A great turnout today considering the grey, damp conditions with 16 ( I think!) Starting from Brackla in a mixed Pacers/Amblers group. We rode at a steady pace as far as the Bryn, taking in Coity, Brynmenyn, Bettws and Shwt on the way. Once we had climbed the Bryn we split into two groups with the Pacers heading off to Cimla and the Neath Valley, while the 7 strong Amblers headed up the Afan Valley towards the cafe at the Glyncorrwg Mountain Bike Centre where we met up with some of the old and bold from Port Talbot Wheelers and Maesteg CC. After apple pie, custard and hot chocolate with marshmallows and cream ( a mid ride snack recommended by Team Sky), the finely tuned athletes that are the Amblers rolled back to Brackla via Cymer, Taibach, Margam, Tondu and Coity.
At this point I must give Tom Beech an honourable mention for rising to the challenge and climbing the Bryn on his 15 kg shopping bike in the big ring ( the coffees are on me from now until Majorca Tom)! Despite a few issues with Strava that suggested we must have completed today's ride on pogo sticks, we actually rode 54 miles at an average speed of around 15.5 mph. Next week a little shorter and a bit flatter!
Mark
