Early in the morning, on Sunday 19th August, 11 intrepid riders from the choir and 22 choir supporters will meet at the choir hall at 7-30am (organised by Dave Kirton) and be taken by mini-bus to Brecon canal basin to start the marathon ride to Cardiff Bay. This is a sponsored event, organised by baritone Tony Griffiths and 2nd Tenor Spike Hughes to raise funds for the choir’s 50th Anniversary year celebrations and events. Some choristers have spent several past Sundays practising for this as is obvious from their eagerness to stand during practice on Mondays. Shirley Ann would be proud.
The ride of over 55 miles, mostly off road, will take them from Brecon to the picturesque Talybont reservoir, up over the hills backdropped by the majestic Brecon Beacons and then down into Merthyr. From there the ride will follow the famous river Taff, past Pontypridd, Taffs Well, Radyr and then into Cardiff. Riding past the Millenium Stadium, the route borders the Yacht Basin and Cardiff Bay Wildfowl reserve to finish at the Millenium Centre or the Senedd at about 5-30pm. A support team of 15 choristers and wives will be on hand to provide refreshments and first aid (Siân and Dai) where required at various points along the route.
The riders will then be taken home to change and then to meet up again at the Choir Hall for a celebratory Barbecue, thanks to Jason Dawe and Ron Powell (collection buckets will be on hand for donations to the cost of the barbecue), a few well deserved pints followed by an Afterglow, raffle and disco provided by top tenor, Matthew Hallsworth. Soft cushions will be provided if needed. We understand that the Mayor of Caldicot, Jim Higginson will be among the supporters to welcome our bike riders back to the hall
All the participants and backroom boys are to be congratulated for their involvement and extreme commitment to this event and we call upon all choristers and their families, neighbours and friends to come along to give the lads and lady riders their full support at the evening’s celebrations, especially since so many of the riders have, until now, had no involvement with the choir but are still prepared to give their time and considerable effort. Let’s give our guests a day to remember and perhaps (you never know) they may wish to join the choir.
T-shirts (no yellow jerseys, sorry), bearing the choir badge on the front and the Bike Ride logo on the back, will be worn for photo stops and after the ride. These were designed by Lyn Gauntlett and printed by Elephantmoon in Newport. Lyn and Coll will be taking photos and videos along the route, so let’s see plenty of smiles! We intend to make a commemorative DVD of the ride so any other photos taken en-route would be very welcome.
