Beacon away day to Abergavenny and Hay on Wye - 2025

[AlanW]

Catching the 08:22 train from Bromsgrove to arrive in Hereford at 09:32, or if travelling from Birmingham 08:00 from New Street, 08:06 from University of Birmingham or 08:17 from Barnt Green.

Head out to Abergavenny for lunch, then up and over the Gospel Pass (the less steep way) and on to Hay on Wye for afternoon tea. Then a quick hop and a skip back to Hereford to (hopefully) catch the 16:00 train for home.

That said, the 16:00 return train may be a bit of a squeeze, so other time options are at:- 16:40, 17:39 and heaven forbid, 18:48

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/43730796

From what I can see on Trainline, the only possible weekend day is a Saturday. Which I suspect will be busy with shoppers etc, this could/will impact on us being able to travel with bikes. Hence why it will need to be a mid week ride.

Its always a mistake to say I'm open to suggestions as to when to do it, coz it won't please all of the people all of the time. But I am thinking maybe last week in July, a day in the week commencing Monday 28th?

[deero83]

Potentially up for it.

I’m away with the kids the week before but the Monday, Tuesday or Friday may work for a day’s leave that week commencing 28th.

[+AndyMcGrath]

I'm interested and that week is good for me (for now). I would probably drive to Hereford.
Thanks Alan
Andy McG

[Si_Walker]

Yes, interested.

[Simon Woodward]

I'm up for this but wouldn't be able to do Friday 1st

[George]

I might be up for this, but not if it's *very* late July, because I'm going away in early August. My involvement would also depend on how it fitted in with work.

Because I'm uncertain about various things, I don't want you consider me when making plans, but I may tag along if it just so happens to work out.

[AlanW]

My apologies, the RWGPS link in the initial post was the route avoiding the Gospel Pass, if you recall it was shut for a while due to a landslide.

I have now removed that link and added the correct one, thanks to Si Walker for highlighting the error.

[Simon Woodward]

Hi Alan,
Have you decided on a date yet?

[AlanW]

My apologies for the delay in replying, I saw the question, got side tracked and then clean forgot all about it!

I propose Tuesday 29th July and catching the 08:22 train from Bromsgrove or if travelling from Birmingham 08:00 from New Street, 08:06 from University of Birmingham or 08:17 from Barnt Green.

[Simon Woodward]

My apologies for the delay in replying, I saw the question, got side tracked and then clean forgot all about it!

I propose Tuesday 29th July and catching the 08:22 train from Bromsgrove or if travelling from Birmingham 08:00 from New Street, 08:06 from University of Birmingham or 08:17 from Barnt Green.

Fantastic, I'm in and will catch the train from New St

[George]

I'm still undecided about joining you, Alan. I like the idea, but I'm going away three days later, and I'm not sure that an all-day outing just before that is going to work domestically or help my travel prep.

I assume that you don't need to know precise numbers to make bookings or anything, so hopefully it's okay if I make a late decision on this one? If I do come, I'll make my own way to Hereford and meet you somewhere in that area.

[deero83]

I’m in!

I’ll get the train from University

[AlanW]

I'm still undecided about joining you, Alan. I like the idea, but I'm going away three days later, and I'm not sure that an all-day outing just before that is going to work domestically or help my travel prep.

I assume that you don't need to know precise numbers to make bookings or anything, so hopefully it's okay if I make a late decision on this one? If I do come, I'll make my own way to Hereford and meet you somewhere in that area.

Not a problem George, as you say nothing to book in advance so I don't need exact numbers. That said it would help organise the day if I had some idea of people attending in advance

[AlanW]

The event is now live on the Beacon RWGPS home page -

https://ridewithgps.com/events/391906-b ... -inc-gospe

[Euge]

I’d be up for a day out. I can catch train to Droitwich and pick up Hereford train from there.

[AlanW]

Any more for any more?

[Si_Walker]

Any more for any more?

Alan, sorry, I’m withdrawing from this as I’ve now got something else on during that week. Hope it goes well for all riders.

[AlanW]

Any more for any more?

Alan, sorry, I’m withdrawing from this as I’ve now got something else on during that week. Hope it goes well for all riders.

That's a shame Si, but thanks for letting me know

[Simon Woodward]

Sorry Alan,

There's been a 3 line whip and I'm now going to have to pull out of this.

[AlanW]

Sorry Alan,

There's been a 3 line whip and I'm now going to have to pull out of this.

[AlanW]

So I think that means that we are down to just two (including me) now, is that right?

[deero83]

I’m still with you Alan!

[George]

Sorry, Al, but this isn't going to work for me, either. It's too close to my week-long trip away, and my wife's working commitments mean that I'm tied to the house a lot until I go away. It's a shame, because I did like the idea in principle.

[AlanW]

So it's just three so far for Tuesdays day trip:-

Alan Weaver
Eugene Farrell
Andy Deere

[Euge]

Seems like it.

Hopefully good weather- I’m not keen on a rain soaked ride.

[AlanW]

If the weather looks like it might be rain, l'll arrange for another day

[AlanW]

The weather forecast for tomorrow doesn't look like it will be in our favour, so l may postpone and rearrange.

But l'll wait till teatime/early evening and make the final call.

[AlanW]

We are going for it if anyone has last minute availability, 08:22 train from Bromsgrove

[Euge]

WM trains says only 2 cycles allowed in train.

[AlanW]

We haven't had a problem in the past and we've had half a dozen bikes. We might have to split into separate carriages

[Philip Whiteman]

WM trains says only 2 cycles allowed in train.

The Class 196 units, used to Hereford, have capacity for just three bikes per unit, positioned the leading or trailing carriage depending on the formation.