Gospel Pass Friday 27 September

[theclaud]

Hope the ride goes well.
I'd love to have joined as it looks like an excellent route, and I've wanted to do the Gospel Pass since seeing Claud's write-up on it last year. But flights were booked a while ago for a long weekend in Germany then so not to be. I've ridden a bit around Abergavenny / Hereford this summer and it is very scenic with light traffic even on the A roads. It's just a shame it rains all the time ;-)

The very idea! You'll be denying that Swansea is pancake-flat next!

 

[theclaud]

So we seem, for the moment at least, to have lost @lukesdad and @rich p

Our small but impossibly stylish ride currently looks like this:

@User482
@Banjo
@dellzeqq
@StuAff
@robjh
@User
@theclaud

 

[robjh]

it rains all the time ;-)

Mixed predictions for next weekend - this from the Met Office :

Through the week and into next weekend it will stay settled and largely dry across the south and east with clear or sunny spells, feeling pleasant in the sunshine, but rather chilly overnight. There will be an increased chance of rain or showers in the northwest, possibly heavy, and turning breezier too.​

All depends where the south ends and the northwest starts, but I'm looking on the bright side

 

[Banjo]

One Audax organizer guarantees weather on all his rides. And fair does we allways get some.

 

[User482]

Train booked - it should get in to Newport at 7:45. I've left the return flexible...

 

[robjh]

@theclaud , is your route likely to pass along Usk Road in Caerleon? I'm thinking of staying the night before at a place along there, and could then join the gang en route if you're coming that way. Plus it would mean an extra half hour in bed.

 

[theclaud]

@theclaud , is your route likely to pass along Usk Road in Caerleon? I'm thinking of staying the night before at a place along there, and could then join the gang en route if you're coming that way. Plus it would mean an extra half hour in bed.

We're going via Caerleon but up the other side of the Usk, so you'll need to meet us here. We'll exchange mobile numbers by PM if that's OK. Barring train delays, ze plen is to leave Newport station 8am prompt, and we're a small group so we should be there inside 20 mins. I'll post latest when I get home from work this evening.

 

[dellzeqq]

Train booked - it should get in to Newport at 7:45. I've left the return flexible...

if you mean 7.46 then I'll be on that train.

 

[StuAff]

Having consulted with the B&B on breakfast serving time, 8am start should be no bother.

 

[StuAff]

Will it involve seaweed, cockles and bacon?

Bacon, I should imagine.

 

[theclaud]

Bacon, cockles and laver are food of The Gods. Well, the Welsh ones, anyway. Laver is a taste worth acquiring. Sure you won't change your mind and do the Abergavenny loop?

 

[robjh]

See you all at Caerleon then. I expect to be alerted by the strains of Marty Wilde's 'Abergavenny' ringing up from the Newport direction as the merry band approaches through the morning mists.....

 

[dellzeqq]

I've just seen this
http://www.theguardian.com/travel/interactive/2012/may/05/abergavenny-to-hay-on-wye-route-map
I understand that the Gospel Pass is the highest road in Wales. That's Gospel as in 'nearer my god to thee'.

View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pj-1b1Yvep8

 

[dellzeqq]

by my calculation the road drops 1200 feet in 4 miles which is a gradient of five and a half percent. Excuse me while I fit new brake blocks!

 

[Banjo]

by my calculation the road drops 1200 feet in 4 miles which is a gradient of five and a half percent. Excuse me while I fit new brake blocks!

I have only ever ridden it from north to south before. The climb up from haye on wye (which will be a descent for us) certainly warms you up a bit. Worth it for the views though.