Day 1 - 52 miles and 4826 feet of climbing
Lon las Cymru is said to be one of the toughest long distance cycle routes in UK. Going through 3 mountain ranges and 2 National Parks. But also meant to be stunning and been on my bucket list for sometime.
We started at Chepstow on the Wales and England border, heading north to Usk. What a lovely route so far, quiet roads, plenty of climbing, although the recent downpours meant the road surfaces were not great, with lots of gravel and mud.
Managed to get to Abergavenny for lunch - before the heavens opened! ☔️☔️ We had to go out in it eventually, so a very wet few miles before sun came out. This route is just so pretty, as we start to go along the edge of the Brecon Beacons, the Llanthony valley (Vale of Ewyas) was just iddilyc. Miles and miles of rolling roads along this valley, past the Augustine Llanthony Priory. Stunning 😍
Along to the hamlet of Capel-y-ffin where we then commenced a very long climb up through Gospel Pass. It was steep in parts, but it has to be one of the most gorgeous areas of cycling I've ever experienced, and that's saying something. Views over the Wye Valley. 😎 Up, up, and up - then the sheep all ran across the road being rounded up by sheep dogs. What a stunning pass. Pictures do not do it justice. 😍 it was all so Welsh, sheep, shepherds, sheep dogs, rain & hills. Of course what goes up but come down and we were then treated to an incredible fast descent down to Hay on Wye for our overnight stay.
Gospel Pass
All Gospel Pass above then view from top ⬇️
Llantony Valley
Chapel y ffin 😍😍
It was wet ☔️☔️
Chepstow start
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