Back in 2015 I had my first glimpse of this mystical place under a full-moon during an all night ride to Swansea. I have wanted to return for a proper visit ever since.
Overview - Ogmore-by-the-Sea Odyssey
Distance: 109.7
Elevation: + 5940 / - 5940 ft
Duration: 14:13:59
This report is divided into three sequential stages. Each stage is indicated by colour in the map below which you may select to jump forward or ▼ Jump to Summary
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OGMORE-BY-THE-SEA ODYSSEY
Stage
Oakdale to Ogmore-by-the-Sea
Distance: 41.5 miles
Elevation: +2399 ft / -3046 ft
I was very excited about this ride, but I had no idea it would be as epic as it turned out. The weather was warm and sunny. Traffic was non-existant. I rolled along in perfect solitude for most of the day. ▲ Back to Overview
I set off just before daybreak, heading down through Pontypridd and Llantrisant - sleepy lanes and quiet cycle paths for the first 20 miles. It wasn't until I was leaving Misken that I even thought about taking a photo.
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| My kinda road... |
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| Looking across the vale... |
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| Zero traffic... |
Then everything fell into place - just rolling along, watching the day start and not thinking much at all.
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| The mist slowly rising with the sun... |
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| No worries, you can hear a car coming from far off... |
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| Miles of this... |
I passed through the village of Cowbridge, which is lovely and I thought about stopping for coffee... but the lanes were calling me.
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| Nearing the coast... |
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| Coming up along side the River Eweny the hills get more pronounced... |
And then...
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| A castle! |
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| Almost to the sea... I can smell the salt air... |
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| Crossing the River Eweny... |
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| Looking back... can you make out the castle? |
OGMORE-BY-THE-SEA ODYSSEY
Stage
Ogmore-by-the-Sea to Porthkerry
Distance: 23.6 miles
Elevation: +1,158 ft / -1,201 ft
It was still rather early in the morning as I cycled along the coast of Ogmore-by-the-Sea. Folks were moving slowly as they made their way to the corner shops for coffee and newspapers, waving hello and smiling broadly as I passed. It was a perfect lazy hazy summer day. ▲ Back to Overview
The route down B4245 to Southerndown is gorgeous. The views looking out over the Bristol Channel are stunning. Of course, it was a Monday morning, after rush hour, so traffic was very light which was a big plus.
It's so very quiet...
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| And now it's time for lunch... |
I had cycled 35 miles, wandered around a castle, and then sat down by the road for lunch. It was not quite noon.
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| Heading up the road toward Southerndown... |
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| The hills drop dramatically into the sea... |
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| This is farm country... |
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| Gratuitous bike shot with sheep and the sea... |
I can't help but think that if this were in America, there'd be houses and condiminums, hotels and shopping centers, developments piled upon more developments. Here; sheep and cattle rule.
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| Across the road, looking inland... |
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| It's warmed up nicely now... |
Then I have to get on a fairly busy road for a few miles. It's shocking and a bit frustrating. Cars zoom past whipping up heat from the road.
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| I wait a few moments to let cars pass and just gaze. Bees are buzzing like mad. |
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| But soon enough my route turns inland at St. Brides Major... |
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| Loving the small lanes... |
At Monknash I joined NCN Route 88 heading east toward Llantwit Major; my mid-way point (roughly 54 miles). It was my second stop. I wanted to get a coffee in one of the three shops I passed, but they were PACKED! So I sat on a wall outside of town and had another sandwich.
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| Signs of civilisation... |
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| Communities start to take a more "gentrified" appearance... |
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| Incredibly quaint Llantwit Major... |
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| Nope... don't need you today! |
Looking across a lagoon by an abandoned quarry near Roose...
OGMORE-BY-THE-SEA ODYSSEY
Stage
Porthkerry to Oakdale
Distance: 44.6 miles
Elevation: +2,383 ft / -1,698 ft
The road is mostly uninteresting through Roose. Planes overhead indicated that I was nearing Cardiff airport. I was getting tired and my mood was getting rather miserable, and I still had a long way to go. ▲ Back to Overview
Traffic picked up and I wasn't really enjoying the ride at this point. I was unfamiliar with the area and dreading more than 20 miles of traffic to get me through Cardiff. I had no idea what was ahead.
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| Heading into Porthkerry Country Park... |
NCN Route 88 becomes traffic-free as you approach the Porthkerry Viaduct...
What a surprise at the beach in Porthkerry Park, looking across the Bristol Channel. Oddly, finding this little jewel gave my attitude a boost.
The afternoon was setting in... the day was at its warmest. I was feeling the 65 miles and eight hours on the road. I could have stayed longer, but I needed to move on.
The next section is a combination of busy roads and shared-use walking/cycling paths as the route takes me through Barry to Penarth and Cardiff. It can be difficult.
Suddenly I was in Penarth overlooking Cardiff Bay...
I made my last stop on the barrage crossing the bay. The celebrations were beginning for the Volvo Ocean Race. I took a few rather uninspired photos as I passed through, but to be honest, I was beat tired. I had cycled nearly 75 miles and I had roughly 35 more ahead of me.
And then I was heading home. It's zig-zag route through Cardiff and a series of dodging and weaving through non-descript housing estates to reach Newport. I've cycled it so often, that I didn't think to take many photographs (or I was just too tired... I don't recall, actually).
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| A restored barn along NCN Route 88 outside Marshfield... |
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| Further down the reen near Newport Golf Course... |
Summary
I rolled my bike through the back garden gate around 8:30 pm. I had been on the road for over 14 hours. I cycled over 100 miles and though I don't place a lot of importance on distances, this was a big one.
I was beat tired and didn't even think about my bicycle the following day.
I hope you've enjoyed reading about my Ogmore-by-the-Sea Odyssey.
Thanks as always for visiting...
Cheers! - cm
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Report Card |
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| Ride Name: |
Ogmore-by-the-Sea |
| Start Date: |
Mon. May. 18, 2018 |
| Starts in: |
Oakdale, Wales, GB |
| Departed: |
6:03 AM |
| Distance: |
109.5 mi / 176.22 km |
| Elevation: |
+ 5932 / - 5932 ft |
| Max Grade: |
11.1% |
| Duration: |
14:13:59 |
| Move Time: |
09:34:01 |
| Stop Time: |
04:39:58 |
| Max. Speed: |
31.5 mph |
| Avg. Speed: |
11.4 mph |
| Weather: |
sunny |
| Temp: |
22°c / 72°f |
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