Gospel Pass

TrevA · Post by **TrevA** » 4 Sep 2019, 6:45pm

Did the ride today, from the south side. We stopped off at Llanthony Priory for a couple of photos then carried on to the top, where it was very windy but lovely views. We dropped down into Hay for lunch at the Shepherds Parlour, then headed towards Talgarth on minor roads through Velindre. We originally intended to ride back up the A479 to Crickhowell, but it appeared to be closed to through traffic, so we carried on to Llangorse, then Bwlch, then about a mile on the A40, and turned right to Llanganydir and over the narrow stone bridge over the River. We followed the minor road to Llangattock, Gilwern then over to Govilon and back into Abergavenny.

A lovely ride. We hardly saw any cars on the climb up the Gospel Pass and it was reasonably sheltered until we got to the top. A bit showery after lunch and a nagging Westerly wind made progress slow until we got to Bwlch.

Edited for typo.

pwa · Post by **pwa** » 4 Sep 2019, 8:48pm

TrevA wrote:Did the ride today, from the south side. We stopped off at Llanthony Priory for a couple of photos then carried on to the top, where it was very windy but lovely views. We dropped down into Hay for lunch at the Shepherds Parlour, then headed towards Talgarth on minor roads through Velindre. We originally intended to ride back up the A479 to Crickhowell, but it appeared to be closed to through traffic, so we carried on to Llangorse, then Bwlch, then about a mile on the A40, and turned right to Llanganydir and over the narrow stone bridge over the River. We followed the minor road to Llangattock, Gilwern then over to Govilon and back into Abergavenny.

A lovely ride. We hardly saw any cars on the climb up the Gospel Pass and it was reasonably sheltered until we got to the top. A bit showery after lunch and a nagging Westerly wind made progress slow until we Giro to Bwlch.

As you started to cross the old stone bridge over the Usk at Llangynidr the land to your right is known as Buckland, and there is a Buckland Hall. I was down there a few weeks ago and I did wonder if Tolkien may have had that place in mind when he wrote of a Buckland in the Shire, an enclave of the Shire that was across the Brandywine River. The landscape certainly fits. Tolkien stayed nearby in 1940 and it is hard to believe that this Buckland beside a river crossing was not partly at least the origin of the Buckland in the Lord of the Rings.

fausto copy · Post by **fausto copy** » 4 Sep 2019, 9:30pm

Glad you enjoyed it Trev.
There's some lovely countryside with quiet lanes and stupendous views in that area.
I'm not going to tell you my favourite bit though, :wink:

Hopefully you'll come back and do some more,
fausto.