Chasers Summer Solstice Ride

[RichardB]

Proposed route for next Sunday 21 June

Out to Carmarthen and back, it will be around 120/130 miles, with an early start 7am. That will give everyone an opportunity to tag some extra miles on the end. I did make a start plotting this on Strava and Garmin but they both keep taking me off course and on cycle paths so I have given up on that.

Here is the route

Bridgend out on the a48 through Pyle over Stormy Down and down Harbour Way to the Briton Ferry Bridge, down Fabian Way and Oystermouth Road and then pick up the cycle path from Clyne to Dunvant, through Gowerton to Loughor and then follow the coast road all the way round Llanelli, Pembrey, Burry Port, Kidwelly on the main road to Carmarthen. Before Carmarthen we will cut across to Llangunnor and pick up the road from Capel Dewi all the way along the Towy to Ffairfach. Direct route home from there through Llandybie, Ammanfard, Pontardawe, Neath and Briton Ferry.

Not much climbing, I think the only notable hill is Llandyfaelog just outside Kidwelly plus the drag up from Pontardawe en route to Neath.

Potential stops in Llanelli for breakfast, Llandeilo/Ammanford for lunch, and a later stop around Baglan if needed. I'll do some research on cafes that are open on Sunday and opening times.

[RichardB]

Proposed first stop in Gowerton after about 35 miles, Station 86 on Sterry Road, Gowerton
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Station+86/@51.647692,-4.0374046,19z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x486ef3706812e9c7:0x39652279c1fa289d!8m2!3d51.6476456!4d-4.0381662!16s%2Fg%2F11f10fx4pw?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDYxNi4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D
This comes just after we come off the Clyne cycle path into Gowerton, left at the lights after coming onto the main road

Second stop in Llandeilo, but there doesn't appear to be much open in Llandeilo on a Sunday unfortunately, this is Caffi Gwili on Rhosmaen Street, we have stopped in here before
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Caffi+Gwili+Cafe/@51.8842296,-3.991638,84m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x486eff3b7bd5689f:0x500d80d5f51557d4!8m2!3d51.884107!4d-3.9917352?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDYxNi4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D

[Richard L]

Here's the route:-
https://www.strava.com/routes/3502697915190262730

[RichardB]

A good turnout for the ride on Sunday and great conditions.

Seven of us turned up bright and early at 7am Sunday morning by which time it a warm morning already and ideal for short sleeves from the start.  It was sunny and warm all day with the temperature picking up in the afternoon and just a light breeze. At the start were me, Rich L, Mark Rosser, Chris G, Carl, Scott, and Fernando (Nando kindly letting us know Nando is indeed the shortened version of Fernando, and leading to a rendition of the opening lines of the ABBA hit of the same name later in the day when we stopped in MacDonalds). Thanks to Rich L for the route, it was one we have done previously.

It was a good steady paced ride all day. Mark and Chris did a great turn on the way out, riding all the way on the front to Swansea and the turn at Clyne onto the cycle path. We made such good time that we were too early for the planned coffee stop in Gowerton, at Station16. We did however have a contingency with Greggs on the corner of the same street, which I begrudgingly enjoyed.  By this time Carl and Scott had pushed on to Pembrey for a there and back shorter ride, and Mark then returned home via Swansea and Neath.

The remaining group then pushed on for the next leg around Llanelli to Carmarthen and on to Llandeilo. Great scenery on the way along the Loughor estuary looking across the Gower to Penclawdd and later on the road along the Towy from Carmarthen through Capel Dewi to Ffairfach. Good turns on the from from me and Chris, but mainly Chris. And a nice surprise when we got to Llandeilo with a favoured cafe, Cafe Braz being open, the good search has suggested it was closed on Sundays. And we had a fellow cyclist on the next table who had build his own bamboo bike.

The next leg then down to Ammanford across to Pontardawe and on to the last coffee stop in Baglan. More turns on the from me and Chris with Rich L clearly feeling the impact of his endeavours in France and Spain. The coffee stop was in MacDonalds where we all refuelled on more fast food before making for home on a direct route through Port Talbot, Pyle and Kenfig Hill to Bridgend.

Total ride distance of 188km in new money with some added miles at the end for a couple of us. Thanks all for a great day out.