September 2016

Lon Las Cymru

A short but fine adventure by Rachel Read more

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Trip start
September 18, 2016
Lon Las Cymru Rachel Calder
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Day 1
Sunday, September 18, 2016 at 7:06 PM
⛅ 16 °C
Altitude: Sea level
Wales Roath Basin 51.46322, -3.1641551°27’48” N 3°9’51” W
Taff Trail begins
September 18, 2016 in Wales ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C
Like some sort of foolhardy adventurer I was off into the unknown deepest darkest Wales, starting at Roald Dahl Plass in Cardiff Bay. Only 50 miles to do today, over some of Wales' finest hills, and with knees not quite recovered from the Lake District leg of the coast to coast walk. Better get going then...Read more
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Lon Las Cymru Rachel Calder
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Day 1
Sunday, September 18, 2016 at 7:11 PM
⛅ 16 °C
Altitude: 344 ft
Wales Taff's Well 51.53583, -3.2548251°32’9” N 3°15’17” W
Castling move
September 18, 2016 in Wales ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C
Coming out of Cardiff was like a 10 mile stretch of park. I cycled through walkers, cyclists and saw Sunday football, but the sheer number of people out for the morning meant that I struggled to average 10 mph. Must get faster - hills are waiting...

The guide I read said there was an optional (note - optional) hilly and off road part of the route past Castell Coch. I made a careful mental note not to take said optional route so was somewhat surprised to find myself in front of said Castell. I'm not yet good at Welsh. Castell pretty clearly means Castle (well - look at it!) I'll leave you to come up with your own translation for Coch.Read more
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Lon Las Cymru Rachel Calder
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Day 1
Sunday, September 18, 2016 at 7:15 PM
⛅ 15 °C
Altitude: 210 ft
Wales Pontypridd Railway Station 51.60077, -3.3423151°36’3” N 3°20’32” W
Pont over the Pridd
September 18, 2016 in Wales ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C
After enjoying some of Wales' finest disused railways I found myself at Pontypridd. The bridge involves a 100 yard detour from the prescribed National Cycle Network route, and given the state of my knees I felt it important to share this evidence of my commitment to bridges which are clearly built too high.Read more
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Lon Las Cymru Rachel Calder
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Day 1
Sunday, September 18, 2016 at 7:21 PM
⛅ 15 °C
Altitude: 538 ft
Wales Glamorganshire Canal 51.74873, -3.3816551°44’55” N 3°22’54” W
Full of Merthyr
September 18, 2016 in Wales ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C
The National Cycle Network is usually pretty good at taking you past the best parts of town, so I planned a lunch stop in Merthyr Tydfil and was somewhat surprised to find we had passed it without seeing any of the centre.

I had cycled through some areas with clearly very poor families just before Merthyr but was clearly going to be denied my planned lunch there.

Not to be undone, I took a break at the site of the former largest metal works in Wales and had some peanuts and a snack bar. Hopefully I will pass a shop soon...Read more
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Lon Las Cymru Rachel Calder
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Day 1
Sunday, September 18, 2016 at 7:24 PM
⛅ 14 °C
Altitude: 682 ft
Wales Cefn-coed-y-cymmer 51.76155, -3.4029751°45’42” N 3°24’11” W
Viaduct sandwiches
September 18, 2016 in Wales ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C
It's quite cool to cycle over a disused viaduct and this was quite a biggy. Cefncoed delivered a sandwich shop (hoorah) and had a wedding in progress so all in all got my vote for top Welsh town with big viaduct.Read more
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Lon Las Cymru Rachel Calder
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Day 1
Sunday, September 18, 2016 at 7:37 PM
🌙 14 °C
Altitude: 377 ft
Wales Talybont 51.89489, -3.288851°53’42” N 3°17’20” W
Filling my reservoir
September 18, 2016 in Wales ⋅ 🌙 14 °C
I decided to save my sandwich and headed uphill towards the Tal Fechan forest. I met a Welsh cyclist en route and we cycled together for a mile or so. I could understand some of what he said (I originally thought he was speaking in Welsh) and vice versa which actually meant we got on rather well.

My bike had decided that it didn't like the hill gear front cog which was troubling as we were fast approaching the really hilly bit.

I said goodbye to my new cycling friend and disappeared off on a forest trail.

I was still clutching my sandwich with plans of egg mayo with a view but ended up sitting in a sunny spot on the forest trail. Lunch was only interrupted by walkers with a dog who was very interested in me. 'That isn't for you' the owner said seconds before his dog and I had a tustle over who got the remaining egg sandwich. I won but was only a nano second away from slobber sandwich. Even I wasn't that hungry.

The photos are from the highest point today just after lunch.Read more
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Lon Las Cymru Rachel Calder
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Day 1
Sunday, September 18, 2016 at 7:45 PM
🌙 14 °C
Altitude: 741 ft
Wales Talybont-on-Usk 51.85613, -3.3079451°51’22” N 3°18’29” W
Cruising on Talybont reservoir
September 18, 2016 in Wales ⋅ 🌙 14 °C
Things were all going so well on the navigation front until I missed a right turn and added two miles to the trip at Neuadd. I was pretty tired by this point so the timing wasn't great. However, things then got much better.

I had seen that the final couple of miles today were downhill, but didn't expect this. The route followed a disused railway which had a slight gradient downhill so that I travelled for about 2 miles literally without pedalling at all. Brilliant. I forced myself to stop mid free wheel to take this photo of the stunning Talybont reservoir.

I then followed the pathside signs rather than my map and ended up on an 1800s tramway direct to today's final destination Talybont. Great apart from the most bumpy ride yet. The bike survived - I think.Read more
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Lon Las Cymru Rachel Calder
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Day 1
Sunday, September 18, 2016 at 7:46 PM
🌙 14 °C
Altitude: 377 ft
Wales Talybont 51.89489, -3.288851°53’42” N 3°17’20” W
Talybont Ho
September 18, 2016 in Wales ⋅ 🌙 14 °C
Made it to Talybont. The water is very brown and the bridge doesn't stay down (song anyone?) but otherwise a beautiful spot.
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Lon Las Cymru Rachel Calder
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Day 1
Sunday, September 18, 2016 at 7:47 PM
🌙 14 °C
Altitude: 374 ft
Wales Talybont 51.89494, -3.2891351°53’42” N 3°17’21” W
Alimentary canal
September 18, 2016 in Wales ⋅ 🌙 14 °C
Pub for dinner right next to the canal in Talybont. By a happy coincidence it was the only place in the village serving food on a Sunday. Okay, not exactly a coincidence as I had walked to all the other (two) pubs first. Still, good to get my steps up (6846 today) to make sure I get enough exercise.

Let's see what the knees say to my plans for tomorrow...Read more
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Lon Las Cymru Rachel Calder
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Day 2
Monday, September 19, 2016 at 1:04 PM
☀️ 14 °C
Altitude: 364 ft
Wales Talybont 51.89643, -3.2909851°53’47” N 3°17’28” W
Cycling in the clouds
September 19, 2016 in Wales ⋅ ☀️ 14 °C
A damp start this morning from Talybont but got some good views of the clouds in the hills.
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Lon Las Cymru Rachel Calder
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Day 2
Monday, September 19, 2016 at 1:08 PM
☀️ 15 °C
Altitude: 472 ft
Wales Brecon Castle 51.94895, -3.3914651°56’56” N 3°23’29” W
Still phal to go
September 19, 2016 in Wales ⋅ ☀️ 15 °C
Got to test out the rain coverings this morning with a wet ride along a canal tow path.

I passed through Brecon and this curry house which is where my friend Tim (for whom I was best man) dared to try a Bangalore Phal curry. He lived to tell the tale.Read more
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Day 2
Monday, September 19, 2016 at 1:10 PM
☀️ 14 °C
Altitude: 679 ft
Wales Felin Fach 51.99038, -3.2842651°59’25” N 3°17’3” W
Small horse power
September 19, 2016 in Wales ⋅ ☀️ 14 °C
Superb views and little horses as I climbed steeply out of Brecon.
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Lon Las Cymru Rachel Calder
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Day 2
Monday, September 19, 2016 at 1:12 PM
☀️ 14 °C
Altitude: 679 ft
Wales Felin Fach 51.99038, -3.2842651°59’25” N 3°17’3” W
Green roads
September 19, 2016 in Wales ⋅ ☀️ 14 °C
Some lovely mossy lanes near the quaint village of Talgarth.
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Lon Las Cymru Rachel Calder
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Day 2
Monday, September 19, 2016 at 1:14 PM
☀️ 14 °C
Altitude: 325 ft
Wales Hay Castle 52.07365, -3.1266352°4’25” N 3°7’36” W
Coffee surprise
September 19, 2016 in Wales ⋅ ☀️ 14 °C
I was keen for an Islamic State tea at Hay on Wye but ISIS were closed today.
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Day 2
Monday, September 19, 2016 at 8:56 PM
🌙 13 °C
Altitude: 351 ft
Wales Erwood 52.07795, -3.3164852°4’41” N 3°18’59” W
Stationary
September 19, 2016 in Wales ⋅ 🌙 13 °C
A well earned coffee break at Erwood disused station, now an art gallery and tea room. After comparing route notes with some (motor) bikers it was back to the road.
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Day 3
Tuesday, September 20, 2016 at 7:05 PM
☀️ 14 °C
Altitude: 400 ft
Wales Irfon 52.15002, -3.4045952°9’0” N 3°24’17” W
Sheepish in Buith
September 20, 2016 in Wales ⋅ ☀️ 14 °C
A brilliant B and B called Erris Villa in Buith provided home for the night. I ate in a pub where I was the only customer (apparently Monday's are quiet in Buith) having avoided the Indian on the advice of Erris Villa (rat infestation).

Over breakfast I found out why people were driving around with small numbers of sheep in their car. A fellow guest was a farmer in town for the sheep auction. Apparently you can expect to pay up to 8 grand per sheep!Read more
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Lon Las Cymru Rachel Calder
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Day 3
Tuesday, September 20, 2016 at 7:10 PM
☀️ 12 °C
Altitude: 827 ft
Wales Foel Fadian 52.55, -3.7333352°33’0” N 3°43’60” W
The longest day
September 20, 2016 in Wales ⋅ ☀️ 12 °C
Fifty-five miles today and I woke up with sore knees. Not a good start.

Good weather though - no wind and light clouds.

The morning took me down some beautiful single track roads, and I lunched at Llangurig.

After lunch, it really got hilly. The rewards were after the top with some stunning views and a long downhill waiting for me.Read more
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Lon Las Cymru Rachel Calder
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Day 3
Tuesday, September 20, 2016 at 7:14 PM
🌙 13 °C
Altitude: 59 ft
Wales Machynlleth 52.59028, -3.8524752°35’25” N 3°51’9” W
Mad in Machy
September 20, 2016 in Wales ⋅ 🌙 13 °C
The day's ride ended in former Welsh capital Machynlleth. I can't pronounce it, so was pleased to find that locals call it Machy.

Home of the Welsh museum of modern art 'MOMA' (closed when I was in town), Machy had a very different vibe to Buith.

I wanted an Indian but now nervous of rats opted for a safer pizza.Read more
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Day 3
Tuesday, September 20, 2016 at 7:16 PM
🌙 13 °C
Altitude: 59 ft
Wales Machynlleth 52.59028, -3.8524752°35’25” N 3°51’9” W
Machy is growing on me
September 20, 2016 in Wales ⋅ 🌙 13 °C
An interesting idea in Machy - a food trail with a difference. It is made up of different edible crops.
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Lon Las Cymru Rachel Calder
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Day 4
Wednesday, September 21, 2016 at 12:45 PM
☀️ 16 °C
Altitude: 210 ft
Wales Corris 52.63717, -3.835152°38’14” N 3°50’6” W
Steep start
September 21, 2016 in Wales ⋅ ☀️ 16 °C
Some early morning climbing out of Machy but I was rewarded with the view.
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Day 4
Wednesday, September 21, 2016 at 12:49 PM
☀️ 16 °C
Altitude: 351 ft
Wales Aberllefenni 52.67318, -3.8178752°40’23” N 3°49’4” W
Slated for closure?
September 21, 2016 in Wales ⋅ ☀️ 16 °C
I cycled past what was one of the world's largest slate mines, with some operations on site still going.

The first photo shows what was the site office, now undergoing renovation.

There is so much slate lying around it gets used for fences instead of wood.Read more
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Lon Las Cymru Rachel Calder
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Day 4
Wednesday, September 21, 2016 at 12:51 PM
☀️ 16 °C
Altitude: 351 ft
Wales Aberllefenni 52.67318, -3.8178752°40’23” N 3°49’4” W
Up the top
September 21, 2016 in Wales ⋅ ☀️ 16 °C
The steepest hills so far this morning meant pushing the bike but the views were great.
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Day 4
Wednesday, September 21, 2016 at 12:53 PM
☀️ 16 °C
Altitude: 72 ft
Wales Llanelltyd 52.74642, -3.9379352°44’47” N 3°56’17” W
The bridge tolls for thee
September 21, 2016 in Wales ⋅ ☀️ 16 °C
I stopped at Dolgellau for tea and then passed this toll bridge on the disused railway path to Barmouth.
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Day 4
Wednesday, September 21, 2016 at 12:55 PM
☀️ 16 °C
Altitude: 30 ft
Wales Barmouth Junction 52.72287, -4.0560952°43’22” N 4°3’22” W
Barmouth bound
September 21, 2016 in Wales ⋅ ☀️ 16 °C
A mile of railway bridge, mostly wooden, got me to Barmouth.
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Day 4
Wednesday, September 21, 2016 at 6:15 PM
☀️ 15 °C
Altitude: 200 ft
Wales Harlech Castle 52.85889, -4.1078652°51’32” N 4°6’28” W
Dry stone microwave
September 21, 2016 in Wales ⋅ ☀️ 15 °C
Liked this addition to a dry stone wall en route. Plus some photos of the views on the way to Porthmadog.
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