Chasers 30 August

[RichardB]

We have been discussing doing a longer ride when the forecast is good and it is looking this Sunday, warm and dry and calm.
So the plan is to head out to Newport Caerleon Usk Abergavenny and back, it is around 100 miles and we’ll stop for coffee and lunch. Earlier start leaving Physique at 8.

https://www.strava.com/routes/2728748792351675022

Can you let me know who is interested please.

[Andy H]

Sound like a good route but I've offered to lead an Amblers ride, so won't make it.

Hopefully see you next week.

[RichardB]

Sound like a good route but I've offered to lead an Amblers ride, so won't make it.

Hopefully see you next week.

Yes, be good to see you out with us again.

[Lee S]

Looks a good route Richard. Count me in. See you 8am Sunday 👍🚴‍♀️

[RichardB]

Here’s the first coffee stop. A lot of the cafes on the stretch between Caerleon and Abergavenny are either closed on Sundays or are only open later in the day. So this one is on the Green in Caerleon after about 35 miles.

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g1929481-d7279048-Reviews-The_Green-Caerleon_Newport_South_Wales_Wales.html

[Denise Fitz]

Hi Richard
I have family commitments this weekend so need to be back by 1pm.  I’ll ask the Chasers if I can hang onto their back wheels until the Bwlch
Cheers Denise

[RichardB]

Thanks Denise, I’m sure you will be fine with the pacers, see you next week.

[RichardB]

Four chasers out his morning for an early start
Richard Bowmer
Richard Lewis
Lee Stoneham
Karl Walton

Thanks to Richard L for a great route and great directions throughout the ride. A lovely day to be out on the bike, dry and sunny all day albeit blustery and slightly chilly at times.

Followed the route out as planned, out to Caerphilly and through Bedwas, Machen and Newport to Caerleon and the first coffee stop. Coffeee and cakes at the Green Lounge Cafe on the green in Caerleon, we will stop there again.

Then off towards Abergavenny through Usk and on to the Raglan round before heading south again at the Hardwick. We then got off the main road after Llanover and picked up a great road drown to Pontypool through New Inn. Then across to Crumlin and Newbridge where we took a detour down to Abercarn for the second coffee stop at the Forest Drive mountain bike centre where coffee and bacon rolls were the order of the day. And the first “mechanical” for Lee with a spoke coming through the rim tape and puncturing the inner tube.

Then the final leg of the ride up to Ystrad Mynach and Nelson and down to Abercynon and Cilfynydd and the direct route home through Trefforest, Llanharan and Pencoed. And a recurrence of the wheel problem for Lee as we approached Llanharan.

Long turns on the front today from Richard L and Karl with Karl looking very strong again. I struggled for most of the second part of the ride so thanks all for dragging me around.

An enjoyable ride today, thanks all, and see you next week.