We knew that the Royal Welsh Show began on Monday at Builth Wells to the North of Brecon. We also knew we wanted to cycle the Elan valley trail as we had in 2013, and to get there you pass through Builth Wells.... and so it was decided Sunday would be a good day to go, before the 4 days of the show, and avoid traffic jams!
The Elan Valley is around 45 mins drive North of Brecon heading towards Mid-Wales, and the cycle/walking trail begins in the small town of Rhayader, heading uphill for a short stretch away from the town into more open countryside and after a few miles downhill to the visitor centre.
The trail is traffic free (except for a few road crossing points) and follows the side of several large reservoirs. Its largely flat, except for a few short sections out of the town, near the visitors centre, and a short woodland section near the end. It runs for around 10 miles, and is linear, so 20 miles there and back.
Click Here....Elan Valley Cycling
The day was set to be very warm (and it was), we arrived in Rhayader around 11:30, parking at the Cattle Market car park.
With the bikes off the car, we set off thruugh the town, finding the entrance to the trail with fancy gates, heading off uphill away from the town
The trail is mainly gravelled paths shared with walkers and follows the edges of the reservoirs Caban Coch, Gareg Ddu, Pen-Y-Garrig and Craig Goch. It was not too busy despite a sunny Sunday. We stopped about three-quarters of the way to eat packed lunch at a good spot (picnic table).
Very pleasant woodland section near the end (uphill), but nice on the way back free-wheeling down!
The last reservoir dam which we cycled across and took these photos.
After a short rest at the end of the bike trail (10 miles), we turned around and headed back.
Interesting rock cutting.
We arrived back in the town around 15:30, loaded the bikes up and headed back to Brecon, having had a very nice leisurely cycle ride.
Our Cycle Score: 8/10
No comments:
Post a Comment