Matt's cycling trip of Wales
Intrepid cyclist and Landscape Architect Matt Northall has been chatting about his mammoth Welsh cycling trip.
He spent nine days cycling over 740km before his journey had to be cut short due to an old injury flaring up.
Here’s his diary of his trip:
Day 1 - Birkenhead to Traeth Llanddona, Ynys Môn (147km of 1285km)
Today I began my Tour of Wales, my holiday and personal challenge. What an incredible first day it has been! The views along the North Wales Coast have been amazing, there was glorious weather and it was all accompanied by a sample of some local craft beers from MONA Brewery. I met some lovely people along the way.
Day 2-3 - Traeth Llanddona, Ynys Môn to Porth Isallt Bach, Trearddur Bay to Traeth Porthdinllaen, Morfa Nefyn. (341km of 1285km)
A lovely couple of days cycling around Anglesey, waking up on some beautiful beaches, before heading back over to the mainland via Newborough Forest and on to the Ty Coch Pub in Porthdinllaen, for a pint of Wild Horse and a swim to cool off.
Day 4-5 - Traeth Porthdinllaen, Morfa Nefyn to Porth Neigwl (Hell’s Mouth) to Ynyslas National Nature Reserve, Borth. (477km of 1285km)
I had a lazy day travelling around the Llyn Peninsula, before setting up camp on the stunning beach at Porth Neigwl listening to the waves breaking on the shore as I watched the sunset before going to sleep. Day 5 was a push to cover some distance travelling from the Llyn Peninsula to Dyfi National Nature Reserve, through Barmouth and Harlech
Day 6- 7 - Ynyslas National Nature Reserve, Borth to Traeth Cilborth, Llangranog to Bluestone Brewing, Cilgwyn (588km of 1285km)
A lovely ride through Aberystwyth, Aberarth and Aberaeron before having a bite to eat in New Quay and continuing to a lovely secluded wildcamp on Cilborth Beach in Llangranog, although the climb down with the bike and kit was pretty gruelling. But it was definitely worth the climb. I had a lovely swim and was fortunate enough to meet a local dog walker in the morning who gave me a hand to get my kit back to the top.
Day 7 - This turned out to be a shorter day when I stumbled across Bluestone Brewing Company on a country lane in the picturesque Gwaun Valley, Pembrokeshire, where I met Simon and Kerry who were kind enough to allow me to pitch up in a stunning wooded glade next to the stream. Their brewery has recently been recognised as the most sustainable brewery in the UK and they are aiming to become a B-Corp by the end of the year. Kerry treated me to poached eggs on toast from the farm for breakfast - no better start to a day of cycling.
Day 8-9 - Bluestone Brewing, Cilgwyn to St Petrox, Stackpole to Trip End, Tenby (741km of 1285km)
Up and over Foel Eryr (468m) for a lovely decent down to Hwlffordd before a ride along the Brunel Cycle Route a greenway which follows the railway line all the way to Neyland and the Cleddau Bridge crossing to Pembroke Dock for fish and chips before heading for Barafundle Bay for a stroll and a swim.
Day 9 - After a peaceful night’s sleep outside of St Petrox Church in Stackpole, I set off for Tenby through Freshwater East and Lydstep. I arrived in Tenby the day after the Carten had taken place, a cycling sportive covering 110 miles from Cardiff to Tenby so lots of fellow cyclists about to share tails with.
Matt said: “Sadly, this was to be the end of my amazing cycling journey, after struggling with an old injury for the last few days, I decided to call it a day. The Welsh Coast and Border aren’t going anywhere soon so I’ll be back and better prepared with the knowledge I have picked up from this adventure.
“What better place to end such a fantastic trip than to spend a few days in Tenby where the scenery could be mistaken for the Mediterranean coast, complete with delicious food, amazing brewing, and friendly people.
“Although it’s a shame not to have completed what I set out to accomplish, the journey is often more important than the destination and for me the most rewarding part. I have enjoyed every moment from places seen, friends made, and brews drunk.
“After a few weeks rest, I have returned to the bike continuing my daily commute between Wrexham and Chester. I am already thinking about revisiting the trip next year. With slightly more training and a little less equipment carried, I am confident that I will be able to achieve what I set out to complete this year.
“I have many more bikepacking adventures planned this year around my favourite places in North Wales and am looking forward to completing Traws Eryri, a 130 mile off-road route around Parc Cenedlaethol Eryri. The route has been developed by Natural Resources Wales and Cycle UK and aims to open late summer this year.”
New 130-mile cycling route comes to North Wales | Cycling UK