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
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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
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