Amblers ride 15th October

[Ben]

There's a few people away at Castles and Cathedrals this weekend. Again I have a choice of 2 rides and as usual I can change them if a new rider turns up. I'm always accommodating.

The first ride a nice gentle tootle through Aberkenfig and Pyle out towards Porthcawl. We can stop for coffee and cake at the Broomwagon. Back via 3 steps hill then Ewenny, Colwinston and then Llangan and St Mary Hill and home. 34 miles in total

https://www.strava.com/routes/10871060


The second ride ,may not be suitable for all riders but could be fun in a painful way, is out through Pencoed, Llantrisant, Llantwit Fadre, Tonteg and up to Caerphilly. Yes you guessed it over Caerphilly Mountain and home via Pentyrch, Creigiau, Miskin, Pontyclun and back to Brackla.  It's a little over the Amblers 25-40 miles at 42 miles. But it's the ultimate answer to life, the universe and everything.

https://www.strava.com/routes/10871124

Now just to re-iterate the second route is not suitable for all riders and there is a choice of two rides. I can always change the rides dependent on who turns up. It might be nice to try a new hill though. Albeit a rather large hill.

[benevs]

Both routes have large hills! The Corntown hill is a killer!

I'm again hoping to be there on Sunday, but may need to work, I'll know closer to the time.  Haven't been on the bike for over 2 weeks now so losing fitness quickly!

[Ben]

There is a 3rd option (as Nick and Carrie wanted to do the Bwlch this week) the looser from last week...

https://www.strava.com/routes/10800548
Bwlch - 37.miles with a coffee stop in Treorchy

[Nick H]

We're everyone's excuse for doing the Bwlch it seems. It's Castles & Cathedrals for us this weekend so won't be there this weekend. Maybe see you in Aberdare after you've done the Bwlch without us...

[Paul E]

It’s Castles & Cathedrals for me too this weekend! Looking forward to Caerphilly Mountain!!!!

[Ade]

There's some sneaky climbs on all three routes. 1. Cefn cribwr, 2. Pentyrch, 3. Llangeinor & Gilfach goch. I love it.

[Ben]

5 of us today. Myself, Tom, Ade, Graham and Mike. As the weather was forecast to be nice (and Tom said there was a route up Bwlch avoiding the Clock tower) we went with the Bwlch option. So we set off towards Llangeinor up and over that first bump. Then down to Ogmore Vale where instead of following the road round we took a left at the junction and up the back road to the bottom of Station Road. We then went back on ourselves along a not too steep hill to the top of Clock tower hill. Up to the top of Bwlch (I even managed a little sprint) where we waited for Tom and Ade to catch us. Then down into Treorchy where we had a coffee stop at my favourite coffee shop in Treorchy (the only one I've tried). We then decided rather than down the valley past Tonyrefail and Gilfach Goch we'd try going back the way we came. So back over the Bwlch and Llangeinor. Was a great route and everyone managed with no problems. Some (Ade) even wanted to go back via Bettws. But we called the line there. Altogether for me it was just shy of 60 miles but I have an 11 mile each way commute. My legs felt great despite all the climbing. I think all enjoyed it though.

[Tom]

Thanks for the ride Ben et al,hills appealed to me more than the Chasers ride today but I didn't expect to do the Bwllch twice(and 4 times this week!) nie ride and good company as ever.