Amblers Sunday 24 January

[Mark Pope]

The forecast is reasonable for Sunday with fresh SW winds, overcast skies and temps around 12 degrees. We might even get to stay dry! My proposed route for Sunday's amble is: 

Brackla - Bridgend - Laleston - A48 - Porthcawl - Kenfig - Water Street - A48 - Harbour Way - Aberavon Beach - Baglan - Margam - Hafodheulog - Parc Slip - Fountain - Sarn - Bryncethin - Coity - Brackla

It's around 46 miles, with a coffee planned for Parc Slip Nature Reserve. See you Sunday at 0930.

Mark

[Tom]

Good to see normal service resumed Mark-we're lost without you!!I plan to be there-you're being kind to me-not too many impossible hills!

[Mark Pope]

Ha ha, that's very kind of you Tom but I'm sure the Amble's ran as smoothly as ever! . I have chosen a flat (ish) route for selfish reasons as I've been off the bike for a couple of weeks, although I have been in the mountains albeit on skis not wheels. You'll be as strong as a bull come Majorca after riding that 15kg monster of yours in one gear for 4 months, either that or you'll need a double knee replacement! See you Sunday.

[mal jones]

Good to have you back Mark to keep Chris reed and a few others in check should be there sun

[Tony M]

Ha! Who was breaking away last week? and had to be pulled back into the pack?

[Mark Pope]

A good turnout for today's flat(ish) amble out to Aberavon Beach and back. Nine riders left Brackla although we were quickly joined by Toestrap Steve and Keith on the Tandem and Mal who met up with us on the road to Laleston. Our group included Sgt Major Harpo, so a flat route and Harpo's presence helped to gee the pace along just a tad. After riding around Porthcawl Seafront we headed out to the A48 and then had a real blast down Harbour Way to Aberavon Beach. We then eased off the gas before more of the same back down the carriageway. We took to the lanes after Margam for a steady ride to coffee at Parc Slip Nature Reserve before heading for home.

As it was dry and mild, and it was a fairly short ride we decided to head home across the Common via Heol-y-cyw. As ever, the Common gets everyone's blood up and we picked up the pace over this stretch. We enjoyed it even more when we overtook a 4 strong group from Forza who weren't hanging around themselves. Needless to say it made Harpo's day! . Overall we covered 47 miles at an average speed of 17.4 mph. Not bad for an amble. An honourable mention to Tom who managed to hang on to the group despite riding his Massey Ferguson monster. Out today were:

Chris Reed
Harpo
Tom
Tony
Terry
Lee
Mal
Rich B
Paul Jenkins - Guest from Bush Health Care
Toestrap Steve
Keith
Mark P

Next week's amble will be a dry run for RR1. See you there.

Mark

[Tom]

Good ride and good report Mark.I won't be stopping for any comfort breaks if the quid pro quo is Harpo forcing me to sit on his wheel back to the group!Reminded me of my Time Trialling days!

[Toestrapsteve]

Lovely outing on the bicycle made for two with Keith - (aside from my hand on the ground at Porthcawl and a bit of gear-shipping at Tythegston steps). Flat route (thanks Mark) made easy work for the tandem although the stop-start pace a bit tricky on a big machine that is no easier to re-start than a blast furnace!
Come on Dave W and Harpo - lets be havin' y'out on'tandem

[mal jones]

I thought the route said Bryncethin coity so a turned off at heol y cyw and when over common - truth is I was beginning to flag PS if I attend the AGM next fri can I put forward a motion to ban Harpo from the amblers!!!!