Pacers 65ish mile, flat run; aka Nige’s Birthday Trundle.
Chilly start this morning as a duvet-clad diaspora reappeared one by one out of the low sun, and assembled to hear a new edict for club run etiquette. French-style is here. There were some quizzical looks as we wondered where we’d get a ton of manure at 9am on a Sunday morning, let alone the logisitical difficulties of transport to the town hall steps when your combined luggage capacity is one and a half litres, and only if you can find safe storage for tyre levers and those little gas cannisters loved by the kids. Having understood this does in fact entail something about riding down hills back to the slowest rider, the disappointed faces amongst the Chasers were noted as they realized their much anticipated, mandatory, two-hour lunch breaks had not made it to legislation.
With the conclave concluded the Pacers rolled out. Steven, Nigel, me, and the Rosser twins; with apolgies from General Walters, absent organising a holiday and warm-weather pre-Bethlehem training. Early pace out to Aberkenfig was taken up by Paul and Nigel, and we soon arrived at the first of several not quite horizontal sectors, this one to Cefn Cribwr. The chance of ice added some excitement to the descent into Pyle, but despite the sub-zero temperatures the roads all day were mercifully dry.
Steven and Mark guided us through Margam and across to Taibach, with a brief respite in the pace to allow the uninformed to catch a glimpse of Tambini’s café. With the temperature still hovering around minus 3 we tried to warm up a little by lifting the pace on the Bwlch. The drop down to Nantymoel was noted for its frigid character with some complaints of cold from those of the group who to put it bluntly, need to eat more.
Back on his old stomping ground, Mark pushed on through Gilfach Goch before we started on a lane-based meander avoiding the big-roads around Llantrisant. Some nice new roads for me, at least, although the dry surface and bright sky was particularly advantageous here.
New coffee stop at the Hare and Hounds Bakery in Cowbridge where Nige offered to get Coffee and cakes all round to celebrate his 30th(ish) birthday. No one made even a token attempt to dissuade him of this burden and the refreshment was very well received.
We concluded the ride with a spin down to the coast and through the lanes towards Wick. Coming out of Llantwit Major with stopped to allow Mark to closely inspect an interesting looking farm gate and observed Terry glide past at speed. A concerted, team effort over several miles finally ended his solo attempt, and as we came into St Brides Mark, Steven and Nige carried on to Bridgend, while Paul, Terry and I took advantage of the clear day to enjoy the sea views through Ogmore.
Enjoyable day out, I thought. And of course, everyone agreed the route planning was exemplary.
