In the UK at the moment, there are numerous long-distance rides that a keen cyclist can do, and the most famous of these is without doubt the Land’s End to John o’ Groats End to End challenge that typically takes in over 900 miles through England and Scotland. A cruel trick of geography means Wales is usually bypassed by the majority of riders who undertake this journey.
So back in 2016, I decided to try and fix this. I setup a website, www.wales-trails.co.uk, and determined to put Wales firmly on the world cycling map I cycled 688 miles around the coastline of much of the country. To encourage other bikers to do the same I wrote a book of my trip and contacted over a hundred cycling organisations, tourism sites, councils, shops, cafes, pubs, B&Bs etc. and asked them to try and promote the ride.
I also raised money for Prostate Cancer UK.
My dad suffered from prostate cancer but beat it. So as a tribute to him, and the many other people who successfully triumph over this type of cancer I thought I’d test my own over a gruelling two-week circuit of the Principality. In addition I also hoped to inspire others to repeat the course and help me turn this haphazard ‘loop’ of Wales into a world famous iconic ride just like Land’s End to John o’ Groats.
After completing the ride, in Wales’s Year of Adventure, I sent a press release out to the Welsh Assembly Government, Welsh Tourist Board, Sustrans, BBC Wales, Western Mail, SW Echo, SW Argus, SW Evening Post, Ponty Observer, cycling forums, bike shops etc. It was also heavily promoted on Facebook, Twitter, the infamous Pontypridd Forum and many other online resources.
The original website also had a rough route plan/idea, a photos page, facts about Wales, links to my other cycling books, cycling blog posts and a host of links useful to cyclists. I’ve since shelved the website and put most of that content here.
To download an Amazon kindle e-book – click here or to buy the paperback – click here.
Sample chapter
The last time I decided to cycle anywhere further than the corner shop for a pint of milk and a Tiger loaf was back in 2005 when my friend Derek agreed to go along with my idiotic suggestion that we ride almost 1,000 miles, uphill, from Land’s End in Cornwall to John o’ Groats in Caithness.
The good news about that trip was that somehow, through much adversity, we did eventually make it. We had a fantastic time, met some wonderful people and got so drunk in John o’ Groats that I bet the locals are still wondering what hit them. It was Mark and his awful jokes by the way.
The bad news was that my bottom would never be the same again. Neither would my faith in British engineering, as my brand new Dawes Discovery 701 seemed to have this strange dislike of spokes. Keeping them attached to the wheel that is. So, with the wrong wheels, racers, not tourers, our intricately planned (on the back of a beer mat) historical and wildlife sightseeing trip through England and Scotland quickly turned into a bike shop Trip Advisor adventure!
Ah well, we live and learn. I wouldn’t make the same mistake again. Mmm…
When Steve Redgrave said to shoot him if he ever went near a boat again I uttered a similar refrain after pole dancing around the famous John o’ Groats signpost back in July 2005. But, after a couple of gallons of Scottish beer I completely forgot about this sacred vow, my tender posterior, seized-up knees, sunburnt hands and aching back.
And like the amnesiac fool that I am I haven’t stopped talking about doing a similar ride for the last eleven years. Luckily, no one would listen to me long enough for it to become reality.
A lot can happen in ten or eleven years though. Sadly, my wonderful dad passed away, my mam moved house, and my daughter gave up her bottle, whizzed through primary school, became fluent in Welsh and then metamorphosed into a six-foot teenager.
I started a fabulous new job, teaching computers, digital photography and Photoshop to adult learners about fifteen minutes drive away from the house. Then, about eight years later, I lost it. The job I mean, not my marbles. They went years ago.
Now, as it happens I’ve always been pretty good at losing jobs. In fact, since 1989 I reckon I must have had over twenty-five or even thirty different jobs, often doing two or three at the same time. Sometimes I just give them up because I get bored or I fancy doing something else other times there are more sinister forces at work. I once gave up a Head of Biology teaching job in a great school with great kids to go to Kenya to look for elephants. A year later, I’d seen the elephants and was back in Wales. Then about a week afterwards I decided to try to learn German and go to the Seychelles to tag turtles. I didn’t go in the end. Never been any good at languages.
My aim was to raise £500 for the charity via my JustGiving page.
JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – saving time and cutting costs for the charity.
I’m going to leave the JustGiving page there so if anyone wants to donate they still can 🙂
Prostate Cancer UK fights to help more men survive prostate cancer and enjoy a better quality of life. We find answers by funding ground-breaking research, we lead change by raising the profile of the disease and improving care. And we support men by providing vital information and services.
PROSTATE CANCER UK Registered charity number 1005541 and in Scotland (SC039332).
Reviews:
‘Dave Lewis takes on a circuit of Wales starting from his home town of Pontypridd in South Wales and hopes that this circuit of 688 miles will become a ‘must do’ for cyclists in the same way as Land’s End to John o’ Groats (which he famously did planned on the back of a beer mat!) or a Coast to Coast has become. Wales Trails is written from the heart: It’s chatty, charming, informative, forthright, and sometimes downright irreverent!… It’s as if he’s sharing his travels with you over a pint… or two! Dave Lewis is obviously no elite cyclist, so this should inspire anyone who has a bike and a backpack to have a go and to take the route less travelled, and if you fancy doing a similar loop it’s a pretty good guide where and where NOT to stay!’ – Don Szmidt
‘The idea of cycling off into the blue yonder carries a strong appeal. Employing a vivid first person narrative, Dave takes us on a tour of Wales beginning from his home town of Pontypridd and then heading north along the coast to Inys Mon (Anglesey) and back via Oswestry through many interesting border towns, describing his encounters with people, pubs, castles and wildlife. A readable and entertaining book, enhanced greatly by the photos taken along the way and a splendid adventure that we can share without leaving our sofas; or get out on a bike and do it ourselves. As a keen cyclist I thoroughly enjoyed this book.’ – Amazon Customer
‘Settled down in my favourite armchair with some tea and a cake to read my new cycling paperback from Dave Lewis. I was looking forward to reading about his adventures travelling around my homeland, maybe with a bit of history thrown in. Well, five mins in and I laughed so much I nearly choked on my Welsh cake! A very funny read indeed. Lots of great photos, music and even a bit of poetry! Very clever writing and easy to read. Just the right amount of serious versus comedy. Maybe a few too many castles and not enough pink sheep but you can’t have everything. Highly recommended.’ – pokie
‘This is an uplifting charming little book, that made me want to get off my backside, oil my bike and take to the road, and set off on an entirely doable adventure. Dave Lewis is a very engaging author, interesting and interested in the characters and places he encounters along the way. Come and meet some of them. Highly recommended.’ – RhysL
Route
The beauty of Wales Trails is that there is no set route! There are plenty of wonderful cycle tracks all over the country but as yet no complete circuit of the country. The route you take is up to you.
My idea was to start in my hometown (Pontypridd), head west (clockwise), use as many traffic-free cycle trails as possible, hug the coastline, detour inland slightly for some added interest, take in a quick ride across the sea onto Anglesey and then ‘pioneer’ a route north to south (at time of writing there is no real cycle route along the Welsh borders) and eventually finish back in the same place.
The route I cycled took in the following towns: Pontypridd, Margam, Swansea, Burry Port, Kidwelly, Carmarthen, Tenby, Pembroke, Haverfordwest, St David’s, Fishguard, Cardigan, Lampeter, Tregaron, Aberystwyth, Aberdyfi, Barmouth, Harlech, Porthmadog, Criccieth, Caernarfon, Holyhead, Bangor, Llandudno, Rhyl, Wrexham, Knighton, Hay-on-Wye, Abergavenny, Chepstow, Newport and Cardiff with many smaller villages in between.
As time goes on Sustrans or Cycling UK will no doubt create new trails and there will be traffic-free additions to this route but the basic aim should be to follow the coastline as much as possible (remember that Wales now has a National Coastal Path) and then criss-cross the border with England, touching Offas Dyke as you go around.
We started at the Llanover Arms pub, or as what3words would say – ///member.famed.care
Plan Your Ride
The route: Any loop of Wales you fancy!
Duration: Take as long as you want, but we’d suggest two weeks or more to really get to know the country and it’s people!
Direction: Clockwise, to take advantage of the SW prevailing winds and also ‘cos it’s a Buddhist thing!
Start / Finish: You decide, it’s a loop after all so anywhere on the map is fine!
Charity: Up to you, but why not set up a Just Giving page and raise some cash for a good cause?
Aim: To put Wales on the ‘must do’ bikers list.
The idea is to create a ‘LEJOG-lite’ in Wales. The famous ‘End-to-End’ ride usually takes two weeks and cyclists cover approx. 900+ miles. The lap of the country can be whatever you want but 500-700 miles seems about fair. This means the Welsh ride is shorter and therefore great training for the LEJOG challenge.
However, if you do the ‘Wales Trails’ ride in two weeks the shorter distances per day means there is more time to enjoy and savour the fantastic Welsh scenery and meet the fabulous Welsh people.
This is your chance to put the land of the dragon firmly on the cyclists’ bucket list of adventures and also bring in some much needed income to the Welsh economy. Our B&Bs, bike shops, pubs, cafés and tourist attractions should all benefit!
So if you fancy a challenge with a difference why not attempt a loop of Wales and ride over 500 miles along some of the most stunning coastline anywhere in the world!
Below are some cycle resources and links to other ‘Welsh’ websites we think you might like, although remember things change, pubs close and toast gets burnt. If you have a cycling trip, book link, Wales-related event please feel free to email us and let us know. We love to exchange links with people, after all that’s how the Internet works!
Places to Visit
Pontypridd – gateway to the south Wales valleys
Margam – Country Park
Swansea – check out the marina
Carmarthen – discover the county
Tenby – visitors guide
Pembroke – visit the castle
Haverfordwest – town guide
St David’s – cathedral site
Tregaron – Twm Sion Cati country
Aberystwyth – tourist guide
Barmouth – seaside town
Harlech – famous castle
Porthmadog – gateway to Snowdonia
Caernarfon – imposing castle
Ynys Mon – visit the island
Bangor – Western Mail
Llandudno – Great Orme
Rhyl & Prestatyn – fight it out
Wrexham – lager, lager, lager!
Knighton – Offa’s Dyke
Hay-on-Wye – I love books
Abergavenny – Brecon Beacons
Chepstow – horse racing
Newport – Transporter Bridge
Cardiff – capital city
Accommodation
Independent Hostel Guide – UK-wide
Booking.com – Wales-wide
Swansea YHA – YHA
Manobier Hostel – YHA
St David’s – Old School Hostel
Fishguard – Independent Hostels Network
Tregaron – Y Talbot
Aberystwyth – Plas Dolau
Barmouth – Bunkorama
Totters Hostel, Caernarfon – awesome hostel
Llanfyllin, Bunkhouse – Hostel
Brecon Beacons – Bunkhouse links
Hostel World – Welsh places
Cafes / Pubs
Albion Cafe, Cilfynydd – Great breakfast
Tenby Tourism – Visitor guide
Y Cwtch Coffi, Cardigan, 07973 985031
Aberystwyth Pubs – Pub blog
Bangor pubs – Beer in the evening
Hen & Chicks, Abergavenny – Nice Brains pub
Chepstow pubs – Pub guide
Cycling
Extreme Culture – valleys hub – biking / adventure
Welsh Coastal Path – Walking & cycling trail
Welsh Cycling News – British cycling website
Garmin Equipment – Cycling computers
Mountain Bike Wales – Welsh mountain biking
Bike Radar – Trail centres article
Bike Park Wales – South Wales mountain biking
Trail Guru – Nice website
Cycling Events – Welsh events
The Guardian – Scenic rides in Wales
GPS Routes – Maps, distances and great routes
Cycling Wales – website
Beicio Cymru – Facebook group
Wales Sportive – Annual Event
North Wales – Routes up north
Cycle Training – Cycling training
Cycling Weekly – Magazine
Gower Bike Ride – BHF event
Beics Brenin – Coed Y Brenin
How to Choose a Bike – Jen Reviews
Wheelsity – Electric bikes
Road & Mountain bike reviews– loads of useful info.
Bike Shops
Ride Bikes – Talbot Green
Bike Shed Wales – Cardiff
The Bike Shop Wales – Penarth
Bridgend Cycle Centre – Bridgend
Lodge Cycles – Neath
Tredz – Swansea
County Cycles – Llanelli
New Image Bikes – Cardigan
Cyclemart – Lampeter
Summit Cycles – Aberystwyth
Beics Betws – Betws Y Coed
CycleWalesNet – Llangyfni
Evolution Bikes – Bangor
Bike Shop – Wrexham
Epic Cycles – Ludlow
Plush Hill Cycles – Church Stretton
Chris’s Cycles – Presteigne
Drovers Cycles – Hay on Wye
Bikes & Hikes – Brecon
Cycle Basket – Crickhowell
Gateway Cycles – Abergavenny
South Wales Bikes – Newport
Heroes
Richard Parks – Extreme Environment Athlete
Alfred Russel Wallace – Naturalist & explorer
Welsh Heroes – Wikipedia archive
Tom Jones – Ponty singer
Bertrand Russell – Philosopher, writer…
The Last King of Wales – British history
Welsh Culture
Keep The Village Alive – Stereophonics
Singles – Manic Street Preachers
Cardiff After Dark – Street photography
Wales Rugby – Greatest Six Nations
Greatest Hits – Catatonia
Dylan Thomas – Great Welsh poet
Learn Welsh – guide
Fresh Apples – Valleys writer
History of Wales – John Evans
Charity
Prostate Cancer UK – Raising awareness in the UK
Prostate Cancer Wales – Raising awareness in Wales
Ty Hafan – Welsh children’s hospice
Other sites
Wales Trails T-shirt – Official merchandise
Castles of Wales – great site covering the history of Welsh castles
Discover Cymru – Welsh photographers blog
Wales – Wikipedia entry
Publish & Print – Get your own cycle trip published!
Trainline – book a train
Wales Travel Book – Lonely Planet
Welsh T-shirt Shop – New designs
Outside Wales
Hadrian’s Cycleway & Coast 2 Coast – cycle trip
Coast2Coast – Cumbrian ride
End to End Directory – Iconic ride
Cycling King Alfred’s Way – cycle trip
Time Outdoors – Tons of walks, cycling and charity events!
Human Race – Mass participation events
Bike Tutor – awesome bike repair blog
Big Fun Bikes – friendly bike shop, London
Author note:
“Organisations/websites who refused to link to us or help us promote/market the ride. Seriously. I asked them all to exchange links or advertise our site (idea) in a newsletter or just pass on to anyone they thought might have been interested. They all point-blank refused or couldn’t be bothered to reply to an email! And people wonder why Wales is still a poor country… These cash-rich government-funded quangos get millions of pounds of taxpayers money and yet they won’t engage with anyone who comes up with an idea they haven’t thought of themselves. I despair. Knowing how they work, they’ll probably wait a few years then do the same thing, making out it is their idea – pathetic. They did it with: #Wales #YearOfAdventure #WearRed (St Davids Day) – all my own ideas.”
Sustrans
Official Hay on Wye
Literature Wales
BBC Wales
Welsh Assembly
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