We’re off to Llandovery soon for a week’s camping (well, caravanning). We’ll be taking the tandem which is set up for road riding, and will be joining a couple of other tandem teams.

I’ve got a couple of idea from searching the interwebz but if anyone can suggest some nice day routes (20 to 30 miles, maybe 800m-1500m climbing) it would surely be appreciated. Although we will be able to travel to and from start points for something really worth it, it would be even better if we could ride from Llandovery itself.

For instance, I hear there’s a Red Kite feeding centre at Llanddeusant, that’s one of the places I’ve got earmarked as a ride – out to Llanddeusant to watch the feeding then pootle back

While I’m asking, any suggestions of non-bikey things to do (we like birds and wildlife and so on, not big fans of loud noisy stuff) and of places to eat (doesn’t have to be posh, just tasty) both as places to stop on rides and places to visit of an evening would be very much appreciated

cheers all!

There’s the national bicycle collection at Llandrindod Wells

Definitely go ride up past Llyn Brianne and you can probably turn that into a loop somehow.

Oh and Carreg Cennen castle is pretty impressive perched up on a rock outcrop with a cave underneath (if you pay to go in)

National Showcaves at Dan yr Ogof aren’t too far away and if you like that sort of thing they make Cheddar and Wookey Hole look pretty lame 😉 Also they have a whole hillside full of plastic dinosaurs…

Any more route ideas?

The bicycle collection sounds good.

Up the road to Llanwrtyd Wells by the main road of via Tirabad then left to Abergwesyn and then over Abergwesyn Common and up the Devil’s Staircase (impressive on a tandem) and down the other side turn left to Llyn Brianne over the hills straight back to Llandovery via Rhandirmwyn – a great day out.

Monday morning bump for this one. I’ve a few things bookmarked that I’ll start going through this week

Evening bump and a request for route feedback. I’ve looked for some inspiration online and come up with some rides from the campsite, any suggestions as to ho these routes can be improved / replaced (or if they’re rubbish and should be scrapped) is welcome, cheers

We will need to do a bit of research to find places to eat en route and so on,m again all suggestions and feedback will be great thanks

Gold Mines & RSPB Reserve
http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=upglyxwjkgcuwuil
There’s a cave on the RSPB reserve at the northern tip of this – we don’t have to go all the way to the reserve of course but it’s an out an back so easy enough to skip.

Lyne Brianne longer and shorter loops
http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=errjsuqxuzfhbuec
http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=coaxfipidwucjuin

Viaduct loop
http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=qvikmynbiuroclls

Carreg Cennen Castle
OUT: http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=pbylvccuuyxgvmgv
BACK: http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=zeohtsnxkvobvavs
The Carreg Cennen route goes to a castle that has a cave underneath – I was thinking we could ride out, explore castle and cave (entrance fee payable, torch needed) then ride back

Gwynfre loop
http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=nltioqdbzkkaiwiy

Llandeusant loop
http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=mfdhqxrrcpornckc
There’s a red kite feeding centre near Llandeusant, feedsing at 3pm each day. Pay to go in the hide.

Also found some off road loops, but I’m not planning on taking an MTB. And this is a bit of monster ride that we’re not evening thinking of, but some of our number might fancy it – is it worth it?
http://www.jeremyreescycles.co.uk/pdf/reservoir_cogs.PDF

I’m sure these are on the radar:

If you’re interested in iron age/Roman history
http://www.breconbeacons.org/all_downloads/garngochleaflet_english.pdf

If you’re religious. They still sometimes bus them in for Sunday service. Take your Welsh phrase book!
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soar_y_mynydd#/search – they still sometimes bus people

Hadn;t seen either of those, cheers for that!

I don’t road bike but the southern part of that reservoir_cogs route will go through some nice scenery past Usk reservoir. While the Northern half you are planning to do already. Obviously you can split the thing into two from Llandovery and do on different days.

Or combine the Usk Reservoir section with a trip over the pass to Dan yr Ogof. Not sure how far it is to then loop westwards and back North over the next pass but it’ll be a nice trip if you’re up for the distance.

Thanks, will look at that suggestion

For other things, walking up the Black Mountain range is worthwhile and very close to Llandovery – Fan Brycheiniog and others close by. Another vote for Carreg Cennen castle, it’s a brilliant spot.