Early start from new OVW (West) base at Bryncae Gregg's for me (pink jammie doughnut), Nige (bacon roll), Paul and Ben (optimising their w/kg). Lovely warm start without so much as an arm-warmer, except for mine, obviously. Standard spin out to Trelewis with the easy climb option rather than going straight through Bedlinog. Stopped half way up to pick up another cyclists who'd hit a lamb on the descent and been very lucky not to fall on the big rock 6 foot from where he landed. Quite windy on top but not a cloud in sky.
Few downs and ups through Fochrhiw, Pontlottyn and Tredegar before catching the bike path along the heads of the valleys road, coming up above Ebbw Vale onto Llangynidr. Paul, Nige and Ben graciously sitting up on the drag to the top to give me a fighting chance of not being left behind on the descent. A lot of effort then to be caught by Nige halfway down the other side and only not left in the distance thanks to a horse box with a very smelly bound on brake on the towing Land Rover.
Up and over Bwlch (not that one) and into Talybont-on-Usk for dreadful coffee and excellent carrot cake. Trundle along Talybont reservoir with obligitory team photo on the dam, and then a quick dart up Torpantau, with Ben really taking his time keen to make the most of the view.
All downhill from there. First through the lanes to Pontsticill, and then swooping bike paths around Merthyr, culminating in one of my trade-mark navigational decisions resulting in some much appreciated extra climbing. Spin back through Aberfan to Pontypridd, and enjoy the afternoon sun back to our respective homes.
