family cycling

Afan Forest Family Cycling

We are so fortunate to have the beautiful Afan Forset on our doorstep. Just a few minutes down the hill from our home and we can nip onto the wonderful Sustrans network and cycle for miles and miles…..well as far as we can physically manage. Adventure Husband has always made the most of the mountain bike trails and Boy1 is starting to get more adventurous with his off-roading, but as a family we tend to walk rather than cycle.

The weather was so glorious last weekend, we decided that we needed to make the most of the day – take a picnic and allow ourselves the day off from the chores that take over day to day life ……

The route takes you from Cwmafan along the Richard Burton Trail and into Afan Forest Park.

Boy2 has just jumped up to the next size mountain bike (handed down from Boy1) and he did really well considering this was the first time riding it!

We stopped for a picnic ….

Rhyslyn, Afan Forest — Picnic at the Rhyslyn

…. and cycled up to the Afan Forest Centre, where the South Wales Miners Museum is located and enjoyed a coffee (or ice-cream if you are 11 yrs and 2 months).

On our way back, we cycled through Pontrhydyfen, where Richard Burton was born.

You can almost see the house where Richard Burton was born in this one …

Actually, I think that is the chimney, bottom right.

And finally, the steel sculptures of Richard Burton, Dick Wagstaff (the retired ranger of Afan Forest Park) and another famous local welshman…..

Steel sculptures on Richard Burton trail

I’ll leave you to guess the one in the middle…clues are … 1. He is someone’s uncle, and 2. He is funny (well I think so).

Help Create a Generation of Free Range Kids

This is a guest post by Sustans.

Cast your mind back to your childhood. What are the memories that bring a smile to your face? Riding your bike, exploring new, unfamiliar places, being out and about with friends? Probably, because these are the things that today’s adults enjoyed as children, with 70% experiencing most of their adventures outdoors.

Contrast this with today’s children. Top of their list is also playing on their bikes and exploring new and unfamiliar places. But only 29% are experiencing adventures outdoors, often closely supervised by adults.

At Sustrans we think it’s time to change this. We believe every child deserves to be free range and experience the freedom from their front door to go exploring, play outdoors, and make their own way to school and beyond.

That’s why we launched the Free Range Kids campaign, to give children, their parents and teachers the opportunity to make a change.

Our website, www.sustrans.org.uk/freerangekids, has a whole host of information and ideas to help kids be more free range.

you can download some of our brilliant activity sheets, full of ideas and inspiration for games and activities to keep children outdoors and active.

Find out more and get involved at www.sustrans.org.uk/freerangekids.

Just a little plug for a local event which sounds fab for familes. I'm sure the Adventure Family will be there!

To celebrate Bike Week we are holding a Bike Festival, on the 26^th June in Margam Park. There will be activities and stalls throughout the day, so come along at any time to join in:

Cycle rides for all ages and abilities, plus a goodie bag at the end for all participants
Picnic in the park
Childrens bike ramps
Cycle training skills for all ages and abilities
Dr Bike- Bike maintainance and servicing
Led themed walks throughout the day
Treasure hunt for children
Plus much much more…….

Entry and participation in all the activities listed above is free, however there is a £3.50 charge for car parking in Margam Park if you bring a car.

Margam Park is free for people coming on bike, and you can get to Margam Park on the Sustrans connect2 cycle route.