FNRttC Bristol to Barry Island Friday 5th May 2017

[User482]

On Saturday I shall be riding from breakfast to Cardiff Central for the 1326 to London (it will be a leisurely breakfast I reckon!). Advice & local knowledge please - @User482 @theclaud or anyone else - re route: after Cadoxton there could in theory be an option to take the back lanes, specifically Pencoedtre Rd and Gilbert Lane but it looks narrow and hilly - while straight along the A4055 looks flatter and not too busy. is that right?
Anyone else heading that way then?

I'd avoid the A4055 - it was very busy heading into Cardiff last Saturday. You could try Sully Rd (heading out from Barry along the docks avoids a hill) but I've not ridden it myself.

 

[StuAff]

Yes, that is my plan too.

Also my plan. 1230 train from Cardiff.

 

[Archeress]

I was speaking with Craig E yesterday, he's a member of my cycling club Stokes Cycling Club. He is planning on riding back to Bristol in case anyone is thinking of doing that. I have offered him a space in my Mitsubishi driven by my fiance, but I doubt he will take up that offer. So if anyone is thinking of riding back to Bristol, speak to Craig on the night. He's a first timer like me, but he has long wanted to ride a FNRTTC. You'll probably easily spot him, he is about 6'7" and he'll most likely be riding a bike whose frame he built on a holiday course last year.

Hugs
Archeress x

 

[Profpointy]

Watch out for the ferry times to Barry Island as you can get stuck there. They don't have a website so best ask a local when you get to Cardiff.

 

[User482]

I was speaking with Craig E yesterday, he's a member of my cycling club Stokes Cycling Club. He is planning on riding back to Bristol in case anyone is thinking of doing that. I have offered him a space in my Mitsubishi driven by my fiance, but I doubt he will take up that offer. So if anyone is thinking of riding back to Bristol, speak to Craig on the night. He's a first timer like me, but he has long wanted to ride a FNRTTC. You'll probably easily spot him, he is about 6'7" and he'll most likely be riding a bike whose frame he built on a holiday course last year.

Hugs
Archeress x

I know of at least one other planning to ride back to Bristol.

 

[Pale Rider]

Should be relatively easy to spot then.

Yes, the paint job on his self-build frame won't be as shiny as on a factory bike.

 

[theclaud]

On Saturday I shall be riding from breakfast to Cardiff Central for the 1326 to London (it will be a leisurely breakfast I reckon!). Advice & local knowledge please - @User482 @theclaud or anyone else - re route: after Cadoxton there could in theory be an option to take the back lanes, specifically Pencoedtre Rd and Gilbert Lane but it looks narrow and hilly - while straight along the A4055 looks flatter and not too busy. is that right?
Anyone else heading that way then?

Barry Town is hilly, in the San Francisco style, so as @User482 says the thing is to stick to the docks till you are out of the town. Cog Road/Sully Rd looks promising to me and is more direct than the coast road, but I don't believe I've ever ridden it. The local expert is @Banjo.

 

[Banjo]

There are trains into cardiff from Barry Island .


As @theclaud says Cog Road Sully road are country lanes with smooth tarmac.A route this way through Mermaid Quay in Cardiff is relatively quiet and scenic in places about 18km. https://ridewithgps.com/routes/20593644

Where Sully road joins Redlands road at 11.4kms turn left but don't go all the way to the T junction theres a layby on your right go through that onto the pavement and around into Andrews rd. At 16kms I have routed it up the path on the right of Lloyd George Avenue. Its a very wide path and fine to cycle on, you could use the road if you prefer it has a fairly quiet bus lane on the left.

The more direct route through Dynas Powys involves some busy multilane roads in places all rideable but maybe not great for weary non local cyclists.little scenery and about 14kms.https://ridewithgps.com/routes/20593800

I am working on Saturday 6th unfortunately.

 

[Banjo]

On Saturday I shall be riding from breakfast to Cardiff Central for the 1326 to London (it will be a leisurely breakfast I reckon!). Advice & local knowledge please - @User482 @theclaud or anyone else - re route: after Cadoxton there could in theory be an option to take the back lanes, specifically Pencoedtre Rd and Gilbert Lane but it looks narrow and hilly - while straight along the A4055 looks flatter and not too busy. is that right?
Anyone else heading that way then?

Hi Gordon.
The 4055 tends to be very busy with fast traffic and is narrow. Lots do cycle it but unless in a hurry I avoid.

Gilbert lane is blocked at one end but can be cycled though its slippery with moss when wet and steep.Getting to it is hilly.

I have suggested a couple of possible routes in another reply.

 

[StuAff]

There are trains into cardiff from Barry Island .


As @theclaud says Cog Road Sully road are country lanes with smooth tarmac.A route this way through Mermaid Quay in Cardiff is relatively quiet and scenic in places about 18km. https://ridewithgps.com/routes/20593644

Where Sully road joins Redlands road at 11.4kms turn left but don't go all the way to the T junction theres a layby on your right go through that onto the pavement and around into Andrews rd. At 16kms I have routed it up the path on the right of Lloyd George Avenue. Its a very wide path and fine to cycle on, you could use the road if you prefer it has a fairly quiet bus lane on the left.

The more direct route through Dynas Powys involves some busy multilane roads in places all rideable but maybe not great for weary non local cyclists.little scenery and about 14kms.https://ridewithgps.com/routes/20593800

I am working on Saturday 6th unfortunately.

Thanks Graham!

 

[Gordon P]

Now @Banjo has sorted out the end of the ride for me, I can go back to the beginning!
My train arrives in Bristol at 1540 so I have some time to spend there. I have some ideas but would appreciate local recommendations not only for refreshment of the body but also of the mind.
Anyone else getting there early? Suggestions for a meeting point?

 

[Archeress]

The harbourside is a good place to go, lots of choice of refreshment available, and for the mind there's the M-Shed museum and also the Arnolfinish art gallery. My choice of refreshment would be Mud Dock, a cycle shop with a licensed cafe upstairs with an outside terrace with views over the harbour. Food is very good, and for decor have bikes hanging from the roof and tvs usually playing current or vintage cycling footage.

Hugs
Archeress x

 

[theclaud]

What are the best pre-ride eating/hangout options, @User482?

 

[User482]

What are the best pre-ride eating/hangout options, @User482?

Serving food until late, not too rammed on a Friday night, plenty of cycle parking and close to the start? I would rule out most of the central area and head further along the harbour

http://www.mud-dock.co.uk/cafe/
Serves food until 10. Not sure how busy it will be.

https://spokeandstringer.com/pages/menus
Pintxos until 9.30, bar open until 11. Lovely location opposite the SS Great Britain but food might finish a bit early?

http://www.spitfirebarbecue.com/menu/

Good location, and reasonable beer if memory serves.
UPDATE: last food orders at 9.45pm.


https://www.pizzaexpress.com/bristol-harbourside
You know the drill. Take food orders until 10.30. Close to the start point.

If there's a consensus I could put it in the general email to everyone.

 

[Archeress]

There's also Za Za Bazaar on the harbourside... one of the countries biggest all you can eat buffets. You get 1hr45min and on a Friday evening costs 16.99 and serve until around 10.45. The bar downstairs is open till 12.30. Might be busy as it's very popular.

Hugs
Archeress x