VOLUME 05 | ISSUE 30End-of-Year Racing

As December is rapidly coming to an end, I've been scrambling to write up the last reports for the year. Here are three of my latest diatribes from rides I made in early spring of this year.

When I'm riding, I'm not writing and when I'm not riding I seem to have all sorts of distractions which keep me from the keyboard. It's quite frustrating at times, because I enjoy writing about my adventures as well as working on the photos that I capture along the way. So now it's mid-December and I've roughly 12 more rides to report on.

I'm tossing out three today that I hope you'll find of interest; Wilds of Wentwood is a long ride through the obvious title, Pen-y-Fan Pond & 14 Locks is a short report from a short ride around the area of Blackwood, and Pontsticill & Trevethic Trail is a simple recollection from a ride north to the edge of the Brecon Beacons.

I'm including a video link to a charming couple I ran across on YouTube — who's travel antics are sure to put a smile on your face. Then I've got a link sending you off to visit the infamous Mike Hayes. His website is brilliant. His writing is lovely whilst his accompaning photography is stunning. And lastly there's another sexy bike to check out, of course.

I hope you enjoy this issue. Thanks for stopping by and as always,

Seeya down the road! - cm

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Features

Wilds of Wentwood

My Rides - Join me as I head out through the Gwent levels to climb a new and interesting route through Wentwood Forest. ► Check it out!

Pen-y-Fan Pond & 14 Locks

My Rides - Up some hills and down some valleys, around by a river and along side a canal... It's a short ride around where we live. ► Check it out!

Pontsticill & Trevethic Trail

My Rides - Without much of a plan I set off to visit Pontsticill Reservoir and the ride turned into a lovely little adventure. ► Check it out!

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On the Web

The Longest Road

YouTube - Charming mis-adventures mixed with infectious entusiasm highlight this young couples sense of wanderlust.
► Watch video...

On a Northerly Heading

Website - Mike Hayes is the guy doing what I aspire to do. He's doing it in a way I wish I could. Just look at The Crow of Cornwall
► Visit website...

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Departments

My latest reports from my latest adventures. ► Go to section

All my ride reports organized by year. ► Go to section

A selection of some favourites from the past. ► Go to section

All my ride reports listed alphabetically. ► Go to section

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Sexy Bike Alert!

URWAHN - STADFUCHS

2021 - I stumbled across this bike and I am completely blown away. This STEEL bike is 3D printed.
► Read more...

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VOLUME 05 | ISSUE 29Building a Workshop

Most of this year's summer was marred by unusually cold and rainy weather. Surprisingly however, September came through with marvelous sunny skies and uncharacteristically warm temperatures. Wales actually had an "Indian summer"!

I have been trying to develop rides for my Routes to Ride section this year, but the weather has made my attempts hit and miss at best. I've also had several other projects around the house that needed my attention, so quite simply; this year has been a jumble of efforts.

However, the main distraction I've had has been the building of "Birchwood" — my new bike workshop. I've wanted/needed one for years and for my 61st birthday (yikes, that's hard to read!), Melanie gave me this one and I couldn't be happier. You can read more about the build here: ► Check it out!

To start this issue's Features I've got a report on several rather lengthy rambles I made up to Brynmawr and around Blaenavon as I planned a new route for my Routes to Ride section; Blaenavon Ramble [ Explore ]. Then I've got a totally new route for or my Routes to Ride; Fochriw Highlands. It's short and sweet, and I think you'll like it!

In my Departments, you'll find a couple of quick links to Rides to Remember and Routes to Ride... standard fare that are slowly getting updated for the new layout.

On the Web you'll find one fast video and one slow — the differences are astounding and each are quite interesting in their own unique way.

And of course I've found another lovely steed to gaze upon in my Sexy Bike Alert.

I hope you enjoy my ramblings and thanks for stopping by,

Seeya down the road! - cm

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Features

Blaenavon Ramble [ explore ]

Recent Rides - This ride report took me quite a while to assemble. Covering several days of exploring and hundreds of photos; it's a long read, but I'm quite happy with the results... and the route is awesome! ► Check it out!

Fochriw Highlands

Routes to Ride - Starting at Hengoed Train Station, this ride heads up the Rhymney and Darran Valleys before returning through Parc Taf Bargoed and Penalta Park for short but diverse circular route. ► Check it out!

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Departments

I've gone back through all the rides I've written about over the past 10 years and picked a few of my favourites. ► View rides

I created this section of my blog whilst leading rides for Sustrans. My plan is to focus more on this going forward.► View rides

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On the Web

The Racing Cyclists
of Berundi

YouTube - I discovered this channel a while ago and I it fascinating, but this particular story covers cycling to the extreme. ► Watch video

Rivendell Sam Hillborne Bicycle Build

YouTube - This is video is simple, plain spoken, and fits the spirit of Rivendale bicyles and the folks who ride them perfectly. ► Watch video

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Out From the Archive

Explorer Day 2015

2015 - A long time ago I worked with Sustrans and a small group of cycling enthusists to host a cycling event in Newport. We began our ride at Tredegar House and cycled out to the Wetlands Centre. ► Read more...

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Sexy Bike Alert!

2021 Cinelli Hobootleg

I missed this bike on my previous write-up on "8 Off-the-Peg Bicycles for 2021", so now that I've found her... I'll need to update my review. Meanwhile, you can see for yourself at Bikester.com ► Read more...

VOLUME 05 | ISSUE 28 Going it solo, deeply.

This blog is often a pointless and self-indulgent diatribe, but the places I discover whilst cycling through this lovely country compels me to photograph and write about them.

The truth is simple; if the weather is nice my first plan of action is to get on my bike and go for a ride. My reasons get mixed up when I publish routes, shoot photos, and then pile it all into this blog as if I'm providing some sort of useful information. Is it a diary or a documentary? Is it a newsletter or just a game I'm playing with myself? Actually, it just may be all of the above.

If you're reading this, then you’re most probably sitting in front of a computer far off in your own little world. Maybe you live in Wales or perhaps you’ve never heard of this place? Perhaps you ride a bike and travel about yourself or maybe you don't do any of these things and you’ve merely stumbled across this blog, just an accidental Internet tourist - and I kinda like that.

Whatever the reason, I hope you enjoy my ramblings and thanks for stopping by.

Seeya down the road! - cm

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Features

Raglan Ramble [ explore ]

My Rides - As part of my redesign, I've modified my page layout to accommodate larger images. Take a look at how utilize this larger presentation as I also develop a new cycling route through the Vale of Usk.► Check it out!

Clydach Gorge

Routes to Ride - I'm re-introducing a section of my blog as part of my celebration of 10 years of cycling through the Southeast Valeys of Wales and I'm starting off with one of my very first designed routes. It just so happens to be one of my favourites as well. ► Check it out!

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Departments

I've gone back through all the rides I've written about over the past 10 years and picked a few of my favourites. ► View rides

I created this section of my blog whilst leading rides for Sustrans. My plan is to focus more on this going forward.► View rides

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On the Web

What’s The Best Camping Cookware For Cycle Touring & Bikepacking?

I always enjoy reviews by TomsBikeTrip. They're inciteful, thorough, and very well written. ► Visit website

Wheels to Wander:
Japan by Bike, Issue 47

YouTube - Join this lovely couple as they cycle to Kyoto as part of their world cycle tour. ► Watch video

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Out From the Archive

Land of Discovery... Llandovery

2012 - It was my first overnite cycle tour with the Kingfisher's and it was legendary. ► Read more...

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Sexy Bike Alert!

8 Off-the-Peg Touring Bikes for 2021

2021 - Following on the heels of my last Sexy Bike Report, I thought I'd make a deeper investigation into the consumer market to see exactly what touring bikes are available in 2021. Take a look at eight noteworthy bikes I found while shopping online (as ya do...). ► Read more...

VOLUME 05 | ISSUE 27 2021:How did I get here?

As I begin the next volume of my blog, I am taking time to reflect over why I do this thing and some of the important events that have shaped my experience.

Ten years; it's hard to believe. It all feels like yesterday - and then again it's hard to grasp just how much I've seen and how far I've traveled across this tiny little part - of this tiny little country. The valleys of Southeast Wales are rich in history and full of character. And yet my cycle journeys have only scraped the surface. My story is incomplete.

For my first issue of 2021, I've two points to make; highlighting my major cycling events of the past ten years in Wales and a redesign. I've started this process by repackaging my content with a method I'm calling "book jackets".

So while the content for this issue isn't entirely new, the way that I'm presenting it is. I hope to better showcase my adventures as I set the tone for a more thorough redesign in the future.

I hope you enjoy this latest issue and thanks for stopping by,

Seeya down the road! - cm

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Features

The First 10 Years - To start this first issue, I've created specific pages to organise my ride reports by year. Inside each page you'll find thumbnails with brief overviews of each year. Hopefully this new layout will better display my efforts and engage your interest... ► View: Rides by Year

 

Archive: 2016 - 2020

Moving Forward: Starting in 2016, I began reporting on my rides with more diligence and better photography... ► View: Archive

Archive: 2012 - 2015

The Early Years: They're not much to brag about, but these are my first four years cycling and documenting Wales... ► View: Archive

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Departments

Also for 2021, I've created an entirely new section for my blog which you can access via the navbar labeled; "Events". Inside you'll find that I've grouped two special aspects of my cycling adventures.

NEW!
Group Rides

In order to appreciate their uniqueness, I've collected all my group rides from the past 10 years into one new special section.
► View archive

NEW!
Bike & Hike

Over the years a new category of cycling emerged where hiking either with or without the bike became part of the big adventure. ► View archive

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On the Web

Rivendale Joe Appaloosa built by Blue Lug

YouTube - Why can't I stop watching this video. I am mesmerized. Am I crazy? Just sit back and relax for 15 minutes. ► Watch video

Cycle of Ancestry: A 1,500-Mile Bikepacking Journey

YouTube - Another spiritual video. I guess that's the mood I'm in... ► Watch video

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Out From the Archive

Kingfishers to Kington (pt. 1)

2015 - It seems like yesterday, but it's been almost six years since we went on our last overnight adventure. Take a look at some of my photos and brief write-up of my cycle ride to meet the Kingfishers in Kington. ► Read more...

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Sexy Bike Alert!

Spa Silk Route

2020 - As I was working on this issue, I asked myself; "what bike would I buy today using the same budget I had in 2011?" And I cannot believe what I found... a titanium bike! And only £150 more than what I paid for my Dawes Ultra Galaxy - TEN YEARS AGO! A fantastic deal. ► Read more...