Well that was an interesting ride! One crash, two punctures and three missing persons. Eleven Amblers left Brackla this morning and were quickly joined by Mal & Chris Chick ( making a welcome return to Club Rides). The weather was fantastic, for the first time since about February, so we were set fair for a great ride taking in a few of the Afan & Llynfi Valley's hills. Unfortunately Terry and Jon Saunders had a bit of a tumble on the road to Black mill that caused some painful gravel rash and ruined club kit. However, Terry's morale was improved by a very kind, blonde nurse (a female
), who stopped to administer first aid.
After climbing over Llangeinor and up to Bettws we headed up to Maesteg to head over the Bryn. After navigating the Kamikaze traffic lights at Cwmafan, poor old Jon had a puncture to add to his woes, before we set off for Porthcawl at such a lick that we didn't notice we'd left Mal, Terry and Tom behind who were fixing another puncture. We didn't see them again despite sending out a search party. We then rode through Porthcawl's crowds along what was today a glorious seafront and headed home without the scheduled tea stop. However, Tony Mansell had phoned ahead to arrange a very welcome free tea/coffee and cake stop in his back garden in Corn town. Top job and many thanks to Louise for the excellent refreshments and comfy chairs in their very sunny back garden.
Terry finally caught up with us after helping Mal with his puncture and Tom later rang to say he had got home safely (so we think did Mal). I think Napoleon returned from Moscow with more men!!
Out today at various points were:
Gary
Chris Reed
Chris Chick
Mal
Tom
Terry A
Tony M
Neil Bartlett
Wayne
Paul Long - riding well
Jon Saunders
Lee S
Mark P
