to meet up.
Post here if making either ride!

[Mark Pope]

Hi Tom,

I'll definitely join you on Thursday. I'm staying in Caerleon on Wednesday night so I'll meet you on Caerleon Common at about 10am if that's OK? We can then head up the Usk Valley on either side of the river towards Abergavenny and do whatever loop you want.

Mark

[Terry A]

Hi Tom/Mark,

Was planning to join you but just remembered on that day it's the club handicap TT event which I have enetered. A shame as it sounds like a good plan & day out. Hopefully another time.

[ron b]

Thursday's are out, but a drive and ride would suit me, perhaps Crosshands and head to Llandovery area, lots of scope there. May see you at the Café tomorrow, snow permitting.

[Tom]

Forecast not so good for the morning now(although Thursday still ok).Will post here in the A.M. if too wet/gloomy tomorrow.
West Wales sounds good Ron-we can discuss next time we're out together

[Lee S]

Hi Tom, I'm doubtful for tomorrow's ride unless the weather drastically improves. I'll definitely join you Thursday morning weather permitting and meet you 8:50 at Bridgend train station. The train departs at 9:02 and arrives in Newport at 9:37.

[Tom]

Thanks Lee-I agree with you about tomorrow-I will probably go out later when it should be better but will see you on Thursday morning!

[ron b]

BBC says it's not raining, even my eyes tell me different, they are losing their touch .a little

[Tom]

Not only the Mail,Telegraph etc attacking the BBC but now it's Ron as well-the final straw!In fairness their online forecast for Bridgend(on my computer at least!)is showing rain all morning.
The housework beckons,hope to get out for an hour or so later.

[Roy Richards]

Tom

Regret not being able to make it on Thursday.  Will see you after I return from East Midlands.

Roy2.

[ron b]

Went out, no drifts, no rain at St D, then back into it at St M golf club, are we all getting soft. Tomorrow looks ok, no black ice so I will brave it again

[Mark Pope]

Hi Tom,

I'm still good for tomorrow's day trip. I'll meet you at Caerleon Common at 10am. Don't worry if you're late as I'm staying in Caerleon. If you and Lee are up for it I thought we'd climb up past the Celtic Manor, meander along the ridge and then head out on the old Chepstow Rd to Caerwent.  then head up over Wentwood towards Usk (a lovely climb but not too hard) with a great descent. After that follow the back road from Usk to Abergavenny, then out towards Crickhowell for lunch. After that, depending on how we feel, there's a couple of options for the return. Either a flat, easyish ride down the Usk Valley, or a hillier loop out of Crickhowell via Llangynidr but still coming back down through Usk to Caerleon. Shortest route around 60 miles, longest around 80. Weather looking pretty good too, which makes a change.

Mark

[Tom]

That sounds great Mark.Lee and I will be in Newport at 9.40-it might take us half an hour to get out of the station and up the new cycle path but we should be there just after 10.
Did you see Carrie's e-mails?She's going to Chepstow tomorrow but I don't think it would fit in for her.
See you in the morning!

[Paul Longthorn]

Anyone fancy a spin tomorrow?

[Tom]

Fabulous day out in Monmouthshire with Mark&Lee today.Started with nice climb of Belmont Hill then over the Wentwood to Usk up to Chainbridge/Abergavenny and Crickhowell for lunch.We then made our way through the lanes to Usk and back to Caerleon/Newport.Only about 70 miles but the distance wasn't the point.
Highlights included Lee jumping onto the 1Pro Team Train just after Chainbridge to tell them he'd seen them In Mallorca then telling me&Mark how easy the pace was &he only dropped off to wait for us to tell him the way,Mark having cake for his main course at lunch then different cake for afters and all of us having a long conversation with a 91 year old lady about the Tour/cycling generally.
Mark&Lee redeemed themelves by ignoring my suggestion that as we were ahead of schedule we could do an extra 15 mile loop including a 2 or 3 mile climb of Gwehelog opting instead to sit in the sun and eat home-made ice-cream.
We're hoping to do it(or similar)again in a week or 2.