Riding in Wales

[8IKERDAVE]

Me and a couple of mates are planning our summer UK trip and the pin landed on Wales this time. It's been a long time since I've been to Wales so thought it would be worth finding out a little more before committing to booking accomodation.

I know there's been a lot of bad press around the 20mph limits of late, but presumably these are just in the towns / villages and the NSL roads are as they have always been?

With 4 days planned we have flexibility to travel north, mid or south but are there any recommended areas or 'must do' roads. I'm aware of the infamous Evo Triangle but typically with this sort of hype we should expect a high volume of traffic and surrounding roads will be quieter (and better in some cases). Any advice welcome!

[Krikkit]

Yes, the 20mph limits are overblown. People who skip Wales because of the 20 zones are missing out on the other great roads. If you're going near the Evo triangle around the Ruthin area then there's loads of better roads to ride that aren't 50mph average.

If you've got a few days it might be worth staying somewhere central in Wales then you can do north, mid and south with a bit of effort.

What kind of bikes will you be riding? If you want any suggestions for the north side I'm getting a reasonable idea now. Ideally get out mid-week, and especially evenings in summer.

[8IKERDAVE]

Krikkit said:

Yes, the 20mph limits are overblown. People who skip Wales because of the 20 zones are missing out on the other great roads. If you're going near the Evo triangle around the Ruthin area then there's loads of better roads to ride that aren't 50mph average.

If you've got a few days it might be worth staying somewhere central in Wales then you can do north, mid and south with a bit of effort.

What kind of bikes will you be riding? If you want any suggestions for the north side I'm getting a reasonable idea now. Ideally get out mid-week, and especially evenings in summer.

I thought as much. We will be going Monday to Thursday to avoid the weekend warriors. I'm on a Z1000SX, others are on an MT10 and a Ducati Diavel.

[Krikkit]

8IKERDAVE said:

I thought as much. We will be going Monday to Thursday to avoid the weekend warriors. I'm on a Z1000SX, others are on an MT10 and a Ducati Diavel.

Around the Ruthin area I'd recommend staying away from most of the B-roads, they're often filthy, very poor surfaces etc for pressing on. One of the few exceptions is the B5105 from Ruthin to Cerrigydrudion.

If you decide to head that way I'm happy to recommend a proper route

[8IKERDAVE]

Krikkit said:

8IKERDAVE said:

I thought as much. We will be going Monday to Thursday to avoid the weekend warriors. I'm on a Z1000SX, others are on an MT10 and a Ducati Diavel.

Around the Ruthin area I'd recommend staying away from most of the B-roads, they're often filthy, very poor surfaces etc for pressing on. One of the few exceptions is the B5105 from Ruthin to Cerrigydrudion.

If you decide to head that way I'm happy to recommend a proper route

Much appreciated mate, thank you.

[FezSpider]

Krikkit said:

Around the Ruthin area I'd recommend staying away from most of the B-roads, they're often filthy, very poor surfaces etc for pressing on. One of the few exceptions is the B5105 from Ruthin to Cerrigydrudion.

If you decide to head that way I'm happy to recommend a proper route

Hey I would appreciate you post up the said route if you wouldn't mind please

[-Cappo-]

I'm just looking at a little Wales trip for three of us in about a month's time. Looking at various websites/TV programs/magazines, I've come up with this as a VERY broad set of destinations, in this order, which takes in quite a few "recommended" roads.

Need to select the correct route option for each leg to make sure we hit the roads we want to, but it currently looks something like this:

Hay on Wye
Crickhowell
Brecon
Brynamman Road
Llandovery
Tregaron
Abergwesyn Pass
Rhayader
Newtown
Llanidloes
Machynlleth
Minllyn
Bala

and possibly a loop back to Llanidloes via Trawsfynnyd.

I think there's around 400 miles there, not including getting to Wales and back, so I need to play with that and see how much is reasonable to do in the time we'll have. We're all capable of "making progress" without being lunatics, but I'll probably need to fit that list into 2 days of riding, and I'm not sure 200 miles a day on (sometimes very) rural roads would be feasible?

[KTMsm]

Loads of good roads in Wales but try to do some research before you go

I've downloaded routes from magazines etc and had a few surprises

Sometimes what they call a good road is just because it has a good view at the end but involves a 30 min ride up some gravelly single track road to get there

I regularly go for the day, highlights for me are the Black Mountains (because they're close) the Gospel Pass - although the road their from Llantony Priory is poor it's worth it for the view and ride carrying on





Black Mountain Pass - only if you like it tight and twisty - better for small bikes

Edited by KTMsm on Wednesday 19th March 17:07

[TypeR]

I’m in Wales today on a road trip with my daughter.
We’re currently in Bangor following the Dragon Loop that’s posted over on the Roads section on PH.
The roads are great, the 20 limits a few and far between.
Have been blessed with the weather too!

[Bob_Defly]

Also, keep an eye out for cops, the North Walian police have a thing for English drivers from my experience.

[gareth_r]

-Cappo- said:

Llandovery
Tregaron
Abergwesyn Pass

See if you can add in the road alongside Llyn Brianne.

[Triaguar]

If you are doing Machynlleth and need somewhere to stay try the Wynnstay hotel. Rooms a bit basic but the food is good prices are reasonable on a deal and there is a garage at the back for your bikes

[Gary29]

Bob_Defly said:

Also, keep an eye out for cops, the North Walian police have a thing for English drivers from my experience.

FTFY

[slime bomb]

The B4391 in north Wales is a must, the stretch outside Bala to Ffestiniog is motoring Nirvana and is used by the likes of Top Gear, Chris Harris and Harry Metcalfe etc.

It's only 8 miles long but it's a road you'll want to ride/drive both ways for sure!

[Krikkit]

FezSpider said:

Krikkit said:

Around the Ruthin area I'd recommend staying away from most of the B-roads, they're often filthy, very poor surfaces etc for pressing on. One of the few exceptions is the B5105 from Ruthin to Cerrigydrudion.

If you decide to head that way I'm happy to recommend a proper route

Hey I would appreciate you post up the said route if you wouldn't mind please

Of course! As another poster mentioned there's a "Dragon Route" which is quite nice, but misses some of the best roads imho. But as ever there's dozens of roads around you could ride and enjoy. It also varies depending what kind of bikes etc you'd be riding, if you had an adventure bike you could really go to town on a load of the nice roads.

This is a loop I'll do in an afternoon (although I start at a different point than this route as I live near Chester). The A548 in particular is a wonderful road, and often missed/unknown it seems as it's always very quiet.

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/Gulf,+West+End+G...

This one has a bit more of the sightseeing type road, but good fun too:
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/Gulf,+West+End+G...

Edited by Krikkit on Thursday 20th March 11:16

[zzrman]

There is lots of really good riding around Wales. If I had to pick one place to stay it would be Rhyader. Centrally located with easy access to aall the good roads.

[LosingGrip]

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

My thread from a few years ago.

It's made me want to go again...

[Iamnotkloot]

-Cappo- said:

I'm just looking at a little Wales trip for three of us in about a month's time. Looking at various websites/TV programs/magazines, I've come up with this as a VERY broad set of destinations, in this order, which takes in quite a few "recommended" roads.

Need to select the correct route option for each leg to make sure we hit the roads we want to, but it currently looks something like this:

Hay on Wye
Crickhowell
Brecon
Brynamman Road
Llandovery
Tregaron
Abergwesyn Pass
Rhayader
Newtown
Llanidloes
Machynlleth
Minllyn
Bala

and possibly a loop back to Llanidloes via Trawsfynnyd.

I think there's around 400 miles there, not including getting to Wales and back, so I need to play with that and see how much is reasonable to do in the time we'll have. We're all capable of "making progress" without being lunatics, but I'll probably need to fit that list into 2 days of riding, and I'm not sure 200 miles a day on (sometimes very) rural roads would be feasible?

I’m originally from that neck of the woods. The main road between Newtown and Llanidloes is good but there’s an even better back road that goes via Caersws. It’s awesome.

[robinh73]

I live in North Wales (Anglesey) and regularly head to Betws Y Coed, Aberystwyth, Devils Bridge and my only advice is to avoid weekends. The volume of traffic and terrible drivers almost outweigh the fun of going out, unless you opt for first thing or after 6pm. As was mentioned above, the B4391 is just incredible. The Crimea Pass from Betws Y Coed to Blaenau Ffestiniog is also an absolute belter and can link to the B4391. As for 20mph limits, they are ridiculous but stick to mid 20s and you should be fine. Other than that, enjoy it as you would be missing out on some of the best roads in the UK if you decided not to venture this way

[KTMsm]

I've gone to Wales on many weekends

Obviously it's better first thing but it's never been crowded