Millenium Coast Path

My wife wanted to test run her new bike basket and so we loaded up the bikes.

Although I have cycled all the path my wife is taking it bit by bit and our second section was from Burry Port to Sandy Water Park and back.

Route

With high temperatures we set off reasonably early meeting lots of others enjoying the fine weather even including some swimmers.

We had a coffee and an ice cream in the Pavilion Cafe before returning to Burry Port. Unfortunately the crepe van was missing!

Nantgaredig, Brechfa, Pontargothi

Once again, Billy No Mates as The Navigator was packing for the pointy bits in Austria.

A look at my local maps suggested a bike ride from Nantgaredig to Brechfa and a return alongside the Afon Cothi to Pontargothi and back to Nantgaredig.

Route

The profile showed a steady climb up to Brechfa and mainly downhill on the return. Well the profile was correct, but a convenient seat in Brechfa helped the legs to recover.

It was good to see the village doing its best to keep the residents together. As I was enjoying my rest a mobile post office arrived and connected its computer to a box on a post. Across the road was a community shop and the notices on the village hall showed lots going on.

Cafe at the mountain bike centre

Brechfa Church

Back on my bike I took the first turning right and headed back with the Afon Cothi on my right all the way to Pontargothi. The river, when at the right level is a superb grade 2 paddling venue. However today it was very low with all the rocks showing.

Afon Cothi

Afon Cothi at Pontynys Wen

Afon Cothi at Pontargothi

Back at the car I looked over the stone bridge at Nantgaredig down at the equally low Afon Tywi into which the Afon Cothi runs.

Downstream on Tywi from Nantgaredig Bridge

Upstream

An enjoyable ride.

Kidwelly and Pembrey Country Park

Paul and I decided on a bike ride and for a route a lot of which would be new for us.

Route

We parked the car at the visitor site in Kidwelly next to the river. We took the shared trail on the northern side of the river which led to a minor road and past a small nature reserve.

 It was possible to either go left and head towards Llansaint and Ferryside or turn right back to Kidwelly.

We did neither but retraced our steps and cycled through Kidwelly and joined the National Cycle Route 4 which at this point is off road and heads into Pembrey forest and country park.

Before entering the forest there are wide open views and the occasional cow blocking the path! In the distance we could see the small airport and judging by the large areas of concrete we were riding on it must have seen a lot of action presumably in the second world war.

I was a little concerned about entering the forest as we had already passed a sign indicating the route was closed because of flooding and late last year I had to turn back when I rode from the other direction.

However although it was clear where the water had been the flood had gone although the track was a little rutted, probably not helped by forestry machinery.

We continued on to the Millenium path and turned back into the country park. We both remarked that this park, which covers a huge area, is a great facility.

A possible backpacking route?

We retraced our route, well almost, as we missed an obvious turning and found ourselves next to the race track and watched two powerful and noisy cars speeding around the track.

Notice the drawing of a duck? it was a low bridge.

Back on the correct path the earlier awkward cow had been joined by a lot of others, but they mooved (get it) off.

A pleasant ride and we picked the last of the good weather judging by the forecast for the weekend.

Llandeilo to Llanddarog

On Tuesday, Mrs Bob was having her hair primped in Llandeilo and it seemed a good idea to have a lift there and cycle home.

Trusted Steed

Route

Mad dogs and a Welshman go out in the midday sun! Yes it was a hot one.

I headed over Llandeilo bridge and turned right in Fairfach.  The plan was to cycle through Gelli Aur Country Park, but this was abandoned because of locked gates.  There are new owners now and although it seems the public footpaths are still available there is no obvious welcome for other modes of transport - I could be wrong!

Gelli Aur Park & Mansion

Anyway I carried on along the road and then turned left into Gelli Aur village stopping to look at the church, and a drink!

The well had run dry

Gelli Aur Church

Another view of church

I cycled on up the some what steep hill and zig zags looking for the turning right which would take me to Porthyrhyd. Would you believe it a council sign informed me that the road was closed except for access.

I decided to ignore the sign and carry on, if it was closed at least the return trip would be down hill.

Someway along the road another cyclist towing a youngster in a trailer appeared and he was sure the road was not fully closed.  Indeed it wasn't, just a minor repair job which may have restricted motor vehicles.

On I went with good views north and south until dropping down into Porthyrhyd and my home in
Llanddarog.

Afon Argoed Bike centre

Paul and I had discussed a day out and cycling was to be it.  Paul suggested the Afon Argoed centre which lies above Port Talbot.

This is well known for its mountain bike trails, but we were headed for the 14 mile Rheilffordd Route which does not involve too much sweat and hopefully little chance of falling off!  This venue has been on my tick list for some time and we were not disappointed.

Route

There were a number of plusses even before we mounted the bikes; car parking only £1.00 all day and coffee at £1.50.

A trail map was purchased - 20p and  we set off.  Paul's choice of shorts was better than mine of lycra tights as the weather warmed up nicely.

View of Afon Afan

Another view of Afon Afan

Interesting carving

As we headed for Pontrhydyfen I noticed my bike computer was not recording speed and mileage. I soon realised I had put the front wheel on the wrong way around! Error sorted and off we went again stopping on the viaduct overlooking the above village. We decided not to look for the blue plague to show where Mr Burton was born or that of  Mr Emmanuel, him of Zulu fame but instead turned uphill and headed for Cymmer. The trail is tarmac and climbs at a steady incline.

Looking down into Pontrhydyfen

 At Cymmer we turned left and headed for Glyncorrwg and had lunch at the Glyncorrwg Mountain Bike Centre. There is a small camp site here with the centre supplying your biking needs and a large restaurant with reasonable priced food and amenities.

The old Cymmer station

Glyncorrwg

One of the interesting information panels

A hill too far

The next hill won't beat me.

Fine figure of a man

Following lunch our route was across the valley and downhill all the way back to the starting point where there is some atefacts of the lost mining activity.

Old rail viaduct

Wooden water pipe

A strong dad must pull this lot

If in future marketing shots of Neath and Port Talbot and the surrounding area you see photos of two rugged bikers, then they will be of Paul and me as the local authority photographer was clearly hard pushed to photograph two old fellows riding bikes.

We both agreed this was a good venue for biking and walking with views now opening up owing to large scale tree felling.

Clyne Farm to Llanddarog

The dawn chorus is particularly noisy when one is only separated by a sheet of nylon and I was awake about 0530!

However I remained in my sleeping bag for another hour and was on the way back home by 0715.

There is a certain satisfaction to watch the workers hurrying to their offices etc. as I am up early for enjoyment - I did work for 41 years!

Route

Colourful Millennium post but no information!

The forecast today was for mixed weather and strong winds - into which I would be cycling. The other slight difficulty was the majority of the return trip would be uphill, albeit not too steep.

I thought the Millennium Coast would be difficult but although there were squally showers and the forecast wind I made it to my coffee break.

As I approached Tumble there was a notice pinned to a gate telling about the sighting of an albino ferret. the writers thought it may have been an escaped pet.

The cycle route back to Carreg Hollt is reasonably sheltered from the wind, but when I turned west back to Llanddarog the wind was head on and slowed me right down.


The last hill to my village is one I can ride in normal circumstances but after a long cycle and the wind doing its best to push me backwards I dismounted and walked.

A great two days which hopefully will not be the last bikepacking trip, now where's that map!

Llanddarog to Clyne Farm (Mumbles)

I had a plan and with the weather forecast looking reasonable, well it was earlier in the week, I decided on my first overnight trip with the bike.

I decided to pedal from home to the camp site at Clyne Farm in the Mumbles area of Swansea Bay, using for the majority of the route, traffic free trails of NCN47 and 4.

Route

The start of the bike trail

The final weather forecast looked OK for the Wednesday, but Thursday showed high winds coming from the north west. There never is a perfect trip and so with bike packed with camping gear and food I set off from home and joined the route near Carreg Hollt, just before Cross Hands.

This was to be my longest one way mileage, although all parts had been cycled in sections previously.

One of many direction posts erected for the Millennium

First view of the distant coast

With plenty of time I made sure to have stops and make a brew using the caldera cone and even reading a book at lunch time.

Bridge leading to the Millennium Coast Path

A large needle with Gower across the estuary

First coffee break

The book was for inspiration, written by Anne Mustoe a retired teacher who has cycled twice around the world, the first time without any experience. My two days seemed trivial.

On the way, near Dunvant rugby club there is a "Bikeability" centre with lots of bikes adapted for those with disabilities.

By the time I reached Swansea Bay there was a certain amount of tiredness and it was time to look for Clyne Farm. Just in case others want to use this site be prepared as it is up a steep hill and an even steeper farm track - I admit to walking and pushing part of this!

Swansea Bay

The bonus of the height are excellent 360 degrees views. There was only one other tent on the site and I never did see the occupant.

This was to be my first time in the new tent, a Luxe Mini Peak, which is basically just a pyramid fly sheet held up in the middle with a walking pole.  It had plenty of room and I was pleased with my bargain buy.

The farm is an activity centre with a selection of animals, the goats were particularly nosy.

After my evening meal I went for a two mile walk which took me around the outskirts of Clyne Gardens.  I did think about going through the gardens but they were closing at dusk - when is that?

This is clearly a moneyed area if one judges wealth by size of property.

An early night to be ready for the return.

Part two is shown as a separate bog.