A really enjoyable ride today in great weather. We had 12 starters out today choosing to amble around the Afan Valley and the Heritage Coast for a distance of just under 50 lumpy miles. The pace was occasionally a tad above the true definition of ambling but with a strong group including a few 'resting' Pacers, everyone seemed to cope. Following a different route from the Pacers SF detachment (mostly clad cunningly in club colours), we headed to Pencoed and across the Common to Sarn before heading up to Maesteg, where we deviated from our usual route and headed up to Careau via Duffryn and over the top of the valley to Cymmer. It's a long time since we've used this route, so the unexpected (to some) climb before dropping down to Cymmer was emotional!
I'd like to claim the credit for perfect timing, as we hit the Cymmer/Afan Valley Junction just as the dodgiest knees in NATO complete with club colours rode past up the Valley on his way to smashing every Strava segment on the Dragon Ride. He was met with a ragged cheer from his Oggie fan club before we enjoyed a swift descent to Port Talbot, Margam and on to coffee and cake in the Broomwagon in Porthcawl. We also managed to catch sight of Mal on the way down the Valley, as well as the Pacers who were steaming up towards the Bwllch with the aim of giving Andy's dodgy knees a bit of support.
After a short (OK, a leisurely) break we finished the ride by climbing everyone's favourite hill out of Porthcawl and headed home via Laleston. The total distance today was around 49 miles at a smidgin over 17mph.
Out today were:
Andy Storrie
Jon Saunders
Clayton
Terry
Tony
Lee
Rich B
Jonathan Spinks
Reece (newbie - first ride, but riding like a potential Pacer)
Nige
Chris Reed
Mark P
Next week, longer, flatter and even more coffee and cake!
Mark
