Devon TRF Group Forum

Day 5 and an unexpected final day to our original planned 6 day trip, but not for any bad reason I might add.

Both Russ and I were (fortunately) awake early, 6:30am, before our set alarm at 7am, and Russ having checked the Met weather report he said rain was due at 07:30 so we packed up the tents and loaded up the bikes and hit the road before potentially getting wet whilst packing up. We were on the road by 07:11 with the final leg of our route back to Chepstow loaded in the Garmin.

The skies looked ominous but all was good weather wise for about the first 30mins as we passed the sign for Brecon Beacons National Park at the roadside then as we rose up onto the moor out of Penderyn (A4059) it was like pea soup. Not really raining, more like a thick mist with limited visibility so we rode with caution. As we dropped down off the moor we saw our first reservoir of the day, well I say we saw it, just about! We both commented that if that was as bad as the rain was going to get then that wouldn't be too bad. Hmmmm.

We continued in a South Westerly direction past Llwyn-on reservoir to the NW outskirts of Merthyr Tydfil before heading north again past Pontsticill and Pentwyn reservoirs. They dont look so picturesque in the dim mist.

We continued on the route through some wooded areas and undulating roads with hints of decent views but not so on a day like today. Tracking up the eastern edge of the Talybont reservoir we passed through Brecon and towards Builth Wells on some lovely B roads, the weather getting better as we rode.

As we reached Builth Wells the skies were much clearer and almost bright, whoop whoop. We stopped at the same burger van for a breakfast bap nd a coffee. Perfect. The next part of the route to Talgarth was a lovely B road (B4567) then a lovely A road (A470). The road was dry and the skies were clear at this point so all good. As we rose up and out of Talgarth the tops of the black mountains in the distance couldn't be seen and before too long we were getting wet again. only heavy mist as opposed to proper rain. Our route took us South East tracking the Monmouthshire and Brecon canal into Gilwern. We then rode a short stretch of the A465 which was awful as the rain was heavier at this point and the spray off the lorries was somewhat treacherous. We were glad to exit this road, or would have been if I hadn't have taken a wrong turn and set us off on another A road (A40) rather than the B road that our route dictated, DOH! Fortunately it wasn't a long stretch of road before we exited and dropped into Usk on a nice B road. At this point the weather turned dry again, thankfully.

From Usk back to Chepstow was another nice B road (B4235) and before too long we were back at Chepstow so that was it, the complete route done. As it was only early afternoon and the weather was good/ dry we decided to head for home and get a day back (and I could surprise my kids at coming home a day earlier than planned. Not sure the wife so keen to see me)

After filtering through the traffic after the bridge we headed to Maccy D's at Cribbs Causeway for lunch then filled the bikes up at ASDA for the run home.

The M5 was at a near standstill so after filtering through the traffic from Junction 17 at Cribbs to Gordano services we left the motorway and headed along the A road to Clevedon then south through Yatton to pick up the A38 but this route was plagued with traffic - oh to be in the deserted Welsh mountains again!!! - so we veared back onto the M5 at Junction 22 and sat at a steady 70mph all the way home. The skies looked decidedly gloomy all the way home but it didnt rain ........ until we hit Haldon Hill - which all locals know has its own microclimate!! - and from there onwards to home it rained on us rather heavily but being homebound and with great memories of a fantastic road trip we'd just undertaken nothing could dampen our spirits!! 

274 miles today and a total of 1063 miles door to door for me. Fantastic trip, fantastic roads, fantastic scenery and great company too.