Where to cycle in mid Wales ?

peanut

my partner and I are staying at Rhayader (Powys )for a week in August and would like to hire bikes and go out for the day to explore a bit and have a picnic lunch.

We would prefer easy cycling with minimal off-road as we are both unfit.Must be scenic and preferably flattish and probably limited to about 35 miles a day .

We would appreciate any suggestions within 50 miles or so from Rhayader with perhaps cycle paths or river / canal towpaths /reservoir loops etc

Slacey

No need to travel outside of Rhyader TBH - plenty of fantastic routes and roads around the Elan Valley which is on the doorstep.

Flamez

Very scenic and bike hire is available here...

http://www.clivepowell-mtb.co.uk/thebikeshop.php


Hth

peanut

wow thats quick! :shock: thank you for the suggestions I'll take a looksee. I know very little about Wales having only visited 5-6 times so I didn't know quite where to start really. :roll:

The Elan Valley is perfect! looks like a beautifull scenic route around the reservoirs with plenty of picnic and photographic opportunities .

I'm a roadie and only know abour roadrace bikes. What type of bike would you recommend hiring for just pootling around the lanes and cyclepaths etc ?

priory

The Elan valley is indeed perfect. Powell also has an eating place nearby much recommended if open to non-course riders. Swimming pool also nice.
You might want to book your bike hire in advance.
Gigrin Farm is well worth a trip when they are feeding the kites, but that might not be now. There is a cycle track off road most of the way to and from it.
Don't forget to look in the national cycle museum at llandrindod wells while you are near.

The shop will give you hybrids or mtb's as you like. I prefer mudguards.

peanut

thanks priory. i phoned Neil at the bike shop and he said he will sort us out a couple of hybrids when we get down there.

We have booked a weeks stay at Gigrin farm specifically to photograph the kites and other Bop which we are really looking forward to.

During the day we'll explore the area and hopefully cycle and kayak . I'm still looking for somewhere to hire kayaks locally. I would imagine there must be a local club with 4x reservoirs nearby.

I noticed there is a leisure centre so we can swim which will be welcome and there is a fish n chip shop ...perfect.

It looks like its going to be a perfect break.

Thanks for all your help and suggestions everyone.

boblo

Rhayader is great. It's like being in a 1950's Alec Guiness film... a GOOD thing.

peanut

thats my kinda era lol as long as I don't have to dress up and ride an 'ordinary'