"We done it!!" *

A massive thanks to everyone who sponsored us!  We paid for the trip ourselves so all donations will go straight to funding World-Leading, independent, UK-based specialist Research into finding treatments, causes and the cure for MS.

A special thanks is also due for our wives and families who helped ‘muck in’ with the childcare while we were away, neglecting our duties! ; - )

I'm pleased to say that on Sunday May 26th, Hywel and I left Newport at about 10am, caught a train to Bangor and commenced the most difficult but rewarding trip that I have ever undertaken.

Having raised over £1000 for MS Research, we felt motivated to give 100%, whilst also admiring the views and having a few relaxing beers en route.

Unfortunately, Mother Nature did not choose to bless our trip and fully intended to give us a run for our money:

Sunday Day 1

Bangor – Caernarfon – Porthmadog

Stunning weather! We arrived around 3pm, headed along the Menai Straights with views of Angelsey, to Caernarfon Castle.  After a quick photo and break, we headed along miles of isolated lanes and little-used tracks, with great views of Snowdonia and the Llyn Penninsula in the distance.

As we approached Porthmadoog, we had some climbing and mountain lanes in rural Gwynedd.  Absolute pleasure!

Our campsite in Talsarn had great views of the Estuary and Port Meirion.  The wind started picking up so we found a Country Pub with a great atmosphere, nice food/ beer and some entertaining ‘characters’ (horny/ drunk/ nationalists – funny)

Monday Day 2

Porthmadog – Harlech - Barmouth – Dolgellau - Machynlleth

Bad Weather; did you notice?  Gale force wind and rain bullets fired repetitively all day.  Really tough slog, slow pace but great coastal views, especially around Barmouth, some nice downhills and flat coastal treks (which were still effort with a headwind)

Arrived in Mach to immediate hostility from fellow (4 wheeled) road users and the campsite owners (even though we were the only guests!).  Looking back, we must have looked like nutters, cycling and then pitching up a tent in that apocalyptic weather! Haha

Found a lovely, tiny pub in Corris  - warm atmosphere, nice welcome from locals and great food/ beer.  Warm and dry for a few hours.  Mmm.

 

Tuesday Day 3

Machynlleth – Llanidloes – Rhayader

The Big Climb! 

Mid Wales is Hilly! More so than I’ve ever really appreciated.  Some of those mountains were like solid walls, but we climbed and descended over and over all day.  Around 1500m climbed in all!  Great views, lovely roads and lanes. Llyn Clywedog especially stunning.  Stayed clear until around 3pm then the mist descended and then rain.

Llanidloes was a lovely place to stop, checked the weather forecast and the fear kicked in, happiness levels dropped a little, but we plodded on.

By the time we reached Rhayader around 6, we were drenched, cold and the route ahead was very boggy, so we decided to cut the day short and stay over.  I treated myself to a lovely  B&B (The Horseshoes – Rhayader).  Happiness level increased.

Day 4

Rhayder – Builth Wells – Brecon

Last day!

Rhayader to Builth was all downhill, which was nice but by cutting the day short, we knew that the end goal wouldn’t be possible so we mixed a little A470 in with the Sustrans Route 8 and made up some time and you guessed it, had to end the trip at Brecon.

Another Day - 4.5

The storms, gales, rain, thunder and lightning combined, slowed us down so the whole route wasn’t manageable in 3.5 days but we will do it in 4.5 - we owe you the Brecon to Cardiff section which we’ll arrange asap.

We were disappointed to have not made it to Cardiff but we still managed about 155 miles in 3.5 days in the worst weather. All in all, great experience but happy to be home.

Thanks again for the support and the well-spent sponsorship! Iestyn