It was a Sunday afternoon when we met at the junction in Newbridge on Usk, the weather was dry, cold and sunny as we cycled in the last rays of the Autumn day. We rode to Llantrsent and then on the flood route toward Llandenny, where we took the lane to Raglan. I was wearing my leggings for the first time since the Spring. All was quiet as we cycled along the back lane from Tregare to Onen, we remarked it was like cycling on a cycle track as there were no cars to be seen. We were now in the famous cycling land of Gwent, all was different in those lanes as the Sun cast it’s last rays. I was navigating by my map, taking us along lanes that we had not previously been on. We found ourselves transported to a strange and mysterious fantasy land, we cycled past an a church and over a brook, up and up we went, viewing the valleys of the northern land as it finally approached darkness. We ate our rations, lit the lamps and carried on in the dark, until we arrived at Cross Ash. The wind was cold here, the sky showed signs of rain, the occasional fireworks appeared in the sky. We then flew South like wild geese in the winter, to find a more hospitable climate. This we did, the ride through an unknown lane to Brynderi was taken quickly. More fireworks lit the sky as we made our way to Llantilio and then to Llanarth. The weather was still dry but cold, cycling was hard going as we rode to Croes Llanfair, Nantyderri and Goytre. We cycled back via Glascoed and New Inn briefly stopping to watch the fireworks at Semen World. We arrived back in Croesyceiliog at 9.00pm..50 miles.
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