The Pembrokeshire Freewheelers
2002 Annual Club Review: November / December
Luckily the weather was somewhat improved for Mark's ride from Tenby. Despite overnight rain, the skies cleared just as we set off from the leisure centre, for the climb up onto the Ridgeway. We zig-zagged around the lanes before arriving at Manorbier garden centre in time for elevenses, and observed the two minutes silence to mark Remembrance Sunday. Allan had enjoyed a heavy drinking session the night before, and had rushed out for the ride, and having missed out on breakfast, was glad of the piece of cake in the tea-room. Brian, following behind, was not too glad to find Allan had had the last piece, and even had to pay for the fact he didn?t have any, as Allan then discovered he had come out without his wallet!
We then climbed back up onto the Ridgeway, before dropping down to Carew for lunch. Mark decided to return via the old A477 main road, now that the new Sageston and Redberth by-pass was complete. It was very strange riding peacefully along what used to be the very busy trunk road. In Redberth we diverted into the village to find a lovely village green with picnic tables, which we made a mental note of, to make use of in future.
We then crossed over the new by-pass and returned to Tenby via St. Florence.
The club A.G.M. was held at Mike and Christine's house on the 14th November. Christine had laid on a lovely meal prior to the meeting, with money raised going to the Paul Sartori Fund.
As Wendy was in the U.S.A. visiting her father following his recent heart operation, Mike took over her duties and kept the minutes.
The only change in officers came about as Victor stood down as treasurer, this post now filled by Allan.
One of the main discussion points was over the use of the club trailer, as concerns were raised over responsibility in case of accidents, and insurance liabilities. Keith managed to allay some fears, due to his expertise in this field and he kindly agreed to inspect the trailer, to see about fitting safety chains and also looking into the purchase of a spare wheel.
One other talking point was the fact that certain members were being left behind on the hills and were not given chance to have a breather at the top, as the main group rode on. It was agreed that more care must be taken by the ride leader to ensure that the group did not become too fragmented, and the possibility of using a "sweeper" at the back of the group was discussed.
Some members asked if the A.G.M. could be held at the end of a ride on a Sunday afternoon, but it was felt that this did not allow enough time for all matters to be discussed fully; this was borne out by the fact that time had moved on considerably on this evening and the last few matters discussed had to be rushed somewhat as people wanted to return home for their night's sleep!
Karin wound the meeting up after thanking Mike and Christine for their generous hospitality.
Teifryn led the next ride from Milford, and after cycling for only one hundred yards or so the riders were confronted by a barking dog that attempted to bite both Teifryn and Helen. Luckily injuries were slight but it did make for an uncomfortable experience.
We wound around the lanes near Llanstadwell before reaching Neyland marina for elevenses. Allan had taken his new role as treasurer seriously, by remembering to bring his wallet, and generously bought hot chocolates for Brian and Linda.
The Brunel cycle path was then taken to Tiers Cross. During the woodland section the riders came across a fallen tree blocking the lane, so the big strong men of the party moved it out of the way, primarily so that Ed wouldn't ride into it in the dark on his ride to work the following morning! No sooner had we set off than Victor experienced a puncture from a thorn picked up in the autumn debris. At the end of the track, Brian, acting as sweeper, promptly fell off his bike. Either Allan had slipped something stronger into his drink, or he failed to unclip his clip-less pedals!
We continued on, taking the recently opened cycle path from Cinnamon Grove, towards Haverfordwest, where we stopped at Safeway for lunch.
The return route to Tiers Cross was taken, where we took the quiet lane down to Thornton. Here, Ed experienced the second puncture of the day.
While Ed replaced his tube, Victor asked Brian how he was getting on with the clip-less pedals. Replying that he had sorted the problem out, he promptly fell over again, this time into a ditch at the side of the road, earning a muddy, wet soaking and a badly bruised shoulder. After asking the ride leader's permission, he left his sweepers position and swept off to Tesco's to get washed and dried.
The rest of the riders soon arrived back after an eventful days riding.
At the end of the month, Allan, Brian and Linda travelled to Margam Park for the Swansea D.A. A.G.M., arriving at lunch time ready for a short joint ride with some members from Swansea.
As the bikes were made ready for the start, Allan noticed he had a flat tyre, and on inspection it was discovered that his tube had split badly. It turned out that, whilst the bike was being transported on the back of his car, his tyre had melted from being in close proximity to the car's exhaust pipe. John from Swansea, accompanied him to the nearest bike shop in Port Talbot to buy a new tyre and tube. Once repaired, the riders set off towards Pyle, using the old A48 and some quiet lanes in the area, before taking the traffic-free section of Route 4 towards Tondu.
It was a horrible wet, misty afternoon and visibility was so bad that the riders could not see anything beyond the hedges. The riders returned on the old railway track, before rejoining the road back to Margam.
The group had split up slightly and Brian was sweeping at the back, when Sheila said she knew a short cut back to the castle. Just as she crossed the road into a lane, there was a loud explosion and her back tyre deflated.
Linda went on to tell the others what had happened whilst Brian fitted a new tube for her. Failing to find any thorns or glass in the tyre, he inflated the new tube, only for that to explode. Closer inspection revealed that the tyre had split where the anti-chafing strip of the tyre had become detached. There was nothing left do but walk the bike back.
Just short of reaching the castle John and Martin arrived with a car to take Sheila and bike back, whilst Brian cycled the short distance, for a well-earned cuppa and shower.
Karin had by this time driven over for the meeting, and Barrie arrived from Ebbw Vale as well. Sadly the attendance for the meeting was very poor, only around fifteen in total, compared to last years numbers of around forty.
The usual topics were discussed with some lengthy debate about the lack of feed-back from the D.A. representative at the CTC Cymru meetings, and the question of the need for quarterly D.A. meetings.
Following the meeting the American Supper was enjoyed, with plenty of food provided for the limited numbers. After a later traditional supper, whilst some chocolate cakes were devoured, Sheila told some stories of the castle being haunted by a White Lady, and Karin went somewhat warily back to her dormitory, which she had all to herself.
Fortunately, the White Lady did not materialise, and neither had the forecast heavy rain and gales, as the party rose to a clear sunny morning. After a good cooked breakfast in the castle café, the riders wove their way out of the grounds amongst hundreds of athletes out for a fun run around the park.
The ride took the Route 4 track towards Tondu. This morning the views of the hills either side of the old railway line were enjoyed. At one point there is a wooden bridge over a stream running underneath the old line, and here Linda's bike slipped from underneath her as her front wheel came into contact with the greasy wooden surface, and she crashed heavily onto the ground.
Brian, cycling towards the back of the group, saw that Linda had crashed, and overtook some others to reach her. On reaching the same spot, he promptly proceeded to crash in exactly the same fashion! Allan, seeing what he had done, came out with the classic line: "Oh, what devotion."
Nursing their wounds; Linda's hurting elbow, hip and thigh, Brian's shoulder and pride, the cause of the crash was discovered. The timber decking of the bridge, had been covered with steel mesh to solve the problem of it being slippery. Unfortunately, the mesh only covered about two-thirds of the width of the bridge. As the bridge was covered in leaves, it could not be determined where the mesh ended, and as their wheels hit the slippery wood, the bikes slipped from under them. This problem has now been highlighted to Sustrans and they are investigating to try to prevent a repeat.
The riders cautiously continued to the end of the track and rejoined the road at Tondu. From here they rode along the Ogmore Valley, and up towards Nant-y-moel, where unfortunately the pub was fully-booked. The riders retraced their route back to The Smithy café, where lunch was eaten.
It was decided to avoid the cycle track on the return journey, so the roads were taken, through Aberkenfig, Kenfig Hill, and Pyle, before returning to Margam just as the strong winds and rain arrived.
The members from Pembrokeshire thanked the Swansea group for their welcome over the weekend and their guided rides, and it was hoped to meet up for a joint ride in the New Year.
The final club ride of the year was from Pembroke, led by Barrie. On a damp, cool morning, seven riders left the Commons and headed out on a flattish course towards Lamphey and Hodgeston, before arriving at Manorbier Garden Centre for elevenses. Here, the ride leader and his sweeper lost brownie points, as a couple of members went missing on their walk from the car park to the newly positioned café. Perhaps the club should organise map reading and navigational skills for next year.
From here they eventually returned to Lamphey and took the splendid descent to Freshwater East, and the not so splendid ascent to Stackpole.
Lunch was taken in Bosherston café, before returning to Pembroke.
For chronological accuracy, it should be reported that the final cycling of the year took place on New Year's Eve.
Mike, Syd and Jean rode over to Brian and Linda's house, where they were joined by Karin and Barrie, as Linda led them out on a short ride down to Newgale and Nolton. The weather was absolutely appalling and they must be congratulated for venturing out, to keep the spirit of the club up.
They returned to join Brian and Christine, and later Teifryn for some hot food and warming drinks, and to see in the New Year in traditional style, especially when Brian sent the "dark stranger" in the form of Barrie out with a lump of coal, to go "first footing". A special mention must go to Karin, who had searched the internet, so that she could sing along to "Auld Lang Syne."