Taff Trail, Cardiff

cjcp

Was in Cardiff yesterday and needed to go into the centre. Was staying in Whitchurch, so decided to take the Taff Trail into town.

What a great resource for commuters, which seemed borne out by the large number of cyclists using it. Used to use this while I was there in University, but forgotten how good it was and it seems to have been developed substantially, too.

Ended up taking a wander up to Castell Coch.

Lazarus

cjcp wrote:

Ended up taking a wander up to Castell Coch.

Always thought they should run a hill climb up from the gate to the castle, It would have to be a sprint or such because its very short, but it does drag up enough to make the legs burn if you try rushing up there ! ! !

Have to agree about the Taff Trail , as a side note anyone know when salmon run up the rivers ? have always wanted to pop down the trail to see if i could see any salmon swim up those chutes ( right word ? ) they built for them.

cjcp

Yeah, a hill climb would be amusing . I clocked it at around 0.2 miles from thee gate to where you start to turn to go around the grass island. You could start it from further down, closer to Tongwynlais village, but they might not appreciate the traffic.

EDIT: Yes, I went off too hard and my legs started to fail as it flattened off.

No idea on the salmon, I'm afraid.

Lazarus

cjcp wrote:

Yeah, a hill climb would be amusing . I clocked it at around 0.2 miles from thee gate to where you start to turn to go around the grass island. You could start it from further down, closer to Tongwynlais village, but they might not appreciate the traffic.

EDIT: Yes, I went off too hard and my legs started to fail as it flattened off.

No idea on the salmon, I'm afraid.

If your on a MTB then as you approach the castle there's a path that leads up the mountain on the right, you could always continue the climb up there.

I regularly failed to get up there without putting my foot down, until i went out with the MTB-Wales boys ! watched them all put the bikes into the easiest gear they had , sit down and peddle like mad up there without dabbing. Never failed after watching that lol .

cjcp

Lazarus wrote:

cjcp wrote:

Yeah, a hill climb would be amusing . I clocked it at around 0.2 miles from thee gate to where you start to turn to go around the grass island. You could start it from further down, closer to Tongwynlais village, but they might not appreciate the traffic.

EDIT: Yes, I went off too hard and my legs started to fail as it flattened off.

No idea on the salmon, I'm afraid.

If your on a MTB then as you approach the castle there's a path that leads up the mountain on the right, you could always continue the climb up there.

I regularly failed to get up there without putting my foot down, until i went out with the MTB-Wales boys ! watched them all put the bikes into the easiest gear they had , sit down and peddle like mad up there without dabbing. Never failed after watching that lol .

Yep, went up that when I was in Uni, many moons ago. Just what you want after riding up the road!

benno68

@ Lazarus, this link may help you out regarding the salmon

http://www.flyforums.co.uk/salmon-fishing/41156-salmon-taff.html

CJ - I think Cardiff is getting it's act together regarding cycle paths - and shared pedestrian/cycle zones particularly around the Bay etc.

Don't forget to gimme a shout if you have any spare time to get out on the bike when you're down here - you can see my new steed then

cjcp

Benno68 wrote:

CJ - I think Cardiff is getting it's act together regarding cycle paths - and shared pedestrian/cycle zones particularly around the Bay etc.

Yep, certainly looks like. I rode around the back of the prison and down Richmond Road, up Penylan Hill, into Cycoed for another meeting, then back to Whitchurch through Birchgrove. Twas great. Was holding 28-29 on the road from Heath Holt station-area to the Birchgrove pub. Was knackered by the end, mind.

Don't forget to gimme a shout if you have any spare time to get out on the bike when you're down here - you can see my new steed then

Was going to drop you a line, but the two meetings meant it wasn't a proper ride and I didn't have time to head over your way as I had to go to Bridgend for 1pm.

Hoping to be down for the Boks game in November, in whcih case I might be up for a Sunday ride. D'ya reckon I could join up with your club for a Sunday morning ride if I've time?

BUT, more importantly, what's this new steed of yours!

benno68

No worries CJ.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=44401

It just wants to go fast, I rode it into work today and could do with a nap now :roll: I've still got the Defy which I'll be commuting on and use as a winter bike.

Cardiff Ajax leave Maindy on Sundays at 9:30, usually have 3 groups - a slow 50, quicker 50 and 70 - 80 miles. The only slight issue is that after a cafe stop etc I don't usually get back until 2pm which maybe a bit late for you.

Maybe if Running Man is around we could go out for a few hours - I think you are both into climbing and we could go out earlier depending your on other plans.

The start of Richmond Road is horrible and in desperate need of resurfacing! I'm so glad I wasn't about when you were on the road, I don't like getting scalped

Lazarus

Benno68 wrote:

@ Lazarus, this link may help you out regarding the salmon

http://www.flyforums.co.uk/salmon-fishing/41156-salmon-taff.html

I thank you looks like I will be taking a ride down there soon .

benno68

Lazarus wrote:

Benno68 wrote:

@ Lazarus, this link may help you out regarding the salmon

http://www.flyforums.co.uk/salmon-fishing/41156-salmon-taff.html

I thank you looks like I will be taking a ride down there soon .

No worries mate - have a good weekend!

hangeron

cjcp wrote:

Yeah, a hill climb would be amusing . I clocked it at around 0.2 miles from thee gate to where you start to turn to go around the grass island. You could start it from further down, closer to Tongwynlais village, but they might not appreciate the traffic.

EDIT: Yes, I went off too hard and my legs started to fail as it flattened off.

No idea on the salmon, I'm afraid.

Maindy Flyers (youth club) organise a hill climb there every year for junior riders...although this years was cancelled. Current course record holder is some bloke called Geraint Thomas who showed a bit of potential when he was little...no idea what he's doing now ;-)

Lazarus

hangeron wrote:

cjcp wrote:

Yeah, a hill climb would be amusing . I clocked it at around 0.2 miles from thee gate to where you start to turn to go around the grass island. You could start it from further down, closer to Tongwynlais village, but they might not appreciate the traffic.

EDIT: Yes, I went off too hard and my legs started to fail as it flattened off.

No idea on the salmon, I'm afraid.

Maindy Flyers (youth club) organise a hill climb there every year for junior riders...although this years was cancelled. Current course record holder is some bloke called Geraint Thomas who showed a bit of potential when he was little...no idea what he's doing now ;-)

Last time i saw Geraint the little upstart didn't bother to say hello







It was during the tour though and he was busy in the peloton at the time going up a bloody steep hill,


Would love to come and have a look next time they run the event will have to keep my ears open as to when the next time it's on.

cjcp

Benno68 wrote:

No worries CJ.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=44401

It just wants to go fast, I rode it into work today and could do with a nap now :roll: I've still got the Defy which I'll be commuting on and use as a winter bike.

Cardiff Ajax leave Maindy on Sundays at 9:30, usually have 3 groups - a slow 50, quicker 50 and 70 - 80 miles. The only slight issue is that after a cafe stop etc I don't usually get back until 2pm which maybe a bit late for you.

Maybe if Running Man is around we could go out for a few hours - I think you are both into climbing and we could go out earlier depending your on other plans.

The start of Richmond Road is horrible and in desperate need of resurfacing! I'm so glad I wasn't about when you were on the road, I don't like getting scalped

Nice! And glad you kep the Defy as a winter bike.

I think 0930 would be a bit late . But, if you're up for an earlier start and 40-odd miles, that could work.

benno68

cjcp wrote:

Benno68 wrote:

No worries CJ.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=44401

It just wants to go fast, I rode it into work today and could do with a nap now :roll: I've still got the Defy which I'll be commuting on and use as a winter bike.

Cardiff Ajax leave Maindy on Sundays at 9:30, usually have 3 groups - a slow 50, quicker 50 and 70 - 80 miles. The only slight issue is that after a cafe stop etc I don't usually get back until 2pm which maybe a bit late for you.

Maybe if Running Man is around we could go out for a few hours - I think you are both into climbing and we could go out earlier depending your on other plans.

The start of Richmond Road is horrible and in desperate need of resurfacing! I'm so glad I wasn't about when you were on the road, I don't like getting scalped

Nice! And glad you kep the Defy as a winter bike.

I think 0930 would be a bit late . But, if you're up for an earlier start and 40-odd miles, that could work.

That would be cool. Could do the Bwlch and back in 3.5 hours I reckon, your call on where we go though as I really don't mind.

cjcp

@Benno - righty-o. Will let you know. Just in case, are you free on the Saturday morning or are you working?

benno68

cjcp wrote:

@Benno - righty-o. Will let you know. Just in case, are you free on the Saturday morning or are you working?

I work on Saturdays, but could nip out early for an hour or so and get back home for 9:30am and into work by 10:30. Could always do the CJ hill training session around Penarth etc. Either that or Saturday evening (about 7pm 'ish).

cjcp

Sat am could work, but am out on Saturday night. Will let you know when I'm likely to be down.