📔 Editor's Letter - February 2026
Hello 2026!
I have admit that I'm very pleased to have finished this issue by the first of February. The weather has been absolutely miserable with snow and ice and relentless rain which inturn has kept me inside — and all the better for working on this blog.
At the start of my Gwent Levels project...
I've got a lot planned for this year and I'm jumping right in with a big project I started in 2025; "Cycling the Gwent Levels". This project will include five ride reports covering unique areas of the Gwent Levels I visited last year and I've got the first one starting off as the cover story for this issue: St. Brides & the West Usk Lighthouse.
The quiet lanes of Oakdale...
An old man and his old bike...
My second and thrid features explore routes closer to home. Oakdale & Holly Bush Ramble expands upon a short feature I wrote back during the pandemic by further documenting our village and nearby NCN Route 467. Whilst Middle Valleys Training Ride showcases a special loop running between the Sirhowy and Rhymney valleys which I cycle quite often — either partially or as a whole.
The last two features in this issue are actually updates to previous reports. Legendary Neath Explore is one of the last rides I made with Tim at Sustrans and dates back to 2017. It's a brilliant route that deserves a second visit as well. And Land of Discovery: Llandovery goes all the way back to 2012 when I went on my first overnight cycling adventure with the Kingfishers.
First of Year Specials: I've created a special three-part section for this start of the year issue where I've included a review of my statistics and goals; 2025 Achievements outlines a subjective look back on my 2025 efforts, 2025 By the Numbers provides a quick overview of my basic yearly statistics, and lastly 2026 Goals sets out a rather ambitious (and lengthy) list of achievements I hope to reach during the coming 12 months.
I've got my usual departments again which include a new Route to Ride: NCN Route 477 - Trevithick Trail. This fascinating route which runs along the eastern hillside of the Taff Valley is often over-shadowed by it's big brother the Taff Trail. To coincide with my Gwent Levels project, I've updated one of my castle galleries; Caldicot Castle. And lastly, I've part three of my ongoing bike project; Dream Build Part 3.

I tie things off again with a couple of YouTube videos; Cycling from England to India | Part 2 continues following our intrepid couple through the Austrian Mountains... in winter!. Bikespeeds is back with a brilliant a resoration of a 51 Year old Raleigh; 1974 Raleigh Full Rebuild. I just can't get enough of this kinda thing.
This is my fifteenth year of cycling and writing about my cycling (in Wales). 2026 will also mark 10 years of publishing this blog in a magazine format (see: Volume 01, Issue 01) and I'm toying with the idea that I might tie it all up by 2027. 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
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