Amblers ride 16th April 2017

[Ben]

There's two routes this weekend. One is a marathon ride (75 miles over Maerdy, Rhigos and Bwlch) but there is a get out route at the Bwlch if people want to cut it a little shorter. The other is a gentle jaunt round the Vale.

I'll update the post with the two routes in a sec.

[Carrie H]

Hi Ben,
To let you know, we won't be out on Easter Sunday.
Have a good ride,
Carrie 

[Lee]

Can't make it either. Gutted. Lee

[RoyH]

Out of curiosity what happens if a newbie turns up on a Sunday who's maximum distance to date is 30 miles and is hoping to ride with the 25ers.

[Ben]

I do have a shorter route ready too Roy 

[RoyH]

Ok, thanks Ben, it's just I was talking to a potential club member on the weekend who had a look on here and couldn't find any manageable rides, so it's just to let him know.

[Ben]

Hey Roy. Ride if they do come out would be 35miles.

[ron b]

Keep an eagle eye on the wind speed, not nice places on a windy day!

[Ben]

Ron and Roy are you two out and about?

[ron b]

Not for seven hours for sure!!

[Ben]

If the new guy comes it won't be 7 hours. If he doesn't then you can always bug out at the top of the bwlch

[RoyH]

I'm still riding with my son and son in law at the moment Ben so won't be on a club ride for a bit, the guy I mentioned is going to build his speed and distance up before he turns up so you won't see him yet either.

[xrayspecs]

Hi Ben
I don't think we have met. I think Roy has a good point; the amblers is the entry level ride for the club; the marathon you describe might better be done solo or as a pacers / chasers ride. You may well be putting new riders off.
When I came back to cycling in 2010 after illness I found the entry level rides a challenge to start with; if a long hilly ride like that was on offer I would have been put off. Even done slowly this may be out of some riders comfort zone / ability.
Chris G.

[Ben]

I realised that Chris. Hello btw. The route for us this week will be either Bwlch the down Afan valley - same route as week before last (If no new people are here) or if new people want yo come out it'll be

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/14888430

[Ben]

Three left Physiques today. Myself, Ron and a visitor from the Pro-Vision Club in Stoke-on-Trent. Mate of mine (Alex) down and visiting. We didn't go for the super long route as it would have been a bit cold and windy at the top of the mountains. So we trundled over to Margam via Aberkenfig. Then we went up and over Bryn. Little dryer and warmer than last time I did it in the snow. Met the Chasers and Wayne coming the other way on their routes. We rode into Maesteg village. Stopped for coffee at, what seems to becoming our usual haunt, Parc Slip. Good coffee, conversation and cake. Then up and over Llangeinor and Alex and myself went up and over Gilfach Goch while Ron (recovering from friday) went back home. When we hit Llantrisant/Talbot Green the wind and drizzle got us. My legs got very cold very quickly and I started to struggle a little. Once I warmed up again I was ok. Was a good ride and some good hills though 53 miles for Alex and myself.