I was glad of my front mud guard & gore tex rain kit. I had to knock on a farmers door at one point & ask to use their car port for shelter as I put on more under layers. It was warm though, not cold, but if I stopped my heat was lost pretty quickly.
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48445757916_303c0c1dd5_z.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48445757916_303c0c1dd5_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2gNZb1d ]Brecon Beacons National Park, when the tarmac ends the adventure begins[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/martinddd/ ]martinddd[/url], on Flickr
Being soaked, and heading into Llanwrtyd Wells I opted for a night under a roof at Stonecroft Lodge Backpackers, probably the most bike accommodating place I’ve ever stayed, the land lady said “just pop your bike in the lounge” – I had to actually insist I hosed all the sheep poo off it first!
Neuadd Arms Hotel curry went down a treat.
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48445914567_3452e728b5_z.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48445914567_3452e728b5_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2gNZYz6 ]Neuadd Arms hits the spot.[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/martinddd/ ]martinddd[/url], on Flickr
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48445762251_43c6f9133a_z.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48445762251_43c6f9133a_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2gNZchX ]Forest roads.[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/martinddd/ ]martinddd[/url], on Flickr
The EWE from Llanwrtyd Wells was mean to me, some of the trail were overgrown or had disappeared. One bridalway sign had clearly been recently replaced by the county council, but it pointed into wilderness. On one section of trail, I had to leave my bike behind in order to cut out the thick brambles that criss crossed the trail with my Opinel before returning to my bike to drag it through thick gorse, up a steep rut of a stepped trail. This was slow going!
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48445766891_76e2eef405_z.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48445766891_76e2eef405_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2gNZdEX ]Bushwacking.[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/martinddd/ ]martinddd[/url], on Flickr
Then I hit a few bits of the most stinky bog that ate my bike up.
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48445926437_f1119a9bf1_z.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48445926437_f1119a9bf1_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2gP136K ]Bog stench[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/martinddd/ ]martinddd[/url], on Flickr
Then my King Cage USB broke:
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48445773391_c63c7078fb_z.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48445773391_c63c7078fb_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2gNZfB2 ]Oh dear[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/martinddd/ ]martinddd[/url], on Flickr
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48445775006_4973609080_z.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48445775006_4973609080_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2gNZg5S ]Secret stash[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/martinddd/ ]martinddd[/url], on Flickr
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48445775506_58236c95f5_z.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48445775506_58236c95f5_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2gNZgeu ]Sorted[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/martinddd/ ]martinddd[/url], on Flickr
These events all slowed down progress.
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48445778251_84e181f510_z.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48445778251_84e181f510_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2gNZh3P ]Claerwen dam.[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/martinddd/ ]martinddd[/url], on Flickr
The section of gravel track after Claerwen reservoir really lifted my spirits, as did the size of the reservoir, I loved it & the bike ate up the track.
The next camp spot was superb, up high, no wind or midges, no moon, silent sheep, perfect.
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48445778931_488a77aa21_z.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48445778931_488a77aa21_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2gNZhfx ]Pukka[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/martinddd/ ]martinddd[/url], on Flickr
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48445934492_4a935e4542_z.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48445934492_4a935e4542_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2gP15uC ]Morning view[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/martinddd/ ]martinddd[/url], on Flickr
Amazing adventure! I've cycled and walked these areas before (in my 20s) and I must say that they can be very hard going.
That is proper adventure. 👍