Streetview made me do it

In June 2022 I took myself upto Aberfoyle in The Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park, just north of Glasgow, for a week of gravel riding and exploring what turned out to be an amazing place to visit and ride a bike.

The story of why I ended up there was basically an impulse decision to go off the back of watching a Cycling Weekly video on YouTube that highlighted the gravel riding in the area. I was actually in the midst of planning a trip to the Ardennes then saw this and binned that idea off. I was hooked on the scenery so I found myself a cottage for the week and booked it there and then. The rest is history. Awesome place, highly recommended.

I vowed to do something similar last year but that didn’t materialise in quite the same way, however I did get to do a mini-tour riding down to Babbacombe near Torquay over a few days which managed to go some way to appease my craving for a cycling holiday all year.

Fast forward to last weekend and I’ve done it again.

This time I was scooting around the UK on an OS Map looking for potential places and routes to ride for my Gravelton events. I strayed into mid-Wales and found a big reservoir (Llyn Brianne) and a remote road running along it’s shores so I had a look on Streetview. Wow.

I immediately decided I had to ride there and began to hatch a plan to ride a week-long tour. I was going to stay in Llantwrtyd Wells, do this loop which ticks off the Devil’s Staircase climb I’ve never done either and then make my way up the west coast via Aberystwyth and Porthmadog to ride out to the far end of the Llyn Peninsula and back to Conwy to see my parents.

I’m not a bike packer, I’m not a camper, I like comfort, a nice meal and pub after 6hrs+ on a bike so I began researching accommodation. The problem here is you have to have it all lined up before you block book it all in one go. Availability is low and cost is high not withstanding getting to Wales and back requires some driving, trains or some very long days in the saddle.

To get there I originally thought Sally could come and we could drive, spend the weekend there and then she drives back and I go on my way but finding accommodation without paying over £100 a night became a faff to be honest so I decided to just base myself down there. Sally will come too, she can work and then we can go out and eat and drink together in the evening. I can take both bikes aswell so I can mix up road and gravel while I’m there.

There are plenty of riding options to keep me busy. I’ve got the west coast, I can get to the Brecon Beacons and there is plenty of gravel and road locally with the Elan Valley just up the road too. Lots of boxes to tick off.

It’s all booked. I’m going in June again. I just need the weather to be as good as Aberfoyle was now.