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I don't know why I decided to set myself the challenge of doing the 76 mile Rhayader circuit road ride on the hottest day of the year in Mid Wales, on a mountain bike, with knobblies, but I did and once the challenge was set, it had to be completed.
I needed a break from the tedium of exam revision so I decided to take a break in mid-Wales for a few days, and as well as a few shorter rides, I decided to do the classic Rhayader circuit. This is one of the few fantastic road rides that you would want to drive for three hours just to ride and although it has some stretches of A and B road riding there is so much riding on the most enjoyable minor roads, the busier stretches are soon forgotten.
The route that I chose to take follows the A470 from Rhayader to Newbridge-on-Wye, from there; the B4358 to Beulah and then the Abergwysen pass to Tregaron. From Tregaron, take the B4343 to Pont-rhyd-y-groes and then the B4574 to Cwmystwyth. Finally follow the minor road over the moors and back down to Rhayader, either via the Elan Valley reservoirs or take the short cut and return straight back to Rhayader.
I set off in the warm sunshine from Rhayader at 9am on what was to be one of the hottest days cycling I had done in the UK, it turned out to be about 24 degrees centigrade in the shade and a hell of a lot more in the sun. The first stretch along the A470 was an ideal opportunity to get warmed up and enjoy some downhill riding along the Wye valley, this gave me a great opportunity to get some miles under my belt early on and already I had begun counting down how much further was to be covered by 5pm that afternoon. I made good time to Newbridge-on-Wye and headed off across an undulating set of hills on the B4358 towards Beulah. On reaching Beulah after only 70 minutes in the saddle I was feeling confident for the rest of the ride, however, as the temperatures began to soar this confidence began to lapse.
I was very familiar with the rest of the route as I had ridden it all at some time or other in the past in various stages and I knew what was yet to come, especially the infamous "Devils Staircase." With renewed enthusiasm for riding old favourites like the Irfon valley and the devils staircase, I set off at a gentle pace, aiming to take in the sights and sounds that this wonderful area has to offer. The road was just as I remembered it from last year, but just a little warmer and more colourful. The Irfon valley lived up to all my memories and was an ideal opportunity for some photographs.
All too soon the Devils Staircase was looming up ahead and despite my enthusiasm, I resigned myself tackling the 1 in 4 monster in two stages. I reached the top and rested for a moment in the coolness of the forest whilst listening to a couple of cars straining to make it up what I had just ridden.
I set off again and followed the cars at a distance back down the equally steep road into the Tywi valley. After stopping for some further photographs and a break from the saddle, I set off along the valley floor alongside the Tywi before crossing it and climbing smaller scale equivalent of the Devils Staircase. This led me into an area beyond a sign advising non essential journeys to take an alternative route as this was to pass through land where sheep were roaming free. As I was nearing halfway and had no inclination to turn back and admit defeat, I carried on. Further undulations ensued before I dropped down into the desolate, moorland valley of the Camddwr graced with the most remote public telephone box in rural Wales.
Having taken the compulsory photo, I moved on up yet another steep valley side climb and into the Cwm Berwyn Plantation, which marks the beginning of the long descent down to Tregaron. Although this descent is interrupted by several small hill climbs, it is a just reward for all the climbing done since Beulah.
On arrival in Tregaron for lunch, I stopped into the local Spar for a filled roll and several litres of Water as the 4 litres of fluid I had set out with had already been consumed on those long moorland climbs. I then settled on a bench in the village and examined the maps. I had completed 38 miles and it was only just 1pm but I still had 38 to go and I was knackered. I was beginning to feel drained of energy and the effects of the heat were catching up on me, leaving me feeling concerned that the final stretch could take a lot longer than planned. At this stage I opted for the shorter option, which works out at just less than 68 miles.
Setting off from Tregaron on the long B road slog alongside the Cors Caron (Tregaron Bog), I was feeling a little better especially as I was once again making good time, reaching Pontrhydfendigaid after only 25 minutes. This was not to last though as the long slog up to Ffair Rhos brought me to realise that my priorities needed to change, this was no longer a ride to enjoy but an endurance challenge and to succeed I needed energy, fast. I broke open the energy tablets that I'd been saving for a moment like this and wolfed down a small handful, before plodding on to Pont-rhyd-y-groes. By this time the energy tablets were beginning to kick in and progress was a lot quicker along the final B road sections to Cwmystwyth. At this point I met another Foot and Mouth notice suggesting that non essential journeys take an alternative route, but at this point, my journey was essential, as it was the only way to get to Rhayader without retracing my pedal strokes or taking a 35 mile detour via the A44.
From Cwmystwyth the road follows the Ystwyth valley up to the flat moorland stretch at the top of the Elan Valley from which point the road descends at a gradual rate to the head of the Craig Goch Reservoir where the choice to take the shortcut can be made. For most of this section, a fellow MTBer who had also reverted to road riding during the Foot and Mouth closures joined me and we both encouraged each other along this final stretch to the Elan Valley Reservoirs where we both went our own ways.
Despite feeling energised from the 4 mile gentle decent alongside the Afon Elan, I decided that although the shortcut required one last climb to just shy of 500m above sea level, it would be the best option for a very hot, tired and nearing dehydrated cyclist like myself, who didn't feel like taking the 8 mile scenic tour of the Elan Valley.
The climb required more effort than I had expected, but the reward of the fast 3-mile descent on the other side all the way down into Rhayader was well worth it. I felt a great relief as I pedalled the last few 100 yards in to Rhayader just before 5pm.
That evening I reviewed my achievements: eight hours (5 and three quarters in the saddle), 67 miles and 7 litres of water and I had completed the Rhayader Circuit Challenge! A definite recommendation, good weather will make it all the more enjoyable, but don't choose a really hot day like I did. There is a limited number of places where refreshments can be purchased so it is advisable you take adequate supplies for at least half the route as there is a Spar in both Tregaron and Rhayader open 7 days a week.
|View Sketch Map|Order OS Landranger 147 (Essential)|Order OS Landranger 146 (Not Essential)|
Note: The Sketch Map may take several minutes to load with a modem connection
If you wish to print the map for future reference, it is recommended that you save the image to your computer
and then print it using your favourite imaging software.
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Last Updated 24-06-2007
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