Hello from Swansea

[Ouroboros]

Hello all,
I've just moved from the Brecon Beacons to Swansea with my boyfriend (who is also intreseted in cycling). Started getting into cycling about a year ago. Have done a couple of sprint triathlons on my Giant defy. Really enjoying the cycle routes in Swansea. Although cycling around the Brecon Beacons and the Black mountains is amazing, did the Gospel Pass route a couple of weekends ago which has some unforgiving hills!

I would like to join a cycling group locally, however I am interested in getting into cycle touring. I am finding that my Giant is getting rough treatment on these cycle paths, any suggestions on a good communter?.... (I do have a love affair with dutch bikes, are they suitable for this?) Looking forward to joining discussions! Thanks
Laura

 

[chris grace]

Hello from another Swansea rider.
Which trails have you ridden around Swansea?

 

[Ouroboros]

Hello from another Swansea rider.
Which trails have you ridden around Swansea?

Done a couple in North Gower, and then mostly just working out the bike routes along the bay, up to Llansamlet etc. Finding out that Swansea motorists are very unforgiving on the roads! I think the Gower routes will be better out of season as it is a bit of a rat run at the moment. Where do you go?

 

[chris grace]

Often I can be found chasing to catch up with my kids on the sea front and the clyne valley where they are learning off road riding.The kids are just starting to learn road sense and soon we'll be out on the quieter roads.Next week we'll be riding from Llanelli to pembrey and hopefully from home (Mumbles) to pembrey and back in a couple of weeks.
You're right about Swansea motorists,I've told the kids that anyone with a car is trying to kill them ,so keep an eye on them.All of them.

 

[lukesdad]

There are quite a few of us based in and around swansea on here look out for rides in that section if your interested. Im usually up riding around the gower and localy.

 

[Ouroboros]

You're right about Swansea motorists,I've told the kids that anyone with a car is trying to kill them ,so keep an eye on them.All of them.

Ha, that is very wise indeed! Actually i am most often seen filling panniers with olives, oil, cheeses etc from the Olive oil shop in Mumbles then trying to lug it all back up the hill to Sketty!

 

[Lardyboy]

Hello and welcome to the forum.

As Lukesdad has already written there's a semi active cyclechat South Wales chapter. Quite a few of us are based in and around Swansea, and it's surprising how often you come across us out and about.

There's two main cycle clubs in the area Swansea Wheelers and Bynea CC of which Fairweather (another CCer) and myself are members.

Don't shop very often in Olives and Oils but Cheers offie next door is also worth a look!

 

[Lardyboy]

And if you're commuting up to Llansamlet avoid Foxhole road during rush hour. It's far too dangerous, take the cycle path instead.

 

[lukesdad]

Hello and welcome to the forum.

As Lukesdad has already written there's a semi active cyclechat South Wales chapter. Quite a few of us are based in and around Swansea, and it's surprising how often you come across us out and about.

There's two main cycle clubs in the area Swansea Wheelers and Bynea CC of which Fairweather (another CCer) and myself are members.

Don't shop very often in Olives and Oils but Cheers offie next door is also worth a look!

Oi stop advertising Everyone knows Velo Teifi is the best club in west wales

 

[Lardyboy]

Oi stop advertising Everyone knows Velo Teifi is the best club in west wales

There's no law against it!

 

[theclaud]

Hello Laura and welcome to Cyclechat.

I live in Newton and commute by bike to the High Street, and am a regular at both Olives & Oils and Cheers! We have a local CTC Member Group that rides on Wednesdays and Sundays - nice friendly bunch and they'll be a very good source of touring advice. If you don't do Facebook, PM me your email address and I'll get someone to send you the current rides list. I'm also a member of the local campaign group Wheelrights. Amongst other things, we organise the Gower Cycling Festival which will be running from 10-17 September this year. You can ride with both Wheelrights and the CTC group without having to join first, and the festival is open to everybody. Cyclechat South Wales rides are organised via the Informal Rides section of this forum, and after joining a few rides you soon get to know a lot of cyclists in the area and see friendly faces everywhere you go. I bumped into Lardyboy only yesterday somewhere in the Towy valley.

The South Gower Road seems to attract especially appalling drivers for some reason, but there are plenty of other nice routes round Gower, and there are great rides to be had in other directions out of town. I usually add on a few miles to the commute in the morning and/or the evening is if the weather is nice, so if you fancy joining me for any shortish weekday rides getting to know Swansea then give me a shout. I like to head a bit further afield at weekends. The Gospel Pass is fantastic - I bang on about a winter ride over it here.

Not convinced about a Dutch bike for the Swansea terrain, but it would be fine for the seafront/Mumbles shopping thing.

I'll be at the Gower Cycling Festival all week - try and pop along to a ride or two and say hello.

Claudine

 

[lukesdad]

First time ive read that Gospel account TC very enjoyable. Seems we have a few Swansea members now. Perhaps a pub night could be on the cards

 

[Angelfishsolo]

Hello and welcome from further inland.

 

[Bay Runner]

Welcome to Swansea, a great place for cylcling, I commute from Sketty via Killay to Mumbles, lovely ride down the Clyne Valley.
Would love to get out to the Beacons to ride but I never seem to fine the time.