OP
OP
Banjo
Fuelled with Jelly Babies
- Location
- South Wales
Weather forecast is looking favourable. On a clear day you can see Pen Y Fan from top of thje Rhigos.
Forum Baby Dragon Ride
- Thread starter Banjo
- Start date
Page may contain affiliate links. Please see terms for details.
lukesdad
Guest
Sure is Im looking forward to it, have you still got my mobile no. ?
OP
OP
Banjo
Fuelled with Jelly Babies
- Location
- South Wales
have sent U a text message ld .
Just to reitterate for anyone just joining this thread the meeting place for this tide is outside Neath Rail Station at 1000 am on Saturday 24th March 2012.
Ride is about 45 miles It is a hilly ride but nothing is ridiculously steep and the descents and views make it worth the effort . I will likely be the slowest rider anyway but if not noone will be left behind.
A cafe or pub stop is planned somewhere along the route, shops are available in 2 or 3 places around the route and theres a bike shop half way round in Treorchy.
Just to reitterate for anyone just joining this thread the meeting place for this tide is outside Neath Rail Station at 1000 am on Saturday 24th March 2012.
Ride is about 45 miles It is a hilly ride but nothing is ridiculously steep and the descents and views make it worth the effort . I will likely be the slowest rider anyway but if not noone will be left behind.
A cafe or pub stop is planned somewhere along the route, shops are available in 2 or 3 places around the route and theres a bike shop half way round in Treorchy.
My guests have decided (after a lot of fannying around) to arrive around lunchtime tomorrow, so I won't be completing the Baby Dragon this time round
. I might join you to say hello and for that hideous climb through Cimla (if that's the way you're going) and then zip off down through Cwmafan to beat them home...
OP
OP
Banjo
Fuelled with Jelly Babies
- Location
- South Wales
Thats a shame. Yes the plan is to start at Neath 10am then straight over Cimla to drop down onto the Afan Valley road by the Via duct. I will PM you my mobile no.
OP
OP
Banjo
Fuelled with Jelly Babies
- Location
- South Wales
We did the ride today in unbelievably good weather.Slapped on the sunblock for the first time this year and met The Claude and Lukes Dad for a quick coffee then set off.
Once out of Neath it was up over Cimla Hill then descend down to the bottom of the Afan Valley where unfortunately The claude had to head for home due to other commitments.(Thanks for turning out TC great to see you as allways) After a quick chat and photo LD and myself set off up the Bwlch Mountain.
Lots of cyclists out enjoying the weather ,the Bwlch climb starts of by undulating a bit along the side of the Afan Valley before getting steeper at the top above the tree line. ice cream at the top and a chance to look at the views Visibility was ok but a little hazy in the distance.Fast descent down to Treorchy followed by the next big climb up the Rhigos mountain. Wind on our backs now helped us onwards then a stop at the top to admire the view across the Brecon Beacons,we cou;ld just make out Pen Y Fan in the distance through the slight haze.
From the Summit of the Rhigos First theres a fast descent to Hirwaun then its gradual descent all the way back to Neath on a good road with very little traffic on it as the motons all use the A465 dual carriageway We had a quick pint in a pub in Glyn Neath,tasted great
.Hats of to Mark who cycled 50 miles each way from his home in Carmarthenshire to do the ride which is about another 50 with some good old climbs.I had considered riding to the start but took the lazy option and chucked the bike in the car.
To my mind this ride covers all the best bits of the Dragon Ride without any of the less interesting mileage.
Once out of Neath it was up over Cimla Hill then descend down to the bottom of the Afan Valley where unfortunately The claude had to head for home due to other commitments.(Thanks for turning out TC great to see you as allways) After a quick chat and photo LD and myself set off up the Bwlch Mountain.
Lots of cyclists out enjoying the weather ,the Bwlch climb starts of by undulating a bit along the side of the Afan Valley before getting steeper at the top above the tree line. ice cream at the top and a chance to look at the views Visibility was ok but a little hazy in the distance.Fast descent down to Treorchy followed by the next big climb up the Rhigos mountain. Wind on our backs now helped us onwards then a stop at the top to admire the view across the Brecon Beacons,we cou;ld just make out Pen Y Fan in the distance through the slight haze.
From the Summit of the Rhigos First theres a fast descent to Hirwaun then its gradual descent all the way back to Neath on a good road with very little traffic on it as the motons all use the A465 dual carriageway We had a quick pint in a pub in Glyn Neath,tasted great
.Hats of to Mark who cycled 50 miles each way from his home in Carmarthenshire to do the ride which is about another 50 with some good old climbs.I had considered riding to the start but took the lazy option and chucked the bike in the car.To my mind this ride covers all the best bits of the Dragon Ride without any of the less interesting mileage.
Attachments
lukesdad
Guest
Fantastic day, thanks for organising it Graham, and thanks to Claudine for the coffee ( my shout next time ). As Graham said after a all to brief time Claudine had to set off back to Mumbles. Happy birthday Graham you kept that one quiet 
So a mandatory pint was in order from a very friendly landlady ! After leaving Graham at Neath I high tailed it for home back over cuckoo I couldn t resist it with that following wind. Made a new chum Giteau ( is that how you spell it ?... probably not ) Got back just before 6.00 148 for the day and over 12000 ft of ascent.
So a mandatory pint was in order from a very friendly landlady ! After leaving Graham at Neath I high tailed it for home back over cuckoo I couldn t resist it with that following wind. Made a new chum Giteau ( is that how you spell it ?... probably not ) Got back just before 6.00 148 for the day and over 12000 ft of ascent.
