Rough-Stuff in Mid-Wales 2007 - Day Two
Torrential rain all night made us thank
Jack Wolfskin for making such a good waterproof tent. The weather was wet
but warm and I must admit it was the best sleep I have had whilst camping!
We arose from ot tents at 08:00, the view was pure mist, but it quickly cleared
to give us a memorable view of the massive mountains. We were blessed with
a bit of Sun as we made a cup of coffee, we could hear some forest workers
way down in the valley. Having broke camp and climbed the track through the
trees over the top of the mountain our view was just trees as we went over
the top with no sense of high we were, forests are notorious for getting us
lost and we had to rely on Nick’s GPS for some calculated navigation.
The route took us down to the Llyn Brianne, this is a huge reservoir the dam
was built in 1972. We crossed over here and cycled for a while alongside the
deep dark peaty waters. Here a late breakfast was had of our usual bacon and
tomato rolls, from here we went south down the valley on a rough track before
reaching the isolated farm of Troed-y-Rhiw. I now had another puncture, I
had a look at the tyre and a big split was noted so the spare tyre was brought
out for the first time in our ten years of cycle camping! The path was then
to take us on an remote track and then on to a soaring steep rough road that
climbed and snaked its way up the Rhiwclochdy mountain 431m. The road then
levelled out on to a long track across the plateau in the heart of the Cambrian
mountains. Although at 100 metres lower than the Trawsnant earlier in the
day, our view was not obscured by trees and what a view it was of the mountains
of this area!
After a good descent down the peak, we met a local couple in a car he told
us of a murder many years ago in the remote farmhouse we had just passed.
We had talked to two mountain bikers earlier but these were the first locals
we had encountered. The road to Llandewi Brefi was undulating and winding
and on arriving we found that the village shop was shut. Tregaron, 6 miles
up the road, was now our best hope for supplies but before we arrived in Tregaron
another disaster struck, the cleat on my shoe had ripped of and was stuck
in the pedal. Cycling for me was now difficult. A decision was made to forget
about any more mountains and to amble back the next day, on the main roads.
We cycled back along the Teifi valley through Llandewi Brefi and found a spot
to camp along side the river. Nick cooked curry and rice, while I cooked spaghetti
Bolognese, followed by fried fish.
Day
1 ~ Day 2 ~ Day 3
Click an image to see larger version.
