Volume 09 | Issue 01
No. 43, December 2025
COVER STORY
Bannau Brycheiniog
by Cycle
A five-part touring adventure across the Welsh national park
- 2023 -
Sustrans created this unique route sometime around 2016 and from that time on, it has been on my bucket list. In June of 2023 and after seven years of dreaming, I finally had the opportunity to make the most of a wonderful mid-summer adventure. ► Read more
FEATURES
NEW!
November 09, 2023
Newport Wetlands & Sea Wall
Outside the coastal village of Nash lies a surprising nature reserve unlike any other found in the UK. This fascinating gem showcases a unique wildlife habitat well worth a cyclist's visit... ► Read more
bikewales Ride-O-Meter
MORE! Overall Details  ►
2025 Stats
View 2025 Yearly Totals  ►
NEW!
November 05 & 15, 2023
14 Locks, Newport, & Sirhowy Park
Two common rides merged into a single report simply because I cycle these routes more than any others... ► Read more
NEW!
July 18, 2023
Eastern Valleys Loop
PART 2: Join me on the second part of this scenic loop through South Wales as I cycle down the Rhymney Valley following NCN Route 468 to Bargoed Woodland Parc...► Read more
UPDATED!
September 27, 2015
Explorer Day 2015
The weather was fabulous, the locations were brilliant, and everyone had a great day out on their bikes... ► Read more
DEPARTMENTS
Charts
NEW! 2025 Walking
Starting in January my wife and I began a regular walking routine around our village. So far — it's been brilliant! Take a quick look at our progress.. ► View: 2025 Walking
📔 Editor's Letter - December 2025
Happy Holidays!
Take a few moments to read a brief outline of what's new for this issue and what's been going on with Bike Wales behind the scenes. This is also my place to say thank you for taking time to visit my little blog... ► Read more
GALLERY
NEW! Best of 2021
We were finally allowed to travel again and I made the most of it. Of course I took my camera as this extensive gallery will attest!... ► View: Best of 2021
Sexy Bike Alert!
Dream Build: Part 2
The Brakes - In the second installment of building a dream bike, I look at a selection of brake calipers and levers for (dare I say it?) rim brakes!... ► Read: Article
ON THE WEB
Cycling from England to India
Josh & Sarah Ride - This adorable young couple had been talking about and planning an around the world bicycle trip for several years now and they have fianlly hit the road. Their story telling is brilliant, the production is top notch, and I think you just might like their personailities as much as the video itself. ► Watch Video
1981 Claud Butler Restoration
Bikespeeds - This old-school mechanic runs a traditional bike shop out of Suffolk, England and I like his attitude. The restoration showcased is astonishing, yet his approach is simple and straight-forward. Whether you work on bikes or not, this video captures some "old-skool" ideas that often seem lost in todays world of cycling. ► Watch video
SADDLEBAG
Where I cycle in Wales...
Subscribe to Bike Wales
Submit your email address to receive updates... ► Read more
Email Bike Wales
Do you have something you'd like to share with us?... ► Drop us a line
Noteworthy Cycling
Blogs & Websites
  • Crazy Guy on a Bike
  • Path Less Pedaled
  • Tom's Bike Trip
  • Sea Surf Dirt
  • Cycling About
  • The Radavist
  • Pannier
  • bikepacking.com
    • How It Works
    Read about the hardware and software we utilize to present the content found in this blog... ► Read more
    Did ya miss the last issue? No worries, I've got it right here for ya! ► October 2024
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    Volume 08 | Issue 02
    No. 42, October 2024
    COVER STORY
    Taf Fechen Forest Coffeeneuring
    DISCOVERING A NEW
    WAY TO APPRECIATE
    AN OLD LOVE
    I set out to explore an unusual loop of the Taff Trail as it climbs along the western side of Pontsticill Reservoir and I thought I'd stop for a bit of coffee along the way. ► Read more
    FEATURES
    NEW!
    July 18, 2023
    Eastern Valleys Loop
    PART 1: Afon Lwyd Valley & NCN Route 492 - Too much to see and too big for a single report. Join me as I cycle up the lovely Afon Lywd Valley for Part One of my tour of the Eastern Valleys... ► Read more
    2024 Ride-O-Meter
    View 2024 Yearly Totals  ►
    NEW!
    September 03, 2023
    Senghennydd Memorial Ride
    I visit the Aber Valley Heritage Museum and photograph the National Mining Memorial in Senghennydd... ► Read more
    UPDATED!
    September 15, 2020
    Three Valleys Bimble
    Having to stay local lead me on interesting adventure as I weaved up and down the valleys... ► Read more
    UPDATED!
    September 04 & 05, 2014
    Penpont Campout
    One of the best overnight cycle trips to one of the best camp sites I've visited. An awesome adventure... ► Read more
    DEPARTMENTS
    Routes to Ride
    NEW! Clytha Classic
    A short ride from Usk along NCN Route 42 through Bettws Newydd and returning by the legendary Chain Bridge and windmill of Llancayo. ► View: Clytha Classic
    📔 Editor's Letter - October 2024
    Hello & welcome!
    Take a few moments to read a brief outline of what's new for this issue and what's been going on with Bike Wales behind the scenes. This is also my place to say thank you for taking time to visit my little blog... ► Read more
    Routes to Ride
    NEW! The Valleys
    I'm slowly documenting all the NCN Routes in South East Wales. I've now outlined seven of of the 28 unique routes. Select by route number or valley name. ► Visit: The Valleys
    GALLERY
    NEW! 31 Days on the NCN
    I posted one image a day for the entire month of May — from a selection of photos I've taken over the years whilst cycling in Wales. ► View: 31 Days on the NCN
    ON THE WEB
    Cycling North Wales
    You Tube - Here's another flashback from a lovely couple as they cycle through Snowdonia and across the northern coast of Wales into England. Not only is the couple adorable and the scenery fabulous, but the filming and overall production is well worth the 15 minutes it takes to watch this video. ► Watch video
    Built for Adventure! - Part 1
    You Tube - I've never seen a video of a complete frame build — from start to finish, but the Bike Farmer has created six! If you've ever wondered how a frame gets built (like I have), this first installment will get you hooked. Check out: Cloning a Rivendell all-Rounder for all-terrain touring. ► Watch video
    SADDLEBAG
    Where I cycle in Wales...
    Subscribe to Bike Wales
    Submit your email address to receive updates... ► Read more
    Email Bike Wales
    Do you have something you'd like to share with us?... ► Drop us a line
    Noteworthy Cycling
    Blogs & Websites
  • Crazy Guy on a Bike
  • Path Less Pedaled
  • Tom's Bike Trip
  • Sea Surf Dirt
  • Cycling About
  • The Radavist
  • Pannier
  • bikepacking.com
    • How It Works
    Read about the hardware and software we utilize to present the content found in this blog... ► Read more
    Did ya miss the last issue? No worries, I've got it right here for ya! ► April 2024
    ▲ Back to top
    Volume 08 | Issue 01
    No. 41, April 2024
    COVER STORY
    2+2 Parks
    & Trails
    Two routes
    make it right!
    As I set out to document a much larger route, I realised that two short sections of the project could be combined into a single route of its own right. Take a look at a lovely little ride across the Valleys that deserves some special recognition... ► Read more
    FEATURES
    NEW!
    May 19, 2023
    Barry Island Blast v.2
    More than a lovely beach, this landmark by the sea is full of funky shops and restaurants, a pleasure park, and a wonderful assortment of interesting people and places to photograph... ► Read more
    2023 Ride-O-Meter
    View 2024 Yearly Totals  ►
    NEW!
    Oct - Nov, 2023
    Oakdale & Holly Bush Ramble
    Cycling up the Sirhowy Valley holds a special place in our hearts and because it's so close — we call it home... ► Read more
    UPDATED!
    March 23, 2017
    Daffodils & Disasters
    Down through Gelligroes to Wattsville, then back up Sirhowy Country Park; local haunts of a wandering cyclist... ► Read more
    UPDATED!
    August 01, 2013
    Cordell Country Heritage Ride
    Cycling the valleys where we live and discovering our Fair Country... ► Read more
    DEPARTMENTS
    Routes to Ride
    NEW! Bullmore Road
    THE ROMAN WAY - This is the most most popular route to cycle between Caerleon and Usk. It also happens to be the safest and most scenic... ► View: Bullmore Road
    📔 Editor's Letter - April 2024
    Hello 2024!
    Here's a brief overview of what's new for this issue and a look back since the last issue. This is also my place to talk about what's been going on behind the scenes, as well as what I'm planning for the future... ► Read more
    GALLERY
    NEW! Best of 2018
    The weather was exceptionally warm and dry during 2018, so I rode a lot. However, I was left with an large number of photos to select for this gallery... ► View: Best of 2018
    Sexy Bike Alert!
    2024 Dream Build: Part 1
    The Frame - I don't need to replace my Dawes Galaxy, but seeing how bikes have changed over the past 12 years, I began to wonder; could I replace her?... ► Read: Article
    ON THE WEB
    Brooks & Rivendell Bicycle Works
    YouTube - Just as I was working on a feature about my favourite bicycle frames, Rivendell Bicycle Works came out with this lovely video which perfectly portrays their cycling philosophy and captures the spirit of cycling from a non-competitive, easy-going, and fun perspective. ► Watch video
    Triples Are Great, Change My Mind
    YouTube - The title alone excited me, but watching and listening to this video by Igor Shteynbuk of VeloORANGE filled me with hope that classic touring bikes with steel frames, curved front forks, and wonderful triple-cranksets might just stay around a little while longer. ► Watch video
    SADDLEBAG
    Where I cycle in Wales...
    Subscribe to Bike Wales
    Submit your email address to receive updates... ► Read more
    Email Bike Wales
    Do you have something you'd like to share with us?... ► Drop us a line
    Noteworthy Cycling
    Blogs & Websites
  • Crazy Guy on a Bike
  • Path Less Pedaled
  • Tom's Bike Trip
  • Sea Surf Dirt
  • Cycling About
  • The Radavist
  • Pannier
  • bikepacking.com
    • How It Works
    Read about the hardware and software we utilize to present the content found in this blog... ► Read more
    Did ya miss the last issue? No worries, I've got it right here for ya! ► December 2023
    ▲ Back to top
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