Lon las Cymru

[ian.r.mcdonald]

On my list for next year.Should I take the Scott Hybrid on 32mm tyres with rack and panniers or is my Rourke on 25s with just a tail bag ok?     going to b&b . I am happy on 100k audax but dont do enough miles, is 4 days ok?  North to South?

thanks!!!

[Tail End Charlie]

Either would be fine. There aren't any rough bits unless you go looking for them. Take the most comfortable assuming both have low gears as you'll need them! I'd spend more time over it, it is a route to savour and there are loads of things to explore on the way. I'd recommend ending at Chepstow.

[sizbut]

We did it this summer and really enjoyed it. The majority is on good road surfaces, but even the gravel cycle tracks sections would be fine on 25mm (that said I ride 32mm these days because I like being comfy).

4 days is possible. We took 5 plus a couple of days with friends because we had all week anyway and it was nice not to be under any pressure. We went from Angelsey to Cardiff. The route is well signed, the Sustrans map very helpful, the only time we got lost was near Cardiff where the sheer number of cyclepaths became overload at times.

Don't ignore hotels, little difference in price and come with bar and evening food attached. Thoroughly recommend the Wynnstay in Machynlleth - old but super helpful, huge bike shed, great food and understood that some cyclists like to get up and going really early.

Angelsey to Porthmadog is largely pretty flat. After Porthmadog the section above Harlech is steep up and steep down. Barmouth to Dolgellau is dead flat whizz on a cycle path. Dolgellau to Mach is a huge up and over climb. Out of Mach is another big up and over to Llanidloes. I should say that so far all the big climbing has been on good surfaces and quiet road. Just before the top on the climb before Mach' there is some cycle path where the path is good but has had lots of stones dropped on it by sheep/farmer/etc so you have to play dodge a little, but the descent to Mach is back on a steep but quiet road. Then it rolls up and down small climbs to Builth. Builth to Talgarth pretty flat though the road after Built parallels the A-road but still gets some silly fast drivers. Here we went off route for a few days of fun with friends.

From Talybont at the reservior we took the cycle track. On narrow tyres it might be hard work as it goes on for over 3 miles on presses gravel but its a slow steady gradient. The road we didn't do looked like a easy gradient ending in a very steep twisting climb so we were happy with our choice. From the top here the sense is very much downhill all the way to Cardiff. We ignored all the cycle tracks until just after the Pontsticill Reservoir were it is certainly worth following the cycle path signs again for a very nice cruise down. Here on through Merthyr and on its was worth having it all mapped on GPS at changes of direction come thick and fast at times, but if in doubt follow the Taff and you won't be too wrong.

Enjoy.

[ian.r.mcdonald]

Thank you both!

[Tail End Charlie]

Between Dolgellau and Machynlleth I'd recommend taking the option past Llynnau Cregennen (you can miss out Dolgellau completely by going through Arthog, but you'll miss the rail path to Dolgellau, decisions, decisions). After Llynnau Cregennen there is a track which leads over towards Llanegryn (this is the bit I had in mind when I said "unless you go looking for them" above). Even on 25's just push for a while. Then you drop into the valley round Bird Rock and go over to Mach via Cwrt. I think it's route 82.
In any case there are so many highlights on the route, whichever way you take.
The Sustrans maps are fine and it is well signposted.

[bhoot]

We rode this route several years ago - really enjoyable. Someone suggested a finish in Bristol, which we did. It was a good "add on" to the Chepstow route, with the ride across the Severn Bridge and a decent train service home to London. The Centre of Alternative Technology ay Machynlleth is worth a visit if you have time to spare.

[Captain Offensive]

I really must get around to writing up my blog from my LLC ride last year!

I rode on my 32 wheels but I should imagine 25mm should be fine with a couple of possible alterations.

The Old Coach Road section between Rhyader and Newbridge was probably the roughest part and which might get a bit shaky on 25s so following the alternative route along the main road there might be wise - not as pretty and possibly a bit busy but I did find thecoach road a bit rough on 32s

Actually there is just the one alteration as I rode S-N from Cardiff and the only other rough part was around Tal-y-Bont so if you head to Chepstow you'll avoid that.  I actually did use roads along that section which was smooth but I think with a fair bit more climbing than on the forest tracks.

Time wise I did it in 3 full and 2 1/2 days - or 4 as it might also be called... First day was train to Cardiff and a half days ride starting at about 3pm.  Then did 3 solid days to get me to Bangor and a final 1/2 day across Anglessey to get me to Bangor and a 2pm train home.

sizbut gives a pretty good account.  I went off piste a bit around Harlech as the route doesnt go into the town and I could not countenance the idea of being that close to Harlech castle without visting so I followed the main road between Harlech and Porthmadog - but watch out for teh level crossing at Harlech - the track crosses the road at about 35-45 degress and I managed to get my wheel caught in the tracks!

The toughest bits are eith side of Mach; whether heading north or south.  Heading North the climb out of Mach up from Aberllefenni was the toughest I've ever done and I will never forgive the false summit I came across 2/3 of the way up!  Coming the other way that climb up to there on your way into Mach will also be pretty tough I should think.  I can't comment on TEC's variation.

I reckon the climb out of Mach towards the Mach Mountain Pass will be pretty tough going - it was certainly a test on the brakes going the other way! Hope you get to see some of the views though - I was in constant cloud the whole day.

I gather the climb out of the Hay up onto the Gospel Pass might be a good climb as well.  I had considered going out of my way to try and that as an extra; but let's just say that never happened....

I used the two Sustrans guides the whole way and they were excellent and the route was (mostly) well signed.  If you're interested my strava sections (with pics) are on these links:

https://www.strava.com/activities/654444054
https://www.strava.com/activities/655712013
https://www.strava.com/activities/656646070
https://www.strava.com/activities/657652177
https://www.strava.com/activities/658322770

[mcshroom]

There's a rough section just North of Porthmadog after the medical centre which I didn't like, and the track along the side of Tal-y-bont was pretty rough to Penceli (the road down the other side would be better IMHO), but there's nothing on there that should stop you if you're careful.

I ducked out back onto the A road after Mac so I could find the campsite with a very long name.

I was riding on 35s, but I was also hauling camping gear so it's a different proposition. As with most things Sustrans, if they note it is 'rough' on the map, it's probably better to take the on-road alternative.

This was my ride in 2015 where I took 5 wet days to ride from South to North - https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=88939.0

[Paul H]

Did it lat year with a CTC group, 15 riders, all sorts of bikes - road, audax, hybrids, MTBs, tourers - swings and roundabouts, some had the better bike for one section and someone else for the next, all were fine. 
Having now done both finishes I prefer Chepstow, there's less rough stuff, you go over Gospel Pass and it's interesting to the end, whereas I found the last few miles into Cardiff along a railway path a bit tedious.
We took 5 days, but the first included travelling, so was a short one and on the last day we'd finished by mid afternoon and some went home same day.  So if you're not riding on travelling days four is about right.
Loads of photos here
https://www.flickr.com/groups/2944082@N25/

Bit of a write up here
http://www.derbyctc.org.uk/tours-llc/

[Captain Offensive]

I've finally got around to writing up about my ride from last summer if anyone is interested!   I did the ride over five days in total (3 full days sandwiched between two half days).  Rode it solo but using B&Bs rather than camping.

https://r1chmay.wordpress.com/2017/02/26/llc-1/
https://r1chmay.wordpress.com/2017/03/05/llc-2/
https://r1chmay.wordpress.com/2017/03/07/llc-3/
https://r1chmay.wordpress.com/2017/03/08/llc-4/
https://r1chmay.wordpress.com/2017/03/08/llc-5/

Cheers.
Rich

[Canardly]

Still reading this, but hugely enjoyable write up tvm.

[Captain Offensive]

Still reading this, but hugely enjoyable write up tvm.

Thanks Canardly

[ian.r.mcdonald]

good piece!