ORGANY POOL

22.4.07

April’s heat wave was still in full swing as we met at the ‘Blackout’ near Newbridge-on-Usk, it was Saturday evening and it was unusual to see people out camping so early in the year! Our objective was to cycle to Organy Pool. This small pond is on the quiet tranquil Trellech plateau, high above the Wye valley which borders with England. The evening sun shone as we climbed over the narrow lane to Llangwm and then on the winding twisty serene, path which would take us on to the climb up Cobbler’s Plain. It was still calm as we cycled down the dip that would take us to Trellech Grange crossroads. Many years ago we used to stop here and wonder what lay up in the woods above us. But after a bit of exploring around the roads around here we found our way up a narrow steep road that climbs up to the top and arrives by the Organy Pool. This has now become one of our favourite rides, and is one of our ’Standard Classic ’ routes. The area here has kept it’s tranquillity and has seemed to repel most of the city dwellers, who have come out in the country to find ‘peace and quiet’. It was now getting dark and the lamps were lit around 20:30. Even though there was a lot of sun that day, the nights were quite cold after all it was only April! We donned another layer and cycled to the road to Llanishen, from here we took the steep Star Pitch lane to Llansoy. After our short-cut to the gliding club we sprinted on to Usk. Nick stopped in the shop for a few provisions, we then cycled back to Croesyceiliog on our ‘traditional’ route through Prescoed, Coed-y-Paen and the Trehebert road. Nick had to cycle another seven miles to Newport, but I was content with forty or so miles and arriving home at 23:30!

Click an image to see larger version.

Home