Wales North to South?

[lukesdad]

Nope

 

[Ticktockmy]

Many years ago having a week to spare, I drew a line on the map from Chepstow to Conway and then rode as near to the Line as I could, it made for some interesting riding. overall the distance was about 140 miles, whilst I took a week, it could be done in 4 days.

 

[BigCam]

We stayed in a variety of B&Bs. Nothing booked in advance, we rolled up to the nearest tourist info and just found somewhere. The worst was an old cat lady in Dolgellau, hairs in the bed, cat poo on the carpet, but bikes in a shed. The best was Brecon Castle, where they wheeled our bikes into a conference room for the night and served up a gourmet breakfast in the morning...

 

[Banjo]

Last year a gang of us stayed in the New Inn at Newbridge on Wye on the A470 between Rhayader and Builth Wells. Reasonable prices and terrific breakfast. We used the bunkhouse but they also have b and b rooms above the pub. Evening meals in the pub were good as well.

Best not to set the fire alarm off as soon as you arrive though

 

[Crankarm]

Thanks for all your help and advice, keep it coming next question can anyone recommend any cyclist friendly B&B's on the route?

Tell you what, you need to go to Thomas Cook.

 

[Tail End Charlie]

The Horseshoe Guest House in Rhayader is good.

 

[Steve T]

This looks likely to be going ahead in June this year. Still looking for suitable accommodation.

 

[mattw]

Did Lon Las a while ago, mainly camping but stayed at a B&B for one night to recharge batteries. It was nice enough but all the carpets and sofas were white / cream and they didn't mix too well with a wet cyclist ! I suspect they've stopped taking LL'ers now !

 

[young Ed]

garmin is my only advice got one about a fortnight ago my very first one and now a swear by it!
you may experience one or two small flat sections on your trip only a km or so before you hit the next mountain so maybe worth adding a gear in just for those short flats!
Cheers Ed

 

[mcr]

For the bit between Builth and Bronllys, I can recommend a lovely, quiet alternative to the busy A470 on the opposite (east) bank of the Wye - a through-road, but partly on the route of the old railway line (old station and craft centre at Erwood), so nice and flat, and it brings you to the bridge near Boughrood to take you onwards towards Brecon. This may already be part of the NCN, but I tend to ignore such strictures and choose my own roads.

 

[Steve T]

When are you going?

My advice is still to get OS maps Landranger 1:50k. You should be able to plot a nice peaceful route avoiding pretty much all traffic and seeing some pretty stunning scenery. I bought a Sustrans map once for the C2C a few years back. I didn't find it particularly detailed or helpful, let alone anywhere near accurate enough. Plus it sent me down roads I felt were too busy/dangerous. I wouldn't buy another much less cycle on any of their routes unless it was along a separate cycle route/path Dutch style or it co-incided with a quiet lane/road I had found on my OS maps. I have toured quite a lot in Wales and now have quite a few OS Maps. I love them and wouldn't use anything else save for a Satmap or Garmin Montana which both have OS 1:50k mapping on. But paper OS maps I love.

For route there is supposed to be a good coastal cycle path from Porthmadog via Barmouth to Dolgellau. Not cycled it I am afraid although Julia B has walked some of it as I was watching her more than the scenery . Not stalking her but watching one of her excellent walking progs. Then from Dolgellau head for Machynlelth and from there you must take the mountain road up to Llyn Clywedog to join the B4518 going to Llanidloes. From here to Rhyader and then sustains route to Builth which is along quiet lanes except when you approach Builth Wells, but nothing too troublesome. Then from Builth down to Brecon and through the Brecon Beacons again use an OS Map to find quieter routes. It might be an idea to take a train from Merthyr to Cardiff as traffic volumes start increasing markedly unless anyone knows of any dedicated cycle routes?

Alternatively you could ride south from Machynlleth towards Devil's Bridge, Cwmystwyth then cut through the pretty Elan Valley across to Rhayader this way. This would be a nice climb on a road bike, not as steep as the mountain road from Machynlleth to Llanidloes but a longer climb and a great long down hill into Rhayader. Both good routes tbh. But take a look at an OS map for yourself. HTH.

Now I've looked at the ,maps I bought from Amazon this makes more sense _ many Thanks for your input - Steve