DAY 2
25.05.08
The Wind battered the tents all night but this did not stop us having a remarkably good sleep. I awoke at 08:00, the wind had brought rain and it turned in to the most torrential storm I have ever encountered whilst camping. We were pinned down on the side of the mountain.Our Jack Wolfskin tents proved all they were worth that day. The storm lasted for hours but at 15:00 it eased off slightly. It was time to make a dash for it, so after packing the gear we tried to cycle quickly off the mountain. A complete soaking was our reward for our bravery! We eventually came down to Pontrhydfendigaid, the weather calmed down as our emergency route back took us past the ancient Strata Florida abbey. This road turns quickly into forestry, a quick snack of bacon rolls was cooked before we set off up the path which would take us over the Hirnant mountain at 548 metres. This climb was a good atmospheric ascent up through, what we think, is the most picturesque scenery in Wales. The rain had now eased off and the steamy mist brought all the smells of the forest out into the air. After going over the summit we crossed the Hirnant River and arrived at the remote road at the top of the Tywi valley. The ride down here in the late evening was through bird-singing thick forest. It was not long before we reached the forest track that would take us up and over Cefn Coch. This was our last climb of the weekend but we would now have to ascend the 500metres completely in darkness. I only had a head torch whilst Nick had the addition of a front Led lamp. In the darkness this was a dramatic steep wooded climb which took us out on to the windswept open mountain before reaching the shelter of the forest on the descent into Abergwesyn. This was no time or place for making a mistake on these confusing tracks, so Nick's GPS was a good tool as we made our way through the dark forest. We saw some campers sheltering in the forest, this place brings out the madness in people! It was not long before we arrived in Abergwesyn and glided down the asphalt road to Llanwrtyd Wells. It was a different and monumental or mental trip!, which had been enjoyable for so many different reasons, we reflected on this as we packed the bikes at gone midnight.
Night before ~ Day 1 ~ Day 2
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Night before ~ Day 1 ~ Day 2