Ride to Wales June 1993

21/11/93

Our main tour was at the beginning of June when Addie was just over 2 months pregnant, although this only had minimal effects.

On day one we set out just after first light on a beautifully sunny morning and had a full English breakfast at a Little Chef just outside Burton on Trent. We then proceeded across Cannock Chase, across the Severn at Coalport and on along Wenlock Edge and over the Long Mynd to Bridges Youth hostel. 

An old school located at the bottom of a lovely valley with a brook gurgling by just outside our room.

The next day was a much shorter mileage along some beautiful quiet lanes and up into the mountains to get to Llanidloes, which must rank as just about the middle of Wales. After a night in a bed and breakfast, we set out in mist to climb toward the reservoir "Llyn Clywedog" and by the time we reached the dam, the mist had cleared and the sum emerged to mark the start of a great day's cycling. The lake must be one of the highest in the Britain (with sailing club) and as the day was windless the reflections of the surrounding hills were superb.

We continued climbing and stopped for coffee at one of the highest pubs in Wales. After a further climb we reached the highest point on the road and could see the Snowdonia National Park spread out before us. We believe we also saw some Red Kites circling above us. From there we free wheeled for several miles down into Machynlleth (the ancient capital of Wales) where we had lunch inside to avoid the heat of the day.

In the afternoon we followed a minor road through the "Happy Valley" down to the coast and then proceeded north to Tywyn where we had an ice cream on the sea wall and watched the local lads surfing. We then headed south to Aberdovey (where there is quite a good sailing club) and had tea and cakes, before cycling along the coast road back to Machynlleth where we had booked bed and breakfast for 2 nights. The main roads in this part of Wales were very quiet, comparable with many minor roads in the Midlands.

The next day was devoted to a visit to the "Centre for Alternative Technology" a couple of miles outside Machynlleth. We walked out there and enjoyed a day wandering round looking at displays featuring wind and water power, sustainable agriculture and energy efficient housing. The centre is based in an old slate quarry and is virtually self sufficient, utilising modern technology such as personal computers when appropriate.

The next part of our tour was across the mountains to Bala. After a long climb we met a fellow cyclist from Switzerland at the top of "Bwlch Groes" having a nip of brandy. It seemed he was on a tour of Europe mainly fueled by alcohol.

Another long freewheel took us down into Llanuwchilyn where we had planned to have lunch at the local inn. Unfortunately the power had been cut off for contractors to do some work so food was not available. We managed to buy some food at the village shop and ate our meal sitting on a roadside bench.

During the afternoon we pottered around the shores of lake Bala arriving at Bala Youth Hostel just before a ferocious thunder storm struck that cut off the electricity supply. Thankfully the warden managed to cook without electricity, although some changes had to be made to the menu.

The rain was still falling the following morning and it continued to rain all day. We climbed up through the mountains and descended along the side of a spectacular "glaciated" valley with "hanging" water falls that were in full spate. Somewhat cold and wet we arrived in Llangyog where we were thankful to find a tea shop open where we could get a hot cup of tea and toasted tea cakes. Unfortunately the rain kept up all day so that by the time we were on the outskirts of Shrewsbury some of the roads had flooded. The warmth of the hostel was very welcome on arrival.

Our last day was another long run to get home and although the day started dry, by lunch time the rain had set in and for the last 30 miles it poured. We eventually got in somewhat bedraggled but agreeing that it was our best tour to date.