This ride is part one of my weekend exploring the two valleys of the Rhondda; the Rhondda Fach & the Rhondda Fawr. Today's report covers the smaller of the two: the lovely little Rhondda Fach Valley.
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| Along the River Taff above Pontypridd |
As part of my ongoing plan to ride all of the National Cycle Network in Wales, I set off to explore the Rhondda Valleys specifically following NCN Routes 881, 883, 884, & 885. Additionally, this ride includes a significant mountain climb: The Rhigos - a popular training route for professional cyclists.
Overview - Maerdy & Treherbert Tour
Distance: Distance: 67.7 miles
Elevation: + 4628 / - 4629 ft
Duration: 10:27:14
The map shown below is the entire route that I rode on Saturday. I had set out to climb over to Hirwaun, but was rather disappointed to find the road under repair. However, I would not have discovered the ride down into Treherbert otherwise and that turned out to be a fantastic surprise! ▼ Jump to Summary
Hengoed to Porth
The day started off easy as I cycled down from Oakdale to join NCN Route 47 at the Hengoed/Maesycwmmer Viaduct. Heading west through Ystrad Mynach and Penalta Parc, I then turned south onto NCN Route 8 (Taff Trail) at Quakers Yard to Pontypridd. Riding the Taff Trail can be hit and miss in places, but the section just above Pontypool is quite unique. The pavement is rough in places and gets very narrow, but the views are quite surprising. It's one of the few places along the entire Taff Trail where you actually get down along side the river.
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| Barry Sidings Country Park... |
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| Little surprises along the way... |
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| Looking over at the Heritage Park in Trehafod... |
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| Sleepy little Llwyncelyn... |
Porth to Mardy
The route becomes unpaved as it enters the woods at Stanleytown. It's a lovely smooth path which climbs gently along the Rhondda Fawr River.
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| Entering the path at Stanleytown... |
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| Very quiet and secluded... |
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| Rustic details along the way... |
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| Can you hear the water flowing over the rocks? |
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| There's not a car or truck or traffic of any kind to heard. |
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| Starting to climb just a bit... |
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| Almost there... |
Mardy to Treherbert
After a short ride above the river you pop out into Maerdy at the junction of the A4233. This too is a great place to stop and regroup. There is a wonderful historical marker full of pertinent local information and well worth the read.
This is also a good place to check your bike over... your brakes especially, but also your tyres. Make sure you've got plenty of water to drink... you'll be going on quite an adventure next.
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| A great read and lovely stop for lunch... |
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| Looking back from where you've come... |
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| Looking forward on a rather inauspicious path... |
Summary - Maerdy & Treherbert Tour
As I mentioned earlier, this was part 1 of 2; where I set out to explore the Rhondda Valleys. These valleys; the Rhondda Fach and Rhondda Fawr, are west of where I live and normally ride and are of equal notoriety for their role in the coal mining industry during the heydays of the Industrial Revolution.
There are two major mountain climbs of which I chose to divide across the two rides and two days: The Rhigos; which I covered here in this report. The following report covers the Blwch. Both are well known by cyclists in the UK and have been apart of the Tour of Britain many times in the past.
I've updated some of the content, particularly the Report Card (shown to the left) as well as appending some of the photos and notes.
Thanks as always for stopping by.
Cheers! - cm
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Report Card |
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| Ride Name: |
Maerdy & Treherbert |
| Start Date: |
Sat. Aug. 13, 2016 |
| Starts in: |
Oakdale, Wales, GB |
| Departed: |
8:14 AM |
| Distance: |
67.7 mi / 108.95 km |
| Elevation: |
+ 4628 / - 4629 ft |
| Max Grade: |
25% |
| Duration: |
10:27:14 |
| Move Time: |
06:29:37 |
| Stop Time: |
03:57:37 |
| Max. Speed: |
32.3 mph |
| Avg. Speed: |
10.4 mph |
| Weather: |
clouds, sun |
| Temp: |
19°c / 66°f |
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