2 - 3 days in the Brecons / Black mountains

Blah · Post by **Blah** » Wed Jul 16, 2014 10:54 am

I've got a midweek slot in a couple of weeks time, thinking about a 2-3 day loop around the Brecons / Black Mountains.

Don't suppose anybody's done this and has a handy satnavvy link that I could pinch...

Any tips for where to (not) go would be greatly appreciated!

Bearbonesnorm · Post by **Bearbonesnorm** » Wed Jul 16, 2014 2:30 pm

This any help?

http://bearbonesbikepacking.co.uk/phpBB ... =10&t=3743

Blah · Post by **Blah** » Wed Jul 16, 2014 5:12 pm

Yes, thanks! Had come across lars's write-up courtesy of Google.

Think 238 miles is at least twice as long as what I'd entertain the thought of doing though.

Anybody want to recommend the best bits / where to cut out bits to shorten it?

Ian · Post by **Ian** » Wed Jul 16, 2014 7:10 pm

Start in/near to Crickhowell and do the Black Mtn's first, following the EWE route over the Beacons (this is the bit I contributed). Follow Lars' route (adapted from various local rides of mine) to Ystradfellte (over Fan Gihirych) and then back to Brecon via Sarn Helen/ Bryn Melyn then canal back to Crick. 120 miles or so.

Ian · Post by **Ian** » Wed Jul 16, 2014 7:12 pm

See also: http://bearbonesbikepacking.co.uk/phpBB ... f=8&t=3694

Blah · Post by **Blah** » Thu Jul 17, 2014 11:55 am

Perfect, thanks Ian!

DanLear · Post by **DanLear** » Sat Jul 19, 2014 11:21 am

Thinking of something similar for August Bank Holiday weekend, and (roughly) stitched this together -
http://bikehike.co.uk/mapview.php?lnk=h ... recons.kml

It's the bastard-son of Lars' route, plus EWE bits and Ian's comments above...

Never ridden this area before...does it seem reasonable for a 2-3 dayer?

(sorry to hijack the thread a bit

)

Ian · Post by **Ian** » Sat Jul 19, 2014 12:09 pm

Looks fine - pretty much what was I was suggesting for Blah, but without the Bal Mawr bit (but see next comment).

To gain the ridge above Llanthony, you're better going up to Capel-y-ffin and taking the bridleway. It's a push either way, but you get more ridge back to Bal Mawr / Bal Bach too, which is good. There is also an option to double back along the red spots into the top of the forest after Bal Bach, or drop in at Coed Dias (per EWE route).

On the return, after you've crossed the A470, if you don't need to go to Brecon for resupply, keep "high" past Heol Fannog, Twyn/ Trosnant and take the bridleway Tynllwyn to Llanfrynach - which is a nice piece of trail. Your next resupply would be Talybont, which would probably be fine.

Ian · Post by **Ian** » Sat Jul 19, 2014 12:14 pm

As an additional comment, you could go to the summit of Mynydd Llangorse, rather than skirt around the side. The latter was proposed for EWE to keep the route on bridleways, but if you push up Cockit Hill (or ride, if you have legs of steel) and follow the ridge over the Trig point and down to Bwlch.

DanLear · Post by **DanLear** » Sat Jul 19, 2014 1:01 pm

Fantastic, thanks Ian...nothing like a bit of local knowledge

Blah · Post by **Blah** » Tue Jul 22, 2014 3:51 pm

Here's the DanLear's route, updated with Ian's suggestions: http://bikehike.co.uk/mapview.php?lnk=h ... -crick.gpx

Can't wait

Thank you so much for your suggestions! It's made the whole route planning thing a doddle

Ian · Post by **Ian** » Tue Jul 22, 2014 5:15 pm

Only one small comment, just for info really as it isn't clear in the map. After the Mynydd Du forest road climb, you descent down Blaen-nant-henbant (top drawer descent, by the way), and the bridleway is shown as going past a building. It actually goes through the wood to the south via a permitted bridleway - as depicted by this Strava segment: http://www.strava.com/segments/4977408
Take care though, it's steep

indy · Post by **indy** » Tue Jul 22, 2014 8:28 pm

Hi, I've been reading the thread with interest as I'm planning a very similar, and first trip soon - probably when the weather cools a bit. I'll be looking to find or pick-up a first trail/route/path further west though, somewhere around Ammanford, as I'll be heading north from west Swansea (Gorseinon). Would you advise not to try the route without a GPS unit? I don't have a Garmin and I'm not too fussed on getting one, as I'd prefer to follow my nose instead (with a lot of swearing when gone the wrong way of course). I take it it would be a case of printing the route/map off and going from paper instead to use for a rough guide, or is there simply too much information to be able to do that? I'm new to this so please excuse the probably v silly questions

Chew · Post by **Chew** » Tue Jul 22, 2014 8:48 pm

You dont need a GPS to get out. Most of us will have started off using maps and have just moved across for convenience.

I'd always advise taking some kind of map if you're going somewhere new just in case you need to get back to civilisation in a hurry.

As to plan ahead or not, depends on what kind of trip you want. If you're happy just to bimble about then you'll be fine without any planning.

I do find a little planning does go a long way though. If thats just theres a village shop or a quick look on google earth to see if that bridleway does exist.

indy · Post by **indy** » Tue Jul 22, 2014 9:33 pm

Thanks for the reply. I won't be in a hurry when I go, but I'm probably like most so will like to have planned an approximate place to aim for during the day - last thing I want is to be chasing my tail and wasting energy, so I'll take a map of some form. Am I right in thinking the double dash on the online detailed map indicates a bridleway which is a good path to follow?

Chew · Post by **Chew** » Tue Jul 22, 2014 9:37 pm

indy wrote:Am I right in thinking the double dash on the online detailed map indicates a bridleway which is a good path to follow?

Right in thinking its a bridleway, but remember you're in Wales so it could equally be a great trail or a 10 mile boggy Deathmarch

indy · Post by **indy** » Wed Jul 23, 2014 9:02 am

10 mile boggy Deathmarch

I'd have turned around and looked for an alternative route after 6 feet!

My aim is to remain on the bike as much as possible so I'm open to using different surfaces to ride even if I'd be missing some spectacular views,plus there's always others around the corner.

It looks like OS 160 map of Brecon Beacons covers most areas I'll need so will pick one up which will hopefully keep me going.

DanLear · Post by **DanLear** » Thu Jul 31, 2014 9:44 am

Another quick question on this....where could I ditch a car in/near Abergavenny (and expect it to be there when I get back) for a 3 day trip?

Bearbonesnorm · Post by **Bearbonesnorm** » Thu Jul 31, 2014 10:09 am

I'd have turned around and looked for an alternative route after 6 feet!

My aim is to remain on the bike as much as possible so I'm open to using different surfaces to ride even if I'd be missing some spectacular views,plus there's always others around the corner.

I find you can learn a lot about your surroundings, your kit and yourself by including the odd DeathMarch ... it's good for the soul

Ian · Post by **Ian** » Thu Jul 31, 2014 11:37 am

DanLear wrote:Another quick question on this....where could I ditch a car in/near Abergavenny (and expect it to be there when I get back) for a 3 day trip?

Try one street over (west) of the road that leads to the train station in Abergavenny. I've parked on the left for a long weekend and it was fine - road quite wide for the first 200 yards.

DanLear · Post by **DanLear** » Thu Jul 31, 2014 12:26 pm

Thanks Ian,

Belmont Road?

indy · Post by **indy** » Thu Jul 31, 2014 1:42 pm

s8tannorm wrote:
I'd have turned around and looked for an alternative route after 6 feet!

My aim is to remain on the bike as much as possible so I'm open to using different surfaces to ride even if I'd be missing some spectacular views,plus there's always others around the corner.
I find you can learn a lot about your surroundings, your kit and yourself by including the odd DeathMarch ... it's good for the soul

The odd one would be fine if I knew it would be just that, I had the gear ready, and knew how long it would go on for

Ian · Post by **Ian** » Thu Jul 31, 2014 5:43 pm

DanLear wrote:Thanks Ian,

Belmont Road?

That's the one. By where the red, blue or white cars are parked is fine

Blah · Post by **Blah** » Thu Jul 31, 2014 8:58 pm

Ian (or anyone else), any advice on where the leave the car in Crick?

Also, any good pubs I should visit ;-)

Ian · Post by **Ian** » Thu Jul 31, 2014 9:10 pm

The Cider Mill west of Crickhowell is the best pub to visit. At the junction with the A40/A479. You might be able to leave the car there if you stopping for a drink/ ask nicely.

Otherwise, there's a large layby just east of Crick (South of road) that I've used and it was fine.

2 - 3 days in the Brecons / Black mountains

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