Are drivers in Pembrokeshire....

[Mugshot]

Quite a lot of the Broad Haven route is back roads and not so good cycle paths, basically along the pavement, better off on the road alongside for most of it. It's a nice run though, and when you eventually emerge in Broad Haven it's a spectactular, if you have the time continue along the coast road to the right at least as far as New Gale then head back to Haverfordwest through Roch, it makes for a nice round trip then.
Some of the coast road hills are a little more challenging than the one coming out of Pembroke Dock too

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Quite a lot of the Broad Haven route is back roads and not so good cycle paths, basically along the pavement, better off on the road alongside for most of it. It's a nice run though, and when you eventually emerge in Broad Haven it's a spectactular, if you have the time continue along the coast road to the right at least as far as New Gale then head back to Haverfordwest through Roch, it makes for a nice round trip then.
Some of the coast road hills are a little more challenging than the one coming out of Pembroke Dock too

Thanks for the tip.

As for the hills; that is what the triple is for!

 

[Mugshot]

Thanks for the tip.

It's a pleasure, I hope you enjoy it if you do take the coast path, plenty of stunning views, you might even want to take your camera!

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Can't even see the oil refinery chimneys this morning!

 

[JonnyRat]

Dear All, I've been following this thread with great interest over the past couple of days. It's inspired me to 'sign-up' to Cycle Chat and this is my first post. Thanks for all your varying opinions and thoughts. I've only recently started commuting from Goodwick to Haverfordwest and have to say (in my very limited experience) that it is something of a lottery as far as considerate drivers are concerned. I have (wrongly) had to vary my route to ensure my own safety. On my way into work I use the main A40 route. However on the way home I stick to rural back roads to avoid traffic. It means an extra mile or two added to my commute, but at least I arrive home with all my limbs!! My first commute home using the A40 was horrendous - I'm sure drivers have less patience at the end of the working day than in the mornings. I was nearly run off the road by somebody overtaking a tractor and I lost count of the number of times I felt vulnerable because of cars passing too closely. I must temper this response by saying that my inexperience probably contributed to the feeling of vulnerability on occasions, but there were definitely some 'dodgy' passing manouvres undertaken by a few inconsiderate drivers. 99% of drivers may be OK, but as a cyclist you only need to encounter 1% and the chances are you will end up 2nd best in any collision / near miss! Anyway this hasn't put me off - I love the feeling of freedom the bike gives me. Happy cycling to you all. Oh, and talking of 'killer hills' try the hill from Goodwick Square up to Stop & Call! Punishing.

 

[Mugshot]

Dear All, I've been following this thread with great interest over the past couple of days. It's inspired me to 'sign-up' to Cycle Chat and this is my first post. Thanks for all your varying opinions and thoughts. I've only recently started commuting from Goodwick to Haverfordwest and have to say (in my very limited experience) that it is something of a lottery as far as considerate drivers are concerned. I have (wrongly) had to vary my route to ensure my own safety. On my way into work I use the main A40 route. However on the way home I stick to rural back roads to avoid traffic. It means an extra mile or two added to my commute, but at least I arrive home with all my limbs!! My first commute home using the A40 was horrendous - I'm sure drivers have less patience at the end of the working day than in the mornings. I was nearly run off the road by somebody overtaking a tractor and I lost count of the number of times I felt vulnerable because of cars passing too closely. I must temper this response by saying that my inexperience probably contributed to the feeling of vulnerability on occasions, but there were definitely some 'dodgy' passing manouvres undertaken by a few inconsiderate drivers. 99% of drivers may be OK, but as a cyclist you only need to encounter 1% and the chances are you will end up 2nd best in any collision / near miss! Anyway this hasn't put me off - I love the feeling of freedom the bike gives me. Happy cycling to you all. Oh, and talking of 'killer hills' try the hill from Goodwick Square up to Stop & Call! Punishing.

That's a fine commute Jonny, with a couple of tasty climbs too, fair play to you.
I find the Trefgarne Bends to Letterston a bit of a slog, not steep but it just seems to keep going, it may just be me of course
Shame about the issues you've been having with other road users though, your commmutes haven't coincided with the ferry timetable have they? I don't think I'd fancy being out when the traffic for that is thundering back and forth!
I wonder if Greg got to Broad Haven.

Hello BTW Jonny

 

[Smokin Joe]

Oh, and talking of 'killer hills' try the hill from Goodwick Square up to Stop & Call! Punishing.

You're not wrong there, the sign at the top claims it to be 1 in 6 but I reckon it ramps up a bit steeper than that in places. The climb from the St Davids Road up to Mathry is a leg breaker too, although mercifully short.

I generally avoid the A40 apart from the short stretch back from Letterston but unless it is dead quiet I turn off to Trecwn to avoid the uphill left hander just after the junction, the road narrows into a blind bend and I've had a scary moment with an overtaking truck that tried to squeeze me off the road when it met a car coming the other way.

Goodwick to Haverfordwest is a fair old commute if you catch a headwind, lots of exposed areas along the way.

 

[JonnyRat]

Hi Mugshot! Thanks for the warm welcome. Much appreciated. Yes, the commute is sizeable, but I don't do it Mon-Fri (yet) Generally take shirts & stuff in by bus on a Monday and then alternate between bus / bike. Usually do it 3 times a week. Have to say that I bought the bike - naively believing that riding that distance would be a 'doddle' (as I also run a fair bit, I figured cycling would require much less effort - how wrong I was!). Nevertheless I love it and look forward to each days ride. Yeah - the hill up to Letterston is never -ending. I follow back roads from Haverfordwest - Camrose - Hayscastle - Mathry to avoid traffic. Much flatter and safer!

='1873858']
That's a fine commute Jonny, with a couple of tasty climbs too, fair play to you.
I find the Trefgarne Bends to Letterston a bit of a slog, not steep but it just seems to keep going, it may just be me of course
Shame about the issues you've been having with other road users though, your commmutes haven't coincided with the ferry timetable have they? I don't think I'd fancy being out when the traffic for that is thundering back and forth!
I wonder if Greg got to Broad Haven.

Hello BTW Jonny
[/quote]

 

[JonnyRat]

Hi Joe,
Yes, I completely agree - Stop & Call Hill feels like a vertical climb at times - one helluva sense of achievement once you're at the top though!
I will bear what you say about the dangerous A40 bit in mind. i know exactly where you mean. The bit by Allt-Yr-Afon in Wolfscastle is also very similar.
I've lived in Pembs all my life and the ferocity of the winds never cease to amaze me. This week in particular was 'fun' especially passing some of the gateways!

I've not yet had the chance to cycle the bit you refer to by Mathry, but I have run that stretch on numerous occasions and it's no easier on 2 legs! My cycling tends to be more for commuting reasons than leisure at the moment. As my leg muscles improve (making the transition from running to cycling / running at moment) I'm sure I'll be able to enjoy the bike even more.
Happy cycling and thanks again for contributing your views. Am always interested to learn from more experienced cyclists.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

That's a fine commute Jonny, with a couple of tasty climbs too, fair play to you.
I find the Trefgarne Bends to Letterston a bit of a slog, not steep but it just seems to keep going, it may just be me of course
Shame about the issues you've been having with other road users though, your commmutes haven't coincided with the ferry timetable have they? I don't think I'd fancy being out when the traffic for that is thundering back and forth!
I wonder if Greg got to Broad Haven.

Hello BTW Jonny

edit: welcome to cc jonny


indeed i did, and went a bit further north as you suggested returning via Roch as suggested. but i did leave the A487 pronto after two questionable overtakes and headed back to rosemarket via tiers cross. it was windy but very sunny so a nice little spin.

had another ride north of haverford to the preselis which passed without incident apart from the howling wind.

 

[Mugshot]

That's great Greg, well I hope you enjoyed at least some of your visit to our little corner of Wales