Re: Wednesday 29th August Ride

[ValleyMan]

We didn’t, however, along with Mat and Leighton we had been out earlier in the day to ride with Serena from Tenby to St Clears. We met at Valley Gate and set off under clear blue skies, however, there was a ominous black cloud to the west…

Just as we started down the hill from Reynalton the heavens opened with a clap of thunder. The rain was somewhere between torrential and biblical and had us all skidding to a halt to put on rain jackets and find shelter under the nearest tree.

Mat had disappeared but was eventually found in the bus shelter at Jeffreyston where we joined him as another pulse of rain came down. Sadly, there was a large notice advising that the 361 Service has been withdrawn so there was no alternative but to cycle down to Tenby.

We met Helen Roberts en route and arrived in Tenby a bit on the damp side, but at least the sun was out.

We were warmly welcomed by Serena and her three friends who were doing the whole ride and posed for a few photos in front of St Marys (Observer and Western Telegraph). About 15 of us, including 3 from the Towy Riders of Carmarthen, set off at 1.00pm.

The main road to St Clears was particularly busy and it was not really a pleasant cycling experience, however, that was not the point. At one point we had a large black truck sat behind us gunning its engine in a scene reminiscent of Duel…

We were also treated to a few ‘helpful suggestions’ from passing motorists who took the trouble to wind down their windows, honk their horns and find a puddle to spray us (presumably they thought we were looking a bit too hot) as they accelerated past us to make up the the 30 seconds we had apparently delayed them by.

We parted at St Clears with words of advice on the A40 to Carmarthen then looped round to the bottom of Brandy Hill. Having struggled up the hill, we decided to break with club protocol and stop for a coffee and Welsh Cakes at the Tavernspite Garden Centre. Leighton was just getting off his bike when he received a ‘I know where you are text’ from his wife who was tracking him on Endomondo and ‘suggested’ he could be back in Narberth in 15 minutes. So four of us settled down for some light refreshments.

By the time we got home at 4.30, water still dripping from our shoes, we had covered 45miles so felt no real need to go out on the club ride. At about 6pm sat in the car at the Kilgetty Coop waiting for yet another burst of torrential rain to pass by we did wonder if anyone was out there….

If anyone would like to support Serena you can at http://www.justgiving.com/Serena-Bonsall13.