Penarth Promenade

Our unpredictable and quickly changing weather having led to an earlier postponement of the ride on 14th July, set the backdrop for today’s ride with drizzle, mist, rain and sun mixing it up over the space of 5hours. 14 riders set off from St Nicholas Dyffryn Gardens, a National Trust property currently undergoing major restoration to its house, with a spotters challenge from Martyn to count the churches passed en route. We started with a gentle ascent up to and past the Wenvoe transmitter – to which most of us will have our TV aerials pointed – and then down into the village and along the quiet high street and on to Dinas Powys and the countryside around Cosmeston Lake with a  long tree-lined wide path taking us to its “medieval village”, a cluster of recreated buildings symbolic of the period and also proving helpful with its “facilities” and a place to take brief cover from the rain. A short section of repurposed railway through the centre of Penarth took us on to its iconic Art Deco Pier where refreshments and the biggest teacakes in Wales were enjoyed. With views over the River Severn across to England obscured by the rapid appearance of rain and mist, the decision was taken not to continue along coastal path onto Lavernock Point and we re-routed through the rain to St Marys Well Bay with its small offshore Swanbridge Island and the welcome appearance of the sun. We then continued on through the residential area of Sully and around Barry Docks past a derelict industrial site, once occupied by Dow Corning. We then joined the  Barry cycle boulevard and were pleased to see a recently constructed electric bike charging station by the railway station, although no bikes were to be seen. A very steep short ascent took us out of the town, with tandem riders Simon and Barbara showing us all how to do it! Onwards then to a hidden Barry “gem” – no not Barry Island – Porthkerry Country Park where, much to the group’s relief, the sun reappeared  and sarnies, cakes and Martyn’s wife’s delicious shortbread heart biscuits imprinted with a “C” were enjoyed. The final third of the ride took us North along route NCN88, passing our national airport, although no plane activity could be seen and into the rolling countryside of The Vales with the longest ascent of the day and a tricky ditch and busy road crossing – thanks to Dave for assisting there – before a welcome descent which took us back to Dyffryn with more cake and tea and visit to the summer garden for some of the group. The remaining shortbread biscuits were given to Ros and Christine for correctly spotting and counting all churches passed en route. Well done to you both! Thank you Martyn for finding an interesting “coastal route” and thanks also to Martyn’s wife for providing the delicious shortbread surprises!