eidemaddin
XS650 Addict
Thanks!
-
Enjoy XS650.com? Consider making a donation to help support the site.
XS650.com receives a small share of sales from some links on this page, but direct donations have a much greater impact on keeping this site going.
Just Ride.
- Thread starter Jim
- Start date
RETRACING THE STEPS OF MY YOUTH
As a 'reckless youff' of about 16 years of age, cycling was all I lived for (Oh and underage drinking and unobtainable girls!). Along with my lifelong friend Tony we would plan cycle tours for our summer breaks. One year we decided to cycle up though Wales to end up at picturesque Angelsey the small island off the North West coastline. Never did make it all the way as on about day five Tonys bike played up at Machynlleth, so we spent all our money eating and drinking in one night!
Although the whole ride was scenic, one of the roads we travelled stayed in my mind all these years, the B4520 from Brecon to Builth Wells.
Sunday was forecast to be the last sunny day of an unexpected warm two weeks; as a cold wet weatherfront was due to arrive overnight.
Up at 6.00am I went to the workshop and togged up in leathers I fired up The Brat for the trip. The plan was to start at Abergavenny Oasis Cafe for a bacon butty and cup of Rosie Lea. It's the bikers cafe that a lot of us two wheeled fans start or end our trip at. I arrived only to find a dozen bikers waiting for the cafe to open! Apparently new owners now open at 10.00am on Sundays. Oh poop, onwards we go.
Abergavenny at bottom right, Builth Wells at top left, Brecon mid left.
AABERGAVENNY TO BRECON A40:
Looking towards Brecon along Usk valley.
Panoramic (Non-stitched) view looking back towards Abergavenny from near Langorse Lake. The glory of the Welsh hills.
Section is 21 miles. follows the valley floor of the river Usk, one of Wales top Salmon rivers. The road is quite fast in the early morning with little traffic. Lots of early bikers about, and I'm getting neck ache from nodding acknowledgment and camaraderie. The sun filters through the lush deciduous tree branches that line the road as it dips and turns along the riverside. The only 'fly in the ointment' are the 20mph speed limits through the many small villages. 30 minutes later I'm in Brecon and take a stop. A walk around looking for breakfast is fruitless as its too early and nothing is open.
Brecon nestled in the green hills; sits on the banks of the river Usk and the Bercon / Monmouth canal.
BRECON to BUILTH WELLS B4520:
This is the road. 17 miles of whoop de doo road! Map shows 32 minutes but constant stops to take in the views makes it an hour.
The road climbs steadily out of Brecon town past the castle and an old church. The old houses soon peter out and the road heads off into fine countryside.
This road drops and climbs into and out of many lush and densely wooded small valleys with streams that head to the Usk. The temperature changes in and out of these areas is noticeable even through my leathers. The road is narrow in places and you have to stay alert; many sharp blind bends & crests could catch out the unwary.
Eventually the road climbs up onto a plateau of moorland with extensive vistas of the welsh countryside. The area feels quite remote at first, and I feel somewhat small in this landscape.
A little further on and I come across some serious warning signs. The Ministry of Defence own most of this upland area, and use it for weapons testing.
Red flags were flying and gates closed preventing me and others venturing onto the Live test site. I could hear explosions off in the distance.
Not wishing to become a target myself I decided to move on. The road up here is like a race track, super smooth tarmac and clear views through all the bends. Once over the top of the moor the road again drops into woodland and it's almost Hobbit like. One spot reminds me of Fairy Wood on the Isle of Man (look it up). All to soon I approach Builth Wells an old Welsh midland town. I head down to the riverside and park up to take a rest.
Builth Wells is situated on the banks of the river Wye (Another great Salmon river). It forms the border between England and Wales.
The river starts in the Welsh mountains takes a diversion into England, doesn't like it and comes back to Wales!
I stop to chat with another biker from the Birmingham area in England. He regularly travels on his BMW S1000R super naked to Wales for the fine roads and countryside. I take in the beauty of the river and watch the fish swimming in the clear waters. Time to move on.
BUILTH WELLS to ABERGAVENNY A470 - A479 - A40
This is a much faster route back to Abergavenny. The road can be attacked if you are so inclined. These days I like to progress swiftly and safely, more akin to my Advanced Rider training. The Brat can still hold its own as I pass a few Crotch Rockets I followed, watching them comically hanging off their bikes to try and scrape a slider! Honestly it laughable. A few speed jockeys can however show me a clean pair of heels. Oh the lack of fear in the younger man.
On the way I notice a castle structure I have not seen before at Tretower, but I miss the turn and will have to visit another time.
Google image.
Back at Abergavenny and it's now lunchtime. I am rather hungry by now as I have been riding since 7.00am this morning without breakfast.
The Oasis cafe is open and I get a sausage sandwich and a cup of tea, which is most welcome. Suitably refreshed I stroll amongst the bikes and take a few piccies:
Unusual green Benelli 800.
My two favorites of the day:
And of course The Brat
A great ride and highly recommended.
Ads.
As a 'reckless youff' of about 16 years of age, cycling was all I lived for (Oh and underage drinking and unobtainable girls!). Along with my lifelong friend Tony we would plan cycle tours for our summer breaks. One year we decided to cycle up though Wales to end up at picturesque Angelsey the small island off the North West coastline. Never did make it all the way as on about day five Tonys bike played up at Machynlleth, so we spent all our money eating and drinking in one night!
Although the whole ride was scenic, one of the roads we travelled stayed in my mind all these years, the B4520 from Brecon to Builth Wells.
Sunday was forecast to be the last sunny day of an unexpected warm two weeks; as a cold wet weatherfront was due to arrive overnight.
Up at 6.00am I went to the workshop and togged up in leathers I fired up The Brat for the trip. The plan was to start at Abergavenny Oasis Cafe for a bacon butty and cup of Rosie Lea. It's the bikers cafe that a lot of us two wheeled fans start or end our trip at. I arrived only to find a dozen bikers waiting for the cafe to open! Apparently new owners now open at 10.00am on Sundays. Oh poop, onwards we go.
Abergavenny at bottom right, Builth Wells at top left, Brecon mid left.
AABERGAVENNY TO BRECON A40:
Looking towards Brecon along Usk valley.
Panoramic (Non-stitched) view looking back towards Abergavenny from near Langorse Lake. The glory of the Welsh hills.
Section is 21 miles. follows the valley floor of the river Usk, one of Wales top Salmon rivers. The road is quite fast in the early morning with little traffic. Lots of early bikers about, and I'm getting neck ache from nodding acknowledgment and camaraderie. The sun filters through the lush deciduous tree branches that line the road as it dips and turns along the riverside. The only 'fly in the ointment' are the 20mph speed limits through the many small villages. 30 minutes later I'm in Brecon and take a stop. A walk around looking for breakfast is fruitless as its too early and nothing is open.
Brecon nestled in the green hills; sits on the banks of the river Usk and the Bercon / Monmouth canal.
BRECON to BUILTH WELLS B4520:
This is the road. 17 miles of whoop de doo road! Map shows 32 minutes but constant stops to take in the views makes it an hour.
The road climbs steadily out of Brecon town past the castle and an old church. The old houses soon peter out and the road heads off into fine countryside.
This road drops and climbs into and out of many lush and densely wooded small valleys with streams that head to the Usk. The temperature changes in and out of these areas is noticeable even through my leathers. The road is narrow in places and you have to stay alert; many sharp blind bends & crests could catch out the unwary.
Eventually the road climbs up onto a plateau of moorland with extensive vistas of the welsh countryside. The area feels quite remote at first, and I feel somewhat small in this landscape.
A little further on and I come across some serious warning signs. The Ministry of Defence own most of this upland area, and use it for weapons testing.
Red flags were flying and gates closed preventing me and others venturing onto the Live test site. I could hear explosions off in the distance.
Not wishing to become a target myself I decided to move on. The road up here is like a race track, super smooth tarmac and clear views through all the bends. Once over the top of the moor the road again drops into woodland and it's almost Hobbit like. One spot reminds me of Fairy Wood on the Isle of Man (look it up). All to soon I approach Builth Wells an old Welsh midland town. I head down to the riverside and park up to take a rest.
Builth Wells is situated on the banks of the river Wye (Another great Salmon river). It forms the border between England and Wales.
The river starts in the Welsh mountains takes a diversion into England, doesn't like it and comes back to Wales!
I stop to chat with another biker from the Birmingham area in England. He regularly travels on his BMW S1000R super naked to Wales for the fine roads and countryside. I take in the beauty of the river and watch the fish swimming in the clear waters. Time to move on.
BUILTH WELLS to ABERGAVENNY A470 - A479 - A40
This is a much faster route back to Abergavenny. The road can be attacked if you are so inclined. These days I like to progress swiftly and safely, more akin to my Advanced Rider training. The Brat can still hold its own as I pass a few Crotch Rockets I followed, watching them comically hanging off their bikes to try and scrape a slider! Honestly it laughable. A few speed jockeys can however show me a clean pair of heels. Oh the lack of fear in the younger man.
On the way I notice a castle structure I have not seen before at Tretower, but I miss the turn and will have to visit another time.
Google image.
Back at Abergavenny and it's now lunchtime. I am rather hungry by now as I have been riding since 7.00am this morning without breakfast.
The Oasis cafe is open and I get a sausage sandwich and a cup of tea, which is most welcome. Suitably refreshed I stroll amongst the bikes and take a few piccies:
Unusual green Benelli 800.
My two favorites of the day:
And of course The Brat
A great ride and highly recommended.
Ads.
Last edited:
Wow! Really stunning scenery, what a nice ride! I really enjoyed the report and all the photos!
Thanks Bob, I try and make my ride reports interesting. One day I hope Taffy will make the ride; maybe one day.Wow! Really stunning scenery, what a nice ride! I really enjoyed the report and all the photos!
Been seeing you report on Taffy's health. I've an idea. I'll post it in you build thread.
Very nice part of the world. I'm visiting a bit further west shortly down at Little Haven. Years ago I used to spend a lot of time in Newport.