Roll call: Harpo, John E, Steven M, Mark R, Steve C, Gregg, Karl, me, Jason T for the middle part.
First section to Nantgarw we got stuck behind John, so only managed an average of 36km/h. A bit of shadow boxing up Nantgarw Hill with some riders saving themselves for Caerphilly Mountain. Not sure who tool the KOM up there today, as the group was split up by traffic lights through Caerphilly, but Steve C and John were waiting at the top looking as if they'd had time for a shower before I arrived. Fast (and pleasingly leaf free) descent past Castle Coch, to a surprisingly early coffee stop in Tongwynlais - although the protests were muted, especially when the coffee appeared.
Everyone now being drugged up, it was a pretty rapid ride through Radyr and the Vale lanes to Gwern-y-Steeple then on to Aberthaw. I decided to get the guns out on Caemen rise, and was delighted with equalling my PR of 32s - but that was tempered by seeing John ease past me half way up - his guns were bigger!
After some tractor chasing on the Llantwit Road we had the second coffee stop of the day at Cafe Velo. I bailed out after this and sauntered home, leaving the rest to no doubt have a smashfest back to Bridgend.
Every rider looking strong today. Even harpo,
