My trip to the Brecons

[EuropeanNC30R...]

To kill a few days and relax a little after a big uni coursework hand-in and before exams, my flatmate Chris and myself decided to go to the Brecon Beacons for a few days.

Bit of a pain getting there as we had to use public transport, but not too hard once I'd sourced local bus timetables off the net.

The weather was looking pretty nice and sunny as we left Bristol, though as we got to Abergavenney it promptly started raining, and had turned into full-scale piss down by the time we got to our start point in Llanfrynach.

Wet start
https://www.motocapers.com/walking/brecons1/1.jpg

(Chris left, me right)
https://www.motocapers.com/walking/brecons1/2.jpg

It was pretty steep going up, and with the crap weather meant it took 3 hours before we saw another soul, two SAS-type looking blokes running down the mountain. Of the four groups we saw during the whole day, three were army which made us feel quite hardcore .

After an initial steep climb I felt my heals getting hot in my new boots, a big warning size for blistering. After applying some biking know-how in the form of gaffer tape there were as good as new and never gave me any gip during the rest of the trip!

Once up onto the moorland we were right in the clouds, no rain as such but navigation was very reliant on the compass and everything wet stayed that way.

Around 2ish the mist started periodically clearing giving us some beautiful views.

https://www.motocapers.com/walking/brecons1/3.jpg

The trail up there was pretty boggy, glad I had waterproof boots on. Chris in his boots with less tread slipped over and snapped his walking stick multiple times, much to my amusement. I also managed to slip a few times, but only on wet rock and once in the woods when my stick snapped.

https://www.motocapers.com/walking/brecons1/4.jpg

After an hour or so of looking for a half decent place to camp, we found a nice spot by a stream, setup the tent and started looking at getting the fire going. I couldn't get the bugger started though, the wood was just too wet, even stuff collected that'd been caught in trees. Eventually we resigned to using my trusty camping stove to cook the haddock fillet and potatos we'd brought along. After a few shots from the hip flasks to keep out the cold we called it an early night.

https://www.motocapers.com/walking/brecons1/6.jpg

Waking earlyish to get some breakfasts in a can on the go, we were greeted with beautiful sunshine .

https://www.motocapers.com/walking/brecons1/7.jpg

After a few hour stroll along a reservoir, we made it to Talybont-ur-Usk, planning to catch a bus from there to Abergavenny. Unfortunately, (or fortunately as it turned out), the bus stop was next to the local pub.

https://www.motocapers.com/walking/brecons1/8.jpg

After downing a few and missing the first bus chatting to an old retired photographer, the barmaid told us about this bunkhouse they have around the back. £14 a night including cooking facilities - sorted! Got a pie and chips in for £3.50 and then spent the remaining 6 hours drinking the pub out of Tetleys and getting pissed with the army recruits camping just down the road. Some of the girls pool-shooting skills was a little worrying, especially as they were due to start playing with the SA80's next week.

And then the next day, with sore heads, we finally managed to catch the bus to finish the walk.

[Sephiroth]

Nice read!


Good ole Wales .

[colin1]

nice pics
why public transport ? whats up with ur bike ? electrical fault maybe as its a honda ? or do u just have one lid
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colin1 is officially faster than god

[EuropeanNC30R...]

Left my bike at home for a few weeks as generator gaskets were difficult to get hold of at the time. So yeah, electrical

Dads sorted it for me while I've been away now though.

[colin1]

having predicted that, i feel as if i know about bikes ! how cool!
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colin1 is officially faster than god

[anders]

Wow, I am jealous, all I see here is London smog and nothin like that, breathe fresh open air and natural noise and smell!

You are lucky.

Nice write up and nice photos, I viewed your website earlier Maurice and read through the Europe ride (3 riders) and saw the photos, I was very impressed, well done!


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Call me Mr. Blobby

[TOM M]

Superb write up
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Now owner of a 1200 Bandit

[Annabella]

I forgot to warn you that it always rains in the Brecons... that or is so stiflingly hot that heat exhaustion is a possibility.

Seeing those views always makes me smile, it really is one of the most beautiful unspoilt areas in the country (I would say one of the most beautiful places in the world, but then I'm biased).

Did you make it over to the black Mountains or did you stay near Pen-Y-Fan and Talybont?
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Avast! Pirates ahoy!
I did Cadwell!
www.bikepics.com/members/bella

[Flip]

OGGY OGGY OGGY!

Sweet dude.

[EuropeanNC30R...]

[BlackSheep]