2--3 October 2010, South Wales

[ro]

Had a great weekend away in South Wales---though Sunday was dampened by Vivi's unfortunate slip.

GPS track for Saturday (http://ro.nu/map/?gpx=nmea-2010-10-02-edit.gpx)

Setting off from Burford Road services in some nasty cold fog:
http://hollywood.ro.nu/album/mumbles+2010/s5-1012679/photo.jpg

It cleared up soon after and the sun came out for our stop by the river in Ross-on-Wye:
http://hollywood.ro.nu/album/mumbles+2010/s5-1012684/photo.jpg

http://hollywood.ro.nu/album/mumbles+2010/s5-1012687/photo.jpg

http://hollywood.ro.nu/album/mumbles+2010/s5-1012683/photo.jpg

The next bit had some fantastic roads. The B4521 from Ross to Abergavenny was excitingly curvy and the A40 to Brecon had some fine views:
http://hollywood.ro.nu/album/mumbles+2010/s5-1012698/photo.jpg

We had a snack at Terry's famous burger van on the A470, a popular stop for bikes---there were loads coming and going the whole time we were there:

http://hollywood.ro.nu/album/mumbles+2010/s5-1012700/photo.jpg

http://hollywood.ro.nu/album/mumbles+2010/s5-1012695/photo.jpg

http://hollywood.ro.nu/album/mumbles+2010/s5-1012703/photo.jpg

Another brilliant bit of road followed (A4059), but mind the sheep! The day-trippers made their own way home after this, while the overnighters continued on to Clyne Farm, right on top of a hill with spectacular views of Swansea and Mumbles in all directions:

http://hollywood.ro.nu/album/mumbles+2010/s5-1012758/photo.jpg

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http://hollywood.ro.nu/album/mumbles+2010/s5-1012763/photo.jpg

Off to Knab Rock in Mumbles, another popular biker haunt
http://hollywood.ro.nu/album/mumbles+2010/s5-1012714/photo.jpg

http://hollywood.ro.nu/album/mumbles+2010/s5-1012712/photo.jpg

Right next door is Verdi's café, with a menu full of tempting Italian treats, like thick hot chocolate and delicious ice cream:
http://hollywood.ro.nu/album/mumbles+2010/s5-1012721/photo.jpg

http://hollywood.ro.nu/album/mumbles+2010/s5-1012726/photo.jpg

http://hollywood.ro.nu/album/mumbles+2010/s5-1012730/photo.jpg

Back to Clyne Farm to set up camp:
http://hollywood.ro.nu/album/mumbles+2010/s5-1012708/photo.jpg

How many people does it take to put up a tent?
http://hollywood.ro.nu/album/mumbles+2010/s5-1012733/photo.jpg

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Evening entertainment was provided by Gilbert & Sullivan's rousing Gondoliers, with a champage reception in the interval, and rounded of by an excellent meal at Mumbai, a nearby Indian restaurant; highly recommended.

[virginie_morisot]

lovly pics Ro,
great trip mate, great roads and scenery, great company, thank you for a fab time,
loved it even went and stupidly injured myself.. still great memories [smiley=thumbsup.gif]
your friends were briliant. thinkingn of organising something to say thank you, will pm you
just got to heal well and quickly to hopefuly do more trips :D
after talking to u was going to take test at half term, wil no do it next opportunity and ll going well have 250 for spring..can't wait [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

[Ryan]

looks good! :)

[Bonnielass]

Looks like you all had a good time, shame about Vivi's wrist. Get well soon Vivi.

[BB]

lovely pics [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

BB

[Nelly]

Nice pics :)

[Dabz]

excellent photos as always ro :)

[ro]

I'm glad everyone had a good time. I thought the Ross to Brecon road was the best I'd ever done, but then it got even better over the Beacons, and thanks to Harry leading on the way home we found one even more stunning on Sunday. [smiley=thumbsup.gif] We were lucky with the weather for riding too, though we had heavy rain overnight, it was dry and sunny again by the time we left on Sunday. We didn't even get to finish all the interesting bits planned because it was getting late, but what we did was great and I can't wait to go back and do some more!

Clyne Farm, where we stayed was amazing - I lived in that part of Swansea for several years but never realised that anywhere existed with such views over the whole sweep of the bay from Port Talbot to Mumbles. It's a huge area close to everything, but right on top of a hill so it's tucked away and feels like being out in the country. It would be an absolutely superb location for a group trip next year - as well as several fields for camping (including the one we had all to ourselves which included a small barn with a simple kitchen), they also have cottages and barns available for those not wanting to sleep under canvas. There are lots more hills and valleys to explore in the area, and we never did get out to Gower, so that's still to be done too.

[ro]

Here's the GPS track log for Sunday (http://ro.nu/map/?gpx=nmea-2010-10-03-edit.gpx).

The A4107 from Port Talbot to Treorchy valley was really good - newly surfaced, nice bends, deserted (no sheep) and with amazing views [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

http://hollywood.ro.nu/album/mumbles+2010/s5-1012862/photo.jpg

http://hollywood.ro.nu/album/mumbles+2010/s5-1012866/photo.jpg

http://hollywood.ro.nu/album/mumbles+2010/s5-1012870/photo.jpg

[virginie_morisot]

looks great ! [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

[Toph]

Just looking at the gps.... looks like you rode a bit of the way on the m4 motorway. Did vivi take her Lplates off?? ;D :o ;D
EDIT........ that was sundays ride back... vivi only rode outbound... theres no motorways on that one.... DUH !!!!!!! ;D ;D ;D ;D ::)

[ro]

Just looking at the gps.... looks like you rode a bit of the way on the m4 motorway.
Yes, it was just Harry, Robert, Sarah & me then. We took ages looking for somewhere to eat around Abercynon and Pontypridd (it was Sunday evening so most of Wales was shut ::)); by the time we found somewhere and were ready to move on it was dark, so more challenging mountain roads didn't seem very appealing!

Vivi did come home on the M4 too - but as a car passenger. :( We still need to figure out a plan to retrieve her bike from Swansea.

[virginie_morisot]

hey when i'm all fixed i can explore these mountain roads with u !! :D [smiley=thumbsup.gif]
need to speak to toph bout retrieving bike..

[Toph]

I have the van organised.. my boss says I can use it anytime at weekends so when you want your bike picked up Vivi, let me know! [smiley=thumbsup.gif]
We were talking about 2 saturdays time coz next Saturday is half term. 8-)