Llanddarog to Clyne Farm and Back

15/7/2014 and 16/7/2014

My brother-in-law, Andy came down from Chester for what is becoming an annual "boys week" where we try to have some bikepacking, backpacking and where possible a canoe trip.

The forecast for the week was looking favourable and the decision was made to take the bikes for two days from 15/7/14 and then backpacking for two days and a one day bike trip to round things off.

I had decided to use the cycle  trip I had used last year from my home in Llanddarog and cycle to the Gower with an overnight at Clyne Farm and return the following day.

Route out

Route back

With bikes packed we set off heading on roads towards Cross Hands and then joining the cycle track which takes in the old mineral railway line down to Llanelli where it joins the Millennium Coast Path which leads to Lougher Bridge.

We stopped near Sandy Water Park for a coffee break and on to Lougher.

From here there is a cycle lane and quiet roads leading to Gowerton which then joins a traffic free route all the way down to the Gower at Mumbles. On reaching the coast we cycled around  to  the well known watering hole of Verdis. It was full to bursting and so we found another outlet for a welcome ice cream.

It was then time to cycle back along the coast and then climb steadily up towards Clyne Farm. To be honest it meant a push as the hill is very steep. It does however give good views once at the top.

We soon had the tents erected, showered and sorted out our evening meal.

Despite some 35 miles of cycling we walked back down to the seaside and enjoyed a couple of pints in the West Cross and of course back up the steep hill!

I slept well but I vaguely heard the patter of rain during the night.

We packed up wet tents in the morning and set off back to Llanddarog. The weather did improve and we stopped for a coffee break near the North Dock in Llanelli and then pedalled our way back home.

Llansamlet to Ystalyfera and back

Paul and I decided to revisit NCN 43 as the environmental works on the Afon Tawe had been completed and the original route was now reinstated. We would also ride the Glais loop on the way back.

Route

We parked up near the lake on the Llansamlet retail park and joined the cycle route. Following the major riverside protection works the cycle path has been relaid and in due course the current  bare banks will have tree cover.

We had a coffee break not far from Clydach and sat next to the iron sculptures which represent local people.

This a great route to cycle which is completely traffic free as far as Ystalyfera. We continued on into the town, which Paul noticed seemed to be shut! In fact the cafe at the end of the traffic free route was just closing - at dinner time.

Afon Tawe

I have written about this route before and was taken by the home made memorial to 4 miners who lost their lives in the private Gleision mine a few years ago. There is now a more formal memorial.

Our return journey took in the Glais loop which gave the only granny gear climb of the day and we revisited the work we had carried out with Sustrans where trees were planted and a picnic table made.

Kidwelly to Pavilion cafe and back

Spring Bank Holiday Monday was set fine for a bike ride and I decided to cycle from Kidwelly and head as far east towards Llanelli as my legs would go.

Route

The route is NCN4 and included the new diversion.  The old route went via Pembrey Forest had been changed because of continuous flooding.

The new route takes in minor lanes and some single track off road for a short while before returning to the main route at Pembrey village.

Nearly missed this sign because of overgrowth

Single track

Once on the Millennium Coast Path it was very busy with cyclists and walkers enjoying the sunshine.

Worms Head on Gower

And again

I rode through Burry Port and then stopped at the Pavilion Cafe for a coffee (no cake) and then returned back to Kidwelly taking the coastal path to the entrance of the Pembrey Country Park and then rejoining my outward track back to the car in Kidwelly.

Burry Port harbour

Looking back to Burry Port

Flowers, beach, sky, lovely

Bosherton/Castle Martin Circular

I have a Sustrans leaflet describing a route alongside the Pembrokeshire Coast and it was an itch which needed to be scratched.

Route

As the route crosses MOD land where tanks etc practice their art you have to check that they are not active on your chosen day.  Usually it is OK at weekends and holiday periods but check the website.

I parked the car in the National Trust car park in Bosherton and set off south on the lane which leads directly to the coast and the shared path west.

Bosherton Church

Who said mint sauce?

The track is stony and not suitable for road bikes but hybrids and mountain bikes are fine. Walkers of course can of course walk alongside the cliff edges.

There was a strong headwind and I hoped this would not change on the way back.  There were a number of cyclists on the route as well as walkers and a number of climbers heading for the cliffs.

I stopped to look at St Govans Chapel a small building built into the cliffs and also stopped to look at Huntsmans Leap and the Elegug Stacks.

Stackpole Head

Elegug Stacks

Elegug Stacks

At the end of the path near Flimston I headed inland and road the lanes to overlook Freshwater West Bay.

Church with flock

Freshwater West

It was here a long time ago I experienced a rip tide.  I had capsized my kayak and instead of being pushed ashore in the surf I found myself heading out to sea. Thankfully I was seen and towed back to safety. I soon learned what to look for and to swim horizontally to the current if it happened again.

Following lunch I headed east along quiet lanes back through Castle Martin, Warren, St Twynnels and back to Bosherton.

St Twynnels

Taff Trail and Cardiff Bay

As pay back for my away days, my wife and close friend flew off to Tenerife, not a walking boot or bike between them.

It was my job to transport them to the impressively named Cardiff International Airport and so as not to waste the day, I took my bike with the plan to cycle part of the Taff Trail and around Cardiff Bay

Route

Parking was on my mind but there was free parking in a large car park adjacent to the International Swimming Pool and the Whitewater Centre in the Sports Village.

The Taff Trail was signposted but because of various street works it was not that obvious to start with but I was soon cycling alongside the Taff passing the Millennium Stadium (no Six Nations Cup this year), into Bute Park, Pontcanna Fields and past the The Swalec Cricket Stadium.

Millennium Stadium

Melingriffith Water Pump

My goal was Castell Coch and after a flat ride it was a struggle up the steep hill to view the castle.

Castell Coch

Photos taken I retraced my steps to the Bay but then went clockwise to circumnavigate the Bay passing the Millennium Concert Centre, impressive sculptures, the Norwegian Church and  crossing the Barrage back to the car via Pont Y Werin.

More modern accommodation

Penarth Head in the distance

Millennium Centre

Norwegian Church

Commemorating Scott

Pilot Boat exiting the barrage

The whole of the Taff Trail is on my tick list and hopefully I can delete this later on this year.