Cycle Wales

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After our mammoth cycle through France in 2002, Richard (my son) and I wanted a new challenge. Richard was talking about John O'Groats to Lands End but I fancied something a little closer; why not from Llandudno in North Wales to Cardiff?

Richard thought that sounded fine, but he wanted to cycle both ways. I decided one way was enough. So, he set off from Cardiff on Friday September 3rd in a northerly direction with a set of Sustrans maps. Needless to say, he succeeded in getting to North Wales in three days in spite of some pretty huge inclines and a day of drizzly rain.

I let the train take the strain and arrived in North Wales on September 6th during a heat wave! Yes, a heat wave.

I have had several e-mails asking about the best way to do this or a similar journey by bike. So, below is a sort of guide/advice note. I hope it helps.

"I think that you ought gradually to increase your daily distance. Have a go at up to 30 miles in half a day and see how you feel. I think that even on a mountain bike you should be looking at up to 70 or 80 miles a day without too many problems. Make sure you have good (semi slick) tyres that take a good pressure and hence have low rolling resistance. Also check out your overnight stops and have them in your phone so that you can advise them on your (delayed?) progress.

Sustrans is a good start, but we deviated according to how we felt and where the weather was coming from! Have a selection of large scale maps (maybe scanned and laminated) with you to cover changes of mind. Travel light with panniers (I borrowed mine) and most important of all, check out the weather forecast. We were lucky, cycling in pouring rain is miserable.

Avoid busy roads but if you need to save time, they are the ones that get you places faster! Catch 22.

It is good to travel with a partner, you can share the pain, the tools and spares (quite important) and the pleasure of a fast run down from a high mountain pass!

Above all, enjoy!"

First, the route: the red line shows the approximate route that Richard and I took on our way home. Richard, it has to be said, wanted more of a challenge, so he cycled all the way to North Wales as a sort of warming up operation.

We did it in three days, first night near Dolgellau, second in Rhayader.

Cardiff Station. My worldly possessions are in two panniers weighing around one stone. (14 lb, 6 kilos) Thus followed an uneventful journey to Llandudno via Arriva Trains.		Two changes were necessary. This was Crewe or was it Chester?
	Next day, 0900 and I met Rich at his hotel where he was preparing for his fourth day cycling; my first.		The view from the Deganwy Castle Hotel across the estuary to Conway.
We are on our way. About to cross the bridge to Conway, Deganwy and the Great Orme seen here and a blue, blue sky.		We cycle through Conway and down the western side of the estuary past Trefriw and Betys y Coed, along the A5 for a few miles, and then inland to Penmachno. Where, I hear you say?
	Maybe even Richard isn't sure. But I know exactly where we are as I often use this little known B road over the hills and avoiding the A 470 on its way south. Driving from North Wales to South Wales is not easy or quick. No motorway, just the A470 or variations thereof. The Sustrans cycle route, however, takes one through scenery that a motorist will never see. We weren't 100% faithful to Sustrans, but did have a cracking journey.		This is Wales in all its glory. Just a couple of hours from Manchester Airport and we are all on our own. No cars, few people and lots of great countryside.
The colours of the berries are positively autumnal.		We climb a narrow mountain road right up into...well, the middle of nowhere.
The views are lonely and rather special to those who like their scenery in the wild and bleak category. I think that includes myself: born in the high Pennines of North east Lancashire.
	Looking back from whence we came. Were we lucky with the weather, or what?		Not too long afterwards, we are back in the lush and green.
Approaching Transfynydd from the North.		Leaving Transfynydd, climbing ever upwards toward the sky!
	Looking back towards Lake Transfynydd. The nuclear power station is hiding behind the trees!