I think it was September 2013 Mrs. BlackSheep and I rode this as a tour.
Setting out from Tewkesbury the first day we rode to Llandovery, overnight stop at "The Level Crossing" a great independent hostel. Although it's next to (surprise, surprise) the level crossing, trains don't run at night - so it's peaceful. Day 2, a short trip up to Devil's Bridge, and a night in the Haffod hotel, next morning day 3 started with a drop down to the A44, a trip around Pendam and up the coast to Dolgellau, staying in another independent hostel next to the Natwest bank. 4th day was along the coast controlling in Barmouth then a west coast trek all the way to Pen-y-Groes, cutting inland back to Bedgellert, pen-y-pass, Capel Curing, and the drop into a hotel in Betws-y-Coed. Day six was the cross country trip passing lakes Bala and Vernwy, stopping for the night just outside Newtown in a large guest house. Day 6 we took a leisurely trip to Leominster where we stayed just to the north of town in a farmhouse b&b. Final day 7 we meandered back home via Ledbury. The weather was dry, bright and a bit draughty in the main. We got wet once, and that was three miles outside Tewkesbury.
I think the populaire perm allows almost 9 days for Completion, but we were touring. So in the rack pack and panniers carried a set of spare cycling clothes and a set of casual clothes, along with the extra creature comforts that might not get included in a randonnuer event.
On average we did 55 to 60 miles a day, which was broken by plenty of cafe stops and long lunch breaks.
