ADVENTURE RIDE Rhymney & Fochriw Loop

It was the nicest day we've had this year and despite the current cultural conditions, I took a very isolated journey across the tops of two ridges near our home.

Looking out over Rhymney Meadows.

We've very fortunate here in South East Wales for there are some wonderful rides along the ridges that seperate the many valleys. I chose two of my favourites which are very close to home and offer great views of the surrounding valleys.

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Overview - Rhymney & Fochriw Loop

Distance: 52.2 miles
Elevation: + 3713 / - 3715 ft
Duration: 06:59:10

The routes themselves pass through some common land as well as several large private farms, but in general, they are just a couple of wide and open areas without any specific delineation - so I've taken the liberty of naming them myself; Rhymney Meadows and Fochriw Highlands. ▼ Jump to Summary

Oakdale to Bedwelty

The route begins easily enough as it winds it's way around Blackwood and Pontlanfraith before heading north at the start of the first big climb. Turning just before Pengam, the road heads up immediatley following first a busy street, then narrowing to smaller lanes that pass through busy little neighbourhoods for six miles as you continuously clmb over a thousand feet.

I didn't bother to photograph the first part because I generally don't find the areas very interesting, but also I'm quite focused to reach the top, so to speak. Perhaps another day when I've more patience, I will spend the time to properly portray these little places. Bedwelty Church is certainly worth a few snaps!

Rhymney Meadows

Once you climb out of the sleepy little village of Bedwelty, the vista just explodes before you. The views are astounding. The ridge is quite narrow and completely exposed so that you can see down into the valleys on both your left and right.

The road itself is nearly at the top of the ridge and it's completely open. For all practical purposes, there are no trees. In fact, there is hardly anything except for stone walls, some sheep, and the wind. It is magnificent.

It would be easy to race through here - but I stop and look. I take a photograph. This is what cycling is all about for me.

Another cyclist approaches me from the opposite direction. He nods with a grim look on his face that asks; "what the hell are you doing?"... and continues on without a word. It is desolate and raw.

The hillside and valley unfurls before me completely exposed. The few houses are specs on the landscape.

And then in just under four miles, (too soon!) the road turns south, back toward civilisation, snaking its way into the village high streets of Rhymney and Pontlottyn. With a long sweeping decent on the opposite valley hillside, it's five fast miles overlooking New Tredegar to the village of Bargoed.

Rhymney to Bargoed

Again there was much I passed without proper recognition. There is a rush to your system as you come down off the mountain top and I cannot stop myself from racing, pedaling hard downhill, flying past the houses flat against the hillside, the wind under my saddle, light as a bird, the roar of my tyres and the quick turn of a head from a woman hanging her wash, a nod, a smile, and I'm gone.

Breathless and grinning, I entered Bargoed with tears at the corners of my eyes... and it's the start of my second big climb as I quickly turned north again.

Fochriw Highlands

My route now heads into the woods on a proper cycle path; NCN Route 469 runs from Bargoed to the "end of the world" at Fochriw. This quiet path winds up through Parc Cwm Darren and deserves more attention, but that will have to wait for another day.

First though, I stop in Fochriw for a short lunch by the village square. I've cycled nearly 30 miles at this point. Time to refuel and prepare for the second half of my ride.

It's a short hard climb leaving town, but then... here it is. What it's all about for me.

Looking back, Focriw isn't but about a mile and a half away. It just feels further.

I was asked once; "why don't you have any people in your photographs? They would be much more interesting if you had a cyclist in there somewhere. You haven't any subject matter."

This is what I photograph, because this is what I see.

I find this landscape glorious. As a crow flys, I'm just 10 miles northwest from our home. Who would ever guess that you can get away from it all so quickly?

It's time to take it slow again. Stop. Take some photographs. Talk to the ponies.

Trelewis to Oakdale

Back on the road again, I'm starting to chase daylight as I reach the turn-off down into the next valley. It's a fast descent if I want, but I try to go slowly... I meet a few walkers. We chat about how nice the day is despite the world's health.

This is my kind of social distancing. But then too, I don't need a pandemic to drive me out to these places. This is where I prefer to be regardless.

I may have to wait awhile, but the hillsides are here. I will be back.

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Summary - Rhymney & Fochriw Loop

It was great to get ride out across these two ridges on the same day. The weather was ideal and traffic was pretty much non-existant. I saw a few folks walking and we all practised proper social distancing (which feels weird at first... but makes so much sense!)

I've got a new camera, so it was especially fun to fiddle with it a bit. I had plenty of time to stop and shoot as much as I wanted... and I love that. Hopefully, you can see some improvement over those I typically shoot with my mobile phone.

But now, after just a few rides, things have all changed and I'll just have to stay close to home for the foreseeable future. Of course, there's lots to be done on the blog...

Thanks as always for stopping by.

Cheers! - cm

Relevant Links
Parc Taf Bargoed Parc Cwm Darran Parc Penalta

Report Card
Ride Name:	Rhymney & Fochriw
Start Date:	Mon. Mar. 30, 2020
Starts in:	Oakdale, Wales, GB
Departed:	11:02 AM
Distance:	52.2 mi / 84.01 km
Elevation:	+ 3713 / - 3715 ft
Max Grade:	9.5%
Duration:	06:59:10
Move Time:	05:20:40
Stop Time:	01:38:30
Max. Speed:	32.1 mph
Avg. Speed:	9.8 mph
Weather:	sun!
Temp:	16°c / 61°f

The following NCN routes were used either in part or in whole.

Route 469 Bargoed - Fochriw Route 476 Cwm Bargoed - Trelewis Route 47 Trelewis - Hengoed

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SOLITAIRE Goytre & Bettws Newydd Loop

Sometimes modest plans reward the most. This loop through the Usk Valley was a perfect reminder of the simple beauty found in Wales.

Time for lunch in Bettws Newydd

I've been slowly working my way up to longer rides and I chose this route because it's relatively easy and it's gorgeous! There's a nice long warm up along the M&B Canal followed by a rolling climb up through Betwws Newydd. Then the last bit from Usk to Newport and home, is again very easy.

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Overview - Goytre & Bettws Newydd Loop

Distance: 76.0 miles
Elevation: + 3828 / - 3834 ft
Duration: 09:22:15

This route includes a section of the Monmouth & Brecon Canal, as well as some of the very best of the Usk Valley along NCN Routes 49 and 42. ▼ Jump to Summary

Oakdale to Goytre

Getting out of the village and over to Pontypool involves climbing up the hill behind our house over into Ebbw Valley. I then immediately climb up the opposite side of the valley into Swffryd and Hafodyrynys.

Often, in the early mornings the views can be clouded over with fog or mist, but I started a little later today. It's a lovely morning, so it's a nice treat to stop and look at where I'll be heading. (I'm looking due east. That's Swffryd in the distance.)

I then get on the old Crumlin Road for a very comfortable and leisurely ride to Pontypool and the Pontymoile Boat Basin. From Oakdale to Pontymoile Boat Basin is spot on 13 miles.

The Monmouth & Brecon Canal never fails to please. I say to myself that there's no need to stop for photographs because I have so many, but I still do. It's roughly 5 miles along the canal (NCN Route 49) to where I exit at bridge #71(?) outside Goytre.

Goytre to Bettws Newydd

Leaving the quiet ramble along the canal, the ride down through Goytre is fast and fabulous! It's nearly 2 miles downhill to join the B4598 just above Chain Bridge.

The B4598 can be somewhat busy, but I'm only on it for a short while as I turn right just after crossing the Usk river and head northwest toward Clytha.

This part of the valley is broad and flat providing wide vistas. Far in the distance ahead I can see the Blorenge and then as I look to my right the Skirrid appears from behind the trees.

Before reaching Clytha, I turn north toward Llanarth. However, just before reaching Llanarth, I turn again so that I can cycle through the village of Great Oak. This short loop brings me around to Clytha from the opposite direction and the junction of NCN Route 42. It's a lovely little five mile detour well worth the effort. (I should have shot some photos though!)

Bettws Newydd to Newport

I join NCN Route 42 at the Clytha Estate where the road starts on a slow climb below a folly high on the the hill to my left. This section has several climbs, but the road is quiet and you can relax and just take your time. Once you reach Bettws Newydd, there is a great little pub; The Black Bear Inn, where you can stop for a bite to eat or a pint to reward yourself for you efforts!

NOTEWORTHY Clytha Castle Perched amoungst a grove of chestnut trees high on Clytha Hill sits Clytha Castle. No, it's not really a castle, but a charming 18th century "folly" designed by the architect John Davenport and built by William Jones in 1790. The folly istelf is not visible from the road below, but well worth the short climb up through the woods.   The folly makes up part of the larger Clytha Estate which is well worth stopping for a picnic or spending an afternoon just exploring. The views across the valley toward Abergavenny are wonderful. ☞ Read more: Clytha Castle and Clytha Estate.

Once out of Bettws Newydd, the route rolls down hill for nearly 5 miles into Usk. It too is another charming town - well worth stopping for a break if you ride on through Bettw Newydd. NCN Routes 42 and 423 cross in Usk and you're bound to see other cyclists, for it's often said that all roads lead to Usk!

We've had a tremendous amount of rain this year and despite that it's been sunny for the past few days, the River Usk is still very high. Normally, the river is well below the road and hard to see through the trees - but not today!

Heading out of Usk the valley widens again as NCN 42 heads southeast toward Chepstow. However after a couple of miles, I veer to the right just above Llanrisant and make my way down Bullmore Road toward Caerleon. The road continues to closely follow the River Usk all the way to Newport. This section rolls along quite easily and offers some particularly wonderful views.

Caerleon is yet another charming village. Across the river is the Hanbury Arms - a 16th century inn and pub well worth stopping. (It's one of my favorites!) There's actually quite a bit to see in this little village for it was once the site of the largest Roman military fort in the UK.

This last photo I shot leaving Newport. You can see from the debris washed along the meadow how high the River Usk was running earlier. I was stunned to see this.

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Sirhowy Parc and home...

I was pretty well exhausted by the time I left Newport. Snaking back through Bassaleg and Rogerstone, then Risca and Crosskeys - has become rote. I have no memory nor idea of what I was thinking.

The sun was starting to set by the time I got to Sirhowy Parc and as I looked up I saw what was to be the last image of the day. Sometimes it just happens this way and it feels both natural and rewarding.

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Summary - Goytre & Bettws Newydd Loop

With a total distance of 76 miles and a duration at nearly 9 1/2 hours, this was my longest ride of the year up to this point.

It had been a beautiful day with very little traffic to contend with. It was a little challenging in places, but for the most part it was a relaxing day in the saddle.

It's going to be interesting to see what happens in the UK over the next few months as the Corona virus moves across the world. I wonder how this will effect my cycling? We shall see.

Thanks as always for stopping by.

Cheers! - cm

Relevant Links
Monmouth & Brecon Canal Goytre Wharf Clytha Estate Clytha Castle Usk Caerleon

Report Card
Ride Name:	Goytre & Bettws...
Start Date:	Sat. Mar. 26, 2020
Starts in:	Oakdale, Wales, GB
Departed:	10:00 AM
Distance:	76.0 mi / 122.31 km
Elevation:	+ 3828 / - 3834
Max Grade:	9.2%
Duration:	09:22:15
Move Time:	07:02:31
Stop Time:	02:19:44
Max. Speed:	36.3 mph
Avg. Speed:	10.8 mph
Weather:	sun!
Temp:	15°c / 59°f

The following NCN routes were used either in part or in whole.

Route 42 Clytha - Llantrisant Route 466 Llanhilleth - Pontypoll Routes 47 Newport - Gelligroes Route 49 Pontypool - Goytre

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