Buses and Bikes Meeting. 7.00–7.50 p.m., Mediapoint, Chapter Arts. Through temporary entrance, left, up stairs, and along the corridor. Ask directions if in doubt. This month we are pleased to welcome David Padmore, Inspector at Cardiff Bus, who will be answering questions about issues relating to buses and cyclists. Please come along and help us improve mutual understanding between two important categories of (largely sustainable) road users.
If possible, we’d like to compile questions for Cardiff Bus in advance. Please send your question to info@cyclecardiff.org.uk with ‘Buses and bikes’ in the Subject line. Please keep questions short and to the point.
Cycle Cardiff AGM. 8.00–8.50 p.m., Mediapoint, Chapter Arts. Through temporary entrance, left, up stairs, and along the corridor. Ask directions if in doubt. Cycle Cardiff will be reviewing the year, devising a plan for 2008–2009, and selecting a committe to implement that plan. Please come along as your support and involvement in Cycle Cardiff is what makes this organization work.
Posted 27 September 2008 by Nick Canham
The Griffin Inn, Lisvane. Meet 10.00–10.15 on the Bute Park side of the Sophia Gardens footbridge and at 10.35 outside Waterloo Gardens Post Office (off Waterloo Road), Penylan. We will travel at the pace of the slowest rider, mostly on quiet roads and it will be flat until reaching Lisvane, where there are some gradual slopes. The route will include the length of Roath Park, Fidlas Road, and Lisvane Road. In the pub, we will have a drink (snacks and meals are also available). Riders are welcome to ride back to the start with me or can make their own way home at any point on the return journey. Back by 1 p.m.-ish. Moderate: 18 km (12 miles). Contact: Germaine Walsh 029 20619907 (Work) / 029 20486325 (Home).
Posted 25 September 2008 by Nick Canham
Eglwysilan and Groes-wen. Meet 10.00–10.15 on the Bute Park side of the Sophia Gardens footbridge. Along the Taff Trail north to Nantgarw (lower route), then a short climb on country roads to either the Rose and Crown or White Cross, where we’ll have around half an hour stop, for snacks or lunch. The return to Cardiff is all downhill so we should have a quick return at about 3 p.m. Hard: 33 km (19 miles), but mostly on trail and slightly inclined. Contact: Robert 01443 742183 / 07967 127382
Posted 20 September 2008 by Nick Canham
Newport Wetlands. Meet 9.30–9.45 on the Bute Park side of the Sophia Gardens footbridge. Up the Taff Trail to Caerphilly, then follow NCN route 4 to Newport (where there is the only serious hill of the ride). We will stop for a picnic lunch along the canal at the Fourteen Locks Information Centre and cafe, then on to the RSPB wetlands on the other side of Newport, where there is another cafe for afternoon tea and cakes. Cyclists have the option of just doing the Taff Trail to Caerphilly and returning, or of getting a train back to Cardiff from Newport (before or after the Wetlands), or of cycling the whole way back. The route is varied and predominantly off-road or on quiet roads, with the exception of a few busier roads closer to Newport. Hard: c.80 km (50 miles). Contact: Sheila 02920 226 958 / 07736393583 or Marion 02920 315 887 / 07882361333.
Posted 12 September 2008 by Nick Canham
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