Machynlleth to Abergavenny

The original plan had been to cycle the whole of the Sarn Helen Trail. However sloth, cricket fixtures and logistics got in the way so I ended up doing this 2 day section in mid Wales. I started in Machynlleth because I could get the train there. I ended in Abergavenny as that is where my Dad would pick me up from.

Machynlleth to Rhayader (75.2 km)

No problems finding the culprit

What do you mean I can't come in

Having spent the previous evening reading about some hapless buffoons whose Scottish epic ride had gone awry, mainly due to their lack of fitness, I was dismayed when my day got off to a disastrous start. Ok, so it was lashing with rain from the off, but this is Wales and is to be expected. Two punctures in the first few kilometres were frustrating and time consuming - patches don't stick well in the wet. Then the first offroad climb turned out to be a long, slippery push up a grassy slope. The last of the studs in my cycling shoes had fallen out somewhere on the previous day so I may as well have been wearing slippers.

Nearly an hour later I reached the summit, which was well within the clouds. By now it was past 11am and I had covered a mighty 15 of the day’s planned 90 km. Time to get the maps out and have a re-think. This was an issue in itself. I had forgotten my map case and it was a matter of finding the way before the map disintegrated in the rain.

I soon came up with a more direct, slightly more tarmac based plan. All I knew was that I didn't fancy another muddy push like I had just endured and certainly couldn't afford the time.

I was soon making better progress, although a few bridle way short cuts that I incorporated revealed that the whole country was rapidly turning into sheep shit based swamp.

The only problem with my new plan was that there was no obvious lunch stop. A quick stock take of rations produced a banana, a Snickers bar and a few ancient boiled sweets that have been floating about my camelbak for some time.

Hungrily I set off into Hafren Forest towards the source of the River Severn. Having found this I climbed into the next valley to the source of the Wye. 6 km of fast, very muddy, land rover track descent followed to the A44. A short spin on the main road took me to the village of Llangurig and a tea shop. Yes they were willing to serve me hot food and drink, but no I most certainly was not coming into their rather posh dining room. So I ate in the garden. In the rain.

Re-fuelled I span along Sustrans Route 8 along the Wye valley into Rhayader. There was so much grass growing in the middle of the road that cattle were being grazed there. This necessitated gates to pen them in. Not something you expect on a public highway. Then again nor are cows.

As I approached Rhayader the sun even started to squeeze between the rain drops. Flanked by circling Red Kites I arrived in plenty of time. No panic at all.

Rhayader to Abergavenny (92.9 km)

The Bridge on the River Wye

The long grassy descent to Llanbedr

What a difference a day makes. Warm and sunny today so I stowed the waterproofs and slipped into my only slightly damp cycling shoes. For the first part of the day I followed the Wye Valley Way, and when this was no longer on bridle paths, more of Sustrans 8.

A steady 6 km road climb out of Talgarth was a great way to digest lunch and a good warm up for the fun ahead. The Rhiw Trumau bridle path rises 325 m vertically in around 2 km into the heart of the Black Mountains. After about 5 minutes my legs went and I resorted to pushing. It didn't take as long as feared to reach the top, and I even managed to hop back on the bike for a few metres when some walkers appeared. The downhill into Llanbedr that followed was fast, long and sheep strewn.

All that remained was for a scenic spin around the back of Sugar Loaf on deserted lanes. I was impressed when I hit the 20 mph speed limit coming into Abergavenny at about 40, although less amused by trying to negotiate traffic calming measures at this speed.

Posted: 07/09/06