HERGEST RIDGE - DAY 1
20/6/09
The weekend of the Summer solstice was the time for us to venture out on our first camping trip of the year! Starting from our homes in Croesyceiliog the leafy Sun-drenched lanes took us out to Goytre, Croes Llanfair and Abergavenny. After stocking up in a the local store in Maerdy it was time to cycle towards one of our late and great Uncle Ron’s tramping grounds, the Gospel pass. Generally known as a testing ground for man and machine, the Vale of Ewyas road climbs over the highest public road in Wales at 544 metres. The Brothers have cycled this route many times but only once fully loaded and indeed it was a tough test. A Dutch lady reiterated this as I cycled past her and her family. The series of steps up the valley turns out on to the open mountain and it was a pleasant ride over the top. A fast swoop was enjoyed into the book-capital Hay-on-Wye and then out onto the toll bridge over the River Wye where the kind lady let us pass without payment. The Bike Brothers rarely make an incursion across the border into England so it was something new as we ambled through the myriad of lanes toward the River Arrow. After getting lost for a while in the maze of roads through these tiny hamlets and villages we eventually arrived at the village of Gladestry which was just over the border in Wales. Here is the start of the Hergest Ridge which is a three mile long ridge that has commanding views of this border country. It has a humble start, up a narrow lane past a few isolated houses. Before long it climbs out on to the mountain, it was now evening, running out of light on the eve of the longest day was not a problem. So we took plenty of time to find a good camping spot so we could drum up one of our famous feasts!
Day 1 ~ Day 2
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Day 1 ~ Day 2