First trip abroad on two wheels two up.. Wales; Elan Valley, Brecon, Snowdonia. All advice gratefully accepted

Harvey Mushman

Harvey Mushman

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Morning all tosser bikemates...

Myself and Mrs McQueen are off on Stena to Fishguard Monday morning. Staying in a self catering cottage (stable??) in Tregaron for 3 nights. Have a few nice routes planned from reading here and watching some youtube vlogs. Was delighted to see Rest Day Rider do a few of the roads I had planned, not so delighted to see the weather she had. (It was October though).

Forecast so far looks ok if not stunning. I've driven in Wales before but not on the roads I'm planning and never on the bike.

Trip one is a 134km loop from Tregaron to Rhayader, Elan Village, around the Claerwen lake/valley, back on the "national Cycle route 81" towards Devils Bridge and on to Aberystwyth for dinner before back to Tregaron via A485. I'm trying to figure out which actual road is the "Devils Staircase" and if this "Cycle Route 81" is suitable for a 2up F850GSA. Would I be better taking the A470/A44 back from Rhayader to Devils Bridge?

2nd loop is 186km from base to the Llyn Brianne via Nant Y Cwr phone box, Llandovery, A40 to Sennybridge and A40 to Merthyr Tydfil, Ebbw Vale up the B4560 and B4558 to Brecon for lunch. B4519 and A483.
There's a road from Beulah to Abergwesyn and back to Nant Y Cwr that I'm not sure about. It's unnamed on google maps.

Last plan is a straight up and down run to Snowdonia, 238kms over 4 hrs to Blaenau Ffestiniog for grub and a break, and then back..
I've optioned a 5.5hr 300 km version of this taking in the coast from Aber to Ynyslas, up to Blaenau on the A470, turn off at Bronaber to Bala lake on the way back on another unnamed road. After Bala the A494 and then the A470 and B4518 to Llyn Clywedog/Llanidoes and back to base.

I suppose I'm just wondering of there is any "DO NOTs" on this plan, or "don't misses"?

Thanks in advance.
Roy
 
Harvey Mushman said:
2nd loop is 186km from base to the Llyn Brianne via Nant Y Cwr phone box, Llandovery, A40 to Sennybridge and A40 to Merthyr Tydfil, Ebbw Vale up the B4560 and B4558 to Brecon for lunch. B4519 and A483.
There's a road from Beulah to Abergwesyn and back to Nant Y Cwr that I'm not sure about. It's unnamed on google maps.
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this is a nice loop - the B4560 over Llangynidr Mountain was a favourite when I lived in Abergavenny.

The road from Beulah to the phone box is the one with the Devil's Staircase.

The other route, over NCR 81 is fine to get back to Aberystwyth. Not sure why you want to go there for dinner as Tregaron has decent options for food. Aberaeron is my preferred coastal town for a meal.
 
Harvey Mushman said:
Last plan is a straight up and down run to Snowdonia, 238kms over 4 hrs to Blaenau Ffestiniog for grub and a break, and then back..
I've optioned a 5.5hr 300 km version of this taking in the coast from Aber to Ynyslas, up to Blaenau on the A470, turn off at Bronaber to Bala lake on the way back on another unnamed road. After Bala the A494 and then the A470 and B4518 to Llyn Clywedog/Llanidoes and back to base.
Click to expand...

My preference would be to go to Aberdovey rather than Ynyslas. Then loop back to A470 via Tywyn and the Tal-y-llyn lake. Walkers chip shop in Aberdovey is a favourite for lunch.

Have a look at the alternative route to Bala from Ffestiniog (no Blaenau) on the B4391, other wise good.
 
wessie said:
Not sure why you want to go there for dinner as Tregaron has decent options for food. Aberaeron is my preferred coastal town for a meal.
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Thanks, any particular venues in either town you particularly recommend? Was looking at Aber as a change, expect to eat in Tregaron at least twice during the short stay.


wessie said:
My preference would be to go to Aberdovey rather than Ynyslas. Then loop back to A470 via Tywyn and the Tal-y-llyn lake. Walkers chip shop in Aberdovey is a favourite for lunch.

Have a look at the alternative route to Bala from Ffestiniog (no Blaenau) on the B4391, other wise good.
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Yea, was debating doing this as well/instead of. Like everyday, the plan will depend on weather and the time taken to get to any particular point, how much time is left in the day, and how hangry Mrs Mushman is getting (she's convinced she lived and died during the Famine in a past life....)

If we are doing well and the weather gods play ball, I'd certainly be heading that way. The whole idea of the trip is to be flexible and not bite off more than I can chew. 150-230kms with stops is a short day for us, 300-350 is a full day at a steady pace with lots of stops. My upper limit would be 450kms on a full-on big road kinda day. Much prefer start-stop loops knowing where my bed is that night.

It's also reassuring that my blind planning- having never set foot in these areas before- turns out to look like an actual sensible and interesting ride.

Thanks all.
 
Places to eat:
Aberaeron - I usually aim for the harbour car park. If the weather is nice, get fish and chips or ice cream to eat al fresco. If cooler, then the New Celtic restaurant, same owners as the chippie is fine. For an evening meal, The Hive is good

Tregaron: https://ytalbot.com/ is decent. Note it is shut on a Sunday evening and Mondays. There are a couple of takeaways as well, but not tried those.
 
wessie said:
Places to eat:
Aberaeron - I usually aim for the harbour car park. If the weather is nice, get fish and chips or ice cream to eat al fresco. If cooler, then the New Celtic restaurant, same owners as the chippie is fine. For an evening meal, The Hive is good

Tregaron: https://ytalbot.com/ is decent. Note it is shut on a Sunday evening and Mondays. There are a couple of takeaways as well, but not tried those.
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Great recommendations these. Also if you fancy going somewhere a little more upmarket, The Harbourmaster is also great, and just around the corner from the car park. Even if it’s just for a nice pint sat on the harbour wall, they do some decent beers. Not sure what reception you’d get from them if you turn up in full bike gear mind 😂
 
If the weather gods are playing ball, a ride by the big peaks of Tryfan and The Snowdon Horse Shoe is something to marvel at.

If you’re very good and can time it according to their schedule, the route from Beddgelert to Vale of Ffestiniog via Rhyd B4410 has a steam train running by. It’s rather special to hear the chuffing in the background to then park up and watch it thunder through.

Have a great time (y)
 
I have nothing more to suggest than the excellent advice from @wessie and the other chaps but have a Google of the red kite feeding station near Rhayader. If it fits in with your routes/times it is a great way to get close to these magnificent birds.
 
We are back after a fantastic few days away. Will post some pics and a brief review when I figure out how. Thanks all for the suggestions it was a great help.

=====

Look forward to them and thanks for saying ‘Thank you”, as many don’t bother.

I have moved the thread hijack request for information on the 850 GSA (cornering on a skinny front tyre, two-up) into the appropriate sub-section.

Review of 850 GSA (two up) wanted

Please review the F850GSA 2 up, I have one would be sacred with the skinny front hoop 2 up leaning in corners at speed? Ok for a single persons weight but perhaps not for 2? ===== Moved from the Travel section. Richard
www.ukgser.com

Richard
 
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Will try adding some pictures...20240722_083804.jpg

Tuskar Rock lighthouse... last bit of the auld sod we pass.
 
Ok that seems to have worked. I'll try a trip report in the appropriate section later. Hopefully some will find it useful if ever heading that way.

Thanks again all for the tips and advice, both on this thread, and elsewhere on this forum. It has been of great help and much appreciated, both by myself, and more importantly, by Mrs M.20240722_181629.jpg
 
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Didn't get to Elan this time but planning it next trip.
See my ride report in that section for how we got on.

Thanks again everyone for the help and advice. We made good use of it.
 
Harvey Mushman said:
Didn't get to Elan this time but planning it next trip.
See my ride report in that section for how we got on.

Thanks again everyone for the help and advice. We made good use of it.
Click to expand...
Will do
Elan Valley is a great riding area and adds to the general Devil’s Bridge area riding
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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