Cycling In Wales
Cycling has hit the headlines in the last weeks because of the fantastic success of the GB cycling team in the Olympics in Rio. With Welsh wizards like Geraint Thomas, Becky James, Owain Doull and Elinor Barker cycling in Wales is gaining a very high profile. Watching the Olympics on television has been exciting and dramatic and it will probably result in an upsurge of interest in cycling in the months to come.
Cycling has long been popular in South Wales as there are many miles of very suitable roads as well as off-road routes which often run along disused rail lines such as parts of the Taff Trail from Cardiff to Merthyr Tydfil. In Wales generally and whether you are an experienced cyclist, a family with children, or thinking about becoming a cycle commuter, the National Cycle Network offers many opportunities for travel, and discovery. There are over 1,200 miles of National Cycle Network in Wales alone, which carry 29 million cycling trips a year. Whatever your age or fitness, getting out on the Network is a great way to keep healthy, save money, and – most importantly – have fun! The National Cycle Network (NCN) is the national cycling route network of the United Kingdom, which was established to encourage cycling throughout Britain, as well as for the purposes of bicycle touring. It was created by the charity Sustrans who were aided by a £42.5 million National Lottery grant. The 14,000 mile network has recorded over 230 million trips a year. The Sustrans website is www.sustrans.org.uk
Road cycling and racing is particularly popular and here in Wenvoe we are fortunate to have the Wenvoe Wheelers. The Wenvoe Wheelers were established earlier this year and the Club has answered the need for a riding club for people living in the Eastern end of the Vale as well as the West end of Cardiff. It was developed from an idea by 4 friends riding in Mallorca in early April 2016. Wenvoe Wheelers now has approximately 60 regular riding members who ride out from Wenvoe every Tuesday evening and Saturday morning. In addition they run rides on Sunday's which go further. They are a very mixed bunch in terms of experience and offer beginner rides once a month, and have an intermediate pace ride and steady paced rides. Wenvoe Wheelers now have their own distinct cycling kit now supplied by Pactimo. The Club has an equal number of men and women so this shows that the group is open to all and they are always happy to take in new or experienced riders. For further information please contact: Rob Harrison the social and membership secretary by email wenvoewheelers@gmail.com
Wenvoe Wheelers recommend Gerard Davies for servicing and parts, he runs Stone House Bikes in Barry. To buy a bike the following shops in Cardiff are recommended Cyclopaedia, Tredz and Sunset Cycles. Halfords is also good for Cycle to Work schemes, and many independent bike shops now accept Halfords Cycle to Work vouchers so the customer has a massive choice of makes and types of bikes. When it comes to refreshment Wenvoe Wheelers use the following coffee stops in the Vale – Cafe Velo in Llantwit, The Pottery Cafe in Ewenny, Hilary and Iain by sea in Ogmore, cafe Nero in Cowbridge and Porthkerry park cafe.
Riders who like to really get off road can take advantage of the excellent Mountain Bike Centres in Wales. These provide exhilarating trails and stunning scenery, and with easy access they have made Mountain Biking in Wales one of the best adventure sports available in the country. Many of the trails start at a Mountain Biking Centre; a purpose built centre is a dedicated single site Mountain Biking location, with a visitor centre and MTB facilities serving multiple way marked trails of varying difficulty. Here in South Wales we have mountain bike centres at Cwmcarn, Afan Forest Park and Bike Park Wales at Abercanaid near Merthyr Tydfil.