Hi All,

Any recommendations?

Looking for somewhere with secure bike storage, possible bike washing facilities and if I come in with mud all over my face won’t kick me out again.

Planning on Three/Four nights between Christmas and new year, got my uplift booked at BPW on the 26th, planning 2 more uplifts at Cwmcarm and a day at Afan so somewhere reasonably central would be good!

Any suggestions gratefully received!

Jamie

I live localish so cant recommend any from experience, but have a look here as a starting point

http://www.bikeparkwales.com/businesses.asp?categoryid=2

I stayed at these two places on a Cwmcarn to BPW bike trip, carrying a change of riding clothes with us – both are great for different reasons. They’re (bike) friendly with great accommodation with places to lock your bikes in.

Soar Chapel is near Ebbw Vale, so just off the heads of the valleys road, between Cwmcarn and BPW (good also for Forest of Dean and Brecons). If you go there, head to Ambala curry house in Ebbw Vale.

Mount Pleasant was a real find – 3 miles south on the Taff Trail from BPW, just outside Aberfan, so in the same valley as BPW. Website really doesn’t do this place justice – the rooms are good but it has a great little old bar in one room with wood burning stove to dry your shoes out, the best Guiness I’ve had this side of the Irish Channel, really good home cooked food and bike storage.

http://www.soarchapel.co.uk/about/

The Mount Pleasant Guest House in Merthyr Vale – South Wales

The Queens B&B in Glyncorrwg is good for riding Afan from the door. Bike friendly and just very friendly in general. Stay here and you can also brave the Glyncorrwg working men’s club, watering hole of the Welsh Dragon. She’s not a tame beast. http://www.thequeensguesthouse.co.uk/

As for BPW the Travelodge just down the road is a popular option. They let you take your bike in the room and don’t mind a bit of mess. Some even wash their bikes in the shower!

Brynteg Cymmer is always our base, fantastic hosts/landlords, and the pub over the road with the 20oz Gammon/Railway Wrecker challenges and great beer is always excellent. Basically its located in the middle of the Glencorreg and Afan trail centres, and has a fully kitted bike storage / washdown/conservatory area.

Self Catering Cottages Afan

Thanks for all of your suggestions guys! Will give them all a buzz and see if they have any vacancies for that period. Keep the suggestions coming in thoough as somewhere nearer Cwmcarm might be better!

Jamie

Gethin Lodge is what you need
http://www.gethinlodge.com/

Stayed here at the end of last year, it was perfect and the guy that owns it is really helpfull.
Can even ride to BPW too
Pub at the end of the road and a Premier Inn across the railway for breakfast

No brainer. The Gwaelod Inn, just outside Cardiff. About 3 mins from A470, 15 mins from BPW, 5 mins from M4 junction, their own microbrewery, more CAMRA awards than I can remember, home cooking, friendly clientele, great mountain biking from the door, great Tuesday night pub quiz. The opportunity to achieve a lifetime’s ambition to live above a pub, if only for one night. Need I say more? http://www.gwaelodinn.co.uk

For larger groups, coed owen bunkhouse. Was there a few weeks ago, fantastic place!

I was up in Cymmer with Kryton not long ago. The Refreshment Rooms in Cymmer may be my favourite pub this year. 10oz of gammon for £7.99 or 20oz for just £9.99 plus 5 pints for less than £15. It’s a winner!