📔 Editor's Letter - October 2022
It's great to see you!
My primary focus over the past couple of months has not been cycling! (The shame!) Instead, I've been furiously re-decorating our home. It's been an enormous job — far bigger than I had imagined. But now it's nearing the end of November and quite contrarily, I've finally got the 'October' issue. Read on!
But not everything has been about paint and plaster. I also have been working regularly with editing photos and writing up the details of my adventures. However, looking at my list of rides; I have eight more reports yet to write for 2022! And yes, I also want to publish another issue for this year. I've got a lot of work ahead of me for the cold dark days of December (and January)... so stay tuned to the 'same bat channel', there's much more to come!
So to start this issue, my cover story Trefil Quarry & Dyffryn Crawnon is a report from April of this year when I visited the the highest village in Wales; Trefil. Sitting at the top of the Sirhowy Valley, this village has but a single road in and then the same road out. From there, I made my way over rough gravel and broken tarmac as I snaked across the high open moors of Trefil Quarry. After a bit of exploration, I then dropped down deep into Dyffryn Crawnon, hiking nearly two miles to reach the bottom. These two contrasting areas made for a spectacular adventure which was also surprisingly close to home.
My second feature wanders up another nearby valley and highlights the Welsh industrial past as I first cycled up NCN Route 466 along an old forestry road to what was once the coal colliery at Cwm. I then continued further north through the village of Cwm into the area that was once the UK's largest steel works at Ebbw Vale. Ebbw Fawr Valley was a short ride, but one rich in history.
Not having lived in Wales when the mines and steel works were in operation, I find it fascinating to see how much has changed. These valleys were once barren and black with soot, yet they now are green and verdant. Looking back at old photographs, who could have ever imagined that these valleys would later provide such magnificient vistas for walking and cycling?
For my third feature, I've gone back to 2014 and updated Lady Windsor and NCN Route 881. This report follows NCN Route 47 through the medieval St. Gwynno Forrest to nearly the top of Rhigos Mountain. I then joined NCN Route 881 for my return down the Rhondda Fach Valley to Pontypridd. For me it's a flashback to an early adventure before I had a clear understanding of how I wanted to portray my reports, but the photos capture a landscape that has since changed dramatically.
In the Departments section, you'll find that I've updated a gallery featuring a classic cycling climb here in the Valley's; The Bwlch. Take a look and see why they call this part of the country "Little Switzerland".
I've also updated a personal favourite "Route to Ride"; Cordell Country. If you've read the book Rape of the Fair Country by Alexander Cordell, you'll understand the allure these valleys hold on people. If you haven't read the book, read it! And then come for a ride and see for yourself!
You'd be hard-pressed these days to find a steel-framed bike with a curved steel fork and rim brakes. They just don't make'em like they used to. I found a company in Bristol who's hanging onto the tradition. Take a look at this Temple Classic Touring bike.
Surfing the Internet for other cycling adventures is a significant part of my down-time. If you do the same, you may have seen this couple who've been traveling around the world for several years now. Last month, they finally made it to Wales. Be sure to check out Cycling Wales to England.
Lastly, I've stuck in a fun little video that looks at a group of folks who took on a challenge to cycle to work for a month. It's an interesting change in topic and a good investigation by an organisation that generally focuses on super-light race bikes and going just going as fast as you can. Watch the YouTube video: Cycle To Work Every Day For A Month.
I hope you enjoy this year's fifth issue and 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!
Thanks again for all your support and encouragement. Your readership means everything. 🚲
cheers! - muse kidd
bikewales99@gmail.com
But not everything has been about paint and plaster. I also have been working regularly with editing photos and writing up the details of my adventures. However, looking at my list of rides; I have eight more reports yet to write for 2022! And yes, I also want to publish another issue for this year. I've got a lot of work ahead of me for the cold dark days of December (and January)... so stay tuned to the 'same bat channel', there's much more to come!
So to start this issue, my cover story Trefil Quarry & Dyffryn Crawnon is a report from April of this year when I visited the the highest village in Wales; Trefil. Sitting at the top of the Sirhowy Valley, this village has but a single road in and then the same road out. From there, I made my way over rough gravel and broken tarmac as I snaked across the high open moors of Trefil Quarry. After a bit of exploration, I then dropped down deep into Dyffryn Crawnon, hiking nearly two miles to reach the bottom. These two contrasting areas made for a spectacular adventure which was also surprisingly close to home.
Wanderlust... Trefil Quarry & Dyffryn Crawnon
Not having lived in Wales when the mines and steel works were in operation, I find it fascinating to see how much has changed. These valleys were once barren and black with soot, yet they now are green and verdant. Looking back at old photographs, who could have ever imagined that these valleys would later provide such magnificient vistas for walking and cycling?
Regeneration... Ebbw Fawr Valley
Truth in Nature... Lady Windsor & NCN Route 881
I've also updated a personal favourite "Route to Ride"; Cordell Country. If you've read the book Rape of the Fair Country by Alexander Cordell, you'll understand the allure these valleys hold on people. If you haven't read the book, read it! And then come for a ride and see for yourself!
You'd be hard-pressed these days to find a steel-framed bike with a curved steel fork and rim brakes. They just don't make'em like they used to. I found a company in Bristol who's hanging onto the tradition. Take a look at this Temple Classic Touring bike.
Surfing the Internet for other cycling adventures is a significant part of my down-time. If you do the same, you may have seen this couple who've been traveling around the world for several years now. Last month, they finally made it to Wales. Be sure to check out Cycling Wales to England.
Lastly, I've stuck in a fun little video that looks at a group of folks who took on a challenge to cycle to work for a month. It's an interesting change in topic and a good investigation by an organisation that generally focuses on super-light race bikes and going just going as fast as you can. Watch the YouTube video: Cycle To Work Every Day For A Month.
I hope you enjoy this year's fifth issue and 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!
Thanks again for all your support and encouragement. Your readership means everything. 🚲
cheers! - muse kidd
bikewales99@gmail.com
