📔 Editor's Letter - December 2025
Hello old friends...
It's been a over a year since I last published an issue of Bike Wales and it's been a strange 14 months. 2025 was a pretty good year for my riding, but not such a good year for my writing. I dunno really? I just couldn't get into a steady rhythm and time slipped by.
Ready to head home...
So here I am, finalizing both my first and last issue of the year and wondering how best to tie things up. As per usual, I have loads of ideas for the future, but as much as I had hoped to catch up this year, I actually fell behind. I'm now two years behind in writing my ride reports. Urgh!
But for now I've some fabulous rides to report, so lets look back at the year 2023.
But for now I've some fabulous rides to report, so lets look back at the year 2023.
The cover story for this unusual issue is a whopper! Bannau Bycheiniog by Cycle is one of the biggest adventures I've had in the 15 years I've been cycling in Wales. This feature alone includes 5 mini-reports covering each of the five days I cycled and across multiple routes of the National Cycle Network. I loaded my bike with all my gear, a tent, gobs of food, and camped every night as I slowly pedalled my way for nearly 200 miles around the circumference of this spectacular national park. I documented my adventure with over 400 images which also includes a day trip exploring Carreg Cennen Castle. Quite simply — this adventure was epic!
My next two reports are a bit more subdued and feature rides closer to home; Newport Wetlands & Seawall is a return to a wonderful and unique nature reserve along the Severn Estuary, whilst 14 Locks, Newport, & Sirhowy Parc covers one of my most frequented routes. Often over-looked as I either start or end some of my longer rides pedalling through these areas, I felt the need to show that these places are special and have their own unique charm as well.
My third feature is the second half of a report covering a fabulous circular route running through the Afon Lywd and Rhymney Valleys. Eastern Valleys Loop - Part II picks up the trail along the Heads of the Valley in Bute Town and then continues south, down through a collection of lovely greenspaces and nature reserves in the Rhymney Valley following mostly traffic-free paths of NCN Route 468 to end in the village of Pengam.
My last feature; Explorer Day - 2015 is an update to a group ride made over 10 years ago as part of the Newport Cycling Festival. Sustrans, Tredegar House, The Newport Wetlands Nature Reserve, and the Newport Transporter Bridge all joined in to host a wonderful day of cycling. This special and unique event deserved a second look with re-edited photos and a larger layout.
My next two reports are a bit more subdued and feature rides closer to home; Newport Wetlands & Seawall is a return to a wonderful and unique nature reserve along the Severn Estuary, whilst 14 Locks, Newport, & Sirhowy Parc covers one of my most frequented routes. Often over-looked as I either start or end some of my longer rides pedalling through these areas, I felt the need to show that these places are special and have their own unique charm as well.
My third feature is the second half of a report covering a fabulous circular route running through the Afon Lywd and Rhymney Valleys. Eastern Valleys Loop - Part II picks up the trail along the Heads of the Valley in Bute Town and then continues south, down through a collection of lovely greenspaces and nature reserves in the Rhymney Valley following mostly traffic-free paths of NCN Route 468 to end in the village of Pengam.
My last feature; Explorer Day - 2015 is an update to a group ride made over 10 years ago as part of the Newport Cycling Festival. Sustrans, Tredegar House, The Newport Wetlands Nature Reserve, and the Newport Transporter Bridge all joined in to host a wonderful day of cycling. This special and unique event deserved a second look with re-edited photos and a larger layout.
Of course, I've got my usual departments which include a new Gallery: Best of 2021, another installment of building a dream bike; Dream Build: Part 2, and then I've got something entirely new as my wife and I started "walking with purpose", which naturally, I started tracking in a spreadsheet, see; 2025 Walking Totals.
Lastly, I tie things off with a couple of YouTube videos I think you might find of interest; Cycling from England to India in Winter is great little story and hopefully the start of more to come. I follow that video with a charming fella and his restoration jewel; 1981 Vintage Bike Rebuild. It's a slow, but a rewarding watch, if ya dig that kinda thing.
Lastly, I tie things off with a couple of YouTube videos I think you might find of interest; Cycling from England to India in Winter is great little story and hopefully the start of more to come. I follow that video with a charming fella and his restoration jewel; 1981 Vintage Bike Rebuild. It's a slow, but a rewarding watch, if ya dig that kinda thing.
2026 will mark my fifteenth year of cycling and writing about my cycling (in Wales) and I'm thinking that it might be my last. I have yet to write any reports for 2024 or 2025, so I've much still to do. But 2026 will also coincide with 10 years of publishing this blog in a magazine format — since June of 2017 (see: Volume 01, Issue 01) and I'm thinking I might tie it all up by the end of next year. We'll see how it goes...
As always, 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!
Thanks again for your support & encouragement. Your readership means everything.
Cheers! - muse kidd
bikewales99@gmail.com
Thanks again for your support & encouragement. Your readership means everything.
Cheers! - muse kidd
bikewales99@gmail.com
