The Pembrokeshire Freewheelers
2002 Annual Club Review: January
Big Ben struck twelve on the wide screen TV as we shook hands and kissed to welcome in the year 2002. We were in the warmth of Mike and Christine's house amongst several of their friends and family, but NO we weren't cheating as we had already cycled as part of our second Annual New Year's Eve Ride. Mike, Barrie, Karin and Ed had cycled in from Port Lion to Haverfordwest, where they met up with Brian and Linda on St. Thomas' Green at 10 o'clock.
With temperatures already below freezing most of the riders were hoping for a quick return journey, but Mike had other ideas. He led us on as we headed out past the racecourse and onto the Dale road, before turning left at Dreen Hill, following Route 4 towards Tiers Cross; not that the signposts could be followed as it was pitch dark. We followed the red lights of the cycle ahead, with Mike just following his nose, which may well have been glowing red itself by this time.
The ice patches crunched under the tyres as we carefully descended the steep hill near the Old Hakin road, which we crossed to enter the wooded off-road route towards Johnston. It was a magical experience, riding through the shadows of the beech trees, as the moon came out, reflecting light off the frosty fields alongside us, and we hardly had need of lights. As we left the path behind us and entered Johnston, some rockets and fireworks were going off, as if to celebrate our ride. From here we joined the Brunel Cycleway, which was again a magical experience as we virtually freewheeled silently on until Rosemarket.
Here we met a few revellers out on their way to the pub and exchanged a few greetings with them. Then we climbed the steep hill up towards Sardis where it was commented on that the last time we had passed here as a group it was in warm summer sunshine on our way back to Mike's for a cooling drink. With temperatures down to about minus six, we were now hoping for something rather more warming and luckily it wasn't long before we were arriving in Port Lion to be greeted by Christine offering glasses of mulled wine.
We were soon thawed out enough to enjoy the marvellous spread she had laid on for us and the other guests, and we tucked in heartily until the Westminster Chimes told us that at last the New Year was upon us.
We all wished each other a Happy New Cycling Year, as we went our separate ways home, (mostly by car), but Brian and Linda got their New Year cycling underway quickly as they had to return home by tandem.
Teifryn led the first club ride of the year, starting from Milford Haven. It was a damp day as the riders went through the three H's, Hakin, Hubberston and Herbrandston, passing Gelliswick Bay and Milford Golf Club en route.
Unfortunately, or fortunately, the tide was in, so Teifryn's hopes of cycling across Sandy Haven inlet were dashed. Instead the steep hill at Sandy Haven Pill had to be climbed, before riding down to Sandy Haven itself.
We looped around through St. Ishmaels, where we stopped at the garden centre for elevenses / lunch.
From here we visited Marloes and then took some small back lanes (some of them twice, as map reading became non-existent), before deciding to ride from Winterton to Fopston Farm on what is shown on the map as a bridlepath.
This route used to be accessible by vehicle but has now been grassed over, and consequently our attempts to cycle up the soggy turf proved rather difficult. On reaching the top of the hill ready for the descent to Fopston, we were joined by a herd of cattle that entered into the spirit of the day by running down alongside us. As we rejoined the metalled road, the farmer came out saying that he had not seen anyone come over that way for years. Some of the riders, not enjoying the cloying mud or the accompaniment of the cattle, stated they would never come that way again!!
It was tarmac all the way back now, travelling through Robeston West before returning to Milford, having missed out on a soggy beach but having taken in a boggy reach.
The next ride from Carew was even wetter than the last. As departure time arrived, so did the rain, and the leader departed?for home. The remaining riders, having arrived, decided to depart? on the scheduled ride, and set off through West Williamston and the quiet lanes through Cresswell Quay, Lawrenny and Martletwy. As there was no hope of a café stop they continued on until someone suggested that Canaston Bowl might be open.
Luckily it was and we sat steaming against the radiators as we sipped steaming Hot Chocolate, and proposed some club rides and weekends for the rest of the year, hoping that we would enjoy better weather to come.
As it was still raining as we left, we took the direct route back to Carew to get home as quickly as we could.