Gower Cycling Festival (18-25 August 2018)

Some pictures

These pictures illustrate a few of the 20 rides. The ride numbers relate to the rides programme. This report provides stats and other information about the Festival.

Day 1: Saturday 18 Aug.

It drizzled throughout, not the fine day forecast! Nonetheless the Festival proceeded as planned except that Ride 3 merged with ride 2 (A taste of Gower.) there being a lack of entusiasm to visit Swansea's high points when they were shrouded in mist.

Mark Child welcomes us. We set off.
Cllr Mark Child welcomes us. On our way.

Day 2: Sunday 19 Aug.

After initial dampness it dried out. These pictures were taken on Ride 5.

Ride 5 on Marsh Road on King Arthurs stone.
Ride 5 on the Marsh Road. Climbing King Arthur's Stone required rock climbing skills!

Day 3: Monday 20 Aug.

Like on Saturday it was meant to be fine, but wasn't; at least not in the middle of the day when some on Ride 8 got rather wet!

Copperopolis Ride 7.
Ride 7 reaches Copperopolis.
Group above Broughton Beach Lia and Tati on sand dune Tati slides down sand dune.
The girls have fun in the sand dunes on Ride 8 to Broughton Bay.
Bob Burns Bench Ride 7.
Ride 8 seated on Bob Burns Bench.
(Bob was one of Wheelrights founders. He died in 2007.)

Day 4: Tuesday 21 Aug.

Drizzle on and off in the morning, then even a little sunshine! The rides today were the shorter Swiss Valley ride (No. 10) and the Grand Gower circuit (Ride 11). The first picture below was taken on the former and the rest on the latter. Of the 26 who went on Gower circuit nearly all elected to do the beach option.

Ride 10 approaches North Dock on NCR 4.
Ride 10 on NCR 4 approaching North Dock (Llanelli).
Cycling across Broughton Bay.
Cycling across Broughton Bay.
Paddling in Broughton Bay.
While a swim would have been nice we opted to paddle instead.

Day 5: Wednesday 22 Aug.

Some rain but enough dry weather in between showers to dry out. Three rides today: BikeAbility (#12), Port to Pottery (#13) and Brynamman (#14). The photos below were taken on the faster Brynamman sub-group ride.

Ride 14 in the hills north of Brynamman. Ride 14 in the hills north of Brynamman.
Ride 14 in the hills north of Brynamman.

Day 6: Thursday 23 Aug.

Fine but cloudy. The Ystradgynlais and Glyncorrwg rides (15 & 16) took place as planned. The photo below was taken on the latter.

Lunch stop in Cymer.
Lunch stop in Refreshment Rooms, Cymer.

Day 7: Friday 24 Aug.

Morning mostly fine then heavy showers. A well attended Ride 17 battled head winds to Burry Port while the Ride/walk to Southgate (#18) almost managed to avoid the showers. 15 started this ride but for various reasons only 5 did the walk part. They had a great walk as th pic.s below illustrate. Music and food was enjoyed at the party in the evening.

On the Eastcliff before lunch. On Tor Head.
On the Eastcliff before lunch. On Tor Head.
Three Cliffs Bay from Pennard Castle.
Three Cliffs Bay from Pennard Castle.
The girls beat time for the Mardi Jug band.
The girls beat time for the Mardi Jug band.

Day 8: Saturday 25 Aug.

At last: a day of sunshine! 2 rides to end the Festival: Bont & Wildfowl (#20) and Estuary Wide (#21).

Our 9 year old copes with a busy road. Ride 21 in the hills above Penclawdd.
Our 9 year old copes on a busy road. (Ride 20). Ride 21 in the hills above Penclawdd.