Taff Trail begins
18 de setembro de 2016, País de Gales ⋅ ⛅ 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, andLeia mais
Castling move
18 de setembro de 2016, País de Gales ⋅ ⛅ 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 toLeia mais
Pont over the Pridd
18 de setembro de 2016, País de Gales ⋅ ⛅ 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 myLeia mais
Full of Merthyr
18 de setembro de 2016, País de Gales ⋅ ⛅ 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 withoutLeia mais
Viaduct sandwiches
18 de setembro de 2016, País de Gales ⋅ ⛅ 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 withLeia mais
Filling my reservoir
18 de setembro de 2016, País de Gales ⋅ 🌙 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 (ILeia mais
Cruising on Talybont reservoir
18 de setembro de 2016, País de Gales ⋅ 🌙 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,Leia mais
Talybont Ho
18 de setembro de 2016, País de Gales ⋅ 🌙 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.
Alimentary canal
18 de setembro de 2016, País de Gales ⋅ 🌙 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 theLeia mais
Cycling in the clouds
19 de setembro de 2016, País de Gales ⋅ ☀️ 14 °C
A damp start this morning from Talybont but got some good views of the clouds in the hills.
Still phal to go
19 de setembro de 2016, País de Gales ⋅ ☀️ 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 toLeia mais
Small horse power
19 de setembro de 2016, País de Gales ⋅ ☀️ 14 °C
Superb views and little horses as I climbed steeply out of Brecon.
Green roads
19 de setembro de 2016, País de Gales ⋅ ☀️ 14 °C
Some lovely mossy lanes near the quaint village of Talgarth.
Coffee surprise
19 de setembro de 2016, País de Gales ⋅ ☀️ 14 °C
I was keen for an Islamic State tea at Hay on Wye but ISIS were closed today.
Stationary
19 de setembro de 2016, País de Gales ⋅ 🌙 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.
Sheepish in Buith
20 de setembro de 2016, País de Gales ⋅ ☀️ 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 theLeia mais
The longest day
20 de setembro de 2016, País de Gales ⋅ ☀️ 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 atLeia mais
Mad in Machy
20 de setembro de 2016, País de Gales ⋅ 🌙 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 inLeia mais
Machy is growing on me
20 de setembro de 2016, País de Gales ⋅ 🌙 13 °C
An interesting idea in Machy - a food trail with a difference. It is made up of different edible crops.
Steep start
21 de setembro de 2016, País de Gales ⋅ ☀️ 16 °C
Some early morning climbing out of Machy but I was rewarded with the view.
Slated for closure?
21 de setembro de 2016, País de Gales ⋅ ☀️ 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 muchLeia mais
Up the top
21 de setembro de 2016, País de Gales ⋅ ☀️ 16 °C
The steepest hills so far this morning meant pushing the bike but the views were great.
The bridge tolls for thee
21 de setembro de 2016, País de Gales ⋅ ☀️ 16 °C
I stopped at Dolgellau for tea and then passed this toll bridge on the disused railway path to Barmouth.
Barmouth bound
21 de setembro de 2016, País de Gales ⋅ ☀️ 16 °C
A mile of railway bridge, mostly wooden, got me to Barmouth.
Dry stone microwave
21 de setembro de 2016, País de Gales ⋅ ☀️ 15 °C
Liked this addition to a dry stone wall en route. Plus some photos of the views on the way to Porthmadog.















































