Whilst our friend Gareth may not be a fan of the 100 Greatest Climbs books, including the Welsh one, Cycling Climbs of Wales, sometimes there is adventure to be had in just seeking out one of these climbs. Certainly, Gareth does … Continue reading Epic Rides: In search of a Great Welsh Climb
Sometimes you need to get out for a training ride, but you don’t have a lot of time. It could be at the end of the working day, or you could be fitting rides in between family or work commitments. This route has a few slightly unpleasant junctions to navigate, which is why we can’t recommend it for beginners, plus it has a couple of significant hills too, so it is one for the keener cyclist…with a lack of free time. The Route Once again starting at Plan2Ride, you head up the hill towards Castell Coch and keep on going … Continue reading Route: The Short, Sharp Shock
I have a confession. I don’t like the series of 100 Greatest Climbs books, particularly the new Wales book. Its nothing personal, but it’s a couple of things. Increasingly I don’t like the fetishisation of the climb. It might work in the Alps where riding up the Galibier might take most of your day, but in south Wales where the climbs are 1-3km, a ride isn’t about one climb, it’s about the route, or where you are going to. That’s what makes cycling interesting. And then there’s some of the choices, and omissions. Take the road to Penrhys. Seriously, one … Continue reading Guest Post: Not another 100 Climbs – by @GarethEnticott
We are spoilt for choice where 200km Randonnees are concerned, with one leaving Cardiff most months. However our 100km events are much harder to come by, yet all seem to have one thing in common –hills. Lots and lots of … Continue reading Epic Rides: The Trefil Travail 100Km Audax
Whilst circular routes certainly have their place, sometimes you want to get on your bike just to end up somewhere else. Fortunately for us we’re already in one of the most beautiful countries on this planet and we are spoilt … Continue reading Epic Rides: Cardiff to New Quay
You know we love a good hill to climb and many of you do too. However, for three weeks this summer one of our local epic climbs is going to be off-limits, at least occasionally. A number of tough winters have taken their toll on the tarmac on the Rhigos road, so as part of the £23m investment in highways, Rhondda Cynon Taff Council is going to resurface the stretch of tarmac between Treherbert and Hirwaun. Traffic Management and a number of road closures are expected to be in place from w/c 21st July 2016 until 31st August 2016. It … Continue reading Rhigos Mountain Road Closures – July to August 2016
We love the Bwlch. It’s always an interesting challenge, but it also offers achingly beautiful views from the top. Best of all, there are three ways to take it on. One route we’ve talked about already, coming from Neath and … Continue reading Back to the Bwlch
It may have been beautiful –Wales just is, but what on Earth possessed us to do this ride we don’t know. It may have only been 100Km, which on the back of a couple of 200Km rides doesn’t sound much, … Continue reading Epic Rides: Cambrian 1K Permanent
There’s a lot to be said for a good climb, but Llanwonno takes some beating. Not quite an “epic” climb as far as the top 100 list goes, but it sure is a tall task easily accessible from Pontypridd town centre. The route we have for you is around 40KM from Plan2Ride in Tongwynlais, but there are other routes to Pontypridd that you may wish to consider if you want to avoid the traffic and the dual carriageway through Ponty. You could follow the Taff Trail all the way up if you prefer, or use NCN Route 4 from the … Continue reading The Graigwen Road Loop
The Bwlch and the Rhigos are seen as somewhat of a right of passage by many cyclists in South Wales. By which, of course, I mean the Bwlch AND the Rhigos, not one or the other. As part of my ongoing, incremental training plan I decided to have a bash at these last Saturday. I chose to do the Bwlch from the Ogmore Valley side this time round, so I headed north out of Cardiff and taking in Llantrisant and Gilfach before dipping down and back up to Glynogwr. The views here are absolutely stunning and well worth the effort … Continue reading Guest Post: The Bwlch & The Rhigos – A Rite of Passage – By Gareth Thomas
