Some help from the Welsh members of MRA.

[Steve Lynch]

Hi All,

I am going to Wales for the first time on the 20th July 2021 staying in the Elan Valley for 3 nights.
I have made all 3 routes Public so any local knowledge would be much appreciated

Day 1 I plan to travel to Wales and take in the Brecon Beacons on the way then travel up to my Hotel in the Elan Valley.
311 Miles 6h 31m

https://www.myrouteapp.com/en/social/route/4864570?mode=share

Day 2 I have plotted a route in the Cambrian Mountains.
In particular I have a some questions about Waypoints 1 and 6 due to the height.
What are the chances of their being ice on those parts at this time of year?
I’m going on my Triumph Tiger 900 Rally Pro on the Stock tyres not proper nobblies
136 Miles 5h 36m

https://www.myrouteapp.com/en/social/route/4869947?mode=share

Day 3 Is the Snowdonia 360 Route from either MCN or Ride Magazine, I can’t remember which?
328 Miles 9h 11m

https://www.myrouteapp.com/en/social/route/4865168?mode=share

That leaves a full day so any advice on must see places from locals or anyone who has been to Wales would be greatly appreciated.
Happy to do a 12+ hour day on the bike.

Thanks in advance.

[Nick Carthew]

@Steve-Lynch Just about zero chance of ice at this time of year. Brecon Beacons and Cambrian mountains are superb but watch out for the boys in blue.
If you’re into smaller roads, I added a collection of 5 routes to the RouteXpert Library. Have a look through them you might see something that takes your fancy.
RouteXpert collection

[Steve Lynch]

@Nick-Carthew

Brilliant Nick thank you.
I am pulling all 5 Routes into my account so I can compare yours with mine and add some of your “Roads less travelled”

Yes, smaller roads are always my preferred choice.

[sudolea]

@Nick-Carthew Are you refering to your publicly available roads (where I see 6 routes) ? I fear not, but then again, I don't find the ones you probably mean (unless following this Facebook link is mandatory, which is unfeasible for me) ?

[Steve Lynch]

@Nick-Carthew

Nick in your Devils Bridge to Nant Peris route are the string of red exclamation marks for what looks like free roaming sheep in Google streetview?

[Nick Carthew]

@sudolea These 5 routes in this collection and all my other RouteXpert routes are in the RouteXpert Library.
Click here

[Nick Carthew]

@Steve-Lynch Yes, sort off. They mark gates across the road that need to be left as you find them.

[PAD 0]

@Steve-Lynch Initially, on looking at your first route, I thought to make a few suggestions, but looking at the others as well, I decided that you’re a bit of a ‘goat track’ man, and if you want to subject yourself to that road past Pontsticill and Talybont reservoirs you go right ahead!

So I’ll just make one suggestion…

From Abergavenny, rather than use the A40, try this:

https://www.myrouteapp.com/en/social/route/4873679?mode=share

Oh, and one other thing… The A55 along the north coast absolutely sucks! If you can justify it time wise, my suggestion is that, if you must visit Llandudno, you head back to Betws y Coed and take the A5 through Snowdonia to get to Anglesey. It’s a superb run right through the middle of the Carneddau and Glyderau ranges.

[Steve Lynch]

@PAD-0

Thanks PAD-0 I’ve got your route and will amend it into mine.
Regarding the A55 etc, I’m wondering whether the full Snowdonia 360 Route is worth the effort?
I’m leaning towards completely replacing it with Nick’s Devils Bridge to Nant Peris route and finding a scenic “Goat Track” route to the north and then back to my hotel in the Elan Valley.

[PAD 0]

The 360 is a mixed bag - inevitably plenty of good stuff (it’s in Wales), but I can’t help thinking it wasn’t entirely produced by motorcyclists!

Here’s a link to Welsh roads that I consider ‘must ride’ routes. As I’ve had to string a boat load together, you’ll have to take account of the fact that there are a few ‘transfer’ sections that are merely linking the good stuff together (but very little really), and a bit near Brecon that loops over Llangorse - it’s pleasant enough, but keeps you off a boring bit of A40 dual carriageway.

It stops where it stops so you can say you’ve been to Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwyllllantisilliogogogoch.

Please bear in mind that I’m more a reprobate scratcher than a goat track man, so there’s plenty of that stuff left to consider. Also, my suggestions are not exhaustive or intended to be definitive. There’s some lovely stuff around Builth Wells for instance. In fact, I don’t really want other people to use them, so keep ‘em under your hat, eh?

https://www.myrouteapp.com/en/social/route/4874956?mode=share

[Steve Lynch]

@PAD-0

Thank you so much.
I will take your word for it and run your route exactly as is instead of the 360.

[PAD 0]

@Steve-Lynch I didn't anticipate that! You’ll be knackered by the end of the day!

Why not! None of it is long, dull and boring stretches and, on the assumption that you will split it, it would make for a very interesting couple of days.

[Steve Lynch]

@PAD-0

Yes I will split it obviously.

[Nick Carthew]

@Steve-Lynch Do you know about the secret shhh East German village built for practicing urban warfare?
It’s off of the military road (sometimes closed for live firing) between Trecastle and Tirabad pink RP 28.

Gloucester to Builth Wells

I made a video of some of this route over the Brecon Beacons the military road starts at 9:50 in the video.
Nick’s vid

[Steve Lynch]

@Nick-Carthew

I think I am going to need more days.

[PAD 0]

For such a small area, at just a bit over 1/4 of the area of Scotland, Wales punches well above its weight in terms of its number of excellent biking roads (as does Scotland too, of course). I’m very fortunate to live right on its doorstep.

[Nick Carthew]

@PAD-0 I can reach Abergavenny in 2 1/2 hours and I’m also fortunate enough to be between Exmoor and Dartmoor.

[PAD 0]

@Nick-Carthew I’ve never explored Devon and Cornwall on a bike, but North Devon looks like it has some interesting roads. I have visited the area, and thought the coast around Hartland was incredible. I must make the effort.

I used to feel fortunate in living about 1.5 hours from the Peak District as well as being so close to all those Welsh roads, and I still am really, but it gets more congested and over regulated by the year. I generally only visit on week days out of peak-season now.

Thankfully, the Welsh Marches are still very quiet and have some cracking roads hidden away.🤫

[Steve Lynch]

@PAD-0

I did a full coastal route of Devon and Cornwall a couple of years ago, entering via Minehead to pick up Porlock Hill, Lynmouth and Lynton. Fantastic scenery here.
Seek out a place they call “Little Switzerland” near Martinhoe on a road called Sir Robert’s Path.

All routes below.
Look out for the roads I call “Stab Outs” that you will see all across all my routes.
They are a single road that take you to isolated Coves, Marinas and fantastic view points.

This was a “spider” tour and we stayed at the Pentire Hotel.

Day 1

https://www.myrouteapp.com/en/social/route/1745496?mode=share

Day 2

https://www.myrouteapp.com/en/social/route/1745496?mode=share

Day 3

https://www.myrouteapp.com/en/social/route/1754667?mode=share

Day 4

https://www.myrouteapp.com/en/social/route/1777275?mode=share

Day 5 Homeward

https://www.myrouteapp.com/en/social/route/1777371?mode=share

[Nick Carthew]

@Steve-Lynch We use Sir Robert’s Path annually as part of what’s known as ‘The Legendary Grand Tour’ where 250 minis tour North Devon for a charity event and we either marshal or collect money from the crowd lined roads for the Children’s Hospice South West. We’re looking forward to its return this year after Covid. August bank holiday weekend isn’t the same without it.