The Borth Circuit

Yesterday, I did a 28 mile Bike ride circuit from the Town of Aberystwyth, to Borth and on to Ynyslas. From there, I cycled back up to the A487.

I don't like Sundays, and often consider them to be boring, but I do enjoy a Sunday Bike ride. They've often turned out to be pleasant for me. Even when I attended Church years ago, and got into cycling, my Mind wasn't on worship, but getting out on my Bike a.s.a.p.

Instead of cycling the steep Penglais Hill that heads up to the University, I rode along part of the Rheidol Cycle Track, and through the Industrial Estate, where I met up with the main A44 Trunk road. 

At Lovesgrove I turned left and followed the road to Bow Street. This route adds a few extra miles, but I chose to do it that way, so to avoid riding up steep Hills straight away. I usually need a few miles before facing those kind of challenges.


It was a gorgeous sunny Summer Day, when I reached Borth. I sat down on a Bench to eat an Orange, and a couple of Cookies for energy. It was so pleasant, I really didn't want to move, as I was beginning to relax.


I saw somebody swim in the Sea. Rather them than me, as the Sea surface temperature at the moment is only 57 degree's Fahrenheit. 


Cycling a couple of miles on the flat to Ynyslas was nice. I then turned right and looked over to the picturesque views of Aberdovey and the Mountains of Snowdonia.


I don't know why, but for some reason cycling along that road, close to the Dovey Estuary then over a Bridge with a small River underneath, reminds me of cycling in Holland. Even though your surrounded by Hills and Mountains, that particular area makes me think of a Dutch landscape.


I stopped in various places to take Photographs, then met up with the A487 again, where a sign said 9 miles to Aberystwyth.


I can't say I enjoy riding along that road. The scenery is stunning, but it does get busy with Vehicles. There's also not a lot of places to stop for a cyclist. There are sections which become Bike Paths, but most of the time your riding at your own risk.


I found it quite amusing when I got back to Bow Street. I found a Bench, and decided to stop for Lunch. Two cyclists on Racing Bikes passed me and looked over in my direction. I wondered if they were thinking, why has he stopped? The reason for thinking that way is some people can be highly competitive on their two Wheeled Steeds. I ride at my own pace, and if I need a break, I'll stop and take one.


It was an enjoyable ride, and I enjoyed the Day.

 

Cycling to Strata Florida

On Thursday 5th July 2012, I cycled approximately 16 miles to the ruins of Strata Florida in Ceredigion Mid Wales.

There are a couple of ways getting there. Either along the B4340 Road from Aberystwyth to Pontrhydfendigaid, then turning left just after the Bridge. Or you can take the Sustran's Cycle routes 81 and 82, which are both part of the Ystwyth Trail.

The cycle paths are a safer option, but it does mean having to ride part of Route 82 on the B4340, until reaching the designated paths.  It doesn't completely connect with the Town of Tregaron.

On the B4340, I often encountered Trucks, and I tried where possible to stop and pull my Bicycle right in, so that they could pass. Many honked their Horns to thank me.

Whichever route you decided to take, it passes through some of the most stunning scenery that the Ystwyth Valley has to offer. In places I saw the River bending towards magnificent green Hills. Heading along that route, provides some of the wildest and most remote scenery that Mid Wales has to offer. 

When I finally reached Strata Florida, I parked my Bicycle up against a Wall, and went into the Reception area. I was met with a warm friendly smile from a lady behind the Desk. I paid the £3.20 entrance Fee, and also bought a Cup of Coffee, which I was relieved to get. I need a Caffeine fix to keep me motivated.

I'd been to Strata Florida in February. At that time of year, it's free to enter, but due to cold weather, I had to turn back. I'd wanted to return, because during the Winter, I didn't have enough Battery power left in my Camera. I thought it would be nice to film a short Video there.

It's situated in wonderful grounds, and surrounded by Hills. The History goes back much further than the creation of the Cistercian Monastery.  Archeological excavations in that area, know a lot went on well before the Middle Ages. It is said that a Druid Temple was there before the arrival of the Monks from France. 

A 10th Century Holy Well close by was discovered recently, which means there was an early Christian settlement before the Normans had even arrived.

Between the monastic influence, and earlier Pagan settlements, there's a lot of mysticism in that unique part of Wales. The energy around there is like where one meets the other. Neither dominates, they co-exist, and it's a love and respect for the land. It is said that Strata Florida is on a Ley line which connects with Glastonbury in England.  You certainly feel there's a powerful energy. 

The Monastery in it's day, was well ahead of it's time. It was at one point the largest Estate in Wales, that stretched through the Cambrian Mountains to Abbey cwm hir near Llandrindod Wells, and Newtown in Powys..

Monks would fish up at the Teifi Pools for Eels. A Lady at the Reception Desk last year said to me, that she thinks the Monks had a good life there.

It is a very unique and spiritual place. Just not the ruins, but the entire surrounding area.

On my way back I turned off the B4340 at Trawsgoed, and went over the Bridge to head for the Ystwyth Trail. What's good about that route is, it's mostly flat and easier to cycle. You see stunning views on the B4340, but it does tend to mean cycling up and down many Hills which eventually will wear your Legs down. 

The Ystwyth Trail provides you the opportunity to travel at a leisurely pace alongside the River, without having to worry about any Traffic, Families can ride there in safety. It's also a great place to stop off and have a Picnic. The route all the way along to the Village of Llanilar is wonderful and peaceful. I always enjoy cycling there.

Cycling, does provide an opportunity to discover new places for yourself, and can do it at a gentle pace. You don't have to ride a Bike at a Tour De France level. Just get out and enjoy the day. It also helps the local economies. Stopping off at a village Store to buy extra provisions for your ride, or maybe enjoying a Lunch at a local Pub,  provides you the opportunity to discover what's locally on offer.  The whole of mid Wales really is an adventure on a Bike, waiting to be discovered.

 

Park your pride and push.

Cycling is a wonderful way of discovering a Country. 

I've been fortunate living in Mid Wales to have been able to cycle for the last 8 years. Riding up and down Country Lanes, and reaching summits that have produced stunning vistas, has been of great joy.


Recently I purchased a new Bike. It's a Trek 7.5 FX, and has made all the difference in covering greater distances. I can pound up the Hills better now, than I could on my old Giant Rincon Mountain Bike. I was amazed at just how much easier cycling was up Hills than had previously been the case. 

Several days ago, I undertook a 50 mile Bike Ride along the A44 from the coastal and University Town of Aberystwyth,  to the Village of Llangurig in Powys. 

Although the main Road is not the easiest of routes due to heavy traffic, it did afford me the opportunity of traveling through some beautiful scenery. 

Cycling through the Cambrian Mountains is known as the "Desert of Wales". Due to this utterly stunning part of the UK, it is wild and remote. Towns are few and far between.


Boring it could never be. The route I cycled, passed the Forestry Commission Center at Bwlch Nant Y Arian. It's where the Red Kite Birds are fed, and many are seen flying around. There's a wonderful Cafe there to stop off on route, and sample the delights of it's beautiful natural environment. 


Bwlch Nant Y Arian also provides one of the best Mountain Biking Centers in Wales. There are designated trails for Mountain Bikes and Walkers. It's a place where you can embrace the Elements, and hardly encounter another Soul.

The whole of Mid Wales provides a freedom, but also an isolation to totally get away from the hustle and bustle of the modern World. There is no better way of discovering it than on a Bike. It can be done at your own pace. Being in a hurry, is not the way to enjoy the scenery. Making the effort and taking your time is.

Cycling up Hills and Mountains, may appear discouraging to some people who would consider it too much of an effort. The truth is cycling attracts all ages, and levels of fitness.. 

Having the right Bike as I found out, make's all the difference too. It's no use buying a cheap Bike if you wish ride 40 Miles, and it doesn't fit you properly. That can be a "medieval torture on Wheels".  Cycling is supposed to be fun, and can afford you many a wonderful adventure. It's viewing life at a different pace.


The American Author Ernest Hemingway once said, " it is by riding a Bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best, since you have to sweat up the Hills, and coast down them. Thus you remember them as they actually are, while in a Motor Car, only a high Hill will impress you, and you have no such accurate remembrance of country you have driven through as you gain by riding a Bicycle".

Steep gradients can be challenging, there's no doubt about it. There is one long Hill I know of at a place called Aberffrwd. It is a Beast of a Hill, and many a time I've had to walk up it. Either it was too much effort on my previous Bike, or I was put off by encountering the occasional Vehicle driving up or down that particular Country Lane. It became a better choice to walk up it. Putting no end of strain on my Calf Muscles, I was still encouraged to keep going, because at the top, the view was stunning. In that respect and due to the need to preserve your energy levels, it's best to follow the Cyclists motto, "park your pride and push".