A night in mid Wales

Motorcycling Rideouts & Touring
1

I normally avoid going away on the weeks around Easter due to the hordes of other people on the roads, but with arm surgery in my near future I thought I’d make the most of the warm sunny weather so yesterday I booked somewhere near Llandovery for a night away.

I set off south this morning on the Fosse Way to just below Stratford-upon-Avon and then headed due west to joint the A44 into Wales. After my difficulties finding fuel on my last visit to Wales I made it my mission this time to top up my tiny tank every 50 miles or so.

After a lunchtime cake and coffee stop at Crossgates I headed to the Elan valley. I wished I didn’t bother with the route by the reservoirs because it was very busy and I found the end of a fifty car queue stuck behind a tourist coach that could barely fit on the narrow roads and there was chaos when we met oncoming traffic. I hopped along the queue so when coach pulled in to a layby at the top damm I had open moors ahead of me and could get a traffic free ride to my destination at a bench, to eat a sandwich and relax a while.

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I then followed the mountain road west untill the road signposted to Tregaron.

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At Tregaron it was back west up the valley.

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Across the moors.

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Down the Devil’s Staircase to the valley beyond.

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After a short bit of A road I turned off towards my digs for the night on another single-track road.

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Sheep came running as I guess they thought I was going to feed them. Was a couple of dozen staring at me hopefully as I set off.

Turns out the place I’m staying has an alarmed and locked metal shed, so bike is safely tucked up whilst I get refreshed.

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Apart from the Elan valley the roads in Wales were still pretty quiet, perhaps would have been worse if it was still the bank holiday.

7 Likes
2

Must sound like a big red TRX :thinking:

Looks like a fun day out, especially past the coach

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Writing this up the day after…

Started the day drinking coffee on the terrace, listening to the stream and birds whilst gazing across the valley. The only other guests staying that day were a couple that hadn’t stirred yet.

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After a cooked breakfast I set off down the two miles of single track access road.

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To join the road up the valley.

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This lead to the dam at Llyn Brianne

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And the reservoir beyond, where I spent 20 minutes or so relaxing in the total silence and still air.

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The road continues up one of the tentacles of the reservoir.

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And eventually up to the moors I crossed yesterday.

Coming down the valley the other side to Tregaron, I couldn’t resist another 5 minutes taking in the view. I’ve been this way for the last few years but it doesn’t get boring.

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I’d taken a couple of hours to do these 25 miles and it was only on my descent into Tregaron that I came across traffic.

After getting supplies at Tregaron I headed up the sweepy B road to Devil’s Bridge where I had ice cream for elevenses, it was getting rather warm now.

From here, I went back down to the mountain road that heads to Rhayader. This leads past some old mines…

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Then up to moors where I chose to stop to eat my lunch sandwich and contemplate the open expanse.

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Once at Rhayader I joined the A44 to retrace the previous days route back home.

The afternoon was getting very warm so after a hour or so I pulled off onto a side road to find a spot for quick break and a drink of water. Found a spot with a view into some small woods.

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About an hour from home I was getting distinctly weary from the riding and warmth so as I was passing I stopped at Caffeine & Machine for a cold drink and sit down in the shade.

I got home around 6pm and was so tired I was in bed for 8!

9 Likes
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Great scenery. We have a four day stint based in Llanfyllin in August coming up. Can’t wait.

3 Likes