Bluestone Round

It was in May 2012 on a stay at Bluestone where I rediscovered cycling and since then have bought my own bike. Well here we are again on a bargain break and while my wife went off for some pampering I set off on a bike ride. This was another suggestion on the Bluestone map of local rides.  It would take in the villages of Llawhaden and Robson Wathan using forestry tracks, minor roads and bridal ways.

Route

From the site I headed into Canaston Woods onto the Knights Way which is a good forestry road down to a minor road and Blackpool Mill.  Here I took the bridal way passing the Mill. Oh joy a puncture! Unfortunately my spare tube although the right size was for a road bike and not a wider hybrid tyre.  There was nothing for it but to fix the puncture and with the help of a rain puddle the hole was found and repaired.

The bridal way leads down to the A40 and a tunnel leading to the other side of the road.

 From here the route was on a minor road leading to Llawhaden village.  I had a break here and read the history of the village as shown on the information board. I continued down the no through road which is another bridal way. I dismounted for a short while as the way was steep and slippery.  Back on the bike the off road section led to a minor road and a bridge over the Eastern Cleddau. Immediately right was another bridal way which was wide and stony but also very water logged for the whole width and for almost the whole length. On the OS map a stream crosses the path and this after some thought (not wanting to turn back) I crossed pushing the bike and wading in cold water part way up my calf out onto the continuation of the bridal way. Another minor road was met which led steeply up to Robson Wathan. This village used to be on the old A40 and well known as a bottle neck and traffic jams on bank holidays etc. Today I was the only traffic and I headed back down to the new A40 and the Canaston Bridge. Once across I took the first left which led back towards Blackpool Mill and the Knights Way and home to Bluestone.

Llansamlet to Ystalyfera and back (NCN43)

This ride was to celebrate Chris' first work free Monday as he has opted for a 4 day week from 1st January 2013.

We agreed on a bike ride and I introduced him to NCN 43 and we started from Llansamlet and headed for Ystalyfera. Chris was on a retro Raleigh bike he has had from way back and which  has carried him on some long bide rides.  He recently sprayed it a stealth black and it  looks good with its posh Brooks saddle.

Route

I rode this route in November, the details of which can be found here. Nothing has changed apart from a small new stretch which cuts a small corner.  The memorial to the mine disaster in 2011 is still very sad to read about - from the heart of a friend of one of the victims.

The weather was kind, dull but dry and it seems, at least until Chris said goodbye, his back problem behaved itself.

Here's to more sneaky Mondays.

Llanddarog - Carmarthen - Llanddarog

Just before Christmas I joined Sustrans as a volunteer as I had been impressed with the work they have done with various bike trails, which I have taken advantage of.

One of my duties is to ride part of NCN47 from Porthyrhyd to Carmarthen and so I decided that today I would do just that and make it into a circular ride.

Route

The route from Porthyrhyd has some traffic free sections one of which is adjacent to the National Botanic Garden of Wales.  Once leaving this the rest of the route is on roads, albeit lane work from the Gardens to the village of Llanarthne.

 I stopped in the village to read the information poster and learned about a footbridge which used to cross the Afom Tywi and used by workers of quite some time ago.  I have come across that bridge previously when surveying footpaths and never did understand why it seems to lie in the middle of a field, but now I know its history.The route then joins the B4300 all the way close to Carmarthen.

There was nothing that I could see needed attention and I just enjoyed the ride.  Just before Carmarthen I turned to head up the old main road passing the police HQ and then turned left into the lane which follows the ridgeway all the way back home to Llanddarog.

The weather had turned quite damp and by the time I arrived at the outskirts of Llanddarog I had turned on my lights.

Another ride planned for Monday.

Lougher to Swansea Marina and Back

Welcome to 2013!

December 2012 is best forgot in relation to bike riding as for many reasons , none was done!

However as the man in red brought me some shiny new kit for the bike I was keen to mount the saddle.  I managed a short ride on 1/1/2013 of some 5 miles locally.  The new toys included a basic bike computer, a smalll frame bag for odds and sods, a pannier rack, heavy duty pump and a top bag.  In addition I treated myself to a pair of Deuter pannier bags from Wiggle - bargain.

Anyway today was a longer ride in the company of Paul. The weather was misty and low clouds and hence very little in the way of photos.

We parked up on the east side of Lougher Bridge (Swansea Jack side) and set off on Route 4 passing through Gowerton and onto the main bike trail. Even through Gowerton there was a wide bike lane on the pavement side.

The route follows an old railway line and is tarmac all the way down to the Mumbles road. The previous time I rode here I turned west and headed to Verdi's but today we turned east and rode to the Swansea Marina where we sheltered by the lock keepers office and had a spot to eat.

We thought we would ride on to Verdi's but the weather had become worse and we returned up through the bike trail and eventually back to the car.

As usual it was good to be out but hopefully the weather will be kinder next time.

Tumble to Sandy Water Park & Back

I had arranged with Paul, my neighbour to cycle the Tumble Bike Trail and today was it.  Apparently Angela his wife, preferred to stay home and carry out some domestics!

We took the car to Tumble and set off on the trail (bike route 47) heading for Llanelli.

Route

This was Paul's first ride on the trail. I have mentioned this route before but it's always worth doing as it is a first class trail, tarmac and traffic free. having said that weekends will see plenty of walkers with or without dogs, runners and cyclists so care is needed.

Today, Tuesday was less busy but we saw a selection of all those mentioned above.

We met one couple on a tandem and had a long chat with them about the advantages of tandem biking. the only down side seemed to be getting it onto a car.  They had even transported it to the USA some years ago.  (now thinking of trying one with Mrs Bob perched on the back).

A coffee break was had near Cynheidre and then on.

Our next stop was to chat with a couple of Sustrans workers who were clearing a drainway.  This week I had applied to be a Sustrans volunteer and it seems the "gaffer" of these two would be the chap I may be helping in due course.

Autumn colours were still in evidence but judging by the covering of leaves on the trail it won't last for long!

The Swiss Valley reservoirs were spotted with the overflow working well. We also met with a couple of spotted pigs who seemed keen for a chat or probably free food.  They were out of luck.

We left the trail at Sandy Water Park and had another coffee/cake break.  The swans soon gave up begging when it became clear there was nothing on offer.

Refreshed we returned to the trail and cycled back the way we came. The route is now uphill but nothing too arduous.

Another good day out .

Cwmtawe Trail (Route 43)

As I had to be in Llwynhendy first thing to take my grandson to school I thought it would be an idea to take the bike and as well as visiting Tredz, Halfords and Go Outdoors on the Llansamlet Trading Estate, go for a bike ride on Route 43 also shown as the Cwm Tawe Cycleway

Route

The ride took me to Ystalyfera alongside the Afon Tywi and the Swansea Canal.  I can wholly recommend this route as it is all off road with excellent surfaces on which to ride.  There is plenty of interest including industrial history along the route.  The autumn colours were still on show.

Not far from Llansamlet I came across Garth Farm Wood which was advertising for volunteers.

Garth Farm Wood

Along the Swansea Canal were a number of old locks and an appeal from the Swansea Canal Society.

At Clydach there is a Heritage Centre, but it is only open on Saturdays, but there were some interesting things to photograph.

One of the history panels tells the story of a mine disaster in the 1800's which claimed many lives including one boy of 14! Sad as this was it was a long time ago and hard to feel part of it.

However just a short way on is a memorial to the Gleision disaster of 2011.  This memorial was clearly erected by the close friends of those who died and it made for some sad reading and brings home to you the danger of this occupation which continues in these modern times.

As I approached Ystalyfera the mountains came into view and the route takes you between Mynydd Allt Y Grug and Darren Fach leading to Varteg Hill.  Beyond are the Brecon Beacons.

I had lunch here and then turned back to Llansamlet. An excellent day of cycling.

Tumble to Cross Hands and back

Out of the blue Mrs Bob suggested a short bike ride on the Tumble trail.

Didn't take me long to load the bikes up and then wait as Mrs Bob layered up!

We met quite a few dog walkers and other bike riders, some of whom I expect had travelled up from Llanelli.

Route

The trees were still in their autumn colours although judging by the path there cannot be a lot more leaves to fall.

Nearing Cefneithin rugby ground I could see the lights on and we saw two young teams under training.  Good to see some parents and voluntary coaches taking an interest in the young ones.

At the Cross Hands end of the trail we turned around and headed back to the car, just in time to beat the rain which for the rest of the day hammered down.