Sunday 22nd November 2020. The sun shone so having endured a lockdown for some weeks it was time to get out on the bike. It was all a bit short notice but we managed to muster 5 for the outing. Due to Covid restrictions more would have attracted attention. Sorry if you didn’t make it on this one but there will be other rides.
At 9:30 I found Stuart at my local supermarket filling with petrol. Having completed this task we headed across to meet Murray and Lloyd at the MacD’s next to the Otter in Newbridge. Having explained the next part of the route to Stuart as he managed to get himself lost on this section last time, we headed out to Pontypool and then north to Blaenavon. The road took us over the Blorenge and past the Keeper’s Pond where there were people swimming in the pond. Brrr it was down to about 5 degrees up there.
Just outside Govilon we met Tony. Troop complete we took the A4077 to Crickhowell and then the A40 to Brecon. We went through the town to pick up the B4520 to Upper Chapel. This is a great road with lots of bends and in the dry is good practice. However today it was a bit damp in places and piles of leaves on some bends so caution was the watchword. Just north of Upper Chapel we branched off onto the B4519 to take us across the Eppynt range, got to watch out for sheep along there and moving bushes as the army do combat training up there. A quick pee stop at the visitor centre and then onward. There were a few other groups of bike out as it was so nice so we had to watch some of the blind corners as you never know what is around them.
Approaching Garth we took a left to explore the back roads to Llangammarch Well and then onto Tirabad and eventually the A483 at Cynghordy. From there it is but a short hop to Llandovery where the Owl’s Nest awaited. It was a bit crowded there and busy so we found a spot at the top end of the car park and just had a socially distanced chat before heading back.
First stop was back in Llandovery for petrol and then back along the A4069 to Llangadog where we hung a left and took the road over Black Mountain. A very nice road but sadly it is 40mph all the way.
At Brynamman we took the road to Ystalyfera where we headed north again to Abercraf. A quick blast up the hill past the Chimpanzee rescue place and drop down to Glyn Neath. A left up the old road to Rhigos where Tony left us as we headed home.
four of us headed down the Dare valley. When we met the A470 we split again as Stuart took the road to Cardiff, the rest of us split at Ystrad Mynach.
Another great day out on great roads, great bikes and great company. Thanks for the company guys, until the next time, keep safe.
Regards
Mike
