Considering it was such a damp, bitterly cold day today I was pleasantly surprised by the turn-out. There were (at various times) 10 chasers on the road for a slightly shorter than advertised ride of around 47 miles. We headed out to Pencoed before turning back with the wind towards Pentre Meyrick, Llysworney and Llantwit Major and then following the TT course to Wick and St Brides and around the coast. Tony Mansell in particular and Chris Reed were like early spring lambs (admittedly very large, not very cuddly spring lambs) as they took it in turns to put the hammer down spreading out the group as we hit the coast. After Ewenny things calmed down a tadge and we decided to avoid the pain of Porthcawl's 3 Steps Hill and went straight through Stormy Down towards Pyle and then took the back lanes to the coffee stop at Parc Slip.
Andy's Dodgy Knees was unimpressed with our short cut, so he added his own longer version of the route to the cafe, which considering he'd already ridden down from Scotland (well Pentyrch) to get to the start line was very impressive. After the break we decided to head home via Sarn, Bryncethin and the across the Common into the wind as punishment for wimping out of the full route. Chris Reed and Andy obviously had even more miles to push as they live further afield. Despite the bitter wind it was an enjoyable ride, although the lack of heated toilets at Parc Slip has definitely lost the cafe it's top cycling cafe stop on Trip Advisor
. Out today, if not all at the same time were:
Steve Curry
Leo K
Tony M
Chris R
Jonathan S
Mal
Mike B (with 12 kilo bike, flat bars and flat pedals)
Andy's Dodgy Knees
Mark P
Next week there's obviously no Chasers ride due to RR2. See you there.
Mark
Rich L
