Sunday 2 November. The overnight rain subsided and the onlyweather problem was the cold wind which strategically was only blowing the wrong way on the outward journey! Nine of us set off up the Taff Trail newly muddiedfrom the fire works display the night before.The Trail itself was in full autumn setting with yellows, browns and reds blending to give a real feeling of Hydref as we cycled further north.We passed through Caerphilly quickly pausing only to look at the castle and get our bearings. We then headed to Rudry going up and down the obligatory hills in a ying/yang cycling experience which culminated at the Maenllwyd Pub, which is highly recommended as the staff are friendly, the service prompt, and the food good.Before departing for Cardiff via Lisvane we spotted a Pepsi Cola machine incongruously planted in a farmers field, the South Wales equivalent of a mirage? Before we knew it we were all back in the Metropolis being thankful the wind helped us home. Thanks to Ken for planning and leading and to everyone for making it a fun ride.
Posted 4 November 2008 by Nigel
Eleven of us decided it was not going to rain, and after managing to avoid the stampede of the 10 km race headed out through Canton to the start of the Ely Trail, and on through the Vale. Geoff’s brilliant idea of  ’SixSaints’ presented us with a huge challenge when the lure of Wild Fig Deli was too great to resist – but meant a slight rerouting, and missing out St George’s. Fortuntately we managed to find St Mary’s Church and St Teilo’s School so finally could take up Geoff’s generous offer of hospitality in Penarth with a fairly clear conscience that we had indeed completed the ‘Six (minimum) Saints ride’. We were treated to drinks and delicious snacks, thus once again raising the bar on Cycle Cardiff’s rides. Those of us who don’t live in Penarth then headed over the Barrage and back to Cardiff to finally enjoy some late afternoon sunshine – honestly! – though it was short lived. Thanks Geoff for some new routes, some unexpected detours, and some very wet feet!
Posted 10 September 2008 by Sheila Johnson
Ride report. Through early and late rain showers and a blustery wind, eight (later seven) of us enjoyed fine conditions for this energetic ride to the Fourteen Locks Centre on the edge of Newport, where we stopped for refreshments and a touch of sunshine. The ride along the old canal towards Risca was curtailed by fencing after a few miles, but we eventually found our way up the steep hill at Ochwyth before plunging down into Lower Machen, and onwards through Draethen. This area would be good to explore more, and to stop by one or two of the village pubs. On the whole, we enjoyed the challenges of the hilly terrain, which, with the energizing weather, made the ride a success.
Posted 5 September 2008 by Ken Barker
The Dragon ride revisited was the first of Cycle Cardiff’s rides to be classified as very hard – and rightly so! The promise of hills (or Welsh Mountains) and a forecast of rain didn’t stop seven cyclists setting off at the earlier time of 9.15. We headed out of Cardiff on a familiar route through St Fagans and Welsh St Donats and then on not so familiar roads towards Pencoed, start of the Dragon Ride proper.
A fair few ‘minor’ climbs had been tackled and not insignificant amounts of food had been consumed by the time we reached Blackmill at the foot of the Ogmore Valley and the start of the ‘mountains’. (more…)
Posted 6 August 2008 by Gwenda Owen
Sunday 21 July – Ride report. This was Cycle Cardiff’s first opportunity to run an organized ride across the new barrage link. Our Bike Week attempt had to be aborted after the opening was delayed. For those like me with only a sketchy idea of the Bay’s geography, it comes as a surprise to find that the new route is incredibly short. Simply by creating a bridge across the Roath Basin and several hundred metres of new cycle path, we now have an excellent link from Penarth to Cardiff. It has already proven a massive success, and it can’t be long before the opening hours of 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. will have to be reconsidered. On this day, we headed right across and up the other side into Penarth where Geoff very generously invited us all into his garden for drinks and nibbles.
Posted 31 July 2008 by Nick Canham