A disappointingly small peloton formed up in Monmouth for the “Motor
Assisted Ride”. The group set off on the lumpy roads to Abergavenny
with a stiff headwind. We were briefly joined by another member, who
had ridden out to meet us, and turned home before we had finished our
appetizers.
The main course was “The Tumble”, which according to 100 greatest cycle
climbs is “One of the most feared and frequently raced climbs in
Wales”. This was followed by a well deserved coffee stop in Blaenavon.
The road over to Brynmawr and Bearfort was followed by a beautiful
stretch across the Llangatwg Platteau, with Red Kites soaring overhead
looking for any easy prey, but we were all too fit for that.
The descent down Llangynidr to Llangattock is one of my favourites, and
highly recommended to anyone who gets the opportunity. The return along
the Usk Valley and then lanes to Monmouth completed a sixty mile route.