Under Hay Bluff Group Social Ride
Sunday 29th August 2010
A new Offa’s Dyke social ride on the borders of England and Wales, at the top of the Golden Valley in the shadow of the Black Mountains.
Offa’s Dyke Group is lucky to have another first time ride organiser willing to put on a social ride for us. Gabby Franklin offered to do this ride last year, but an unfortunate clash of dates led to it being cancelled. We’ve tried to avoid that this year and are all looking forward to another brand new ride for the group. The route sounds absolutely lovely!
The route will be as varied as possible. We’ve now been granted permission to ride over the Michaelchurch Escley Estate (huge thanks to Mr John Williams). This will give us some lovely large old turf fields to play in and should allow us access to the old gallops and an 8 furlong old turf stretch. All the gates on the estate are very horse friendly. From the estate you will follow quiet country lanes passing the famous Llanarth Stud (short compulsory walk section, which may enable a good look at the lovely foals and not scare them all silly as we clatter past) taking you up onto the open hill alongside Hay Bluff and some amazing views on a clear day. We may go through the forestry tracks (dependent on access to the forestry later in the year) and home via two other open areas of common land.
The main loop is 24km and there is an optional 5km loop through the forest (from Check Point 2).
The venue has good access from the road, but no loos or water. There should be a photographer on course. The venue will be signposted from the B4348 and the A465.
Click here for a copy of the revised ride map.
Latest update from Ride Organiser Gabby
(30/07/10):
Preparations for the ride continue well. There are many opportunities
for long canters and the ride potentially could be quite fast. The
forest long loop making the full 29km is a personal favourite ride of
mine as the tracks are relatively unused and you can bowl on nicely.
We are hopeful that Celia Saunders will be able to come along and take
some pictures of you all and a catering van has been invited to attend.
Also there may be a charity 2nd hand tack stall for Help the Hero’s,
depending on donations of old tack etc!
I still have some track clearing to attend to, as some branches are a
little too low in places. The large venue field has plenty of room so
there is no limit to entries. Access into the field is easy for both
large/small lorries and trailers.
The route to the venue will be signposted from the A465
(Hereford/Abergavenny road) and from the B4348 (Hay-On-Wye/Kingstone
road) – orange A4 signs with EGB on them - and also a map will be posted
with your entry details.
If the weather is warm there are good crewing spots available out on the
ride, these are easy to get to and have ample space. As many of the
gates on the ride as possible will be manned but those encountered on
the Estate are all very horse friendly.
So come along and try out ‘Under Hay Bluff’, there is the possibility
that a longer route still could be added next year – I am always one for
planning ahead!!!! Look forward to seeing you on the 29th August.
Gabbie.
Entries to:- Gabbie Franklin, Tanners Place, Michaelchurch Escley, Hereford HR2 OLA with the usual SAE Tel: 01981 510 606
Entry fees for all Group pleasure rides is £10 for EGB members & associate members, £15 for temporary day members (use the social ride entry form). Cheques payable to Offa’s Dyke group of EGB
The postcode for the venue (for Sat Nav) is the same as for entries! However, please check it out on a proper map first as there are some VERY steep hills round here which I would not advise towing up.
