The Seven Samurai (Myself, Ron, Nick H, Carrie H, Ross, Lee and newbie Paul) left Dimensions in some glorious weather for the time of year. Lovely sunshine and hardly any wind. Headed to Pontyclun, waiving to Nick's Mum as we passed, the onto the Smilog on our way to the Bwlch via Treorci. Ross had a couple of punctures on the way. One in his old Fella the other in his rear tyre. The 2nd one was the end of his ride as he has tubeless tyres and couldnt change it for a tube. Lee stayed with Ross. So the 5 left headed on over to the Bwlch where we met up with the Chasers coming from the Maesteg side. 5 minutes catch up and rest and we set off again down the Afan valley towards Port Talbot. Loads of riders out and about and with the road closure near the top it was more like riding a closed road even until we got to the turn off for Glyncorrwg. One of mine (and Ron's) favourite descents though. Then at Port Talbot we stopped at Margam, when Paul left the group with cramp, for coffee but it was packed so we took a different route to end up at Parc Slip cafe for much needs sustenance. By this point I was starting to cramp as well but food and coffee helped. We all headed back to Bridgend. There was a nasty looking accident by the Rugby club and they'd closed the road (hope the people involved are ok). I peeled off at the lights to try my luck on the train home but no such luck. So I tootled back through Death Valley and Wick to get home. All in all a great ride and my furthest ever at 75miles. Great to meet Paul and hope he's out again soon.
