ADVENTURE RIDE Ground Zero

I wanted this ride to focus on the the little things around me; the often overlooked scenes I see everyday and new places I've discovered since we've been in lockdown.

I start every ride, that is; I turn on my Garmin GPS tracker just outside the abandoned boy scout hut here in Oakdale. It's by the sports field which seems a fitting location to begin and end my journeys.

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Overview - Ground Zero

Distance: 30.2 miles
Elevation: + 2053 / - 2106 ft
Duration: 05:33:23

One benefit of the lockdown is that it has forced me to sharpen my focus. I'm finding new local areas and seeing aspects of our community which I've overlooked or not explored before and it's proving to be quite interesting. ▼ Jump to Summary

Today I'll be riding through Oakdale, Treowen, and Newbridge.

Oakdale

Our village is a "model village". It was designed and built by the Tredegar Iron and Coal Company following the sinking of the first mine shaft in 1911. It's rich in history much like the rest of this tiny country, but what sets us apart - is that from overhead, the central street layout matches the shape of the Millineum Falcon from Star Wars and that my friends is just about the coolest.

Another surprising feature to the village is that it is a rabbit warren of small back lanes, narrow cut-throughs, and hidden paths inter-connecting its various parts.

Of course, like most of the world now, our roads are incredibly quiet.

Climbing back over the hill behind our house... our views are still wonderful.

And the lambs are dandy.

And it's a wonderful day to be out on my bike.

Treowen

Just over the hill from Oakdale, hanging onto the western side of Ebbw Valley is the community of Treowen. Most often I just race through, so it was nice to slow down and take a few snaps because it's quite a charming little spot.

It's not that large, but there were several areas that I hadn't cycled through. What I've found can best be described as; personality.

I've learned from years of experience using online mapping systems; that not all roads or lanes are shown. Sometimes ya just gotta go places to find them.

Most houses in the Southeast Valleys were built during the industrial revolution for the families of iron and coal workers. They are either attached homes (long rows of connected houses) or semi-attached (two houses joined at the hip). Single houses; though not-uncommon are relatively few and most often come in the form of small "bungalows" consisiting of a single story.

This bungolow is very unique for it has an unusually large front and side garden. The landscaping and topiary is quite charming and looking at it today reminds me of Alice in Wonderland.

Newbridge

Further down the hill from Treowen, wedged between high ridges on either side with the Ebbw River running though its center, sits the small town of Newbridge. I've cycled past the town park more times than I can count without ever entering it. Not today.

There's no one around. I've seen less than 10 people out walking. Clearly the lockdown is keeping everyone indoors... which is sad, because it's such a lovely day. Strange times, indeed.

Some photos I look at later and wonder to myself: "what was I thinking?" I don't know why I didn't put my bike in the photo below? I'll be going back.

I'm thinking that most people wouldn't touch this excercise equipment for fear of Covid-19. From tools for your health to death machines!

I've never seen any kids rockin' this BMX course. Looks pretty cool to me... I tried it on my Dawes and thought; "Stop now! Do not do this." What an embarracingly stupid headline that would make for the papers. 60 year old man nearly kills himself riding touring bike on children's BMX course!

I'm continuously surprised at the variety of landscapes in Wales. All you really need to do is head down toward one of the many rivers and it's generally undeveloped; lush and green and quiet.

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Summary - Ground Zero

As the start of an experiment - a closer inspection of the areas nearby home; I think it was somewhat successful. Looking over my images and thinking about Oakdale, I've missed several spots... so, I'll keep working.

I enjoyed the process though and because it's right here where I live, I can easily reshoot and edit as my heart desires. I just hope the weather stays as nice as it's been for the past few weeks!

Thanks as always for stopping by.

Cheers! - cm

Report Card
Ride Name:	Ground Zero
Start Date:	Sun. May 12, 2020
Starts in:	Oakdale, Wales, GB
Departed:	11:15 AM
Distance:	30.2 mi / 48.60 km
Elevation:	+ 2053 / - 2106 ft
Max Grade:	12.7%
Duration:	05:33:23
Move Time:	03:26:24
Stop Time:	02:06:59
Max. Speed:	25.4 mph
Avg. Speed:	8.8 mph
Weather:	sun!
Temp:	13°c / 55°f

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ADVENTURE RIDE Three Little Climbs

Staying within a 10 mile radius from home has proven to be challenging when searching for new adventures. Fortunately, we're very lucky to live in an area rich in wildlife and landscapes.

One benefit of the lockdown is that it has forced me to focus on the areas close to home. I'm finding places and seeing things which I've overlooked or not explored before and it's proving to be quite rewarding.

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Overview - Three Little Climbs

Distance: 52.5 miles
Elevation: + 3319 / - 3319 ft
Duration: 06:59:10

This ride actually climbs up and down Sirhowy Valley four times. The first three climbs: Pen y Fan Pond, Manmoel, and Quoits Wood are noteworthy in that they offer a bit more challenge, whilst cycling up through Sirhowy Parc is simply blissful. I've also found a wonderful new road taking me down to Wattsville. ▼ Jump to Summary

Pen-y-Fan Pond

The first little climb is actually a warm-up for the the longer second (and much more challenging) climb up to Manmoel. To reach Pen-y-Fan Pond, the route follows a wide dual-lane road, though not terribly busy, it's also not very interesting.

However, after climbing nearly 170 feet in just over a mile, there's a lovely little path that encircles the parc and manmade pond for about .75 mile(s).

So it's one quick loop and then a short race back down to "Cherry Tree Roundabout" and the start of the next series of hills.

Manmoel

This is the big climb of the ride. It goes up and up, then it levels and goes up again. At just over three miles, it's a wonderful climb and I'm fortunate to have it so nearby.

The road continues on to Tredegar, but the pavement ends and it gets much rougher after this point. I generally, stop here for a brief moment before heading back.

The ride down is eye-wateringly fast and thrilling. There's very little traffic so for the most part you can just let her rip! For more details and images about Manmoel, check out my ride: To The Top Of Manmoel.

Quoits Wood

It's a drop in elevation of 900 feet in just over six miles to reach the crossing of the Sirhowy River at Blackwood. Once across the Chartist Bridge, I then turn north again to head up the traffic-free cycle path to Hollybush (NCN Route 467).

Now it's time to just relax and look at the details. It's thought that this route is well over a thousand years old and that Druids once walked through here on their pilgramages through the valley.

I'm thinkin' about you, Rob.

What will this valley look like a thousand years from now? Will anyone see this photo in 2120 and wonder what it is/was like?

For more images of NCN Route 467, check out my gallery: Quoits Wood.

Gelligroes and Ynysddu

Back down the path, through Blackwood, Pontllanfraith, and then Springfield, my route leads me closer to the Sirhowy River at Gelligroes.

Dark and quiet even in the mid-day, the Sirhowy flows gently under a lush summer canopy. It's rewarding to stop once in a while just to look around.

On one side of the road is the Sirhowy River. On the other there is a small quarry burried deep in the undergrowth and now filled with water making a lovely pond. Looking at one, you'd miss the other.

At the bottom of the road is a small bridge leading to Gelligroes Mill. Dating from roughly 1625, the secluded building and surrounding grounds are a step back in time. Now, however, it is time to wander.

NOTEWORTHY SIDEBAR Artie Moore & the H.M.S. Titanic The very first reception in the UK of distress calls from the H.M.S. Titianic were picked up here, at this small mill in Gelligroes, by a 26 year-old amateur radio operator named Artie Moore.   In the early days of wireless, radios only used Morse Code to send and receive messages. The distances these signals could travel were thought to be 400 - 2,000 miles at best. So when Artie Moore heard the S-O-S from the "unsinkable" Titanic - nearly 3,000 miles away, no one beleived him. Two days later, however, as international news reported of the sinking, Artie's earlier report was confirmed. He was recognised for his engineering achievement and his life forever changed.   Artie was soon after awarded a scholarship to the British School of Telegraphy in Clapham, London, where he later came to the attention of the "father of wireless", Guglielmo Marconi - who then employed him at his Avonmouth facilities until his retirement in 1947. It's a fascinating bit of history from right here where we live - which deserves more than my modest sidebar displays. And it's another example of the inginuity of the Welsh people.   Read more: Wikipedia: Arthur Moore (b.1887 - d.1949) Wales Online: The One-Legged Welshman

An interesting sidebar to my sidebar is that the current owner of the mill; David Constable lives just across the road. His unique bit of celebrity is that his candlemaking business holds the Royal Warrant, ie, he makes candles for the Queen! His work is also used in many films and television such as Harry Potter, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Disney’s Cinderella. Television shows include; Game of Thrones, Poldark, and Downton Abby. Read more...

Time to carry on... I am intrigued by the narrow road ahead. This is a new discovery! Looking at my paper map, I see that this road runs above the main road (B4251).

What a fabulous discovery! The route is very quiet and the lane quite narrow. It's beautiful. And surprisingly, in less than a mile the road leads to a small community nestled into the side of the hill overlooking the Sirhowy Valley.

Then down further, the proper village of Ynysddu appears as the valley widens and the land flattens near the river itself. Before Sirhowy Parc was fully developed with a cycling and walking path, this was NCN Route 47.

Sirhowy Parc

I re-entered the road as I passed through the villages of Cwmfelinfach and Wattsville. (I'll need to go back for some photos!) And in the blink of an eye I was at the entrance to Sirhowy Parc. It's time to turn north and head back up the opposite side of the valley and to home.

I stop here everytime to call my wife; to let her know that I'm on my way. Nine miles and nearly 900 feet. However, the first four miles through the park are easy-peasy. I can sit back and enjoy the views.

Also of note, this section is part of the much larger and longer NCN Route 47 which snakes it's way across Wales from Newport to Fishguard.

Just a over an hour ago, I was cycling through that small community on the far side of the valley. Also, it's hard to visualise, but there's a gorge between where I took this photo and the houses of nearly 100 feet - with a busy road (B4241) running far below.

One more look down Sirhowy Valley.

An old bridge makes a fine gate through which to exit the parc.

I don't normally include videos, but I ran across this one on the Internet, as ya do. Seems that Caerphilly Council made this sometime after the portrait benches were placed in Quoits Wood. Can ya spot spot this old knucklehead in it?

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Summary - Three Little Climbs

This route has quickly become my "go-to" long distance ride now that we're in lockdown. Needless to say, it is pushing my 10 mile radius limit to it's max.

It is; however, quite a nice ride. Heading up to Pen y Fan Pond is a good warmup for the longer and much more intense climb up to Manmoel Common. NCN Route 467 up to Hollybush is completely under-used by the locals, whilst NCN Route 47 through Sirhowy Parc is wonderful yet not well known.

The weather has been surprisingly fabulous, so I've been able to get out on the bike pretty much anytime I choose, its just the long distances I miss.

Thanks as always for stopping by.

Cheers! - cm

Relevant Links
Pen-y-Fan Pond Sirhowy Parc

Report Card
Ride Name:	Three Little Climbs
Start Date:	Sun. May 10, 2020
Starts in:	Oakdale, Wales, GB
Departed:	10:02 AM
Distance:	52.5 mi / 84.49 km
Elevation:	+ 3319 / - 3319 ft
Max Grade:	9.4%
Duration:	06:32:25
Move Time:	04:48:49
Stop Time:	01:43:36
Max. Speed:	34.2 mph
Avg. Speed:	10.9 mph
Weather:	clouds, chilly
Temp:	10°c / 50°f

The following NCN routes were used either in part or in whole.

Route 467 Blackwood to Hollybush Route 47 Crosskeys - Gelligroes

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