Touring Wales

[middleagecyclist]

Hi

I am off on a week long cycling tour to Wales next month - somewhere I have never cycled before. I am starting from Cardiff and heading generally north but intend to keep my daily route loose and flexible. I am looking for ideas for great trails and roads I could undertake. I will be on a touring bike and carrying camping gear.

Many thanks for any advice.

 

[Zoof]

Hi

I am off on a week long cycling tour to Wales next month - somewhere I have never cycled before. I am starting from Cardiff and heading generally north but intend to keep my daily route loose and flexible. I am looking for ideas for great trails and roads I could undertake. I will be on a touring bike and carrying camping gear.

Many thanks for any advice.

Hi just Wales is good for a tour but you may see some strange sights like this!

 

[middleagecyclist]

Hi just Wales is good for a tour but you may see some strange sights like this!

[attachment=4012:SKELL 4F3.jpg]

Thanks. Its the bare bones of an idea I suppose!

 

[Zoof]

Thanks. Its the bare bones of an idea I suppose!

good one: you can see it yourself in a Caernarfon charity shop

R 8 goes over 600 mt 5 or 6 times best to stick to the coast
then R 5 from Banger to Chester and back home.
Ooo watch out for the S bend going into Caernarfon on R8
I didn't so i got the Caernarfon gravel good luck Zoof

 

[ColinJ]

Learn how to say "Look mate, I understand what you are saying - pack it in!" in Welsh!

I got the Wild West stranger-walks-into-bar treatment when I went into a small village pub in Snowdonia with my then girlfriend. Everybody stopped talking, glared at me, leered at her and then began muttering obscene-sounding comments in Welsh. Made one feel quite unwelcome, did that!

 

[Je ta Dawes]

You are so spoilt for choice! Head north out of Cardiff up Sustrans route 8 (Lon Las Cymru) to Nantgarw and turn right and you are on route 4 – the Celtic Trail east, which you can follow to Newport or Chepstow or just spend a few days touring the many cycle trails and quiet back roads around the eastern valleys. Carry straight on from Nantgarw on route 8 to Pontypridd and turn left and you’re on Celtic Trail west, bit hilly at first but then you’re skirting the Vale of Glamorgan and heading for Swansea and some glorious coastal touring all the way to Pembrokeshire if you like but beware those westerly winds! Stick to route 8 all the way and 140 miles later you arrive in Holyhead but why go straight there when you can explore some of the best cycle touring in mid Wales – I’d recommend heading inland from Rhyader up past the Elan Valley reservoirs and down the Ystwyth valley (see Guardian/Observer website for a recent article by Robert Penn extolling the virtues of this route). Treat yourself to a stay at Dolgoch or Tyncornel youth Hostels – old style gems run by the Elenydd Wilderness Hostels Association. The locals are by and large friendly and remember to always wave at farmers! Hwyl a pob lwc!

 

[Zoof]

Learn how to say "Look mate, I understand what you are saying - pack it in!" in Welsh!

I got the Wild West stranger-walks-into-bar treatment when I went into a small village pub in Snowdonia with my then girlfriend. Everybody stopped talking, glared at me, leered at her and then began muttering obscene-sounding comments in Welsh. Made one feel quite unwelcome, did that!

Colin;;;;;;; yes there are sensitive areas, same as Mosside.
But Wales overall is great for a tour.
Don’t put the guy off because of one bad incident you have had.



If you want to talk about the bad politics of Wales start a new thread.
I know all about the North, more than most; but have not wished to stir up trouble (on my own)!
May be it's time to give it an airing?
But this is not the time and place.

 

[gavroche]

If you feel energetic, you must take the A5 from Betws y coed to Capel Curing and then the A4086 and A498 to Beddgelert. It is a very scenic road well worth the effort. Good luck.

 

[ColinJ]

Colin;;;;;;; yes there are sensitive areas, same as Mosside.
But Wales overall is great for a tour.

Don’t put the guy off because of one bad incident you have had.

If you want to talk about the bad politics of Wales start a new thread.
I know all about the North, more than most; but have not wished to stir up trouble (on my own)!

May be it's time to give it an airing?
But this is not the time and place.

Oops - it was meant to be a slightly jokey remark (though based on a real experience), but I take your point and I won't do it again!

Yes, you wouldn't catch me going to a pub in Moss Side and I had the same Wild West stranger-walks-into-bar experience when I entered a pub in Salford, only I could actually understand what the locals were saying and I didn't feel like hanging about in there. I'd just got served when I heard some muttered threats so I drank my pint and was out of the door within 15 seconds!

To make amends for my original remark - I went back to pretty much the same area (near Dolgellau) about 10 years later and had a great trip (mountain biking and walking). The scenery is fantastic, as were 99% of the people I met there.

 

[middleagecyclist]

...I entered a pub in Salford, only I could actually understand what the locals were saying and I didn't feel like hanging about in there. I'd just got served when I heard some muttered threats so I drank my pint and was out of the door within 15 seconds!

Oi!! I grew up in Salford. What yu talkin bout?

Anyway, I quite fancy a bit of a Wild West Wales experience. One of those things which makes cycle touring fun - meeting the locals! And all just a short train ride away.

 

[lukesdad]

Locals friendly ? Grrrr !

 

[middleagecyclist]

If you feel energetic, you must take the A5 from Betws y coed to Capel Curing and then the A4086 and A498 to Beddgelert. It is a very scenic road well worth the effort. Good luck.

Thanks. I know the road but have only driven it before.

 

[middleagecyclist]

You are so spoilt for choice! Head north out of Cardiff up Sustrans route 8 (Lon Las Cymru) to Nantgarw and turn right and you are on route 4 – the Celtic Trail east, which you can follow to Newport or Chepstow or just spend a few days touring the many cycle trails and quiet back roads around the eastern valleys. Carry straight on from Nantgarw on route 8 to Pontypridd and turn left and you’re on Celtic Trail west, bit hilly at first but then you’re skirting the Vale of Glamorgan and heading for Swansea and some glorious coastal touring all the way to Pembrokeshire if you like but beware those westerly winds! Stick to route 8 all the way and 140 miles later you arrive in Holyhead but why go straight there when you can explore some of the best cycle touring in mid Wales – I’d recommend heading inland from Rhyader up past the Elan Valley reservoirs and down the Ystwyth valley (see Guardian/Observer website for a recent article by Robert Penn extolling the virtues of this route). Treat yourself to a stay at Dolgoch or Tyncornel youth Hostels – old style gems run by the Elenydd Wilderness Hostels Association. The locals are by and large friendly and remember to always wave at farmers! Hwyl a pob lwc!

lots of great suggestions. Thanks ever so much.

 

[Angelfishsolo]

I am Welsh and have had the same in a few places in North Wales. Just have to man up and accept the fact I guess. That or run

Learn how to say "Look mate, I understand what you are saying - pack it in!" in Welsh!

I got the Wild West stranger-walks-into-bar treatment when I went into a small village pub in Snowdonia with my then girlfriend. Everybody stopped talking, glared at me, leered at her and then began muttering obscene-sounding comments in Welsh. Made one feel quite unwelcome, did that!

 

[Angelfishsolo]

I have the Lon Las Trail map from Sustrans (for what it's worth). If you like I'll scan it and e-mail it to you (in sectins as I only have an A4 scanner). PM details if interested

Hi

I am off on a week long cycling tour to Wales next month - somewhere I have never cycled before. I am starting from Cardiff and heading generally north but intend to keep my daily route loose and flexible. I am looking for ideas for great trails and roads I could undertake. I will be on a touring bike and carrying camping gear.

Many thanks for any advice.