Caerphilly via Machen circular ride
Where to begin with this one. Our last ride had been a direct linear ride to Caerphilly. We had the idea looking at our OS maps that a circular route via Machen to Caerphilly and back via the Taff Trail would be possible.
We make our way from Pontprennau over to Cardiff Gate. We walk our bikes across this very busy roundabout onto Maes-Y-Bryn Road. Immediately we take a right into Cefn Mably Park lifting our bikes over the stile. We follow the road around until we pop out and take a left onto Tai Derwen. We go no more than a few hundred yards and take a right into Cefn Mably Lakes. We follow a rough track that takes us out onto a road taking a right and following national cycle route 4. The Road bends to our right and we continue on this route.
Eventually we come to a T junction, taking a right and then a left up a hill. We eventually take a right onto Glan Yr Afon and then 2nd left at the Crescent. We now appear to be in Machen and all the time we follow the signs for National Route 4. We join a pleasant cycle path that runs parallel to Newport Road A468. After 10 minutes we come off the cycle track and take a left and a right back onto the A468. We stay on this Road until Bedwas Computers and take a left onto Bedwas Rd and then jump onto the Cycle track again signposted National route 4.
This track runs through the back of a housing estate, we are cycling along minding our own business when we see some youngsters ahead of us. Now nothing against youngsters but we tend to always put our head down and cycle fast just to be on the safe side. As we get closer it appears that 2 lads are attacking another lad who is on the floor covered in blood. Sarah and I say nothing but keep our heads down and cycle a little faster than usual past the incident. We then turn to each other 150 yards or so past and agree a call to the Police is in Order!
The Police come, take our statements and we show then were the incident took place. Eagle eyed Sarah spots a mobile phone on the floor and points out to the Police - by now there is no sign of the lads concerned. We leave things to the Police and push on to Caerphilly. We turn out to be very close to Caerphilly and as we cycle off we can see the Castle ahead of us to make our way to the Town Centre.
After all the excitement we stop for a well earnt snack just overlooking the castle and make our way back via the Taff Trail merging route 4 to route 8. Click here for Taff Tail route.
A very eventful bike ride - These Adventure Thursdays are keeping us on our toes!!!
