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Near the start of my ride. |
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After loading the bike with the panniers I set off on the long
steep descent via Llanfachreth towards Dolgellau, thinking all
the way that I would have to reclimb all the lost altitude in a
few days. I cycled through the centre of Dolgellau and east to
join the main A470 up a long steep climb. |
On the descent to Dolgellau |
A487 |
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The weight of my bike soon became too much and I pushed the bike
up the steepest parts. At Cross Foxes Inn I turned right onto
the A487 heading south. My main concern was the large number of
heavy good vehicles and with no paths or cycle lanes it was
uncomfortable riding. At Minffordd I started another difficult
climb up a steep sided valley. This must be where military
aircraft train as near the summit a Hercules aircraft flew
overhead very low. |
Over the River Dovey. |
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Over the summit I started a long descent and soon saw on the
left the remnants of the Corris Railway. On the approach to
Machynlleth were traffic lights for roadworks so I headed for
the ‘footpath’ sign and was diverted across a newish bridge over
the River Dovey then across a lot of construction works and
concrete towers where the road is being diverted at a higher
level. I asked a workman who said it was to lift the road up due
to regular flooding. I reached the original road at the old
bridge and helped a lady with a bike by holding the gates open
for her. She had a child on a rear seat and also a small trailer
with another child. I rode into Machynlleth then turned left to
head along the A489 for a short way before turning right along a
narrow lane above Afon Dulas. The first part wasn't too bad with
rideable undulations. |
Lifting the road. |
Lifting the road. |
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At the first road junction I turned away from the river and
started the main climb. It was relentless and most of the way I
had to push the bike. I was so glad to reach my planned camp
spot near the top. I'd checked the O2 maps earlier for signal
availability but there was nothing. Near a monument to Wynford
Vaugn Thomas I got ‘H’ but not 4G. That would do and there was a
flat grassy patch behind the monument. |
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Camp 1 |
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WYNFORD VAUGHAN-THOMAS 1908-87
DARLLEDWR - AWDUR - TEITHIWR -
BROADCASTER - AUTHOR - TRAVELLER This memorial is dedicated to
Wynford Vaughan-Thomas, one of Wales's most well-known and
respected
broadcasters, war correspondents and environmental
champions.
Born in Swansea in 1908, Vaughan-Thomas was
educated at Swansea Grammar School and then Exeter College,
Oxford.
He joined the BBC in 1937 and became its leading
commentator on State ceremonies/events, including the
coronations of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II. From
1942-45 he was its war correspondent, and is remembered for his
vivid and unscripted reports of RAF air raids over Berlin,
Allied landings in Italy, and the liberation of Rome.
After
leaving the BBC, he became a founder member of Harlech TV, its
first Director of Programmes and thereafter it's Executive
Director.
Through his broadcasting and writing, Wynford
displayed a passion for Wales and a love for the beauty of its
landscapes. He became a long-standing member of the Campaign for
the Protection of Rural Wales, serving as both its Chairman and
President.
During his life he received several honours for
his public services, including an OBE in 1974 and CBE in 1986.
He died in Fishguard, in 1987.
This memorial was commissioned
by the Campaign for the Protection of Rural Wales and funded by
BBC Wales and HTV. The land on which the memorial stands, on the
slopes of Moel Fadian, was one of Wynford Vaughan Thomas's
favourite viewpoints in Wales, has been gifted by a local
landowner. |
WYNFORD VAUGHAN-THOMAS 1908-87 memorial. |
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I left my bike and walked across the road to head down a rough
track towards the river below to collect water. Fortunately I
found a stream in the rushes where I was able to decant into my
bottles then carry the 4lt back to my bike. With the tent up I
cooked my evening meal. Afterwards I was treated to a nice
sunset. |
Sunset from my tent. |
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