Many of you know that one of the largest Millennium fund
grants made by the Lottery was given to the fund the National Cycle Network
- a project to provide a 10,000 mile network of cycle paths and traffic
calmed roads throughout the UK. One of the first routes to be set up was
the Welsh National Cycle Route - the Lon Las Cymru. We are delighted to be
able to offer a cycling holiday along the best part of this route - through
Mid Wales. This section fulfils Wheely Wonderful CyclingÕs criteria for a
route which is suitable for all abilitiesÉ and even more importantly it
passes through some magical scenery.
This seven day tour takes you through the Black and
White Villages from Presteigne to Hay on Wye, then up the Wye Valley
through Builth Wells to the Elan Valley and Red Kite country. Two nights
at Rhayader and a final overnight stop in Knighton.
Easy to moderate cycling with one difficult day of 35
miles/ 56km and two hills. Total 125 miles/ 210km.
Day 1. Petchfield Farm to Presteigne. 15 miles/ 24km.
Cycle on idyllic country lanes and cross the River Lugg to cycle into
Wales. Presteigne is home to the unique Judges Lodging Museum & to many
arts events; Sheep Music - a world music festival in July, and a classical
music festival in August.
Day 2. Presteigne to Hay on Wye. 23 miles/ 37km. Cycle
through the picturesque half-timbered villages of North Herefordshire,
visit a cider farm, the New Inn (only 600 years old) and local gardens.
Finish the day, by crossing the toll bridge to Hay on Wye. Dominated by
its castle – Hay is internationally known as a Òbook townÓ with 30
book shops selling over a million books.
Day 3. Hay on Wye to Builth Wells. 22 miles/ 35km. Following the spectacular River Wye upstream, on
an old railway line. Don't forget to stop at the old station for tea. Ò I
counted 46 species of flower pushing up that hillÓ! Finish the day in
Builth Wells, a lively agricultural town on the banks of the River Wye.
Home to the Royal Welsh Show every July.
Day 4. Builth Wells to Rhayader. 16 miles/ 26km. An
off road section and crossing a tiny suspension bridge over the River Elan,
makes this section an adventure. You keep the River Wye as your guide,
through meadows & moorland to the heart of the Mid Wales Lakeland and
Red Kite Country.
Day 5. Rhayader & the Elan Valley Lakes. 16 miles/
26km. Your rest day! Rhayader is home to the Elan Valley dams &
lakes. Cycle to the lakes on the fantastic new cycle path & sculpture
trail for a picnic with great views. Visit the Red Kite feeding station at
Gigrin Farm to watch these spectacular birds.
Day 6. Rhayader to Knighton. 35 miles/ 56km. A
challenging day with two hills. The ride today takes you through the
magical valley of Abbeycwmhir – with its ruined Cistercian abbey
& grand Victorian house to visit. Over the Black Hill & OffaÕs
Dyke on old sheep drovers routes, to look back and (down) on your cycle
ride. Finish the day with a 15 mile/24km downhill ride to the border town
of Knighton. Visit the OffaÕs Dyke centre.
Day 7. Knighton to Petchfield Farm. 14 miles/ 22km. A
gentle ride down the River Teme. Two castles to visit; Brampton Bryan and
Hopton Castle (make a short detour to visit englandÕs best tearoom -
1930Õs style). Lunch at a riverside pub in a ÒromanÓ village. Finishing
any time in the afternoon, back at Petchfield Farm
© Wheely wonderful cycling
