Coast 2 Coast (Lougher to Swansea Bay)

Is this now a weekly ride out - hope so!

Paul and I decided on the NCN route 4 from Lougher bridge (dividing point between Scarlets and Ospreys) and down the almost traffic free route to Swansea Bay and then through Mumbles and a planned coffee/tea at Verdi's.

Lougher Estuary

Attractive sculpture in Swansea Bay

Route

The weather was  dry and calm, not far off the forecast. We had a coffee break (home made) near Dunvant and the on to the front at Swansea Bay. The last time we were here we turned east and visited the Marina in less than clement weather.  Today we headed west along the trail through Mumbles and as far as the pier. The latter is now being renovated and was closed to the public.

\Towards Mumbles Pier

Lighthouse

We returned as far as Verdi's where they were doing a brisk trade. It was far to hot inside and so being true outdoor people we  had our refreshment outside.

Verdi's

A calm sea

 It seemed a bit rude to open our own sandwich boxes and so we cycled back onto the cycle route and had lunch by the ponds before returning to Lougher.

Cross Hands To Sandy Water and back (Route 47)

With biking back on the agenda Paul and I decided on a ride from Cross Hands on route 47 to cycle as far as we wanted and then return.  Paul had not cycled the short bit from Cross Hands to Tumble and so we parked by the cinema in Cross Hands and set off.

The weather was sunny but cold and we both wore extra layers!

Route

The route does have trees on both sides for some way and the leaves made a good if not slippy covering.  We passed two groups who were assisting Sustrans on litter picking and track maintenance. In fact both Paul and I were helping Sustrans on Wednesday where we learnt and then carried out hedge laying.

Some new furniture

 We had a first coffee break near the Heritage Centre at Cynheidre. Warmed up we pedaled on to Sandy Water Park and had lunch overlooking the sea.  We could see a number of vehicles way out on the estuary presumably involved with cockle picking - must have been cold today.

Overlooking Sandy Water Park

Looking back to Pont Agen

Where's the haystack?

The return journey was a bit slower as it is uphill most of the way albeit gradual and we had a head on wind to contend with .  Our average speed was about half that to the trip down.

Frightening selfie!

A good day to be out.

Millenium Coast Path (14/11/13)

Following an extended bout of sciatica which has meant no cycling since early September I was SO pleased to be back on the saddle today.

Paul and I parked up just out just outside the main gates of the Country Park and headed out onto the Millennium Coast Path and headed east towards Llanelli.

Route

Depicting Llanelli beating the All Blacks

I wasn't too sure how far I could pedal, but thankfully there was no pain. We stopped for coffee at the Discovery Centre and as we were feeling fine carried on passing the Machynys Golf Club and the Wetlands Centre and eventually stopped for another coffee and cake overlooking the Lougher estuary. 

Must be Children In Need day

Paul relishing cake

Two other cyclists joined us who told us that they travel here regularly from Cardigan. I passed on suggestions for other traffic free routes and we set off back to the car.

Towards Worms head

Will he pass the cake drug test?

It was great to be back cycling and now more to come.Millenium Cpast Path