MORNING RIDE TO SHIRENEWTON
5.7.09
I cycled down to Newport on the canal on a warm Sunday morning and, after avoiding attack by wild geese, I met Nick at the fire station. Elvis had played there at a function on the previous night; I had the honour of watching, as Elvis left the building! After taking stock of supplies it was a pleasant ride out on the flatlands of the Nash moors. A very large swan and family were seen as we cycled on the roads of the levels. Some of these lanes have been abandoned due to the steelworks and brewery in the past, but now in recent years by the massive superstore distribution centres. However they make great cycling paths and before long we were in Magor. Passing over the main motorway between England and Wales the ride took on a picturesque wondrous feel. The road to Llanfair Discoed beckoned and it was not long before we were climbing up the secret marvellous vale toward Shirenewton. After ascending this climb we took the rough track across the fields and by-passed the village. After a ride up along the ridge to Gaerllywd we had a fast descent to Usk, we passed a horse fair along the way before winding our way back home on the ‘traditional’ via Prescoed, Coed-y-Paen and the Trehebert road....43 miles.
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