Rides Programme 2026 update
Rides Programme update 16-Mar-2026
[email protected] 07813856969
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Wed 18-Mar-26
Grade 3: Meeting: Sainsbury’s SA1 10.00
Leader: Jim Forrest
Destination: Up the Swansea valley to Ystradgynlais and onto Coelbren, returning via Seven Sisters, Crynant, Aberdulais and Neath. 43 miles, 1800’
Grade 2: Meeting: Sainsbury’s SA1 10.00
Leader: Ian Davies
Destination: Ystradgynlais via the riverside cycle path. Ret options (1) same way or (2) Crynant, Aberdulais, Neath canal path, Fabian Way.
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Sun 22-Mar-26
Grade 3: Meeting: Gowerton 10.00
Leader: Martyn Dulake
Destination: Llanarthne loop via Pontarddulais, Garnswllt, Trap, Ffairfach, Llanarthne, Col de Polyn, Tumble, Llannon, Hendy, Pontarddulais. 49 mile, 3310’
Grade 2: Meeting: Gowerton 10.00
Leader: Mike O’Driscoll
Destination: GCF Ride #13 Pembrey Country Park 34 miles, 667’
Also - Grade 2: Meeting: Pyle swimming pool 10.30
Leader: Ian Gofton
Destination: Cowbridge via The Pines, Pencoed and back the normal route via Stormy to Pyle.
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Wed 25-Mar-26
Grade 3: Meeting: Gowerton 10.00
Leader: Simon Jenkins
Destination: A lumpy loop around Mynydd y Gwair.
Grade 2: Meeting: Gowerton 10.00
Leader: Elaine Rohman
Destination: A Clydach loop via Pontlliw, Felindre Reservoir (lunch), Rhyd-y-Pandy, Craig-cefn-parc, Clydach. Ret via cycle path to Swansea, Black Pill, Clyne valley. Est 32 miles
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Sun 29-Mar-26. Clocks go Forward
Grade 3: Meeting: Sainsbury’s SA1 10.00, McD Briton Ferry 10.40
Leader: Simon Jenkins
Destination: GCF Ride #6 recce. First assault on the Bwlch and ret via Ogmore. 55 miles 2922’
Grade 2: Meeting: Sainsbury’s SA1 10.00, McD Briton Ferry 10.40
Leader: Ian Davies
Destination: GCF Ride #8 recce. The MTB Centre Glyncorrwg 40 miles 1220’
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Wed 01-Apr-26.
Grade 3: Meeting: Gowerton 10.00
Leader:
Destination:Kidwelly via Pontarddulais, Llannon, Llwydcoed Isaf, Mynydd Sylen, Sylen, Cynheidre, Pontyates, Four Roads. Ret via Landry, Pinged and coastal route. 43 miles, 2000 ft. Lib Ref #408
Grade 2: Meeting: Gowerton 10.00
Leader:
Destination:Kidwelly via Bynea, Dafen, Swiss valley, Pontyates, Four Roads. Ret Pinged, Pembrey, Burry Port etc. 36 miles
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Sun 05-Apr-26. Easter Sunday
Grade 2.5: Meeting: Gowerton 10.00
Leader:
Destination: Cross Hands via Pontarddulais, Garnswllt, Ammanford, Saron, Capel Hendre, Gwmgwili. Ret via Tumble, Llwydcoes Isaf, Llannon, Hendy, LLangenech, Bryn, Bynea, Lougher.
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Wed 08-Apr-26
Grade 3: Meeting: Gowerton 10.00
Leader: Simon Jenkins
Destination:Rhossili via Three Crosses, Welsh Moor, Cefn Bryn, Reynoldston, Oxwich, Penrice, Hangman’s Cross, Scurlage. Ret via Llanddewi, Burry Green, Cheriton. Ret via Cheriton, Oldwalls, Marsh Road, Crofty and Penclawdd. 44 miles, 2428’
Grade 2: Meeting: Gowerton 10.00
Leader: Alison Maddocks
Destination:Rhossili via Three Crosses, Welsh Moor, Llanrhidian, Oldwalls, Stembridge, Fairy Hill, Burry, Scurlage. Ret via Cefn Bryn, Llanrhidian, Oldwalls, Marsh Road, Crofty and Penclawdd.
34 miles, 1800 ‘
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Sun 12-Apr-26
Grade 3:Meeting: Sainsbury’s SA1 10.00, picking up at McD Briton Ferry 10.40
Leader: Elaine Rohman
Destination: The Beach Café Llantwit Major. 64/52 miles
Grade 2.
Meeting: Pyle Leisure / Centre swimming pool 10.30
Leader: Ian Gofton
Destination: The Beach Café Llantwit Major 36 miles
Grade 2 home ride: Meeting: Gowerton 10.00
Leader:
Destination: Pembrey.
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Wed 15-Apr-26 The Alfie Jones Memorial Ride
Meeting: Cross Hands Cinema on the old A48 10.00
Leader: Ian Davies 07813856969
Destination. Bridges of Carmarthenshire County.
Out via Porthyrhyd, Llanarthne, Nant Garedig, Dryslwyn Castle, back roads to Pen y Banc and New Inn. Ret via Ffairfach, Derwydd Mansion and quiet roads to Llandybie and Penygroes. Lib #373. 39 miles. 2,600’
Also: A Grade 2: Meeting: Gowerton 10.00
Leader:
Destination: Cross Hands via the Swiss valley, ret via Capel Hendre and Llanedi. 32 miles
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Sun 19-Apr-26
Grade 3: Meeting: Gowerton 10.00
Leader: Dave Sansom
Destination:Ferryside via Dafen, Swiss valley, Pontyeates, Meinciau, Pontantwn, Lllandyfaelog. Ret via Kidwelly, etc. Est 44 miles. 2440’
Grade 2: Meeting: Gowerton 10.00
Leader:
Destination: Pembrey via Dafen, Swiss valley, Horeb, Five Roads, Mynydd Pembrey. Ret via coastal path. Est 34 miles 1500’
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Wed 22-Apr-26
Grade 3: Meeting: Gowerton 10.00
Leader: Alison Maddocks
Destination: The Black Mountain Centre Brynamman via Pontarddulais, Garnswllt, Amman riverside path. Ret via the Swansea valley, Swansea Marina and the Clyne valley. 46 miles 1646’
An additional add on for the enthusiast – an up and back down of the Black Mountain, 30-40 mins
Grade 2: Meeting: Gowerton 10.00
Leader:
Destination: Lliw valley reservoir and Clydach loop. 32 miles
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Sun 26-Apr-26
Grade 3:Meeting: Ffairfach (Tregib) 10.00
Leader: Ian Davies 07813856969
Destination: Dolaucothi loop via Bethlehem, Llangadog, Llandovery, Cilycwm, Cwrt-y-Cadno. Ret via Talley and Llandeilo. 44 miles, 2,200 ft. ascents
Grade 2: Meeting: Gowerton 10.00
Leader:
Destination:
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Wed 29-Apr-26
Grade 3: Meeting: Sainsbury’s SA1 10.00
Leader:
Destination:Up the Swansea valley to Ystradgynlais and onto Coelbren, returning via Seven Sisters, Crynant, Aberdulais and Neath. 43 miles, 1800’
Grade 2: Meeting: Sainsbury’s SA1 10.00
Leader:
Destination: Ystradgynlais via the riverside cycle path. Ret options (1) same way or (2) Crynant, Aberdulais, Neath canal path, Fabian Way or (3) Continue up to Coelbren and back down the Dulais valley or Neath valley.
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Sun 03-May-26
Grade 3: Meeting:
Leader:
Destination:
Grade 2: Meeting:
Leader:
Destination:
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Ride Disclaimer:
By participating in a Swansea CTC ride, you acknowledge that it is a condition of participating that you do so at your own risk and abide by the statement below:
You acknowledge that participating in the ride may involve a risk of serious injury from various causes, including over exertion, dehydration, equipment failure, and / or accidents with equipment and / or surroundings
You confirm that you are physically fit enough to participate safely in the ride and you have not been advised by a medical professional not to do so
You are not aware of any medical condition, injury or impairment that maybe detrimental to your health by participating in the ride.
If it is detrimental to your health if you participate in the ride, you understand that it is your responsibility to inform the ride leader immediately. Should you choose to continue with the ride despite these conditions, injuries or impairments, you accept the increased risks and likelihood of injury
You certify that you are over 16 years old and have read and fully understood this statement.
You consent for any photographs taken during the ride to be used on social media. If NOT, please advise the ride leader before any pictures are taken.
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Grading System
Pace
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A. Easy Touring: anticipated pace of about at 8-10 mph (13-16 kph) on a flat route, with stops as required.
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B. Touring: anticipated pace of about 10-11 mph, (16-18 kph) with stops as required to regroup at top of climbs.
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C. Touring Plus: anticipated pace of about 11-12 mph (18-19.5 kph) with stops as required to regroup & refresh at top of climbs.
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D. Fast Touring: anticipated pace of about 12-13 mph (19.5-21 kph) with fewer stops to regroup & refresh at top of climbs.
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E. Intermediate: anticipated pace of about 13-14 mph (21-22.5 kph) with fewer stops.
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E+. Sportive - anticipated pace of at least 14-16+ mph (22.5-26+ kph)
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Route
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Grade - Terrain
#1 Generally flat with a couple of easy climbs, up to a max of 800 feet (250m), over a distance of 20-30 miles (32-48km).
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#2 More undulating, with climbing in the range of 800-2200 feet (250-660m), over a distance 24-40 miles (38-64km).
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#3 Partly hilly, some longer climbs, up to 10% (1 in 10), total climbing between 2000- 4000 feet (610-1200m), over a distance of 40-60 miles (64-96km).
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#4 Hilly route, some hills steeper than 10% (1 in 10), total climbing between 4000-5900 feet (1200-1800m), over a distance of 40-60 miles, (64-96km).
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#5 Longer hilly route, some hills steeper than 10% (1 in 10), climbing between 5500-7200 + feet (1700-2200m), over a distance of 60-100+ miles (90-160+km).
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