Not too many takers on Sunday morning for another crack at the housing estate climbs route Dave created for us last year before he was savagely attacked by a grassy bank that stepped out infront of him. Excuses today rangied from early lunches to "my cardiologist has warned against it". Conditions definitely cool as Angelo, I, and some wheezy old fella (probably Wenvoe Wheelers member) disguised as Paul rolled out towards an early date with the Ponty golf club climb. Conditions ideal, it’s been resurfaced or at least thoroughly swept since our last attempt and Angelo danced away as soon as we left the main road. We paused just past “Dave’s corner” on the descent to regroup and stabilise our heart rates before carrying on to Caerphilly.
Up and over the “mountain” before 15 undulating miles through Lisvane, Rudry and Machen to, err, Caerphilly. Again. Then in a homage to our fallen leader 10 miles of busy, dragging dual carriageway to Newbridge. The climb from Crumlin up to Oakdale starts at the 25% sign, and the road / wall seems comedically steep. Fortunately the comedic element soon evaporates. Having crested the next climb around Blackwood we twigged the route ddn’t go to Blackwood itself where I’d planned coffee, but Paul was keen to add an extra hill so we dropped down to Costa before repeating the same slope.
Starting to feel the cumulative gradient at this point we were delighted to pass several signs welcoming us to Merthyr Tydfil. But even more delighted when we realised we were only skirting the county and started to recognise the road back to Cilfynydd. Everyone had made good efforts on the front by this stage and we were happy to roll back towards Bridgend.
