Where would you recommend cycling in Wales?

[Ice2911]

Well, I live in Fishguard and I can recommend Pembrokeshire for it's great scenery, quiet roads and good eateries. Other Cymru dwellers also reside here so they will no doubt have positive thoughts on their own locals.

In general though, the further west you go the better it is IMO.

Thanks smokin Joe, I will have a good look in those areas. I appreciate your time.

 

[Ice2911]

I'm assuming this is on road bikes.
Here are a few ideas.
Llanidloes loop - Mac, Borth, Devil's Bridge, Rhayader
Can take off a few miles by staying on the A487 rather than getting to the coast. Hafren Forest option on the way to Staylittle. The Elan Reservoirs road is nice but you could stay on the direct road into Rhayader (save a few more miles).
As @Smokin Joe says, Pembrokeshire is nice (and add on west Carmarthenshire/SW Cardigan). A good loop would take in the Presellis, St David's and the coast road round to Marloes. How about this:
Haverfordwest loop - Presellis, Fishguard, St David's, Skomer (view!)
And one from north and west from Brecon:
Brecon loop - Garth, Tregaron, Pumsaint, Black Mountain
Careful you don't spend too much time on the road (van) at the expense of more time on the road (bike).

Ajax Bay, yes we are on road bikes and it will not be as loaded as the last time you helped me out with a route. I'll have a good look at these. Many thanks for your help as always.

 

[Ice2911]

I hope you're not planning on going this year, it will be cold, wet and grim and taking your mate there now would indicate you don't like him at all, so I assume you mean next spring/summer.

I don't live there now but I was brought up in Mid Wales, and its absolutely brilliant cycling there. In addition to the above I would highly recommend cycling through the Elan Valley, its jaw droppingly pretty. Here's a ride I did taking in the Elan Valley and includes a fantastic long deserted descent towards Aberystwyth that I would highly recommend. View: https://ridewithgps.com/trips/638956
. In fact if you want to see some pics/vids to give you an idea, here's a youtube clip I did of the 7 miins downhill descent towards Aberystwyth, road surfaces on the back lanes can be a bit sketchy but the lack of cars is a joy. I did'nt bother adding a sound track so turn the volume down, put on some music of your choice and enjoy:

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xr4ByqezeqA&t=10s

I did more vid clips from that ride, so if you want some other scenery pics of that ride check some of the other vids.

Powys in general is great and as long as you avoid the main roads like the A470 it will feel like you've got it almost all to yourself. It is hilly though, those old drovers roads/lanes go route one up hills, none of this meandering 6-7% alpine lark, there's 20% hills all over the place so I'd advise a compact or a large ratio cassette.

I'm more of fan of going down hills myself, here's a ride I did a few years ago, I specifically chose at it has two 7 mile descents in, you could do in reverse if you want to go up them rather than down. The start/stop areas of these rides is where my mum lives so you'll want to avoid that or she'll put you to work in the garden!. But it will give you an idea: View: https://ridewithgps.com/trips/4753728


Bwylch y Groes is a famous hill near Lake Bala and Lake Vyrnwy that Morris used to test their cars hill climbing ability, and the cycle from the top of there down to lake Bala is one of my favourite cycling descents ever, and cycling all around that area is lovely. And if you want another epic out in the wilds climb the Devils Staircase is another must. If you are near the borders with Shropshire you should cycle up or I prefer down the Long Mynd and the Stiperstones. That should be enough for an epic tour, or at least give you some options to consider.

And here's a ride I did to see artist David Nash's ash dome near Blaenau Ffestiniog (not open to the public) and includes some lovely pics in and around Snowdonia and the coast near Borth mentioned above, the weather that day was amazing, I should stress its not always like that!

https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/your-ride-today.173254/post-4435114

If its dry and sunny cycling there is hard to beat. If you go please report back with pics and reports so I can get all nostalgic.

Many thanks Booze and cake, that sums up most of my rides nicely. I will have a good look at these and try and avoid your Mums although Steve has his own gardening business so I could get him to leave his tools in the van..this is for July next year but Steve likes to plan well ahead of time. Thanks again

 

[Ice2911]

Powys is fantastic to cycle round but as others say, it's dam hilly. I live there. Get off the main roads though and the lanes can feel as if you are the only one around for miles.

Oswestry has good well used cycle paths along the canal. Then there is lake Bala, and of course as has been said the Mach loop. Also coed-y-brenin is a great place if you want to do some mountain biking. There is a lot of forest around mach and MTB fans flock there in the summer. There is some good biking to be had in and around Barmouth as well, but there could be lots of people around dependimg on the time of year that you go.

Welsh dragon, thanks for the recommendations. We are looking forward to some car free roads if possible.

 

[Ice2911]

I did this Pembrokeshire loop earlier this year http://cycle.travel/map/journey/35409 which was excellent fun although very very tiring. It would be tempting to do in the other direction so you finish with the gentler rail trail instead of the lumpy stuff, but then you'd miss sunset over Carew Castle.

Thanks for the route, I will hav a good look, you can't beat a good sunrise/set

 

[Ice2911]

Everyone has their favourites! It's hard to go too far wrong in Wales if you enjoy climbing.

One thing I would say is don't automatically dismiss the Valleys of South Wales. You don't have to spend a complete day there - you can easily make a foray from the Brecon Beacons, as in this loop from Sennybridge which includes a bit of everything:

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/26601404

As you prepare to sweep down to Treorchy in the Rhondda Valley you'll be rewarded with this (seen in a 1987 photo I've posted before):

View attachment 387150

Thanks for the route, I will have a good look. Great photo!

 

[Ice2911]

When I did Lôn Las Cymru a few years ago my favourite stretch was the climb up to Gospel Pass. It was a challenging climb up a lovely quiet road with a view from the top that was worth every crank of the pedals.

Thanks hoop driver, I have looked at the Lon Las Cymru but think we need circular routes this trip. Maybe the full route when we have more time. Thanks again for the recommendation

 

[Ice2911]

The Elan Valley near Rhayader takes some beating.

Thanks for the recommendation, I will have a good look

 

[Ice2911]

Presceli and Plynlimon, Gospel Pass, Devil's Staircase.

Thanks for the recommendations, I will have a good look.

 

[Ice2911]

Worth considering the valleys in south Wales. Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion in the West and Llyn Brianne and the Elan valley in mid Wales. If you love climbing I'd really recommend Bwlch Y Groes as others have said, it's a climb that's worth having a go at but make sure to approach from Dinas Mawddwy for the full brutality!

I hope that climb you are recommending doesn't have the 40% as in your pictures I appreciate the recommendations.

 

[Ice2911]

+1 for Lôn Las Cymru. I know not everyone is mad about following set routes, but I liked it alot and there's a bit of everything in there. Didn't do Gospel Pass tho, went up the Taff from Cardiff and thru Pontypridd and Merthyr.

It would probably work out about 80 miles a day over 3 days.

Thanks for your help and advice.

 

[Ice2911]

If you get the chance, by all means do the Taff trail.

Part of it is on one of my favourite Jaunts - I follow it up as far as Pontsticill reservoir, before returning home, passing the Mountain Railway station, Pant, Dowlais Top and then Fochriw common.

https://www.strava.com/routes/5628435

I've been planning to do the same route, by continuing on past Talybont, up to the Brecon and following the Monmouth-shire canal back down as far as possible.

https://www.strava.com/routes/5919738

Another planned route is to do the same, but turning back at Llangynidr

https://www.strava.com/routes/5428307

Very popular for roadies, but that's one hell of a climb for an MTB, so I have yet to brave it

I appreciate the routes, I will have a good look at these, thanks again

 

[Ice2911]

Some great riding in Mid Wales. Off many peoples radar and outside the busier national parks.

Thanks for your advice

 

[huwsparky]

I hope that climb you are recommending doesn't have the 40% as in your pictures I appreciate the recommendations.

No, that sign is at the side of the castle in Harlech. And to be honest it isn't long enough to make it difficult but it's pretty steep!

 

[Banjo]

This is the route of the Cambrian Sportive about 85 miles taking in the Elan Valley and Nant Y Moch . Very Scenic lots of climbing. We did it as a Cyclechat forum ride about 5 years ago. Fabulous day out. https://ridewithgps.com/routes/163565

This one uses roads used on the Dragon Sportive. w e did something similar as another Cyclechat group ride a few years back. Another great day out. It takes in the Bwlch climb and the Rhigos climb plus the Devils elbow climb in the Beacons. Take your camera . https://ridewithgps.com/routes/1948653

PS the route shows starting at Pencoed starting at Blackmill would cut out the less interesting bit also I would stay on the road A4061 instead of using the path to Nantymoel as shown on the route.