It's set to be a warm one in south Wales this weekend, with predicted temperatures as high as 37°C and reports that some schools are considering closing on Monday and Tuesday. But as long as your train is still running, there's plenty to do in and around Cardiff this weekend.
From strongman competitions to downhill soapbox racing, it's set to be a busy couple of days in and around the capital. We've put together a list of some of the best things to enjoy in Cardiff, Newport and Penarth in the weekend's warm weather.
Wales's Strongest Man and Wales's Strongest Woman
The nation's best strongmen and women will be at the Cardiff International Sports Stadium in Leckwith this weekend. The event serves as a qualifier for the UK's Strongest Man and UK's Strongest Woman competitions, but there's plenty of pride in being crowned Wales's Strongest.
You can read about all the competitors in the women's event here and the male contestants here. They include classical musicians and ex-Rugby players.
The competition always unearths some fantastic stories - including a depressed mum-of-three who took the title just months after a divorce forced her to "pour her passion into something else." If you fancy witnessing some feats of strength, you can get tickets for the events here.
Tickets start at £20 for adults and £12 for children. There are a number of VIP packages available, including the chance for a meet-and-greet.
Penarth Downhill Derby
After just a short bus, train ride or stroll down the Barrage, you could be watching some brave souls hurtling down a hill in the Penarth Downhill Derby. The popular soapbox racing event returns this weekend after a two-year hiatus.
Councillor Elliot Penn said: "I didn't think about [the race] much in 2021, but as soon as 2022 came around the enthusiasm and the juices started flowing to get it going again. I have missed it. There has been lots to get in the way of the enthusiasm for it, but I am really looking forward to it returning."
Cllr Penn was one of the original organisers of the first event over a decade ago - and said he's excited at how many people have signed up. There are two categories - Under-16s and Over-16s - and prizes are awarded for speed and creativity.
The signup form is still open, and spectators can turn up to Cliff Hill in Penarth to watch for free from 11am on Saturday, July 16th. The event itself will run from 2pm until 5pm.
Festival of Comedy
Wales's iconic open-air comedy festival returns this weekend with an all-star line-up. Jason Manford is the headline act but the laughs will be shared around with observational comic Hal Cruttenden, genius musical comic David O'Doherty and podcasting comedian Sally-Anne Hayward on the line-up.
Tickets are still available for the event, which starts at 5pm on Sunday, July 17 in Newport's Tredegar Park. Prices start from £33 for a single general admission ticket - and there are two-for-one offers and free tickets for carers available too.
Last entry is at 6pm. Tickets can be purchased here.
Cardiff World Naked Bike Ride
The World Naked Bike Ride is back in Cardiff - and this year, the theme is "as bare as you dare." Expect lots of body paint and lots of nude cyclists as the annual event takes to the streets.
You may not realise that the World Naked Bike Ride is actually a protest in support of cyclists' safety on the streets. By removing their clothes, the participants are highlighting how fragile a cyclist is in comparison to the cars they share the roads with.
You don't have to be naked to take part - and you don't have to take part at all to enjoy the spectacle. The ride starts at 2.30pm on Saturday, July 16 from Park Place in Cardiff. Riders will start gathering from 12.30pm though, so if you're planning to strip down in support of road safety, you might want to leave the extra two hours to get your body paint sorted.
Colour Clash
Newport's favourite paint-based music festival is back again! This isn't one for the kids - it's exclusively 18+ and all festivalgoers need ID - but it's shaping up to be a good one.
Tredegar Park will only have a few hours to recover before the Festival of Comedy starts, because Colour Clash is happening the night before at the same location. Doors are open from midday until 11pm but the website says the last entry time is 6pm.
The line-up includes Example, Basehunter and So Solid Crew. Tickets are still available here, starting from £41 (or £31 if you can find three mates to join the four-for-the-price-of-three offer with you).
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