Training ride for my trip across Bannau Brycheiniog National Park
The weather was fabulous as I set out to get a few miles under my saddle along with a bit of climbing in preparation for a much larger and longer trip in the coming weeks.
OVERVIEW
Middle Valleys Training Ride
Date: June 14, 2023
Distance: 72.5 mi. / 116.68 km
Elevation: +3,565 ft / -3,521 ft
Duration: 11 hrs, 15 mins.
Distance: 72.5 mi. / 116.68 km
Elevation: +3,565 ft / -3,521 ft
Duration: 11 hrs, 15 mins.
I feel very fortunate to live in an area with so many traffic-free cycle paths. The National Cycle Network here in the the South East Valleys of Wales provide cyclists with 28 unique routes from which to choose.
Today's route is one that I often ride that deserves more attention. However, my main priority was to get some miles under my saddle before my big trip across Bannau Brecheiniog next week. In fact, I cycled most of the overall route without taking any photos! So it's actually the middle-of-the-middle I've documented below.
Today's route is one that I often ride that deserves more attention. However, my main priority was to get some miles under my saddle before my big trip across Bannau Brecheiniog next week. In fact, I cycled most of the overall route without taking any photos! So it's actually the middle-of-the-middle I've documented below.
Getting to the Middle
It was a stunning summer day. The sun was out, the sky was blue and everything seemed alive. Quite honestly, summers can seem shocking and unbelievable after the six (or more) months of dreary, miserable, rainy weather we endure here in the South East Valleys.
I decided too, that it would be a good day to take Lizzie out for a ride. She's 46 years old now and I'm selective on when and where I ride her. It's also unusual for me to include a photograph of myself, but my wife took this first one before I left.
I decided too, that it would be a good day to take Lizzie out for a ride. She's 46 years old now and I'm selective on when and where I ride her. It's also unusual for me to include a photograph of myself, but my wife took this first one before I left.
An old man with his old bicycle.
I left the house and cycled north up the Sirhowy Valley along NCN Route 467 through Quoits Wood, Goergetown, and Rhymney. I then joined NCN Route 46 heading west across the Heads of the Valleys.
At Bute Town I turned onto NCN Route 468 and headed south down the Rhymney Valley to Maesycwmmer. It's a simple loop, I've made more times than I can count. I had traveled just over 25 miles and could have easily turned east through Blackwood and back to home, but I was going for the miles on this day.
At Bute Town I turned onto NCN Route 468 and headed south down the Rhymney Valley to Maesycwmmer. It's a simple loop, I've made more times than I can count. I had traveled just over 25 miles and could have easily turned east through Blackwood and back to home, but I was going for the miles on this day.
From Maesycwmmer, I made my way east following NCN Route 47, down through Sirhowy Parc and across to the Crumlin Arm of the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal (image above). Sirhowy Parc is a fabulous section of the route which I've highlighted in an earlier report; Sirhowy Country Parc.
The Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal is equally lovely, but I didn't take any images of along here either because I've photographed this canal more times than I can count. It's also the center piece of another report; 14 Locks, Newport, & Sirhowy Parc.
The Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal is equally lovely, but I didn't take any images of along here either because I've photographed this canal more times than I can count. It's also the center piece of another report; 14 Locks, Newport, & Sirhowy Parc.
I left the canal path at Rogerstone and rode down to Bassaleg on a connector route that runs between NCN Route 47 and NCN Route 4. It's a rather unique section that's not really listed on any maps, but it's well sign-posted.
Middle of the Middle
Once in Bassaleg, I joined NCN Route 4 (Celtic Trail) and began documenting the ride.
Side Note: Back in 2009, I came through Bassaleg on the second day of my first cycle tour through Wales and I rememeber this little pub fondly (The Ruperra Arms). There was a large outdoor party going on as I passed and when the group saw me with my bike loaded down with panniers and such... they all started cheering! They were whistling and hooting and waving their arms.
Side Note: Back in 2009, I came through Bassaleg on the second day of my first cycle tour through Wales and I rememeber this little pub fondly (The Ruperra Arms). There was a large outdoor party going on as I passed and when the group saw me with my bike loaded down with panniers and such... they all started cheering! They were whistling and hooting and waving their arms.
It was such a surprise. I was completely taken aback. They waved me over, so I stopped to talk with them. It was not yet noon, but they bought me a pint and proceeded to ask a million questions. After an hour or so, they sent me on my way with many well-wishes. It was a really special moment, one of my first memories of Wales.
However, I realised that having a pint was not a good idea. A hundred yards up the lane was an incredibly long and steep and difficult climb. (No one at the pub mentioned this whilst slapping my back and pouring me a pint!)
Anyway, on this day, my bike felt light as a feather and I cycled up the hill without breaking a sweat. After a couple of miles, the lane levels out for a bit and I could sit back and enjoy the spectacular views.
The lane drops down to cross over the Rhymney River at Lower Michaelston. From here the lane rolls up and down for the next five miles to Machen.
This section of NCN Route 4 is lovely and quiet. I hadn't seen a car since leaving Bassaleg.
Sometimes I have to stop when I can envision an image. And I do love my bike... I feel so fortunate to still have her after all these years.
The lane just rolls along. It was perfect cycling.
A couple of miles from Michaelston is the small community of Draethen. Here the route makes a dog-leg turn through the village to begin series of short, sharp climbs, followed by short fast decents for the remain three miles to Machen.
But the views remain spectacular.
Surprisingly, the route passes directly through a working farm. Some of the older buildings here date back to the Tudor Era.
Also, Ruperra Castle is just west of here. Privately owned now and sitting isolated and deteriorating on a nearby hilltop, it dates back to the early-1600's.
Also, Ruperra Castle is just west of here. Privately owned now and sitting isolated and deteriorating on a nearby hilltop, it dates back to the early-1600's.
Dropping into Machen, the route passes over the Rhymney River once again.
From Machen, the route makes a seriously steep climb. It's only about .25 mi., but it's roughly at a 12% incline and runs through several snarky underpasses. (Very cool to see, but I had to walk my bike up and through.)
NCN Route 4 then becomes traffic-free as it follows along a re-purposed rail line.
This section is lovely and quiet as well. The route is perfectly flat with numerous places to stop for a rest or snack.
However, this old quarry is my favourite. I generally always stop here to have my lunch.
At one point in time, Sustrans held the largest number of sculptures of any charity in the UK. This one is one of my favourites. Can you see in the image above, what makes this such a unique sculpture?
Also, at this junction you have the option of continuing straight, which leads into the village of Bedwas and then into Caerphilly, or you can turn left and drop down into Riverside Parc.
Also, at this junction you have the option of continuing straight, which leads into the village of Bedwas and then into Caerphilly, or you can turn left and drop down into Riverside Parc.
You can see that I chose Riverside Parc. It's a little longer, but much more scenic and it bypasses having to cycle along the High Street in Bedwas.
More artwork... a pretty cool fish bench.
The NCN Route 4 pulls up alongside the Rhymney River again before climbing out of Riverside Parc and into Caerphilly at Porsett Parc.
The path weaves along gently through Porsett Parc. Can you see whats ahead in the distance? I was completely shocked to see my first castle here during my 2009 cycle tour of Wales. As an ignorant American, I was not expecting to see a castle in the middle of a town?!?
Can you see it now? We're getting closer!
Caerphilly Catle is simply stunning. Not only is it the second largest castle in all the UK, it has one of the most complex water defences of any castle in the world.
I'll not go into detail now, but it's well worth reading about at Cadw: Caerphilly Castle. On this day I just rode around the castle and took a few snaps.
The site of this 13th-century castle is massive and covers over 30 acres.
But it was then getting late in the afternoon and I needed to start heading home. I took a couple more snaps, but soon put my camera away for the day.
I rode along NCN Route 4 from Caerphilly to Pontypridd, where I then joined NCN Route 8 (Taff Trail), heading north to Quakers Yard. From there, I turned east along NCN Route 47 (again) for an easy few miles through Penalta Park. At Hengoed, I left the cycle route and rode along the roadway to Blackwood and finally up the hill to home.
OVERVIEW
Middle Valleys Training Ride
As I mentioned ealier, my main priority for this ride was training for a bigger cycling event — not taking pictures. However, I'm pleased with what I've documented so far... I just need to go back and take some photos of the route from Caephilly to Pontypridd!
It had been wonderful ride. I got home feeling good and well-prepared for my upcoming trip across Bannau Brycheiniog.
It had been wonderful ride. I got home feeling good and well-prepared for my upcoming trip across Bannau Brycheiniog.
This was a perfect day for cycling. The sky was blue all day with the temperature hovering around 25°. It was great to take Lizzie out for such an easy going adventure. I love this "Middle Valleys" loop and look forward to riding it again.
I hope you enjoyed my report and thanks for reading!
Seeya down the road... Cheers! - cm
I hope you enjoyed my report and thanks for reading!
Seeya down the road... Cheers! - cm
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