Search found 5 matches

by MarkusDeBute
6 Sep 2014, 12:55am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: My second tour (I made it)
Replies: 28
Views: 4116

Re: My second tour (I made it)

Really pleased you've discovered the wonder of it all. Remember looking at a map and seeing how far we'd gone and being amazed.

I was smiling at memories of that route 5 diversion (from your first attempt) and how much we swore after being diverted off the flat coast road. Have shown your post to my partner who reminded me that we'd done it west to east, and how steep the road was down to Bagillt, which obviously you went up. Your story of the first trip had a lot more resonance when I realised that, that's a bugger of a hill.

Our only tip would be to get a smaller tent and a cover for the bike. We use a motorbike cover that protects both bikes.
by MarkusDeBute
2 Sep 2014, 12:24am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Lon Las Cymru campsite suggestions
Replies: 8
Views: 2600

Re: Lon Las Cymru campsite suggestions

Regards Cardiff, if you haven't been before it really would be a shame to see it in the state it's in this month. Hopefully it will be dismantled quickly enough afterwards.
Also I believe a few people have had police interest in their rucksacks so not sure what reaction a few panniers might get, I'll find out when I go shopping Thursday.
by MarkusDeBute
2 Sep 2014, 12:23am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Lon Las Cymru campsite suggestions
Replies: 8
Views: 2600

Re: Lon Las Cymru campsite suggestions

james01 wrote:
MarkusDeBute wrote:

Oh and James01, where was the good curry in Llanidloes? Ours was rubbish....


The Spice Club, 30 Great Oak Street. On reflection we were starving and had already had a few aperitif beers so anything would have tasted pretty good :)

Good advice from Meic ref avoiding the NATO Conference in Cardiff this weekend, although I reckon you're better off on a bike than in a car if the expected gridlock happens.


Interesting, that was where we went and service was shocking, food was alright at best. Thinking back, the quote from Ruby, who runs the Crown and Anchor, was that the "Immigration Van had been round the week before" and they were subsequently a bit short of staff. The Crown and Anchor is worth visit if only to meet Ruby who's been running it for 49 years.
by MarkusDeBute
1 Sep 2014, 12:37am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Lon Las Cymru campsite suggestions
Replies: 8
Views: 2600

Re: Lon Las Cymru campsite suggestions

Just got back from Carmarthen to Holyhead ride. We followed Lon Las a bit but were BCQing so did a lot of meandering. This did however mean we saw some great sights you'll miss, such as Parys Mountain which was astonishing.

We didn't camp every night but in Barmouth we stayed at http://www.hendremynach.co.uk/ which had good facilities and is right by the sea. Very windy at Barmouth but the field is set back enough. Min Y Mor hotel is alright for food and beer halfway to town.

In Caernarfon try James01 recommendation as we meant to stay there but ended up at Coed Helen up on the hill which was awful and ridiculously priced.

The campsite at Pencelli is a bit steep, we prefer http://www.talybontfarmcamping.co.uk/ as it's a)cheaper and b) smaller and c) 2 minutes walk from tent to bar at http://www.starinntalybont.co.uk/ which is one of the best pubs in Wales.

In Cardiff there is a council run campsite 10 minutes walk from the city centre. Haven't stayed there but it's on my way into town, reviews on ukcampsite don't look great but looks alright from what I've seen, and you can't beat the location. http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/sites/revie ... revid=4154.

I can post you our stop off points if you like and see if the stop overs tie up. We did it over 12 nights so did a lot more stops than you're doing.


Oh and James01, where was the good curry in Llanidloes? Ours was rubbish....
by MarkusDeBute
30 Mar 2011, 11:25am
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: hollyhead to warrington
Replies: 5
Views: 1595

Re: hollyhead to warrington

Did this last year from Holyhead to Manchester following NCN 5 (NCN8 Holyhead - Menai).

Main things I'd be aware of...

1) Holyhead - Bangor has pretty much no refreshment stops until you reach the east of Anglesey (we stopped at Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch).

2) Llandudno loop is pointless if not stopping for the night. Sandy bits and cycling ban on promenade. Llandudno is a lovely town if you haven't been there though and has a multitude of B&Bs.

3) Prestatyn - Flint diversion is lots rolling hills and is a bit of an energy sapper for little gain, I'd do the A5 route next time. It does however take you past http://www.glanyrafoninn.co.uk/ which was a lovely pub to stay at.

4) After this you get routed through Ince and then though some fields, the route here is awful and unrideable at any sort of speed. Pot holes abound and i burst a tire on my pannier loaded rear wheel. Staying on the main road to Helsby would be the better of two evils in my mind. If you do take the traffic free route then there is a very friendly bike shop in Frodsham.

5) We attempted to follow "Runcorn Routes" to the bridge over to Widnes and got hideously lost. Using mapping tools on return realised this was due to the first(!) sign we followed had been meddled with to point in a different direction. The facilities are good and the road alternatives through Runcorn are awful, just plan the route through Runcorn in advance.

We then picked up the TPT (NCN 62) east bound which is mainly off road paths and towpaths, Flat as a pancake and pretty good riding.

All in all, like many Sustrans routes it isn't the quickest or shortest but is completely doable on a hybrid or tourer and has the advantage of cutting down on map navigation if you're avoiding main roads.