Wales Cycle routes 81 and 82 - road bike?

[pjw_md]

Hi all, I'm thinking of attempting NCN routes 81 and 82 (from Fishguard to Shrewsbury) in a few weeks time, but am really struggling to find out whether the route is suitable for a road bike. I can see from the mapping that some aspects are off-road, but really need to know whether these sections will be ok for my road bike. I'd be very grateful for thoughts/advice from anyone who has cycled these routes before.
Thanks

 

[vernon]

You can always get off and push....

 

[pjw_md]

Fine if it's mile or two.. Less so if it's 10 miles!

 

[lukesdad]

Hi all, I'm thinking of attempting NCN routes 81 and 82 (from Fishguard to Shrewsbury) in a few weeks time, but am really struggling to find out whether the route is suitable for a road bike. I can see from the mapping that some aspects are off-road, but really need to know whether these sections will be ok for my road bike. I'd be very grateful for thoughts/advice from anyone who has cycled these routes before.
Thanks

Give us a link and I might be able to help you with the southern part.

 

[pjw_md]

http://www.sustrans.org.uk/what-we-...istance-rides/wales/lon-cambria-and-lon-teifi

This is the link to the routes. Any thoughts gratefully received!

 

[Brommyboy]

I rode this on my Brompton some years ago. Only one section of about 1 mile was unridable then, on the approach to Aberystwyth. I believe that has been changed. Do expect stiff climbs. I recall two 1:4. heading towards Shrewsbury.

 

[Richard Fairhurst]

NCN 81: gravelly, slippy forest track bit west of Cwmystwyth; you'll probably be ok but you might want to stay on the roughly parallel road. If you're carrying on into Aberystwyth there's a steep push up to the railway track soon afterwards (even on a hybrid), but if you're going straight to Fishguard there's no problem.

NCN 82: short bridleway approaching Nevern is definitely not road bike territory, but you can follow the A road.

Otherwise no problems.

NCN 81 is a great route. NCN 82 has some lovely moments (particularly the Gwaun Valley between Newport and Fishguard) but in some places is, I think, a bit more heavily trafficed than an NCN route should be. If you're comfortable with busy B roads that's fine, but I'd suggest taking a southerly detour at Newcastle Emlyn, over the hill to Cwm Cych, then down the valley to rejoin the route at Penrhiw.