It all began with the forging of the great Velothon ride. There was two choices of ride. Up over the Bryn from Maesteg or a longer version of the midweek ride stopping at Porthkerry. But I didn't know where to stop for coffee over Bryn. One does not simply ride in this heat over the Bryn without a coffee.
Nine companions left Brackla on a quest to ride round the Vale. The fellowship of the ride included myself, Tom, James, Chris X-Rayspecs, No straps Mike, Matty, Lee, Ben (on his 3rd ride) looks like my off didn't scare him and Adrian on his 2nd ride after his swim last weekend.
We followed the Tuesday route up until the top of Welsh St Donats where the Fellowship got temporarily split. But we all met up again and went down past Hendrewenol and over the A48 to Llancarfan. No swimming in the ford this time. Short stop at the top of the hill from Llancarfan for Tom to catch up after some swift descending. Then down to Penmark and up past the Six Bells. Ben hadn't done this hill before Adrian had. Surprisingly Chris hadn't been up here either. But we all made it and went over past the airport down to Porthkerry. Tom (Gandalf) left us here as he had a prior engagement (maybe with the Balrog or the Tour) so 8 ride into the plains of Barry. Nice stop for coffee and cake. Including some HUGE portions of Mille Feuille. A custard powered PB for me on the route out of Porthkerry then down through Rhoose. There are Traffic lights round the airport bend if anyone is planning to go out that way soon. We tootled through Rhoose and past the Blue Anchor. Instead of carrying on past the petrol station we took the now normal route of Gileston and St Athan. Where Chris (who I will now call Boromir) left to go home. Into Llantwit and down the coast road. I peeled off after St Donats as I was running low on fluids.
One ride to rule them all:-)
Great ride, stunning pace, and the Mille Feuille will be hard to beat for a while.
