London to Wales......

[Matt]

but which way....?

Doing this in a week or so to meet the family up there. Gonna not really plan it too much and just follow a general direction / my nose

My thoughts are the following :

Thames path to Reading, then
Kennet and Avon Canal to Bristol , then
Bristol to Chepstow, then
Chepstow to Abergavenny into the Brecons and pick up Sustrans Route 8 (ish) to Mach

Reckon on 4-5days (no rush)

Might do it on the Kaffenback?? Might go on the Scandal?? haven't decided

[Ian]

Sounds like a lot of canal to Bristol. Perhaps there isn't much choice? Apparently, the canal in Brecon goes all the way to Cwmbran and I think you can now cycle all the way. I've always got bored of it by Talybont where I've peeled off and headed into the hills :?

Alternatives: you could look at the Ridgeway south of Oxford - I've ridden it and it's quite nice. Go out via the Chilterns, perhaps?

Ian

p.s. I'm making arrangements re the seat pack. It wasn't where I thought it was, and once I'd tracked it down I realised that the person I'd lent it to was 5000 miles or so away from it.

p.p.s If you actually pass through Brecon, call in for a cup of tea.

[Matt]

It's not set in stone so if I get bored of Tow Path I'll divert.

May well hold you to cup of tea :)

[Bigface0_0]

Matt

Looking forward to hearing how you got on keep us posted )

[valleydaddy]

sounds like a great trip planned there Matt look forward to the pics and updates :D

[Matt]

Hmmm broke my toe

[Matt]

So me and my broken toe set off tomorrow

[Taylor]

Give me a shout at Brizzle and i'll scop a butty your way.

[Matt]

Sounds like a half decent plan

[Taylor]

I'm in Cardiff Saturday morning but should be about mid afternoon.

[Matt]

Bollocks! still at f'in work......

[valleydaddy]

stop lookin' on here and get home boy!!

good luck with your trip to Wales I wish I was able to drive I would have met you on-route.

[Taylor]

Well he's into Wales now

[Matt]

Well I made it, rolled into Aberdyfi last night. I nearly called in at Stu's (but it was getting late) I nearly bivi'd near point 9 on the WRT but in the end I just got my head down and cycled to the Pengelig Arms and sent my SPOT from there to confuse the Mrs.

Full write up and photos to follow

[Taylor]

Congratulations.

[Ian]

3 Days is good going - well done. What was your route up through Wales?

[Matt]

Photos are here if anybody cares;

http://www.flickr.com/photos/fantasticm ... 331496608/


Once again I was attacked by Slugs in the night


Slug attack! ... again by fantasticmrmatt, on Flickr

[Ian]

Well done sir!

Like the barley photo and the second sunset over Hay ones best :)

[Taylor]

What was your total mileage?

[Matt]

Ended up 270 odd miles

[valleydaddy]

some great pics there Matt you definitely chose the right weekend for the weather.

How did you get on with the SPOT???

[Matt]

Spot was great, worked really well, I should have bought the tracking as well though for the extra £30

[valleydaddy]

That's great to know Matt, I'll get the tracker added to mine once I register it, I won't be doing that until I can ride sufficiently well again.

[thomthumb]

hi matt,

looks like a good trip. just wondered what your route planning involved? big pile of os maps? and a vague idea or more definite plan?

[Matt]

Kinda followed my nose and had a couple of Sustrans maps