Two day ride in Wales

paulbnix

Hi, looking for suggestions for a 2 day ride from north to South Wales - approx 60 - 70 miles a day. On road not off road.
A night in a B&B in the middle and train from / to Manchester either end.
Thanks

timothyw

Ride the Elan Valley reservoirs. Stunning.

This was day 2 of my Easter adventure, perhaps the best days riding I've ever done:
https://strava.app.link/hlJ8TXfvJX

bendertherobot

The best b and b is the Grange, just outside merthyr. But not really halfway.

redvision

Another vote for the elan valley.

Also consider machynlleth to llanidloes, via the Clywedog.
Absolutely perfect biking roads and amazing views.

Another option is following one of the final two stages of the women's tob.

Mid Wales is such a brilliant area to cycle in, you won't be disappointed.

Loads of b&b's in the area, best bet is googling them. Be aware though, the royal Welsh show in builth is next month, and so if you were thinking of mid July you may struggle to find accommodation (at least cheap accommodation).

N0bodyOfTheGoat

Stwlan Dam climb is supposed to be great, with Harlech's Ffordd Pen Llech (steepest road in the world) not too far away.

Hirnant Pass and the three climbs up to Bwlch Y Groes near Lake Vernwy is supposed to be a lovely hilly area.

Combining all would be more like 100+ miles loop, but one pair or the other might appeal for your North Wales ride.

dow8519

Have a look at this route:
https://www.opencycling.com/wales-in-a-day/map/
I did this a few years ago and it was a lovely if very hilly route.

paulbnix

Thanks for the suggestions.
I think I will do Machynlleth to Builth on day one then onto Hereford on day 2.
I've a friend in Mach I can leave the car with and then train it back from Hereford.

Wayne Plunger

paulbnix wrote:

Thanks for the suggestions.
I think I will do Machynlleth to Builth on day one then onto Hereford on day 2.
I've a friend in Mach I can leave the car with and then train it back from Hereford.

Some good old pubs in Hereford. Just wondering if for your first day just about another few miles on from Builth is Llandridnod Wells which would be a nice place to stay.

paulbnix

I picked Builth because it happened to be on the route but when I actually organise it then the B&B could be anywhere within 10 miles - I think that includes Llandridnod Wells.

simon_e

Is the Mach to Builth section going over Dylife? A long climb but you get possibly the best view in the country from the top.
A choice at Staylittle: rollercoaster past Llyn Clywedog reservoir or turn R and follow the Severn. Those routes converge at Llanidloes (my home town), which has a couple of nice cafes. Instead of the main road I'd take the up-and-down B4518 via Tylwch. In Pant-y-Dwr either straight on via St. Harmon to Rhayader or L for Bwlch-y-Sarnau and Abbeycwmhir to Cross Gates, just north of Llandrindod.

An alternative route: A487 SW towards Aberystwyth, turn left in Talybont, climb to Nant y Moch reservoir, Ponterwyd, Devil's Bridge, Cwmystwyth, down past Elan Valley reservoirs to Rhayader. Clive Powell's bike shop is in Rhayader.

If you want further ideas or route tweaks then two sources I'd begin with:
- Lost Lanes Wales by Jack Thurston (https://lostlanes.thebikeshow.net/)
- the route of the Bryan Chapman audax

redvision

Simon E wrote:

Is the Mach to Builth section going over Dylife? A long climb but you get possibly the best view in the country from the top.
A choice at Staylittle: rollercoaster past Llyn Clywedog reservoir or turn R and follow the Severn. Those routes converge at Llanidloes (my home town), which has a couple of nice cafes. Instead of the main road I'd take the up-and-down B4518 via Tylwch. In Pant-y-Dwr either straight on via St. Harmon to Rhayader or L for Bwlch-y-Sarnau and Abbeycwmhir to Cross Gates, just north of Llandrindod.

An alternative route: A487 SW towards Aberystwyth, turn left in Talybont, climb to Nant y Moch reservoir, Ponterwyd, Devil's Bridge, Cwmystwyth, down past Elan Valley reservoirs to Rhayader. Clive Powell's bike shop is in Rhayader.

If you want further ideas or route tweaks then two sources I'd begin with:
- Lost Lanes Wales by Jack Thurston (https://lostlanes.thebikeshow.net/)
- the route of the Bryan Chapman audax

Very true. If you're lucky you may also catch the RAF jet training on the Mach loop, but even if not, the view from the top is staggering.






Just watch the descent as the road surface wasn't the best (although last time I rode this route was in May 2018, so may have improved).

Alejandrosdog

wow those are great pics

paulbnix

Great suggestions from everyone.
I think the ride has now evolved into a Mach to Mach ride / train over 2 / 3 days. I'll drive from home to Mach and back.
Its scheduled for week beginning 15th July providing the weather is ok.