Summer has arrived in North Pembrokeshire: we have had a few really hot days with real sunshine and the showers, though sharp, have been short.
Visitors and locals are out and about in Newport in increasing numbers but if you like quiet and amazing views, you can head up onto the slopes of Carningli: it is glorious.
Graham has been out with cyclists new to the area: they return with broad grins on their faces and plans to return.
A bright June day, Carningli
We plan an outing from Newport on quiet roads – exact route will depend on who comes along – the aim is for everyone enjoy themselves.
We meet at Carningli Centre at 10.00 on Thursday 2nd April.
It is free of charge if you bring your own bikes, normal hire prices for ours (if possible, please let us know in advance if you wish to hire).
Hope to see you on Thursday.
Mike and Pete’s training for their epic bike ride from Seville to Santiago de Compostela across Spain continues apace: their flight is booked for three weeks today.
Pete has calculated that the total climbs on their route equate to just over the height of Mount Everest: call it 30,000 feet.
Whilst on the Beara in West Cork, Mike and Graham rode over the Healy Pass into County Kerry and back down to sea level at Kilmackilogue, before retracing their route to Adrigole. The Healy Pass road is not ridiculously steep but it is relentless: it snakes up via hairpin bend after hairpin bend after (yet another) hairpin bend.
View down the Healy Pass (Cork side)
At the top the mountains of Kerry suddenly appear. The road swoops downhill, passing Glanmore lake far below.
Looking down on Glanmore Lake
At lower levels the road passes through lush woodlands before heading out to Kilmakilogue Harbour on the North-facing coast, where a friendly pub is handy for a refreshment break.
Kilmackilogue Harbour
The return trip is somewhat tougher, as the climb is steeper towards the top. However, Mike and Graham completed the ride in about 3 hours.
Total height climbed was around 2,000 feet. So, returning to the Everest comparison I mentioned earlier, that made one fifteenth of an Everest, likewise one fifteenth of the climbing on the Seville to Santiago de Compostela route – and all in 3 hours.
It looks more doable when viewed that way – next year the Himalayas, Mike?
Graham and Ian (former Newport Bike Hire) invite you to join a regular Thursday social ride.
As they say in Country & Western songs, we’re just gonna “Ride, ride, ride!”
Please contact
Graham Coles, 01239 820724 (day time) 01239 820091 (evenings/messages) or Ian Hipkins 01239 820330/07837 101136 or email info@carningli.co.uk
or come to the shop – Carningli Centre, East St, NEWPORT,SA42 0SY by 10 am, Thursday.
Graham decided there was time for a road ride between the bands of heavy rain sweeping through Pembrokeshire lately.
Moylegrove is under 6 miles (9.5km) from Newport but feels more distant. You turn off the main road (A487) almost immediately to cross the Nevern estuary at the rebuilt iron bridge. After that the lanes are quiet and the views magnificent. The direct route takes you down a sharp slope into the pretty village centre. Nowadays the only cafe is at Penrallt Ceibwr Garden Centre. It is worth a visit if you don’t mind a steep climb to reach it. It is not far though – and think of sailing back down!
Another option, perhaps for warmer weather, is to divert down to Ceibwr Bay. The beach is a beautiful place for a picnic, a paddle or just to admire the superb rock strata on the cliffs.
A view of the cliffs at Ceibwr
It is also enjoyable to wander off on a side road – exploring tiny lanes is one of the pleasures of North Pembrokeshire. Having a good map is advisable as they don’t always end up where you might expect. On the other hand, if you are on holiday, you might enjoy getting a little lost. You can’t go too far wrong; the area is bounded on the one side by the Irish Sea and on the other by the Preselis (though you’d have to cross the A487 to get there).
We plan to prepare maps and short guides to popular routes for loan to bike hirers or to sell for a small price. This route will be one.
Although it is all on-road, people often ride it on mountain bikes for comfort and to make the short, steep parts less daunting.
carninglibikehire 