Cycling to Cardiff route help

[The Brewer]

I usually kinda go out and use the roads I know or get lost and use the phone to get me back on track.
I need better goals for this year and my buddy and I are planning further afield jaunts. So after basic training to regain fitness we plan a few longer rides. First up is Barmouth and back to Wrexham, about 120miles on roads we know well, then we plan to do Cardiff in June, about 150miles and home on the train.
I've not been to Cardiff since 1980 on a school trip, so I'm a bit stuck with a route. I think we'll head to Shrewsbury, Leominster, Hereford, Abergavenny, Newport, Cardiff.
Any advice south of Shrewsbury appreciated.
Sean

 

[andytheflyer]

Yes, keep off the A49!

 

[Banjo]

Rather than coming into Cardiff from Newport which is oK but not the most pleasant route,if you came in via Brecon or Merthyr the scenery is more interesting and A and B roads are ok The A470is ok as far as Merthyr but then becomes a motorway in all but name but the old A4054 runs parralel to it the final 8miles from Tongwynlais could be done on the Taff Trail which is a smooth path easilly ridden on a road bike gently downhill right into the center of Cardiff. You could continue along the route another 2 miles to Cardiff Bay which is the waterfront pub and restraunt area.

 

[Richard Fairhurst]

No shortage of lovely roads round there!

Going east of the A49, stopping in at Leominster and Hereford, is very "pastoral" - some very quiet lanes. Something more or less along these lines is what I'd do: http://cycle.travel/map/journey/6655 . Hereford-Abergavenny suffers from the usual Welsh problem that the A-road steals the valley, forcing the quiet NCN route up onto the hills, but if you're too knackered for more climbing then you can brave the lorries on the A465 as far as Pandy, then follow the western side of the valley into Abergavenny.

Abergavenny to Cardiff's easy: you can follow the canal towpath all the way to Newport, then across the levels to Cardiff (flat though can be windy!). Otherwise, here's plenty of good cycle routes in the Valleys - Abergavenny over to Brynmawr is a superb ride.

Alternatively, you could stay west of the A49, which is a bit hillier but the scenery is superb. My favourite cut-through here is via Lingen in Herefordshire - saves a lot of climbing. There aren't many crossings of the Wye but if you head for Bredwardine you'll be ok. This brings you out on the A465 at Pontrilas from where the same applies as before. Suggested route: http://cycle.travel/map/journey/6654

(And here's a pic from last time I cycled that way! https://twitter.com/richardf/status/424976131817615360)

 

[The Brewer]

Thanks for the help, need to sit down and plan route now
Cheers Sean

 

[The Brewer]

No shortage of lovely roads round there!

Going east of the A49, stopping in at Leominster and Hereford, is very "pastoral" - some very quiet lanes. Something more or less along these lines is what I'd do: http://cycle.travel/map/journey/6655 . Hereford-Abergavenny suffers from the usual Welsh problem that the A-road steals the valley, forcing the quiet NCN route up onto the hills, but if you're too knackered for more climbing then you can brave the lorries on the A465 as far as Pandy, then follow the western side of the valley into Abergavenny.

Abergavenny to Cardiff's easy: you can follow the canal towpath all the way to Newport, then across the levels to Cardiff (flat though can be windy!). Otherwise, here's plenty of good cycle routes in the Valleys - Abergavenny over to Brynmawr is a superb ride.

Alternatively, you could stay west of the A49, which is a bit hillier but the scenery is superb. My favourite cut-through here is via Lingen in Herefordshire - saves a lot of climbing. There aren't many crossings of the Wye but if you head for Bredwardine you'll be ok. This brings you out on the A465 at Pontrilas from where the same applies as before. Suggested route: http://cycle.travel/map/journey/6654

(And here's a pic from last time I cycled that way! https://twitter.com/richardf/status/424976131817615360)

Sorry Richard I'd not looked at the links properly on my phone, that's really useful and very helpful
Thanks Sean

 

[User6179]

Is this thread for real?, surely no one plans to go to wales ?

 

[The Brewer]

Is this thread for real?, surely no one plans to go to wales ?

Has some one been sniffing the barmaids apron

 

[User6179]

Has some one been sniffing the barmaids apron

I never get that close