Caerleon, Llandegfedd Lake and Usk

From our start point on the A48 near Parc Seymour, 16 riders set off following a hilly route, giving fine views of the Celtic Manor golf course, to Caerleon where we crossed the river Usk and enjoyed our coffee stop at the very welcoming Village Bakery.  Cycling north from Caerleon, we were soon into country lanes enjoying stiff climbs and steep descents, before attempting the most challenging climb of the day up to the village of Coed-y-paen above Llandegfedd Reservoir. Dropping down to the lake, we enjoyed a tasty lunch at the visitor centre , followed by the obligatory team photo overlooking the lake. After lunch, we followed more tree-lined country lanes to the pretty town of Usk where we enjoyed a lengthy stop in the town square soaking up the Spring sunshine. From Usk we continued south following the river, enjoying fast riding along flat straight roads, before some short climbs tested tired legs on the final stretch back to our start point. Thank you Brian for leading a challenging ride through beautiful countryside thoroughly enjoyed by all.

Weston-Super-Mare and Burnham on Sea

From our start point at Western-super-Mare, we followed NCN 33 through Uphill Nature Reserve to the coast at Brean before setting off on 3 miles of challenging sand and mud cycling – possibly a first for the cycling group – along the beach to Burnham-on-Sea and a welcome coffee stop on the promenade. Continuing on NCN 33, we headed inland to East Huntspill and then along straight flat roads across the Somerset Levels to the village of Mark. An unexpected road closure just outside the village prompted a change of plans and the group retired to the local White Horse pub where we enjoyed an excellent lunch while the ride leaders poured over the map! Following lunch, Pam and Tony skillfully lead the group on a diversionary route through Tarnock and Edingbridge bringing us to Bleadon where we rejoined NCN 33. Entering the village we were treated to warm sunshine which made for an enjoyable finish to the ride passing once again through Uphill Nature Reserve giving dramatic views of the clifftop church of St Nicholas and back to our start point in Western-super-Mare. Thanks to Pam and Tony for leading an enjoyable and adventurous ride and coping well with the unexpected change of plans mid-ride.

Dymock Daffodil Ride

10 riders met at Hartpury Church on a showery morning to follow a route through quiet Gloucestershire lanes to the Dymock daffodil fields. The figure of eight ride took in the villages of Ashleworth, Upleadon, Dymock and Kempley. The high light of the ride was of course the delight of seeing swathes of daffodils in their prime in the area around Dymock. Riders enjoyed a welcome lunch at the Kings Arms in Newent. Thank you Tim for a great ride which is now becoming a regular Spring event in the annual cycling programme.  

A circuit through the Somerset Levels with a lunch stop in the historic village of Wedmore.

12 riders met at the RSPB Ham Wall Nature Reserve, west of Glastonbury for the first ride of the 2023 cycling programme. Muffled up against a biting wind, we set off along narrow lanes across the Avalon Marshes, an area soon to be featured on David Attenborough’s series Wild Isles. An early coffee stop at the Isle of Avalon caravan park close to Glastonbury, allowed cold hands and feet to be warmed up. Continuing along narrow roads bordered by drainage rhynes, a short but steep climb brought us into the attractive village of Wedmore for our lunch stop at the historic George Inn. The room where we ate lunch is said to have been used as a court by the infamous Judge Jeffreys during the Monmouth Rebellion in the 17^th Century. After lunch we continued west, then south crossing the large South Drain to Chilton Polden where we joined NCN Route 3 to cycle east through the villages of Edington, Catcott and Shapwick to Ashcott. From there we left Route 3 to head north enjoying a welcome downhill run back to the Ham Wall nature reserve. Thanks to Steve and Karon for leading an excellent and well planned route for the first ride of the year. 

Mince Pie Ride from Mallards Pike Lake in the Forest of Dean.   22 riders joined us on a cold and frosty morning for the grand finale to our very successful 2022 cycling programme.  We met at Mallards Pike Lake for an off-road circuit of the Forest of Dean using the cycle routes and forest tracks.  With riders uncharacteristically clad in big coats and woolly hats we set off to join the Family Cycle Trail at New Fancy, but soon called a halt for an early puncture repair.  Continuing, we enjoyed the long descent to Cannop Ponds where we turned north towards Beechenhurst and the first steep climb up to the Lydbrook Branch and the frozen forest roads that took us around towards Cinderford.  Pausing at the half way point, we sang “Happy Birthday” over the phone to Martyn’s wife Caroline who was waiting patiently for his return to begin the celebrations.  The route through the Cinderford Linear Park was straight and flat and into a blinding sun before reaching Ruspidge Halt where our second puncture of the day was repaired.  The steep climb up onto Staple Edge brought the reward of a long and sweeping descent through the chestnut woods back to a sunlit Mallards Pike Lake.  As well as enjoying our mince pies and mulled wine, the convener role was handed over from Brian to Nigel.  Brian has convened the group through the past three years which began with the Covid lockdown but has seen us return to a steady two rides per month in 2022.  Nigel made a presentation on behalf of the group and Brian is now looking forward to forging his own knife!  Brian thanked the group for their support and said how enjoyable and satisfying the role had been.  Our thanks to Nigel for agreeing to take up the chain of office!

Up, Down and Around the Lower  Wye Valley and across to Shirenewton.  22 riders set off  from Chepstow Leisure Centre on a mild winter’s morning to explore the hills and dales of the Lower Wye Valley and enjoy the last of the autumn colours.  We cycled past the racecourse to St Arvans before commencing our first long ascent towards Chepstow Park Wood.  We then turned right towards The Cot and the swooping descent down the Angiddy Valley to Tintern where we paused to observe the Remembrance Day two minute silence.  After refreshment at the excellent Filling Station Cafe, we began our next ascent up the valley past Botany Bay to Whitestone and Trellech.  Turning south once more we passed Trelleck Cross and on to Broadstone and Trellech Grange, before another climb back up to the ridge road at Cobblers Plain.  Enjoying wonderful views, we continued past Devauden Village Green to the Newchurch Farm Shop for a welcome lunch stop in their new cafe.  Our afternoon return to Chepstow took us through Earlswood and Shirenewton to Mounton, with some long downhill sections and extensive views over the Severn Estuary in the late afternoon sunshine.  Thank you to Ros and David for finding us an enjoyable and challenging early winter ride exploring our beautiful local countryside and for leading two separate groups to accommodate its popularity! 

A Circuit around May Hill.  Starting from Westbury-on-Severn, 14 riders set off in the autumn sunshine, enjoying the flat terrain of the country lanes north through Huntley and then to Tibberton where we had our coffee stop on the picnic benches at the Village Hall.  We continued into orchard country at Kent’s Green and then began a climb up to Cliifford’s Mesne to the north of May Hill and on to an excellent lunch stop at the Penny Farthing Inn at Aston Crews.  After lunch we turned southward continuing our climb before a fast downhill to Mitcheldean.  Crossing the main A4136 we rode along the eastern fringe of the Forest of Dean to Flaxley where we made a detour to visit the ancient St Anthony’s Well and the 17th Century charcoal furnace of Gunns Mill.  Our homeward route took us on a delightful downhill stretch through the autumn colours of the Flaxley Valley to Northwood Green and our return to Westbury.  Our thanks to Maggie and Colin for finding us a new ride in excellent cycling country – a great day out!  

Glamorgan Heritage Coast. Starting from Llanblethian just outside Cowbridge, 14 riders set off on a circular route exploring the lanes and villages of the picturesque Heritage Coast. Heading south through Llanmihangel we soon arrived for our coffee stop at the excellent Cafe Velo where we were joined by our 2 further riders who had been delayed in traffic. After a quick puncture fix we soon joined the coast road (NCN 88) heading west through St Donat’s to Marcross where we took a small detour to see the cliffs and lighthouse at Nash Point. From there we continued to Monknash, Wick and our lunch stop at the Fox Inn, St Brides Major. Our return to Llanblethian after lunch took us onto NCN 888 via the villages of Colwinston and Llysworney. Somewhat surprisingly, given the early morning rain, we managed to avoid the showers and stay dry all day! Our thanks to Brian for finding us a new area to explore with a great new cafe and coastal scenery. 

Along the Severn Estuary, (Bristol side). A lovely cycle ride in the warm autumn sunshine. There were seven cyclists on the day. We started at Aust, near the end of the M48 Bridge and headed north via the small villages, with various detours and brief stops for scenic views of the Severn Estuary, which also allowed time to read the informative and interesting local history posts (marked by *) along the route.  The ride went via Olveston, and then to Whale Wharf (*) for the first view of the Estuary, then to St Arilda’s Church at Cowhill (*) with superb views of the Estuary, before stopping for excellent coffee and cake at the Oldbury Community Shop and Cafe.  The ride then went via Shepperdine, (*) for the next Estuary view (site of the Windbound Inn), and then after a slightly longer stop (to fix a puncture) at the unusual Tin Tabernacle at Shepperdine, the ride continued along the lanes past the old “Shepperdine Silt” cider apple orchards, via Hill and Ham into Berkeley.  We then cycled via Newtown and Sharpness over the old railway bridges, crossing the Sharpness Canal Basin/Docks entrance, to the Estuary once again, for a late picnic lunch in the sunshine at the end of the Sharpness Canal.  The return ride, with a light tail wind and no Estuary detours, was surprisingly quick.  We finished with light refreshments in the Boar’s Head pub garden at Aust in the sunshine.  A few of the riders had cycled to the Aust startpoint, and hopefully all had a good cycle back home over the M48 Bridge.  Thanks to Pauline and Colin for an enjoyable early Autumn ride and for sharing their knowledge of the local history of the Severn Estuary.

A Circuit North of Thornbury. Starting from the Mundy Playing Fields, 12 riders set off in fine weather to pick up the Avon Cycleway to Cromhall, where we turned north to the villages of Leyhill and Tortworth. We enjoyed a leisurely coffee stop in the sunshine at Tortworth Estate Cafe with views of Cotswolds and Tyndale Monument. Continuing to Stinchcombe at the foot of the Cotswolds, we turned west and then south to join NCN41 for Wanswell and Berkeley. We had a pleasant lunch stop on the village green at Ham and then on through Hill and Oldbury with a final climb over Cowhill before our return to Thornbury. Thanks to Dave Andrews for devising an enjoyable new route in the excellent cycling country to the east of the Severn.