This is one that
almost got away. I will confess that had I been doing this alone, after seeing the weather forecast on Friday morning I'd have taken the sensible option of abandoning the ride and opting to stay in my nice warm and
dry bed instead. But it wasn't just me, so such a course of action would have been an act of crass faithlessness.
So, no. Though I had plenty of time to ponder just what I'd got us all into on the train to Cardiff, looking at flooded fields and seeing that
every river was in full spate. The train delivered me to a sunny and dry Cardiff just before 7-30. More than enough time to recce at least part of the route and check for any flood hazards, not to mention ensuring that Garmin, GPX file and rider would function adequately. Besides, I wanted to see just how good those fantastic lanes between Convilston and Bridgend in daylight.
The answer: vastly exceeded expectations. It was some of the best cycling I've done. Even better, those dark clouds ahead of me stayed there (sorry TC!) I was a little disappointed to get to Bridgend, in time for an earlier train than planned. Which turned out to have far more bikes than expected. It was the inevitable comic coincidence that this very train should be carrying Team Claud.
We were lucky with the weather. Dry all the way to Bridgend - we even caught sight of the moon, as promised! There was only a little drizzle after the McDonalds halfway stop. It was only heavy on the climb before Neath - though it did make the descent into Neath a bit miserable. But it dried up somewhat. Given that every time I'd looked at the weather radar it was showing solid
RAIN just ahead of us I think it's safe to say that
@theclaud's weather wizardry hadn't quite deserted her.
The coast path round Swansea Bay was as much a delight as I remembered, even if there was a bit of wind assisted sand blasting for the first mile or so. Arriving in Ripples, I was astounded by the blackness of the sky behind us over Port Talbot, where we'd a couple of hours ago - another weather bullet dodged! Breakfast arrived in the form of bacon, sausage and egg on a pizza base - Dennis and co had excelled themselves. And beers for after, with relaxing conversation , well, that's what I could gather from the snores of two of our number who appeared to be
very relaxed indeed. Eh, theclaud? Steve?
Alas, all too soon it was time to go - back to a rammed train which I almost wasn't able to get on. But, that apart, it was everything I'd hoped for, and more. I've always thought that this is a special ride. The small group served to made it even more so. Thanks to the seven intrepid souls who turned up braving the forecasts: it was you that made this so special.
