📔 Editor's Letter - December 2022 / January 2023
Happy New Year!
It rained and rained and rained and then it got very cold and everything turned to ice. Then it snowed and when it finally warmed up again, it rained some more. December 2022 was a dreary, miserable month; one I'm glad to see behind us.
As I sat inside and watched the new year beginning, I began thinking back over my goals and achievements for 2022. It had been a good year and with all the travel restrictions lifted, I was able once again to cycle carefree most everywhere I wanted. I took time to reflect back over this in the aptly named: 2022 - Achievements.
As I sat inside and watched the new year beginning, I began thinking back over my goals and achievements for 2022. It had been a good year and with all the travel restrictions lifted, I was able once again to cycle carefree most everywhere I wanted. I took time to reflect back over this in the aptly named: 2022 - Achievements.
NCN Route 8 | Talibont Reservoir
But the elephant in the room (at least for me), is the lateness of this issue. It's nearing the end of January and I'm just now publishing issue six of this "supposedly" bi-monthly blog. So what happened? Well, the short answer is that I'm incredibly slow. Details bog me down. Sidebars from the story at hand deflect my attention and hours later I find myself miles off-course. That is the beauty and the bedevilment of the Internet — as we all know!
To address this delima, I plan to only publish four issues for 2023. The first issue of Volume 7 will be in March, followed by Vol.2 in June, Vol.3 in September, and the final Vol.4 in December. As it stands now, I've still five remaining reports from 2022 yet to write. Also by March, reports from 2023, in all likelyhood, will begin accumulating. It is the only way I can envision catching up.
But, I'm getting ahead of myself.
To address this delima, I plan to only publish four issues for 2023. The first issue of Volume 7 will be in March, followed by Vol.2 in June, Vol.3 in September, and the final Vol.4 in December. As it stands now, I've still five remaining reports from 2022 yet to write. Also by March, reports from 2023, in all likelyhood, will begin accumulating. It is the only way I can envision catching up.
But, I'm getting ahead of myself.
To start this issue, my cover story is from a fantastic adventure on a beautiful day in late March of this year. We're very fortunate to live within 20 miles of the Brecon Beacons National Park and cycling through this area is simply breathtaking. Join me as I recount my ride over some classic high mountain passes through the heart of this wonderful national park in; Back to Brecon.
Wye Valley Greeway
My next two features highlight more exceptional Welsh scenery, as well as the traffic-free cycle paths of the National Cycle Network. First, I made a return visit to further explore a new cycle path between Chepstow and Tintern in; Wye Valley Greenway v.2. Then my next new feature is from a short, but deeply rewarding bikepacking trip I made in early May up to the Black Mountains in; Llangattock Escarpment Campout.
NCN Route 49 | Cwmbran
To end the year, I pulled together some numbers for a quick synopsis of my cycling efforts in; 2022 - By the Numbers. And as the last element of the 2021 re-design, I restructured my back issues to improve the cataloging of these publications with a visual reference. You can start looking back though this year here; Back Issues - 2022.
Of course, I've got a couple of cycling videos I stumbled across for your review. Both touch me in different ways; in Beyond Cycling, a lovely young couple explore Wales by bike and then an old man contemplates long distance cycling in; Always Another Adventure. Again, I found another sexy bike for you to ponder... if you like steel frames, rim brakes, and bar-end shifters. These things are starting to get rare these days. Check out: Fuji Touring.
Of course, I've got a couple of cycling videos I stumbled across for your review. Both touch me in different ways; in Beyond Cycling, a lovely young couple explore Wales by bike and then an old man contemplates long distance cycling in; Always Another Adventure. Again, I found another sexy bike for you to ponder... if you like steel frames, rim brakes, and bar-end shifters. These things are starting to get rare these days. Check out: Fuji Touring.
I you hope find something of interest in this year-end's issue and will continue visiting my little world of cycling adventures in Wales. If you've any questions or topics you'd like to share, do not hesitate to contact me. I'd love to hear from ya!
Thank you again for all your support and encouragement. Your readership means everything. 🚲
cheers! - cm
bikewales99@gmail.com
Thank you again for all your support and encouragement. Your readership means everything. 🚲
cheers! - cm
bikewales99@gmail.com
