St Gwynno forest, sheepdog trials

Today’s ride is national cycle route 47 to Glyncorwg, and I have a riding partner for this stretch! The first section after it branches off from the Taff trail (route 8) is a fast, well paved path along the Nant Clydach river, as it climbs gently toward its source. Soon enough this transitions to steep backroads and forest trails.

As we climbed the rough track through St Gwynno forest we saw that sheepdog trials were taking place. Naturally I was curious as to what the charges were, whether the jury would be stacked with colies or represent a broader cross section of dogs; is the prosecutor a sheep? Whatever the case, it seemed likely the defence's evidence would be barking, so some ruff justice would be dealt out.

At the top of the hill was the first stile requiring that we take all our bags off the bikes to get past. Sadly the first of many on this route. Since we had to stop to negotiate the stile we stopped for a snack and a sit in the sun.Read more