Saturday 5th Oct 2013 - A day at the races - Chepstow

With a good forecast for the day, seventeen riders turned up for a ride northwards towards Chepstow. Richard's wife accompanied him to the startline on her bike. I think its only a matter of time before she joins the group and starts whipping some butt!
We headed north along the A370 to Congesbury, where we managed to lose Mars and a couple of others who had stopped to pickup Paul. Pete got a puncture somewhere between Yatton and Clevedon and we had another stop to discuss bike parts etc. Then on to Nailsea and up Belmont Hill(?) where Mr Burns claimed my polka dot jersey. Across the suspension bridge to Blaise Castle where it was 'make your mind up time'. Most of us choose to tootle down the road to Kings Weston House. The 'A' team forged on to Chepstow (Nick to provide details?).
At the cafe I could'nt resist the excellent cakes and had a coconut cake followed by a salted chocolate carmel cake! Someone else had 2 toasted tea cakes! We returned home via Portishead etc.

OJC - 3?
TTC rating - 8/10
Knacker factor - 6/10 (personally 8/10)
Stats - http://ridewithgps.com/trips/1883254

Go west young man . . . .

No . . . . go north you old gits !

And so it came to pass that the old boys of Weston headed in a direction quite unlike that which was commonly enjoyed, ie. in a southerly direction . . . and God saw that it was good !

When the group decides to visit a town located on the outer fringes of the Fatherland I get all biblical, and if I am to write this stuff then I guess you’re gonna have to lump it.

Martin has already enlightened you with some hill climbing stats, as well as some cake facts, so here's my account:

So, with a reasonably sized group we headed for Chepstow, via Yatton, Nailsea and Bristol, almost forgetting about poor Mr Snelling waiting at the Churchill lights. Initially, the ride was a tad dis-jointed. Misha nearly got himself wiped out by a white van and Pete had a puncture, but once it started to flow we were able to warm up in preparation for Belmont Hill. Clifton suspension bridge provided us with the usual splendid views over Bristol and a very pleasant jaunt around Durdham Down afforded us the joys of the jogging public (females). We were then rewarded by the superfast descent down Stoke Hill and into the posh part of the city. Weaving in and out of the many pedestrians and dogs on the the hazardous wooded path through the Blaise Castle estate allowed us to sample the delights of Keith’s horn - a highlight of the morning for sure ! The majority of the group took their lunch here leaving only 5; Paul, Ivan, Meirion, Misha & me to continue on to Chepstow.

After Easter Compton and Pilning the pace seemed to ramp up somewhat. I don’t know who started it, but Paul was on the front ! Next thing we knew we were at Aust and crossing the old Severn Bridge into Wales. By this time the sun was shining nicely and although the selected café was in the shade it was a better choice than Coffee#1 . . . & probably cheaper.

The return leg through Chepstow provided some fast roundabouts and we took no prisoners. As always, the ride across the old Severn Bridge was impressive, but the conditions were pretty calm with no strong side winds. The route down to Avonmouth was direct and the pace was quick. It was nice to see another cycling group as we past Severn Beach, and it would have been even better if we had time to slow down and chat, but hey, you know how it is. The amusing part, however, was when we did stop and talk on the approach to Avonmouth bridge. I remember the comment to Ivan being “Hey we Focus boys need to stick together. You don’t see many out on the road.” To which Ivan’s retort was “Yeah, they’re not bad winter bikes!” . . . and so with wide grins and childlike chuckles we proceeded on our merry way, leaving a somewhat deflated cyclist to mop up the sarcastic comments from his nice friends.

A brief stop in Portishead for some liquid refreshment gave us the extra fuel needed to continue the pace down to Clevedon. The rant across Kenn Moor to Yatton was no slower, particularly as there were more victims to humiliate. Before you knew it we were in Congresbury to reflect on the days achievements and victories.

It was around 3 o’clock when we arrived home for tea and medals !

Another good day !

Stats geezers :

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/387046350#

Cake factor: Didn't have any
OJC: well I was weraing one - don't know about you

 

Great report Nick. It almost felt like I was doing the ride with you to Chepstow except I got home and didn't feel like i'd been put through a mangle :-)