These pages contain reports of our fortnightly rides.
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Goodrich and Forest of Dean
On a bright but chilly morning, 10 riders including two members on a tandem, set off on a tour of the Wye Valley with a warning from the ride leaders to expect some very steep climbs. Starting from Bracelands Drive in Christchurch, we followed steep forest tracks downhill to the River Wye where we joined the Peregrine path and after cycling past the canoe slalom course, we continued to Symonds Yat East and on to Huntsham Bridge where we crossed the Wye and climbed to the village of Goodrich and our coffee break in the Goodrich castle café. After enjoying coffee and the popular warm apple shortbread, we descended past the impressive Flainsford Priory to Kerne Bridge where we re-crossed the Wye and tackled our first steep climb of the day. High up on the side of the valley, we stopped to admire fine views of the Malvern Hills before enjoying an exhilarating descent down Bulls Hill to Coughton on the Ross road. From there another hard climb took us up Howell Hill before descending once again to the Wye where a spell of flat riding along the Ross road brought us into lower Lydbrook for our lunch stop at the welcoming Café Vanille. Suitably refreshed from a good lunch stop, a long steady climb took us to Upper Lydbrook where we turned off up Hangerberry New Road into pleasant woodland. From the top of the hill we enjoyed yet another fine descent down a quiet lane passing Eastbach Court, a handsome grade II listed mansion. The house is the former residence of Edward Machen who held the post of deputy surveyor of the Forest of Dean for 46 years from 1808 until 1854. Yet another hard climb brought us to the village of English Bicknor where, after a short ride through the village, we turned off along Redhouse Lane which took us to Hillersland and back to our start point in Christchurch. Thank you Keith and Jane for researching and leading an interesting ride through great countryside with fine views. The hills tested the mechanicals to their absolute limits!
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East Newport
A circuit for the “Magnificent Seven” around East Newport with Brian D including varied urban and rural landscapes.
Starting from Penhow and using the footpath/cycleway alongside the A48 we rode west towards Langstone before turning off and starting our first climb up to Cats Ash. Then on to join Bulmore Road through the Celtic Manor 2010 Ryder Cup course to Caerleon for our coffee stop at the popular Village Bakery.
After coffee we joined the little known cycleway (NCN Route 88) towards Newport past some of the Roman Remains from the fort (Isca Augusta ) and alongside a very pleasant section of the River Usk (at high tide) that goes all the way into the city.
A slightly convoluted but well signed route into the centre of Newport led us past the remains of the castle and under the Old Green roundabout emerging on the riverfront beside the Steel Wave sculpture. Passing the Riverfront Theatre (where the remains of the Medieval ship was discovered (in 2002 ) we crossed over the river on the footbridge onto the east side of the river and continued south through new housing to cross under the Southern Distributor Road and onto the busy industrial road, fortunately provided with a wide footpath/cycle path and now following NCN4.
A short offroad section through Traston Meadows (a Gwent Wildlife Trust Nature Reserve) provided a complete contrast with the noise and bustle of the city. Emerging in Nash we then cycled through the Wetlands Reserve alongside the sea wall emerging into Goldcliff for our pleasant lunch stop at the Farmers Arms.
The return to Penhow was via Whitson pointing out Whitson Court, which was a private zoo until the early 60s and featured recently as a location for the TV drama, The Guest, then on to Llandevenny and Magor with a final climb up over Bowdens Lane and a return to the cars.
All in the group felt this was an interesting and very varied ride and grateful that it was flatter than some of the recent rides!
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A challenging circuit from The Wentwood
9 riders set off from Cadira Beeches in the Wentwood on a bright but chilly morning to follow a longer than normal circular route with the prospect of challenging climbs and exhilarating descents. Two additional riders joined the main group part way through the ride bringing the total to 11 for the day. Leaving the Wentwood, we followed quiet lanes through Newchurch to Devauden before a good descent through Fedw woods brought us to Tintern Cross. Turning off, we tackled the first serious climb of the day through Parkhouse and on to Trellech for our coffee stop in warm sunshine outside the village hall. From there we continued to the Narth with a stop at Brian and Kay Mahoney’s house to give our best wishes for their impending move to Devon. Continuing on through Penallt to the Trellech Road, we descended steeply to Mitchell Troy before turning west to enjoy some fast riding to Raglan and our lunch stop at the welcoming Beaufort Arms. From there we joined NCN 42 climbing to Gwehelog before a fast descent brought us into Usk town. Still following NCN 42, we left the town along Maryport Street and followed the river to Llanllowell before tackling the long hard climb back up to our start point in the Wentwood. Thank you David & Ros for leading a great ride and well done to all the riders, especially the mechanicals, for finishing our most challenging ride of the season so far!
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Gwent Levels from Chepstow
12 riders set off from Chepstow Leisure Centre on yet another fine summer’s morning to cycle a route west from Chepstow through country lanes to the Gwent Levels with a lunch stop in the village of Magor. Taking the Mounton Road from Chepstow, we soon joined NCN 42 for the long climb to Shirenewton where we paused at the impressive gates of Shirenewton Hall, once the home of Edward Joseph Lowe, founder member of the Meteorological Society. From there we descended quiet lanes to Llanvair Discoed and Llanvaches. After crossing the A48 close to Penhow, we continued south past St Bride’s Netherwent to Castell Coch where we turned north and followed lanes to Llandevaud for our coffee stop on the village common. The common is a designated wild flower meadow and has up to seventy species of flowering plant. Our route then took us through Llanmartin and Bishton and across the Levels to Redwick and on to Magor for our lunch stop at the welcoming Wheatsheaf pub. Our return route took us north to Five Lanes where we followed the road through Shirefield (a place sign posted on the ground but not found on any OS map!) to Caerwent. Rejoining NCN 4, we enjoyed some fast flat riding to Pwllmeyric before several steep climbs via Mounton brought us back to our start point in Chepstow. Thank you Stewart for a well thought out ride through the beautiful Monmouthshire countryside, parts of which were ‘new ground’ to several members of the group.
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South Herfordshire villages from Garway Gommon
19 riders set off in glorious sunshine from Garway Common north of Monmouth to cycle a route through local Herefordshire villages with a lunch stop in one of the county’s oldest pubs. Our route proceeded first to Broadoak and then through quiet lanes to Llancloudy and on to Llangarron for our coffee stop in the churchyard of the Grade 1 listed St Deinst Church. Leaving Llangarron, we followed narrow lanes through Tretire and Pencoyd and on to Llawarne where we stopped to admire the ruined Llanwarne church abandoned in 1864 due to constant flooding from the adjacent brook. After climbing from Llanwarne to the A466, we enjoyed a short fast ride to Wormelow where we turned off and continued to Much Dewchurch for our lunch stop in the welcoming Black Swan, one of Herefordshire’s oldest pubs. Visible damage to wall paneling in the bar is said to have been caused by musket fire during the civil war. After lunch we took the road towards Kilpeck before turning off for the long steady climb to Orcop Hill from where we enjoyed spectacular views of the Black Mountains and the Malvern Hills. A long descent brought us into Orcop Village where we stopped to visit the historic St John the Baptist church with its interesting 16th Century timber bell tower. From the church we followed the narrow Garway road with its numerous steep ups and downs back to our start point at Garway Common. Following the ride, several riders enjoyed some welcome refreshments at the Garway Moon pub before departing for home.
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A circuit of the Forest of Dean from Lydney Harbour
On yet another sunny summer’s morning, 14 riders set off from historic Lydney Harbour to follow a circuit of trails through the Forest of Dean with some tough climbs and steep descents. Leaving the harbour, we followed Naas Lane into Lydney and then climbed steadily through Oldcroft to Viney Hill and on into the Forest for our coffee stop at the pleasant picnic spot at Blackpool Bridge. From there we continued on forest tracks climbing steeply to Staple Edge before descending to the Speech House Road at the former Ruspidge railway halt. After some pleasant flat riding past the lakes in Linear Park, we followed the Lydbrook Loop before joining the Colliers Trail to our lunchstop at Beechenhurst. After lunch we passed Cannop Ponds before tackling the long hard climb up the Colliers Trail towards Mallards Pike. After a short ride along Fancy Road, we turned south and enjoyed downhill riding through Molsley Green, Pillowell and Yorkley back to Lydney. Passing through the town, we followed Station Road back to the harbour where the group enjoyed tea and ice cream at the friendly harbour café. Thanks to Colin and Maggie for finding an interesting ‘new’ route into the Forest and expert navigation around the forest trails!
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Along the Severn estuary - (Bristol side)
As forecast, this was always going to be a very hot day with temperatures well over 30C for much of the day. Not surprisingly, some cyclists decided to give the ride a miss. However, 6 cyclists met near the M48 / Aust bridge. Setting off, the group enjoyed a lovely ride via Olveston and Cowhill (superb views) to Oldbury-on-Severn for excellent coffee & cake at the Community shop / cafe. It was very hot! In view of the excessive heat, the group agreed to follow a much shorter route than originally planned. Leaving the cafe, the group took a very short detour to Kington to view the photogenic Wallace & Gromit ‘Royals’ collection on the lawns of the manor house, before returning along the lanes to Olveston and then followed the lane to Northwick for a leisurely picnic lunch under the trees in the old church yard by the ruined church tower. Following lunch the group dispersed with 4 of the cyclists heading back to the nearby Aust/M48 end point just a couple of miles away. A very enjoyable short cycle ride on a very very hot day! Thank you Pauline and Colin for leading the ride and adapting the route to suite the conditions. Well done to the “Super Six” for turning up and braving the heat!
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A Tour of Villages north of Chepstow
On yet another sunny summer’s morning, a group of riders set off from Chepstow Leisure Centre to follow a route through villages north of Chepstow with the prospect of fine views of both the River Severn and the Wye Valley on the way. 8 riders set off from the start point, with a further 5 members joining the ride at various points along the route. Heading down through Chepstow town, we crossed the Old Wye Bridge and climbed Castleford Hill to Tutshill. After an interesting loop through Tidenham and Boughspring, we joined the main Coleford Road and climbed steadily on to Tidenham Chase where we stopped to take in fine views across the Severn Estuary to the Cotswolds and beyond. Leaving the Chase, an exhilarating descent down Park Hill Road brought us into Woolaston Woodside and our coffee stop on the roadside. From there we followed narrow lanes through Woolaston Common and on to Clanna residential park before tackling the steep climb up Rodmore Lane to the Bream Road. Turning west we cycled into St Briavels making a stop in the shade to cool down and admire the impressive twin towered gate house of St Briavals Castle a former medieval hunting lodge and now a popular YHA. Leaving the village, we carefully descended the steep Sandy Lane to Hewelsfield Common and after continuing downhill to Brockweir crossed the Wye and joined the main Valley Road to Tintern. A short climb through the lower Anghidi Valley brought us to our lunch stop at the welcoming Fountain Inn. After a very convivial lunch in the pub garden, part of the group followed the upper Anghidi valley to the Devauden Road and continuing to St Arvans made their way back to the start point in Chepstow. The remainder of the group descended to Tintern with some members following the Wye Valley Greenway through the Tidenham tunnel to Tutshill and the remainder climbing the forest tracks past the disused Tintern Quarry back to their start point at Tidenham Chase. Thank you to Stewart for leading an excellent ride with some challenging climbs, good descents, fine views and a very enjoyable lunch stop.
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A circuit through the Somerset Levels with a lunch stop in the historic village of Wedmore
15 riders met at the RSPB Ham Wall Nature Reserve west of Glastonbury for the sixth ride of our 2025 cycling programme. Setting off from the nature reserve car park in glorious sunshine, our route headed west along narrow roads and up a short but steep climb to the village of before following NCN Route 3 to Shapwick, through Catcott and Edington and on to Chiltern Polden for our coffee stop at the friendly Leather and Lace pub and café. Leaving the pub, we headed north on more narrow roads bordered by drainage rhynes and after crossing the South Drain and River Brue, an easy climb brought us into the village of Wedmore for our lunch stop in the pleasant garden at the historic George Inn. After a long and enjoyable lunch stop in the sunshine, we left the village descending once again onto the levels proper and heading east we followed more narrow roads with interesting names such as Cold Nose and Snake Lane and soon began to enjoy views of Glastonbury Tor in the distance. Following a short hold up to repair a chain problem, we continued to Godney passing the impressive 18th Century former Holy Trinity church – now the Glastonbury Wedding Venue – and a Type 24 pillbox, a relic from one of the many ‘stop lines’ built in 1940 to defend against a possible German invasion during WW2. From Godney we continued south skirting Glastonbury town before turning east to return to our start point at the Ham Wall Nature Reserve. Thank you Steve and Karon for leading an enjoyable ride in an interesting area.
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Clydach Gorge, Blaenavon and the Brecon and Monmouthshire Canal
14 riders set off from Llanfoist on a fine summer morning to explore a route through the Clydach Gorge to Blaenavon returning along the Brecon and Monmouthshire canal. Setting off from the Llanfoist village hall car park, we climbed steadily on cycle route NCN 46 which, passing high above the Clydach Gorge follows part of the former Merthyr, Tredegar and Abergavenny Railway which itself started its existence in 1794 as the Clydach Rail Road tramway carrying raw materials to and products from the iron works of the Tredegar Iron Company. Stopping for our coffee break on a viaduct midway along the tramway, we were surrounded by old mining and quarrying ruins a reminder of the area’s rich industrial past. Reaching Brynmawr, we joined NCN 492 and cycled along a traffic free path to our lunch stop at the excellent Whistle Inn. After lunch we continued along NCN 492 past the Garn Lakes, a nature reserve built on the site of former colliery workings and after crossing the Heritage railway at Blaenavon High Level station, continued into Blaenavon town. Leaving the town on the Llanover Road, we contoured around the side of the hill enjoying good views of the Skirrid before a long steep descent down a narrow lane flanked by ancient beech trees brought us to the Brecon and Monmouthshire canal near Llanover. With the sun glinting off the water and the odd wave from friendly narrowboaters, the group enjoyed an excellent ride along the well maintained canal tow path back to our start point at Llanfoist. Thank you Dave for organizing and leading an interesting and traffic free ride. The group agreed that this ride is a ‘definite’ for a repeat next year!
It is worth noting the first part of the day’s route up the former tramway between Llanfoist and Brynmawr was featured in The Telegraph’s 10 Best Cycle routes under 12 miles and is considered to be one of the best railway paths in Wales, if not the whole of the UK.
