Trip to Wales

[Wallen]

Hi all,
Myself and 2 mates (laverda ghost strike and an ER6) are thinking of going to Wales on the bikes over Easter for a couple of nights as I'm back from uni, only had my fazer since Christmas time so it's my first trip further than 20/30 miles, were in Oxfordshire so it would be South Wales, does anyone have any recommendations of where to go/ stay?
Cheers


Will

[andybesy]

Wales is one of my favourite trips, you'll have a great time. I do it from Derby so it's a trek for me too, but...


If you possibly can I'd suggest doing a few more miles and heading up to North wales.


Here's a suggested route:


From Oxford pickup the M4 and head to South Wales via the Severn Bridge - gotta be worth a few extra miles to tick that off, if like me you had never done it before. And free for bikes!


Then head up to Brecon in the heart of the Brecon beacons (south/mid wales) for lunch - nice area.


That's around 140 miles / three hours so far.


The best place to stay in North Wales is probably Betws-y-Coed. Great little tourist town with a bit of life and pubs, restaurants etc. Very pretty.


To reach that you would head up through mid wales via the A470 which is one of the best roads I've ever ridden, especially through Snowdonia.


That would bring you to a total of 255 miles / 6 hours.


It's a long day's ride but perfectly do-able, allow 10 minutes stop to stretch legs every hour or so plus an hour for lunch.


Or if it feels too ambitious then stop the night in south or mid wales, and continue on to North Wales the next day.

Betws-y-Coed to Oxford direct (not the scenic route through wales) is about 180 miles so that would be your return leg most likely.


I do my touring on a budget so I tend to stay in Youth Hostels - around £15 per night.


There's one in Brecon which I've used and was fine, and another in Betws-y-Coed which is very popular but I haven't used myself.


I have used the one 10 miles up the road in a nearby village which is probably my favourite Youth Hostel anywhere, but is a bit far from the pub.


If you're not familiar with hostels they're clean and friendly but not posh - you're renting a bunk bed for the night, not an e-suite room with gentleman servant.


If you don't fancy a hostel then there are many good hotels in Betws-y-Coed.


I wasn't very impressed with Brecon in the evening - bit of a young clubbing type vibe for me, but just personal taste.


Just some suggestions - look at the towns I've suggested on the web and Google the road and see what you think.



It's the road is the reason you should heat North - A470 through Snowdon is Amazing (and the A5 too!) So may good roads...

Andy

[andybesy]

Or Oxford to Betws-y-Coed almost direct except via Dolgellau so that you do the nicest bit of the road in Snowdon brings it down to 208 miles.


Andy

[packie]

Hi all,
Myself and 2 mates (laverda ghost strike and an ER6) are thinking of going to Wales on the bikes over Easter for a couple of nights as I'm back from uni, only had my fazer since Christmas time so it's my first trip further than 20/30 miles, were in Oxfordshire so it would be South Wales, does anyone have any recommendations of where to go/ stay?
Cheers


Will

Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch

[Buzz]

If you're in Oxfordshire then I'd take the A40 through Cheltenham and on up through to Brecon, much nicer route than the M4.  Me and the missus stayed at a great little farm here (and no I don't have anything to do with the site or farm!  )


Wales was the first big trip I went on after getting the bike (180 miles from London) and it's been the best so far!

[Wallen]

That's very interesting, cheers for the decent information! The Severn bridge is a must and we haven't really got a time limit its just money....being a final year student money isn't what I would call flowing! The idea of starting of and heading into South Wales then have a ride up to Betws-y-coed sounds ideal I'm just hoping the weather by then is reasonable ! Cheers again!

[taylor]

come over the first bridge, turn of to chepstow,  then through lanes to usk, then up to abergavenny. bikers cafe in bus station, hundreds go there,then on to crickhowell, then up to brecon , take the a470 through the brecon mountains,

[sb76uk]

 Was just planning a summer tour of England and Wales with a mate, this info will come in real handy!
 
Just 1 thing, are youth hostles safe to leave your bike at and do you have to share with other people? 

[unfazed]

Wallen
Great advice and routes from there from Andybesy.
The Severn bridge toll is free to Motorbikes, I have travelled all of the roads Andybesy mentioned and they are well worth the trip, Mind the sheep and tractors and don't forget to stop now and then to take in the views. Post a few pics when you come back.

[andybesy]

Yes, you share with others unless there are enough of you to get a private room.


Generally they are used by walkers, climbers, cyclists, etc, so an OK crowd. We're not talking homeless hostels here. Lots of families too.


Typical format is a big old house (often old manor houses etc) with doom rooms upstairs and a self catering kitchen and lounge area / common room downstairs.


Dooms tend to be 4 to 6 bunk beds, with clean sheets and pillow cases supplied when you check in.


Shower rooms and loos are also shared, but there's more than one, I've never had to wait for one yet.


I've used them in Lake District, North Wales, South Wales and Cornwall this year and all have been just fine, although each is a little different.


Like I say generally not posh, but friendly, clean and safe.


As far as leaving the bike, usual common sense applies, in depends on the location.


Out in the sticks in North Wales should be OK, St Pancras or Oxford St in London, or central ones in Manchester or Livepool, not so much. Most have parking, some don't.


Most serve bottled beer (including the local real ale), some serve evening means and breakfast for around a fiver extra.


For details see: http://www.yha.org.uk


It's a little different in format than a hotel, but works well for me. It's great to be able to just pick a spot where it aint raining and go, without shelling out £60+ on a hotel.


Hope this helps, Andy


PS) I should add that I'm talking specifically about hostels run by the YHA (which is a charity). Other random hostels and in particular international ones can get be dangerous.

[Wallen]

Andy your information is very helpful, cheers! I will take pictures and get them uploaded! Are the police pretty hot on bikers in Wales do you know?

[andybesy]

Yes, especially so. They hide, are sneaky, and are well on the case. Take care!

[sb76uk]

The North Wales constabulary are very cunning in their ways!!!!! I have personally seen them in a horsebox just off the Deeside industrial estate on the main drag to Manchester and Liverpool. You have been warned.
 

[feraboy]

Place to stay:- New Swan Inn, Ystalyfera, in the Swansea valley. Very bike friendly. Brecon Beacons to the north, Gower peninsular to the south. Good night out in Wind Street Swansea Saturday, good band in the New Swan on Easter Sunday. Oh, and some very good roads to try during the day

[taylor]

i live in  wales,  got a m8 a traffic officer for twenty years, he got a fire,blade,  he dont do 70. lol, good and bad everywhere.