Ambler's Sunday 11 January

[Mark Pope]

Two options for tomorrow's Amblers' run:

Option 1:
I've received a suggestion that we follow the Pacers' route to Swansea Marina this Sunday. I like the idea but I'm not sure of the route after Briton Ferry. However, I'm sure the Marina's easy enough to find. It's a flat (ish) route and the Ambler's rarely stray out to Swansea so it's not a bad idea. If we follow this route we will be doing the first 25 miles or so into a 22 mph headwind but it does mean we can fly back with a strong tailwind. The distance is around 50+ miles depending on our route to the A48. My first thought is that we'll head out to Fountain and then up past Parc Slip Nature Reserve before hitting the A48. From then on it's out and back.

Option 2:

Brackla - Coity - across the Common - Brynna to Miskin. Then head via the Vineyard to Pendoylan, across the A48 to Crosstown, Llancadle, Aberthaw and Llantwit. Then back via the Lanes. This route gives us the wind at our back for the first 25 miles or so then some protection from the hedgerows around the larger lanes across towards Llantwit and home. The distance is again around 50 miles. 

Some feedback would be appreciated on your choice of options then I'll post a more specific route tonight.

Mark

[Roy Richards]

Mark
I favour the Swansea option if only for a change of scenery.  Should see you at Brackla at 09:30 unless pouring with rain.
Roy2.

[RichardB]

Mark, for option 1.
From Neath cross the A465 and head towards Tesco. From there turn left and into Neath Abbey and onto Skewen. This road take you on to to J44 of the M4. Straight over and pick up the A48 into Llansamlet. Turn left at the lights into the retail park and just stay straight ahead over all roundabouts. This road will drop us down onto a roundabout between the Liberty and the Marina and it is straight forward from there. I think!

[Jason T]

If the others in the pacers group are up for it option 1 does sound good due to the wind, see below for a previous trip to Swansea Marina for an idea of the route going via Neath;

https://www.strava.com/activities/227101671

I would estimate, depending on which way is taken heading out towards Port Talbot, that it would be 53 to 56 miles coming back via Stormy Down and approx 57 to 60 miles coming back via Nottage.

[Mark Pope]

Option 1 it is! Something like this:

Brackla - Bridgend - Laleston - A48 via Stormy Down - Pyle - Margam - Port Talbot -Neath -Skewen -Bonymaen - Swansea Marina and return. Distance should be around 55 miles. See you at 0930.

Mark

[Tom]

That works out quite well Mark since as I think you know I have a strong aversion to that route-too many hairy moments in the past for me BUT as it happens I may not be able to get out tomorrow anyway!(family complications)Take care and if you go on Jersey Marine use the cycle path!Should be ok for next weekend and out in the week as normal.

[Andy H]

I can understand Tom having concerns if he's had problems riding this route but we've ridden the route  lots of time with no issues at all.

Apart from Jason T (or Allan) turning the ride home into a sufferfest and kicking our asses on the Port Talbot bypass!!

[Tom]

Yes I don't want to put anyone off Andy but I'm always conscious of the cycling fatalities that have happened (especially)on the stretch between the Porthcawl roundabout and Pyle.In fairness they seem to have been when cyclists have been riding into the sun and it should be behind you tomorrow.

[Rob Jones]

I wouldn't ride Fabian way solo, the speed/ flow ratio of traffic is all wrong for cycling. Add to that the M4 merge in both directions and there are not many worse places to be in my opinion. Safety in numbers however, so keep together through the on and off-slips in particular and you'll be fine. Problem with the cycle path is you'll all be fixing punctures!

[Rob Jones]

I know you weren't planning heading into Swansea that way, wasn't sure which way you were returning though.

[RichardB]

I think we'd come back that way Rob. And yes, safe in numbers.

Not sure if this is now intended as a joint amblers pacers ride? In my limited experience I don't think these work as there is too much difference in pace between fastest and slowest, and especially into a very strong head wind on the way out. And I don't want to be holding anyone up. If we don't know the same route as the pacers from Llansamlet to the Marina we may need to take an alternate route?

[ron b]

I was disappointed with the lack of control in this mornings Amblers ride. We set off after the Pacers had left, at Pyle the pace increased enough to catch the Pacers up. I did complain a year ago about this habit of dropping slower riders, but it seems to continue. Amblers rides are supposed to be slower than the Pacers and Sunday rides are advertised as a Social ride and no one gets left behind, I was the one dropped today only watch the two joined groups racing of into the distance. I am old enough to look after myself and definitely will never get lost, but I have met too many riders out on the roads who used to be in OVW only to finish because they were left behind on a Club run. On the way home today I rode part of the way with a potential OVW, how could I try to recruit him knowing he would be dropped on a Sunday run.

[Jason T]

I found it to be a good ride today with the Amblers & Pacers, not as windy as expected which was a bonus and due to my Garmin failing on the way to Brackla I had no idea what our pace was.

It certainly hurts pushing a steel bike up some of those climbs and I was surprised to see an 18.3 mph average speed, I'm guessing this would be close to most others on the ride today.

Thanks for the joint ride today people.

[Mark Pope]

Ron,

I sorry that you were left behind today, which was my fault. However, this does tend to be a problem when we join up with the Pacers, particularly on a flat, fast out and back course. On purely Amblers rides we never leave anyone behind. We did slow down today on a number of occasions but it soon became clear that everyone (well almost everyone) was enjoying being swept along in the fast moving Oggie peloton. I did realise you'd dropped off the pace at Margam, but as I knew you were only going as far as Port Talbot I decided to dig in and stay with the group. If I'd dropped back I'd have been on my own and I'd never have got back on and I wasn't sure of the route as it wasn't one I'd planned.

Rest assured that for genuine Amblers rides we will always wait for stragglers and re-group at specific points. However, I must admit with many of the Amblers now shading Amblers pace, a set of reins and a bullwhip is sometimes needed to keep the group together. Overall, today was a really good ride and one that I think we all enjoyed. The route out to Swansea Marina was (mostly) flat and lent itself well to a high pace and a large group. The Amblers particularly enjoyed drafting the 'big boys' and riding at a higher than average pace. It was good to see such a large turn out by the Oggies on such a drab, cold January day. I counted 16 Oggies on the road, as follows:

Mark R
Chris G
Chris R
Haydyn
Jason
Paul L
Andrew S
Ron
Tony M
Terry A
Neil B
Richard B
Steve Landeg
Wayne
Mark P

Damn, I've missed one!

Mark P

[RichardB]

Good report Mark. Enjoyed being in a big group today and a big thanks to the guys on the front.
It is Roy you missed.