TAFF TRAIL CHALLENGE: Organised by chorister Anthony Griffiths, the 2017 edition of the Caldicot Male Voice Choir’s Charity Cycle ride, was to take on the challenging 55 mile Taff Trail, from the highlands of Brecon to the bustling city of Cardiff on 22nd July.  

In all, 16 riders travelled to Brecon and took to the trail initially following the canal and then past Talybont reservoir and on to Merthyr Tydfil.

They started in bright sunshine which within an hour turned into heavy, cold showers along the edge of the River Taff and through Pontypridd. It wasn’t until the group reached the city limits that they had some sun on their back.

The intrepid cyclists endured it all; falls, punctures, rain, steep hills, fabulous scenery, fast descents and getting lost on more than one occasion, they were nearly on the train to Barry Island at Abercynon! But they made it to Cardiff Bay more or less intact.

The ride was in aid of Caldicot Male Voice Choir’s selected charity for this year; the Severn View Open Doors challenge to build a sensory garden to help those suffering dementia and related illnesses in the Chepstow area. 

The ride would not have been possible if it wasn’t for the help of the support team; David Kirton who drove the bus with his wing-man David Currie; Sharon Davies for taking the trailer with the bikes to Brecon; Jayne Stallard and Rob Stallard’s sister, Gaynor for driving the support car; and Chris Duffy for meeting us at Cardiff to bring the bikes back.

The riders returned to the the Caldicot Choir Hall for an evening’s entertainment by the JJ Duo of John Nicholson and Jason Dawe and including well deserved refreshments provided by even more supporters.