Elevation: + 4880 / - 4879 ft
Duration: 8:44:35
The scenery was enticing and though the road was unpaved, it was certainly passable. The views did not disappoint. The road, however; diminished quickly...
... and my plans for reaching Langors Lake fell away as I gave up the road and began a two-hour slog across the moors to escape the mire.
I followed "goat paths" when I could... but most of my time was spent dragging the bike sideways over the tall grass dodging the wet. And despite my best efforts to avoid the mud, I was covered in muck up to my knees.
It was physically exhausting. Sweat poured from my face and I could only go a hundred feet or so before having to stop to regain my breath. But the views...
And then suddenly, over the top of a small hill I spotted a vague sense of civilisation... and relief knowing that I might escape my mis-adventure.
Who were these people? What lives did they live? Way up here in the middle of nowhere... who knows of them now?
I stopped to reflect... I was completely overwhelmed with what I had just been through. Had I not given up the road to trail blazing, I would have never found this hidden treasure.
Then I was down... out from the moors, and never has a paved road been more appreciated.
Because as I got back to cycling; new and different vistas began to unfold.
How can so much diversity be found in such a small place... over such short distances?
... and then there is this; Clydach Gorge.
This photo epitomises my claim; "Wales is like living in a model railroad". Note: There's a cycle path down there too... running along the old rail line. Hmmm?
But first let me finish this road ahead... what looms before me now?
The air was warm with a slight breeze. The road was well-paved, perfectly flat, and beyond traffic of any sort. So sometimes ya just gotta shut up and let the photos do the talking...
The road ended and became a wide footpath that snaked around the side of the mountain. I went as far as I could ride and stopped...
... to have my lunch overlooking the Usk Valley and the village of Llangattock.
Then I turned around and headed back as I came, thinking; the road deserved one more look, one more ride on this amazing day.
I then needed to make a decision on how to cycle home. Riding to Langors Lake was completely out of the equation... I had spent too much time hiking across the moors. But I could go down through the valley to Llanfoist where I could get onto the Monmouth & Brecon Canal? I had a few hours of daylight left... AND I had my new dynamo hub light. 'Nuff said.
Then I was back through Brynmawr, into the woods, down the crooked path, and along the other side of the valley... into Clydach Gorge!
And just as quickly, I was then heading down the cycle path toward Llanfoist...
... and the Monmouth & Brecon Canal.
Dusk was setting in. I had been out on my bike for over eight hours at this point and I still had over 20 miles to cycle home...
... and just like the light, I was fading fast. I fired off a few more snapshots as I wobbled down the tow path, but soon it was dark and my head was down as I rode the final miles home.
Thank you Wales.
It had been an enormous day. It had been exhilarating and exhausting. But there is even more... yes. I've created a gallery of nearly 100 images (edited down from over 300...) that shows the full extent of my photography on this day. If you've further interest, here's the link; Mad Explore & Discovery Day Gallery Thanks for stopping by... cheers, cm
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