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Is Spokes right for you?
To find out if cycling with Spokes is right for you, you should first take a look at our Ride Calendar on our Home page or take a look at some of our rides below and see if the rides and activities appeal to you. Under each ride you will find information that should enable you to determine if we fit in with your outlook on cycling.
Spokes CTC is a member group of Cycling UK.
How do I join Spokes?
1) Just turn up at any of our Sunday Rides, for up to three ‘taster sessions’.
You don’t need to be a fully signed up member of Spokes, or Cycling UK, before you try us out.
N.B. To take part in our weekend, week or longer trips you will need to join Spokes.
2) To become a member of Spokes, firstly sign up to Cycling UK. On receipt of your Cycling UK membership number, click Join and complete the Spokes on-line membership form to start enjoying the full benefits of club membership.
NB. Spokes Membership is completely free once you have Cycling UK membership.(Click to view Cycling UK policy documents) If you have any queries please complete the Contact us form. Spokes continues to liaise with Cardiff CTC on some of our ride dates to enable both clubs to offer a wider variety of rides.
Click here for more pictures of our new Club shirts.
If you would like to join us on a ride you can Contact us or email the ride leader and let us know you are coming.
Like-minded cyclists, regardless of age, are always welcome!
What’s the pace like?
Not everyone has the same level of fitness!
Most members are happy riding in a bunch and having a chat, but a few of our members still harbour thoughts of winning something. Mostly though, it is limited to being “1st up a hill” or “1st to park his or her bike at the café stop”.
However, apart from the odd surge of power, we always ride together as a group. Should a potential problem or defect prevent a rider from continuing, we make sure that they have a way of getting back home safely.
All of our Sunday rides have a mileage versus duration measure, it roughly equates to a speed of 10-12 miles/hour.
The guide includes stopping for refreshment breaks, potential defects and to take in the scenery, etc.
Ride leaders grade their rides on how Easy, Moderate or Strenuous they are.
Ride Categories for 1 day(Sunday) rides:
Easy: Going at an easy pace, a distance of 30-40miles max. Usually a few minor-medium hills. An Ideal category for newer cyclists to join us for a ride.
Moderate : The pace and mileage goes up a notch. May include a few more medium hills or some challenging and steep climbs.
Strenuous : High mileage and/or very undulating route with some steeper climbs. Expect a higher pace if the route is fairly flat.
For 2-3 day weekend or week long activities you must be able to maintain an average speed of 12 mph.
See individual ride details on the Ride Calendar for further details.
The right bike?
There are no set requirements for what type of bike you should use when cycling with us. The nature of our rides will favour a road, hybrid or touring-bike of some kind. Occasionally, through the season and frequently in the winter season, we also use road-going mountain bikes or gravel bikes.
Why Join Spokes?
We have a preference to cycling on quieter roads, trails and cycle paths.
The club is near the 50/50 pct. blend of female/male riders
We are lucky to have Ride Leaders with many years of experience arranging cycle events in the UK and abroad.
We are always available to offer advice and guidance for those new to cycling
A word on safety
Cycling can be a strenuous and hazardous activity, so there is always an element of risk. On all club activities, it is your responsibility to ensure you are fit and competent for any cycle ride in which you participate and that there is no medical reason that could prevent you from fully taking part in it. We advise you carry information of your essential medication, if any, when cycling. We also recommend that you take out personal insurance when taking part in our activities. You are riding at your own risk. Your bicycle must be in a good and road-worthy condition and you must observe all aspects of the highway code whilst cycling with us. You must be over 16 years of age or accompanied by a responsible adult and we strongly recommend that you wear a helmet. Safety is paramount for everyone.
Some of our rides
Ride Calendar 2023
Start/Distance: 10.00 am, Radyr Weir, approx. 30 miles
Refreshments at Caerphilly Visitor Centre overlooking Caerphilly Castle.
Approx. 4.5 hrs, depending on how long we stop for refreshments.
NB The café stop is quite late on during the ride, so suggest you bring snacks to keep you going.
Terrain/Ride Category: Moderate (500m climbing) on road, lanes & trails.
Route Coordinator/Contact: Mel Pruchnie
Ride Leader: Graham Davies
Start/Distance: 10.00 am from Radar weir, 50km,
Café stop at Barry Sidings
Terrain/Ride Category: Moderate Some quite steep hills. 600m climb, mainly cycle path and quiet roads.
Route Coordinator/Contact: Nick Dallimore
Ride Leader: Caroline Dallimore
Start/Distance: 10.00 am. Albion Cafe, Cilfynydd. 37 miles.
Head out to Oakdale via roads and cycle paths.
Stop in Pen Y Fan Country Park , then onto 6 Bells to have a look at the Guardian Monument.
Return via Crumlin and Hengoed.
A few hills but nothing really steep. There a few cafés dotted about but if not open might have to use burger van or supermarket.
Terrain/Ride Category: Moderate 2500 ft of climbing.
Route Coordinator/Contact: Dave Jenkins
Ride Leader: Calum Taylor
Start/Distance: 10am, Yatton Rail Station, OS landranger 182 GR 425660, 40+ miles
Chew Valley lake, Cheddar Gorge(downhill) Strawberry Line Trail
Terrain/Ride Category: Easy – Moderate
Route Coordinator/Contact: Calum Taylor
Ride Leader: Arlene Morrison
Email circulated to Members
Please Contact Richard Cook for further information
Start/Distance: 10.00 am Car Park adjacent to Blackpill Lido Mumbles Road, Swansea, SA3 5AT. Cost of parking £3. 35 miles approx, 5 hours.
Mumbles – Bishopstone – Kittle – Southgate – Park Mill – Parc Le Breos – Oldwalls – Cheriton – Llanrhidian – Crofty – Penclawdd – Gowerton – Black Pill carpark, Café stop Britannia Inn.
Terrain/Ride Category: Moderate with some steep climbs and descents.
1 mile section of track that is not suitable for posh road bikes.
I would recommend a tourer or gravel bike.
Route Coordinator/Contact: Rachel Jones
Ride Leader: Graham
Start/Distance: 10.00 am Radyr Weir. 45 miles, approx. 4-5 hours.
Refreshments at kiosk in Taf Bargoed Park, Treharris.
Terrain/Ride Category: Moderate (with one steep climb) on roads, lanes and trails.
Route Coordinator/Contact: Howard James
Ride Leader: Dave Jenkins
Two days cycling from Swansea around the Gower Peninsula, and then back to Cardiff, via the Bwlch
and Rhondda.
Cycling on a combination of quiet roads and tarmacked cycle trails.
Suitable for any bike.
Details: Start: Swansea train station 12 May at 11.00 hrs.
Support: no support vehicle.
Cyclists to carry their own luggage.
Transport to Swansea.
Cyclists asked to book bikes as passengers on trains, Cardiff to Swansea. Alternatively, make own arrangements for bikes to be taken by car to start point at station.
Digs- cyclists to arrange own accommodation in Swansea city centre.
Approximate cost £70- train ticket and digs.
There is a sixteen cyclist limit on this trip.
A reserve list will be made up, if necessary.
Routes: Day (1) Swansea, circular route around the Gower, via Mumbles , Oystermouth , Three Cliffs Bay, Reynoldston, Penclawdd, Gowerton to central Swansea. (37 miles)
Day (2) Swansea , cycle trail to Port Talbot, Afan Valley, Blaengwynfi, Bwlch, Rhondda Fawr , Pontypridd and Cardiff ( 52 miles)
If you’re interested in coming on this Weekender please email me.
If you want additional information before you commit, you’re welcome to either email or phone me.
Please aim to respond to me by Monday 20th February.
Event coordinator Ray Robins
Ride Leader Ivor Rodway
Start/Distance: 10am
To be decided by the participants
Terrain/Ride Category:
Route Coordinator/Contact: N/A
Ride Leader: N/A
Start/Distance: 10.00 am lay-by Link Rd Chepstow 75km(47 miles) 720m Climbing.
Chepstow, Aust, Littleton on Severn, Wickwar, Iron Acton, Northwick, Aust, Chepstow
Terrain/Ride Category: Moderate (one or two steep climbs) on roads and lanes
Route Coordinator/Contact: Gwyn Tudor
Ride Leader: Diane Park
Itinerary: Fly from Heathrow to Sofia and back, Mountain bikes will be provided, staying in hotels.
Support car for transporting luggage.
Flights about £200/
Hotels, bike hire, support vehicle around 400 euros.
Cost estimate difficult as Bulgaria has higher inflation than UK.
Event fully booked, possible waiting list tbc
Organiser: Glen Dermody
Start/Distance: 10am
To be decided by the participants
Terrain/Ride Category:
Route Coordinator/Contact: N/A
Ride Leader: N/A
Start/Distance: 9.30am Llangorse Lake car park, 51 miles
Llangorse, Crickhowell, Llanthony, Hay on Wye. Café stops at Llanthony Abbey/Hay on Wye
Terrain/Ride Category: Strenuous 1300mtrs climbing on lanes and roads
Route Coordinator/Contact: Rosemary Hardy
Ride Leader:
Start/Distance: 10.00 am meeting in free car park, off Magor square, 45 miles
Over Wentwood, via Parc Seymour, to descend onto Usk Road, by Alpaca farm. Lunch stop at Raglan Golf Club, and back through Clytha Park, into Usk, with possible ice cream break, before returning over Cat’s Ash via Llanwern, Bishton, back to Magor.
Terrain/Ride Category: Moderate
Route Coordinator/Contact: Jackie
Ride Leader: Karl
Start/Distance: 10.00 Pontypool Leisure Centre car park. Approx. 46 miles, Approx. 6hrs, depending on how long we stop for refreshments.
Refreshments at Millbrook Garden Centre, Monmouth (20 miles) and Goytre Wharf (40miles).
Some of the roads are narrow country lanes with their usual crop of pot holes, gravel and mud with the last few miles along a canal tow path
Terrain/Ride Category: Strenuous (1100m climbing), all road, mostly quiet lanes.
Route Coordinator/Contact: Martin Watson
Ride Leader: Mike Hyde
Start/Distance: Ride starts adjacent to southbound layby on A466, 200 yards from M48 junction 2 (Chepstow first turn off). 9:15am for 9:30am start. Distance 55 miles (approx. 6 to 7 hours). Two tea stops (Slimbridge and Thornbury), but best to bring some food.
Chepstow to Slimbridge, via Sharpness Port across the first Severn Bridge. Return via Thornbury
Terrain/Ride Category: Moderate Generally gentle undulations with three significant climbs
Route Co-ordinator/Contact: Chris Metcalfe
Ride Leader: Jane Carrie, Peter Jackson
Start/Distance: 10.00am Radyr Weir, 56 miles. Approx. 5-6 hrs
Llandaff / Pentrebane Rd / St Bride’s / St George’s / Dyffryn / Moulton
Llancarfan / Cross Inn / Llanmaes / Llantwit Major / St Donat’s / Marcross / St Bride’s Major / Southerndown
Return: Wick / Llanmaes / Llantrithyd / Clawdd-Coch. Short coffee stop: Velo café – Llantwit Major –
Lunch stop: West Farm – Southerndown
Terrain/Ride Category: Moderate Suitable for all bikes. 3,500 feet of Vale undulations
Route Coordinator/Contact: Stephen Kite
Ride Leader: Rachel Jones
Start/Distance: Magor free car park. 10am
Chepstow via lanes and trails, past race course, St Arvans Hill, Tintern, lunch stop in Water Mill, across new bridge down to Bat cave.
Through the tunnel, Chepstow, Mathern, Magor.
(Mix of lanes, trails and quiet roads)
Terrain/Ride Category: Moderate 2000ft elevation gain, some light rough ground before the tunnel, no problem for road bikes.
Route Coordinator/Contact: Jane Carrie
Ride Leader: Peter Jackson
Pre ride gathering Saturday night at Di’s (Usk) for fish and chips 5pm.
Members welcome to camp overnight.
Start/Distance: Chepstow Leisure Centre car park. Meet at 8:30 am for a 9:00 am start prompt.
Over Severn Bridge, anti-clockwise around Avon Cycleway to return across bridge to start.
10-11 hr ride (5 hr for 50 miles).
Stops at Iron Acton, and Chew Magna.
Terrain/Ride Category: Strenuous Rolling elevation, some gravel, ideal for road bikes.
Route Coordinator/Contact: Diane Park
Ride Leader: Gwyn Tudor
Organisers: Roger & Di
Start/Distance: 10am
To be decided by the participants
Terrain/Ride Category:
Route Coordinator/Contact: n/a
Ride Leader: n/a
Start/Distance: 10am from Pedal Power, Pontcanna Fields, 35 miles, approximately 5 hours.
Taff Trail to Caerphilly, Bedwas, Machen (coffee stop), Rudry, Caerphilly, Cardiff.
On trails and tarmac, with some hills.
Terrain/Ride Category: Moderate Suitable for most bikes, but not skinny tyres.
Route Coordinator/Contact: Clare Johnson
Ride Leader: Mel Pruchnie
Start/Distance: 10.00 at Radyr Weir, 40miles, 3000ft of ascent
Church Village, Tonyrefail, Mynydd y Gaer, Pontyclun
Terrain/Ride Category: Strenuous
Two short but steep climbs and about one mile of rough track.
Bring own food as may not find a café open on Sunday.
Plenty of garages & shops en route.
Route Coordinator/Contact: Richard Cook
Ride Leader: Martin Watson
Event Fully Booked
Contact: Alison McErlane or Glen to be put on a shortlist
Start/Distance: Car Park by or opposite Llangynidr New Village Hall, 10am, 40 or 60mile options depending on weather and participants
Heading north
Terrain/Ride Category: Strenuous +4000ft climbing(Powys is Lumpy!)
Route Coordinator/Contact: Claus Sogaard
Ride Leader: Richard Cook
Start/Distance: 2 Starting Points
Unofficial start: Outside DWP offices on Trefforest Industrial Estate. OS Ref 113858 OS map 171
Plenty of parking.
76km, 1100m climbing.
We will leave a 9am sharp to ensure we get to Tonyrefail by 10.
Official Start: 10 am, Shorter ride starts outside Red Cow in Tonyrefail (not Pontprennau!) Ref 018882 OS map 170.
45km, 800m climbing, Very moderate.
Both rides a bit bumpy but no really big hills.
Beddau, Tonyrefail, Gilfach Goch (missing out last year’s loop!), Blackmill, Llangeinor, Blaengarw, and back via somewhere, Includes Cycle Route 4 over the hill by Tonyrefail; about 600m of gravel.
OK on a road bike if you’re worried.
Terrain/Ride Category: Moderate
Route Coordinator/Contact: John Griffith
Ride Leader: Mark Docker
Start/Distance: Meet at Rock Street Car Park, Thornbury (opposite Aldi), 10.00 a.m. 46 mile loop into the Cotswolds, via Badminton. Coffee/lunch at the Courtyard Café, Sherston after 26 miles.
Terrain/Ride Category: Moderate Mainly rolling terrain, with one ascent of the Cotswold scarp and several short, sharp ramps.
Route Coordinator/Contact: Peter Jackson
Ride Leader: Jane Karrie
Email circulated to Members
Event fully booked, possible waiting list tbc
Organisers: Gareth & Tony
Start/Distance: 10am
To be decided by the participants
Terrain/Ride Category:
Route Coordinator/Contact: N/A
Ride Leader: N/A
Start/Distance: 10am, about 40 miles
Up to Llanwonno to watch the final stage of Tour of Britain cycle over the hill at 14.00. Please wear your club kit if you have it.
Terrain/Ride Category:
Route Coordinator/Contact: N/A
Ride Leader: N/A
Start/Distance: Radyr Weir at 10.00. 50ish miles
Senghenydd, Trelewis climbing centre (coffee/lunch), Fochriw, Tredegar burial ground, Aberbargoed, Maes y Cwmmer, Caerphilly, Home.
Probably only one coffee stop at Trelewis Climbing Centre and a Costa Express at Morrisons in Bargoed but local shops available for snacks and sandwiches.
Terrain/Ride Category: Strenuous 1100m climbing, 2 long steep climbs and 1 less long climb
Route Coordinator/Contact: Martin Watson
Ride Leader: Sybil Upton
Start/Distance: Radyr weir 10am
To be determined by the participants
Terrain/Ride Category:
Route Coordinator/Contact: n/a
Ride Leader: n/a
Organisers: Mel, Rachel & Graham
Saturday 23rd September: Burford – Guiting Power – Bourton-on-the-Water Loop
Start/Distance: Burford/Approx 42.5 miles
A loop around the Cotswolds, stopping for lunch in Guiting Power. Quite a bit of climbing in the first half of the ride, but a lovely descent back towards Burford. NB The café stop is approx. 26.5 miles into the ride, so suggest you bring snacks to keep you going.
Terrain/Ride Category: Strenuous (Approx.725m climbing) mainly on roads and lanes.
Start/Distance: Burford/approx. 32.5 miles
A chance to ride through more pretty Cotswold lanes and villages, stopping for lunch in Stow-in-the-Wold. The lunch stop is approx. 18.5 miles into the ride.
Terrain/Ride Category: Moderate (Approx.550m climbing) mainly on roads and lanes.
Start/Distance: 10am Taffs well train station, about 38 miles with 2,000 feet of climbing. allow 4-5 hours
Head North along the Taff Trail. Picking up the Lady Windsor Trail north of Pontypridd towards Ynysybwl. then Mountain Ash, Abercwmboi, Aberaman. Lunch Stop will be in the square beside the library and Bradley’s Coffee shop on High St. Aberdare. There are plenty of benches and walls to sit on in the square, if you bring along your own food. All the climbing has now been done and it’s mostly flat or downhill all the way home. After lunch heading south past the Michael Sobell Leisure Centre and canal back towards Abercynon. Re-joining the Taff Trail (south) at Abercynon
Terrain/Ride Category: Moderate with a couple of short steep climbs. Suitable for any bike, using a mixture of trails and cycle path
Route Co-ordinator/Contact: Julie Williams
Ride Leader: Mel Pruchnie
Start/Distance: 10am Residential parking on Clyne Drive just off Mumbles Road, Swansea SA3 5BU
Mumbles, Bishopstone, Kittle, Southgate, Park Mill, Parc Le Breos, Oldwalls, Cheriton, Llanrhidian, Crofty, Penclawdd, Gowerton, Black Pill. Café stops in Southgate and Penclawdd
Terrain/Ride Category: Moderate with some steep climbs and descents. 1 mile section of track that is not suitable for a posh road bike. I would recommend a tourer or gravel bike.
Route Coordinator/Contact: Rachel Jones
Ride Leader: Graham Davies
Start/Distance: 09.30am at Llandaff North River Bridge OS ref ST 148786 Map 151. Street parking available in nearby roads or next to Radyr Weir about 2 miles up the Taff Trail. 90 km/56 miles 5-6hrs
Taff trail to Penarth, Penarth Head, Swanbridge, Dinas Powys, Wenvoe, Dyffryn, Llancarfan, St Athan, Lantwitt Major, Nash Point, St Hilary, Peterston-super-Ely. Two stops – coffee stop in Dinas Powys. Lunch stop at Café Unwind in Llantwit Major, although everyone is free to go to other cafés. Note: Café Unwind is CASH only.
Terrain/Ride Category: Moderate 830 meters (2,700 ft) climbing, Suitable for all bikes. Mainly lanes and tarmac cycle paths. A few short steep ramps, but nothing major.
Route Coordinator/Contact: Steve Sims
Ride Leader: Gareth O Thomas
Start/Distance: Caerleon, Car Park at Broadway, Caerleon, 35miles
A meander from Caerleon up the Usk Valley beyond Usk and back to Caerleon, two café stops, both in Usk, the first 11 miles in and the second 23 miles in.
Terrain/Ride Category: Moderate (~700m climbing) on road, lanes & trails. Some rougher terrain going up Clytha Hill but should be manageable on any bike if road conditions are not too wet.
Route Coordinator/Contact: Mel Pruchnie
Ride Leader: Julie Williams
The Spokes-CTC annual AGM will be held at Chapter Arts Centre in Canton, on Thursday 26th October.
(We only have room hire for 2 hours so the meeting will start promptly at 6pm.)
N.B. The bar will be open before and after the meeting.
End of summertime marks the start of the Spokes Winter Season.
There are no pre-planned rides or Ride Leaders.
Members usually meet up every Sunday(10am), at Radyr Weir, for a ride to be decided by the participants
Thursday 14th December, The Janata Palace, 325 Cowbridge Rd E, Cardiff CF5 1JD, 7pm for 7:30pm
The venue holds about 50.
Last year I believe we were 35+.
Vegetarian starters are provided for the table
e.g. samosa bhaji, poppadoms with the usual chutneys for which they charge a nominal fee.
Then you just order whatever you want. Simples!
Partners are always welcome, but do remind them there may be a lot of cycling related chat.
If you’d like to secure your seat please inform Richard asap
Meet The Committee
Richard Cook
Club Chair
Julie Williams
Club Secretary
Mel Pruchnie
Ride Co-Ordinator
Stephen Kite
Ride Co-Ordinator
Gareth Thomas
Club Treasurer
Di Park
Welfare Officer
Lawrence Conway
Committee Member
Club History
We are a group of cyclists from all over the UK (but a large contingent are based in Cardiff) who enjoy cycling and socialising. Our group has been together in various forms for over 20 years. It evolved from a group of people who rode together to raise money for the NSPCC charity. We organise between us, day, weekend, week and venture rides. The week and venture rides are held in a mix of locations, both UK and Europe. The main aim of the club is to have fun and make new friends whilst seeing new places on two wheels!
QUESTIONS?
Whether you are curious about our club or just looking for advice, we’re here to answer any questions. Don’t worry, we are a friendly bunch and always willing to help.