Bannau Brycheiniog by Cycle | Day Four
Trapp to Glyneath
Waking early, I broke camp, packed my gear and prepared myself for getting back on the road. The skies were blue and the weather looked promising, but despite the forecast, I was completely unmotivated to begin my return trip home.
DAY FOUR
ON ROAD |
+ | NCN | 437 | 43 | 46 |  |
Trapp to Glyneath |
Date: June 22, 2023
Distance: 30.3 mi. / 48.76 km
Elevation: +2,013 ft / -2,318 ft
Duration: 5 hrs, 40 mins.
Distance: 30.3 mi. / 48.76 km
Elevation: +2,013 ft / -2,318 ft
Duration: 5 hrs, 40 mins.
Along with the anticlimax of heading home, I had the additional knowledge of starting the ride with a rather lengthy climb. Overall, I only had around 30 mi. to reach my next campsite in Glyneath. I just wasn't feeling it.
Before leaving, I paused to take one more photo of the castle. Both Carreg Cennen and the campsite had been so much more than I could have imagined. Looking around, I still had the place to myself and a part of me wanted to stay another night, but it was time to pedal.
Trapp is very small community, but it has charm. The local pub recently closed, but folks take care of small gardens along the road and there seems to be a real pride in place.
I like the old Brecon Beacons National Park signs, but they are getting hard to find now that the park has been renamed (image below).
I like the old Brecon Beacons National Park signs, but they are getting hard to find now that the park has been renamed (image below).
Wern-Ddu Road out of Trapp heading south toward Blaegweche starts out rolling, but soon after Landyfan the road begins a gradual climb. I was in no rush. I had all day to cycle just over 30 miles.
I could have stayed on Wern-Ddu Road all the way to Ammanford, which would have been much easier, but I wanted to see Carreg Cennan one last time from the high hill south of the castle. I turned off the minor road onto an even smaller lane and began a stiff climb making my way slowly up Mynydd Isaf.
Soon the trees gave way to wide open grassy fields as I crept along the high ridge.
After a couple of miles, zig-zgging my way toward the top, there she was... standing proudly in the sun. I was roughly 2 miles away as a crow flies and it was thrilling to see. I am so glad I took the extra time to get this view.
And after a few minutes of reflection, I was off, down the other side of the hill heading toward the small village of Garnant and the Amman River Valley.
The morning had warmed up nicely. The sky had but a few puffy clouds and it felt glorious to be gliding downhill in the sunshine. However, I was soon surprised to find myself rolling under a thick canopy of trees.
The road too became very steep with some sections offering an eye-watering 14% descent. Nothing too bad for a cyclist on his/her own, but with nearly 50lbs. of gear strapped to the frame... it was rather intense.
I popped out at the bottom into a sleepy housing estate on Folland Road. I turned east for about .5 mi. to the junction with Amman Valley Cycleway, also known as NCN Route 437.
I stopped for a short coffee break (and a self-indugent bike photo). From here it was to be a fairly flat ride following the re-purposed railline which snakes along the valley floor and the River Amman.
I joined the the Amman Valley Cycleway somewhat in its middle. Heading east, I was roughly 2 mi. from my next junction at Brynamman.
The path is paved, shady, and in excellent condition, which was a nice relief after my dramatic descent from Mynydd Isaf. The River Amman is not always visable, but there are several places where the path pulls up along side its banks which offers a cool break beneath the trees.
At Brynamon, the cycleway weaves behind a small industrial estate and becomes unpaved and much more narrow for a short distance. The path then crosses Station Road and the paved surface resumes once again.
After about a mile, I crossed the Amman River one more time before the path exited the woods to merge alongside the very busy Cwmgawr Road (A4068). Frustratingly too, this section of the route along Cwmgarw Road is not well sign-posted.
In the photo above you can see that there is a shared-use walking and cycling path running along the right side of the road (and past the entrance to the industrial estate). I followed the shared-use path to the outskirts of town where it ended and I decided to turn back.
I wondered what I had missed and haphazardly wandered up toward the industrial estate (image above). There were not any signs and it looked pointless...
But, lo and behold... tucked up at the very end of the street was the entrance to the cycleway. Urgh! How frustrating! But at least I found it.
Thankfully, I was on my way again along a secluded traffic-free cycle path heading southeast toward the village of Cwmllynfell and all was good in the universe.
Looking at the map in hindsight, I could've stayed on Cwmgarw Road, but traffic was horrible, the road is very narrow and had little to no verge. It was an annoying delay, but once I found the route, it was gorgeous!
I then had two lovely miles of flat, scenic cycling to the village of Cwmllynfell.
As I approached town, the scare crows were dancing in unison with the wind (image above). And it always makes me smile to see where a community steps up to enhance a walking and cycling path. It doesn't take a lot, but small things can add so much character (image below).
The traffic-free cycleway ended at Cwmllynfell, however NCN Route 437 continued on the A4068. Urgh! The road was very narrow with houses and cars parked along both sides, so for three miserable miles, I annoyed traffic as I slowly pedaled my way down to Ystradgynlais.
Oddly, I didn't see a numbered sign for the entire length of NCN Route 437. Where there are signs, the route is only referred to as the Amman Valley Cycleway. Once I was on the A4068, there was nothing. I had to rely upon Ride with GPS on my mobile phone to confirm directions.
I didn't take any photos of this part of the route either. For one thing, it was simply not very interesting, but more importantly, it was not very safe to stop and fiddle with my camera along the roadside.
Oddly, I didn't see a numbered sign for the entire length of NCN Route 437. Where there are signs, the route is only referred to as the Amman Valley Cycleway. Once I was on the A4068, there was nothing. I had to rely upon Ride with GPS on my mobile phone to confirm directions.
I didn't take any photos of this part of the route either. For one thing, it was simply not very interesting, but more importantly, it was not very safe to stop and fiddle with my camera along the roadside.
As I entered Ystradgynlais, I was concerned about finding the connection with NCN Route 43. Thankfully, as I came to the first roundabout on Bethel Road, a shared-use path opened up along the road and I soon spotted the little blue and red sticker on a lightpole.
DAY FOUR - SUMMARY:
Trapp to Glyneath
Tie things up. Summarize why you made this trip, then briefly describe what you liked or disliked about the ride. Would you make the ride again? Could this ride be used in your "Route to Ride" section?
Make a brief reference to the ride report card shown below with any significant details of which they should be aware. What's next?
Make a brief reference to the ride report card shown below with any significant details of which they should be aware. What's next?
Keep it short. You should also include a brief description of the weather and any important landmarks the reader might appreciate. Say your thank you's.
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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