When leaving North Wales it would be sooooo easy to take the coast road and just meander south, but that would be too easy so I decided to take a more winding route across-country. Riding inland I headed towards Maentwrog and then on to Bala, Rhayader and then south east to the end of my day’s journey at Pant y Meillion.
This was a really long ride and by the end of the day, and after about 200 miles and seven hours in the saddle, my saddle-soreness was very apparent. All I wanted to do was get off, maybe have a cry and think about four wheels… Bikers will know the feeling well. After a few hours your bum goes numb, so you start to change your weight on the saddle, then you start to sit on one side, then the other, and then you start to think of nothing else but the saddle and how you hate it. It takes over your mind and you can’t think of anything else. I was so glad to get off.
I had pre-booked at the Bikers Campsite at Pant y Meillion in South Wales. It’s half-way between Cardigan and Carmarthen and besides its excellent overnight rates, it’s a really friendly and welcoming site for all campers, but especially bikers. They even have a chuck-wagon which opens in the morning and evening where you can buy your breakfast or evening meal from their comprehensive menu. The best treat was the showers, which were appreciatively hot, and the drying room – which meant I could wash some clothes and hang them to dry. They also have a charging point for your electrical items, which is great, and well needed after you’ve been on the road for a while.
And after a great sleep in a well-sheltered site I packed-up, loaded the bike and got on the road as I wanted to head back to Rhayader – but before I headed north I wanted to explore the area, riding down to Tenby, St David’s and then Aberporth. Best of all was the B-roads, which are some of the best b-roads I’ve ever ridden.
One of the great things about my Tom-Tom satnav is that you can tell it to take a winding route instead of a direct route, so it takes you off the main roads and onto the smaller backroads. And what amazing, beautiful and wonderful scenery. I have never been to South Wales but I am definitely coming back for more. Definitely
