After the fun I had on my first cycle tour back in May 2018, it was a real shame I didn’t get to do something like it again last year but for 2020 I set myself a goal to get the touring bug again and here I am, its not even the end of January and my first weekend is booked.
I’ve been looking at this route for a bit and I was putting off the decision to book anything for a while but today was a bad day at work so I said ‘..fuck it, lifes to short’ to myself and just went online and sorted it.
So where am I going? Well I’ve been looking at a particular route I found on the cycle.travel website a couple of years ago and its been sat on my list of to-do’s since then. Its called the Radnor Ring and its a remote, testing 84 mile jaunt around some of the remotest parts of Wales in Radnorshire. On paper it looks like a bit of a bitch to do in a day. Fancy lightweight road bikes are NOT recommended. My idea was that rather than driving to it, I’d ride there, ride it and ride back, a 3 day mini-tour which is my plan.
Day 1 is a 55-60 mile amble to Presteigne where I will base myself for a couple of nights. I’ve found a tidy B&B which is perfect. I’ve checked out the pubs (most important!) and I found real ale so its game on! I’ve drafted a rough route which will see me go out to Great Witley, up and over to Stanford Bridge then I pick up a tiny back lane that runs parallel to the A443 and A456 to the A49 at Woofferton. I then pick up some quiet B-roads to Mortimers Cross and Shobdon before hitting Presteigne for the night.
Day 2 I get to shed the luggage and take on the Radnor Ring which is based out of Llandrindod Wells but I’ll pick the route up near the B&B and follow it anticlockwise. It takes in the towns of Knighton, Rhayader and Kington and the famous climb of Glascwm Pitch is on the cards late on too so I’ll be glad I’ve shed a few pounds off the bike.
Day 3 is another 60ish mile route which will probably retrace to Tenbury Wells and then I may go upto Cleobury Mortimer and Kinlet and return via Bewdley and Stourport. I’ve not decided yet but could be a lumpy one. I like a challenge!
The ride will tick off April’s Resolution Ride too, my challenge to do a 100km ride a month for the year. I’ve done January’s, Feb’s is planned, I’m riding the Mad March Hare Sportive in March and this is April. I’m already thinking about May’s now! Shhhhhhh! It could be more touring!
