Lon Las Cymru Holyhead to Chepstow just completed

[auww08]

Lon Las Cymru Cycle Tour

Holyhead to Chepstow

280 miles completed

Over 5300m of ascent

Strava android app used to track route

24.45kgs of luggage i.e. 2* front & 2* rear panniers, bar bag and tent

Bike Ridgeback Panorama

Route completed in 3 full days and 2 half days


Day 1 Sat 6.9.14

Arrived @ Holyhead train station @ 12.50

Route

Holyhead to Menai Bridge (Bangor) to Caernarfon

Distance completed 45.02 miles Max 33.4 mph Ave 10.9 mph

Riding time 3 hrs 53 mins 52 seconds

Total ascent 501m



Campsite I stayed at in Caernarfon

http://www.cwmcadnantvalley.co.uk/

Cwm Cadnant Valley

Llanberis Road, Caernarfon, Gwynedd,LL55 2DF, Telephone:+44 1286 673196,

£8 per night

Excellent campsite for location to route 8 and town centre i.e. 10 minute walk. Caernarfon is very picturesque. Had a good pub meal and beer in the Anglesey pub in Caernarfon.


Day 2 Sunday 7.9.14

Route

Caernarfon to Porthmadog to Barmouth to Dolgellau

Distance completed 71 miles Max 41.3 mph Ave 11 mph

Riding time 6 hrs 25 mins 26 seconds

Total ascent 1130m


Campsite I stayed at in Dolgellau

http://www.campsitesnowdonia.co.uk/index.html

Tanyfron Caravan & Camping Park
Arran Road, Coed Y Brenin, Snowdonia, Dolgellau, Gwynedd, LL40 2AA, Tel: 01341 422638

£7.50 per night

Good campsite for views, facilities and proximity to route 8



Day 3 Monday 8.9.14

Route

Dolgellau to Machynlleth

Distance completed 15.95 miles Max 30.4 mph Ave 6.7 mph

Riding time 2 hrs 22 mins 25 seconds

Total ascent 615m


Hostel I stayed at in Machynlleth

Stayed at www.machhostel.co.uk

£17.50 per night

John 07590 282 374 (Hostel was formerly known as Reditreks) next to Jp’s Bicycle Salon which was formerly known as the Holy Trail. Proprietor of Bike shop is a mate of owner of hostel and is also named John. Number is 07789 062981

4 spokes tore away from rear wheel and it also cracked in 8 other different places so had to replace wheel. John was really helpful where sourcing a wheel for me and fitting it for a token charge. I obtained the new rear wheel obtained from Summit Cycles in Aberystwyth via a short train journey and return bus journey


Day 4 Tuesday 9.9.14

Route

Dolgellau to Machynlleth to Llanidloes to Rhayader to Bulith Wells to Hay On Wye

Distance completed 80.33 miles Ave 9.2 mph Max 36.7 mph

Riding time 8 hrs 39 mins 01 seconds

Total ascent 1651m


Campsite I stayed at in Hay On Wye

http://www.hay-on-wye.co.uk/radnorsend/

Radnors End Campsite
Radnors End, Hay On Wye, Powys, HR3 5RS, Tel: 01497 820780

£6 per night

Stopped at Clive Powell Mountain Bike Shop in Rhayader and obtained a new set of pads for rear breaks which had burnt down to the metal on Day 2

http://www.clivepowell-mtb.co.uk/

Very nice clean and small campsite. Ideally located. Showers cost 50p


Day 5 Wed 10.9.14

Route

Hay On Wye to Abergavenny via Gospel Path then Abergavenny to Chepstow

Caught 20.30 train back to Birmingham New st.

Distance completed 59.79 miles Max 39.8 Ave 8.8

Riding time 6hrs 47 mins 05 seconds

Total ascent 1416m


Abergavenny - had a nightmare trying to find the route out of Abergavenny. Went round in circles for an hour plus. If you have a sat nav on your phone type in Tredilion Road. Get to there and you will find the route out!


I have put this together to help me remember the trip and in the hope it might prove useful to others considering doing Lon Las Cymru


For those that ask questions about fitness and what is possible in how much time. Between 4.2013 and 7.2014 I had two major operations and had only been able to exercise a total of 3 times in 15 months i.e. 7.2014.


In the 6 weeks prior to setting of I completed a 3 day 180+ mile cycle tour around the Cotswolds and 200 miles of cycling in South West France.


I didn’t find the trip too challenging. It was made easier by superb weather conditions i.e. sunshine everyday.


The hills are steep in places, if you can’t manage to cycle to the top of each ascent, just get off and push


Trip is highly recommended, go challenge the Welsh Dragon.


If you have any questions, please do contact me

 

[videoman]

Thanks for the info as it is a route I would like to do. I have a static caravan 6 miles from Caernarfon near LLanberis and my sister lives in Lydney which is 10 miles north of Chepstow.

 

[Tail End Charlie]

It's a great route, I've done it both ways. I could do it every year and not get bored with it, go for it!!

 

[hoopdriver]

It's one of my favourite bicycle routes too. Just beautiful. I loved Gospel Pass

 

[palinurus]

I want to do it again too now.

 

[robing]

I leave for Holyhead to start this tomorrow!

 

[robing]

Unfortunately knocked off my bike half a mile from my departure station! Luckily I escaped any major injury, just some bruising and road rash.
Bike didn;t fare so well though, back wheel totally buckled so no cycling trip for now.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Unfortunately knocked off my bike half a mile from my departure station! Luckily I escaped any major injury, just some bruising and road rash.
Bike didn;t fare so well though, back wheel totally buckled so no cycling trip for now.

utter bummer. Gws and hope bike fixed quickly and cheaply soon.

 

[ianbarton]

Thanks for all the useful info, especially about camp sites. I might have a go in September if the weather is good. I am still recovering from a major op and having chemo, but should be finished with treatment in August. I would be going South to North. I might finish the ride by cycling home from Holyhead over another two days, along the coast to Chester and then south towards South Cheshire.