Gloomy start for Nige, Paul, Mark, Steven and I. Plus special guest Pacers Rich L and Karl. Bit of confusion at the start where none of us seemed to have the route loaded into a navigation device but, like the morning after a wild night out in the valleys, there was a vague recollection of Maesteg, and we headed north west.
Winter pace up the Llynfi and over the hill to the golf club where the only light drops of rain of the day greeted us. Steven lead us up the Afan before we turned at Pontrhydyfen for everyone’s favourite leg warmer up to Efail fach. Karl was keen to demonstrate his similarity to Chris Hoy. We’ve seen the climbing ability before, but this time it was his raw power that impressed, tearing his chain apart and doing well on a 20% slope not to keel over, or lurch forward and “ruin his prospects”.
Paul pounced on the malady, donning a pair of latex gloves that looked to have seen action with an oil rig worker. With a new link fitted Karl was off again, for at least several yards before the rest of the chain dissolved and we had to leave him at the road side waiting for an emergency visit from Mrs Karl.
Heading back from Neath towards the coffee stop at Porthcawl Rich must have remembered he’d left his hair straighteners on and Pacers’ winter pace wasn’t going to cut it. Plenty of strong turns from him all day, and some noticeable heavy breathing to stay on his wheel. Should be Pacering from now on I think.
After our rest stop Paul got on the front (no, really) and set a solid tempo up 3 steps hill. Mark, looking to jettison unwanted weight to stay on a wheel cast aside another pair Alibaba’s finest eye wear which Steven used as a handy excuse to sit up and retrieve for him. Mark peeled off at St Brides, with everyone else bar Nige and I cutting short before Llandow.
I thought I’d have a gentle spin back home through the lanes but Nige stayed on to half-wheel me back through Cowbridge, and we finally parted company at Pencoed.
Not sure when we’ll see Steven out next but hopefully he can join us again soon. Looking forward to giving him a good send off on Monday night, with thanks for everything he’s done for the club.
