News for April 2012
Thursday 5th April 2012 - report from Bill Balchin: What a difference a week makes! Last week we rode in shorts and ate in the garden - today was a longs and four tops day and a battle against a chilly Northerly wind. It was also the first time we have experimented with an extra start from the Severn Bridge at 10:00 for a ride into Wales and seven turned up looking forward to some different, longer riding on the Welsh side - or to put it another way - more hilly! I had a route worked out but when Ian Sparrow offered to lead it was no problem to hand over, and his route was very different to mine. After descending into Mathern we crossed the main road towards Shirenewton but then turned left onto a deserted lane which eventually brought us onto the road the we normally leave Shirenewton on. Left at Shirenewton church and we got onto a scenic descent into Llanvair Discoed after a bit more rough lane work (cant they get an EU grant for these tracks?) Now the big test of the day, the climb up to Wentwood which we started around eleven am, just about the time that the group starting at Winterbourne were at the bridge.
At a crossroads on the Usk road at what looked like the top of the climb, with the road dropping down into Usk, we turned left to make our way back towards Magor and found the steepest climb of the day (or was it just my tired legs?). But once at the top we had a cracking descent on a deserted lane, this time with a superb surface, into Parc Seymour - but not much time to admire the scenery with your hands tugging on the brakes. Once over the main A48 road another little lane took us onto the road that we usually take into Magor just before the motorway tunnel. A new traffic island confused some as we approached the pub causing them to ride around the block but we arrived just on twelve to find Brian Griffiths and Hamish Smith already in residence. Another ten minutes and the Winterbourne group arrived making a total of sixteen. Numbers were a bit down probably due to a mixture of holidays, cold weather and the attraction of track cycling on the TV.
Despite having a funeral party to cater for plus several other customers the Golden Lion coped easily. We had to park the bikes in the alleyway as there was building work going on in the garden, all will be revealed on our next visit. We all left together for the regular route back via Rogiet and Caldicot where some new buildings made the junction look different and you had to double-check the way. Through Portskewett and Mathern the bunch split into several groups so I hope you all made it back safely. The Severn bridge was its usual blustery self causing everybody to ride across leaning at an angle. I think we can put this one down as a success.
Click her to see the route from the bridge to Magor.
Thursday 12th April 2012 - report from Bill Balchin: Sunshine and showers was the forecast for our ride from Bitton to Yatton Keynell today, and why not. That is traditional weather for April even though the weather has been anything but traditional for years! There was plenty of sunshine for the sixteen strong group bowling along the cycle track into Bath with joint leaders Mike Chouings (at the front) and John Bishop (at the back). The group was a bit strung out by the brisk pace but came back together to negotiate Bath past the bus station, onto the canal towpath and over the toll bridge. I took the chance to grab a few photos - I could almost hear the toll collectors thinking how much they could make by charging bikes. The sun was still shining brightly but the cold wind kept the temperature down as we climbed Bannerdown Hill. Just as well, nobody was complaining of being cold by the time we reached the top and carried on past Colerne aerodrome and along the Wiltshire lanes before bombing down a nice descent into Ford to join the main road. Those clouds that had been threatening on and off for a while decided that it was shower time as we took the main road for a mile or so instead of the quieter but lumpier route through Castle Coombe but within minutes the rain had stopped again. The next left turn and we were in Yatton Keynell and at the Bell right on noon.
There is always a warm welcome and quick service at the Bell and by half past twelve most people had finished their lunch and contemplating a leisurely second pint or cup of coffee. Martyn received a text announcing the arrival of a new granddaughter. It was not drinks all round though - something to do with having twelve grandchildren already, yes number thirteen.
The homeward group was swelled by half a dozen independant travellers. The sun was still out, the cold wind was still around and the threatening clouds were still making their minds up about what tricks to play. At Litteton Drew there was a split up when those heading for Bristol turned left and I went right with Dennis, Tony, Dave and Clive towards Chipping Sodbury. By the time we reached Acton Turville the sleety rain began but, as usual, by the time we dressed up it petered out. But I still kept the clothing on for warmth. And so it continued with only a few more spots of rain. Final score - sunshine 28, showers 2.
The day's route-map, including the return to central Bristol avoiding the sleet.
Thursday 19th April 2012 - report from Bill Balchin: Just after ten in the morning and nine cyclists left the shelter of the Ashton bus stop to mount up for a trip to the Hunters Lodge near Priddy under John Upward's leadership. For only the second time this took in Sustrans route 334, now going all the way to Wildcountry Lane, instead of the high street. The entrance to Wildcountry Lane was still festooned with road closed signs but there were just a few large holes along the way partially blocking the road and no workmen to be seen. John was promising a route without severe climbs (not easy when your destination is on the Mendips) so Steve Fey on one of his occasional trips with us shot off for Dundry as we went via Winford and met up again at Chew Magna.
Along Denny Lane and into Bishop Sutton there was still no sunshine but no rain since ten either so after last week's victory for sunshine in the sunshine and showers stakes it was shaping up for a no-score draw. Turning towards Coley the sun made a brief attempt to come out but gave up again as we pressed on to Chewton Mendip. Carrying straight on at the crossroads over the A39 we took a mass of little lanes, mostly un-signposted, that sneaked us up the hills in a gentle manner.
I guess it must have been around Green Ore but you will have to check the map of the day. By aiming at the transmitter mast we hit the top then circled almost all the way round the mast and arrived at the lunch stop at about half past twelve to find groups from Bath and Clevedon plus a few independants already there. What a fantastic pub the Hunters Lodge is. If there was ever a case for designating a pub as a grade one listed building this is it. Totally unspoiled by "improvements", real ales and cider, and a big log fire roaring away - it was worth those twenty four miles from Ashton in the cold.
By the time we left the sun was shining brightly, although without much warmth, as we passed the Castle of Comfort and bombed down the Wellsway with the sky darkening in front of us. Then at Chew Stoke we got a soaking - but only for a few minutes as it stopped by the time we hit Norton Malreward. The whole group of eight took the Whitchurch cycle path into Bristol. Luckily I was able to follow Pete otherwise I would have never have found the right way. Another five minute downpour got us going through Bristol as we split up and then I got hit again just before getting home - but not as bad as the hailstorm that bombarded Old Sodbury that afternoon. And all this in the week that our region has been officially designated as "in drought".
How to get to our favourite pub? Click here.
Thursday 26th April 2012 - report from Pete Campbell: Some of our readers may have noticed that the summer and autumn Thursday schedule does not include any motorised rides. This is because they have been notoriously poorly attended in the past, so your schedule planners decided to give them a miss during 2012 warmer months. This meant that today's trip to the Somerset levels was the last Thursday car- assisted outing this year. Alex has run this event a number of times, and it always attracts a small but select group. This year's gathering at the Parrett Coffee House in Langport was even more select than usual, with John Bishop, John Upward and myself joining him for coffee and bacon sarnies before the 10:30 start. (I was too late for a snack, as I'd been battling traffic through Bridgewater.)
Maybe people had been put off by the very wet Wednesday, and weather forecasters' promise of more for today, but it turned out to be just dampish for most of the day. Heading south from Langport towards Muchelney, we passed flooded fields, and for much of the day we could see large expanses of standing water.
The Somerset Levels are, of course, level. Alex added some variety by including a couple of lumpy bits: a sharp climb up to Ham Hill park (and an equally steep descent down a wet gravelly lane), and after lunch a gentler couple of hills before Barrington Court.
Lunch was at the Duke of York in Shepton Beauchamp. Their menu includes a special for poor pensioners: £6 for two courses. No difficulty in choosing what we wanted with that on offer. I found that the ham egg and chips followed by fruit crumble and custard was just what I needed to fortify myself for the rain promised for the afternoon. But back on the road we found the sun shining. Maybe the weather forecasters put the trainee on to today's prediction.
A lovely day's ride past handsome old stone buildings and quiet rural countryside, and back into Langport in time for tea and cake at the Parrett, it was a good day out.
Motorised rides can be started again next year if you're missing them - let Malcolm or myself know. Don't forget that Tony Connibear organises the longer Tuesday rides, which normally need a car to get to the start. See the Upcoming Events page for the dates.
The route from Langport - click here.