Amblers Club Run - Sunday 20 December

[Mark Pope]

As promised I propose a slightly shorter, flatter route this Sunday. I'm writing this from memory whilst sitting in Costa's, so I'll let you know the exact mileage later, but my guesstimate is around 47 miles. The route is:

Brackla - Coity - the Common - Brynna - Talbot Green - Miskin - Hensol - Pendoylan - Gwern-y-Steeple - Bonvilston - Llantrithydd - Flemingston - St Athan - Llantwit Major - Marcross - St Brides - Southerndown - Ogmore - Ewenny - Brackla

The plan is to stop for coffee and cake at Cafe Velo. See you at 0930.

Mark

[RichardB]

Sounds good - see you in the morning.

[mal jones]

probably meet you at top of coity hill before common

[harpo]

Could be persuaded not to do some hills;)

[Mark Pope]

You're always welcome Harpo. There is one hill for you to enjoy though, just after Gwern-y-Steeple.
Mal, we'll look for you at the bottom of the hill at the start of the Common. We should be there at 0940.

[Mark Pope]

It turned out to be an almost perfect Winter's day for a club run. Although there was a brisk breeze it mostly worked in our favour or we were protected by the high hedge rows in the lanes. There were 14 Oggies on the start line in Brackla, with the old guard of Tom, Ron & Tim setting off for a 25ers variant of the Amblers' route, and Toestrap Steve and Dave W deciding to take advantage of the good weather and headed out towards the Bwlch. The rest of the group headed out towards Coity, the Common and Brynna before heading back towards the Vale and coffee and cake at a packed Cafe Velo in Llantwit Major.

After the break we followed the usual route home via the Lanes and the Coast led most of the way by Sgt Major Harpo, who ensured we burnt off all the calories we had loaded up at Cafe Velo. It was a really enjoyable ride in relatively warm, dry and sunny conditions, if a tad shorter than usual at around 44 miles. We also did less climbing than usual, ascending 633 metres, which along with Harpo's presence probably accounted for an average speed of just under 17mph. Streaking around the Vale today were:

Chris Reed
Chris Goodwin
Terry
Mal
Jonathan Spinks
Richard Bowmer
Andy's dodgy knees
Mark P
Sgt Major Harpo

See you next week.

Mark

[Toestrapsteve]

Break away duo (Dave W & Steve TS) benefitted from a tailwind all the way up Ogmore valley and the Bwlch descending through to Treorchy in the sunshine that has deserted us for the past couple of months. Pressing on down the Rhondda Fawr to Ponty we caught a smartly dressed ex-roadie on the Uni Glam climb who was asking after Richard Powell, on Oggie whom he fondly recalled racing against, up to the point Richard had a bad accident in North Wales. He eventuallly did a turn on the front around Pontyclun! Cafe Velo still packed when we arrived and the excellent coffee and cake were indeed welcome as we'd averaged 17.5mph according to Dave's tech. Bit more chatty on the way back to Wick with Dave facing another 15miles (all good for your powers of endurance buddy).

[Rob Jones]

That was me you shouted Rob at near Bwlch shelf! I had been climbing for a bit and by the time my brain went through the  recognition process of 'Toestrap' to 'Steve' you were passed! Can't say I noticed the tailwind up the Bwlch from Ogmore Valley you mention, which probably means I was flagging by then!

[Toestrapsteve]

Good to see you Rob. Should have asked the name of the ex-roadie we towed from Ponty - you'd probably know him. You looked to be climbing well. Hope your Winter training is going well.

[harpo]

Wanted to join the breakaway but there was a stalker in a mist! No regrets thou, really enjoyed the route mark, thanks!! Nice to see Chris reed getting back to form!!

[Tom]

Richard Powell is Rob Powell-back riding nowadays but living and working in Cardiff-still an Oggie at heart though!!