Llandeilo

We roll out from Gowerton Station and head north up the valley, through Pontarddulais and on towards Ammanford, following the valley floor on a gently rising gradient. It is a steady, sociable 20 miles that gets the legs going without ever asking too much of them.

We arrive in Llandeilo at just under 20 miles for our coffee stop.

The way home is different. Leaving Llandeilo we climb steadily up onto the higher ground to the west, gaining around 570 feet over four miles and topping out at roughly 220 m with some genuinely lovely views for the effort. From there it is a long descent through the lanes, dropping steadily back down through the valley and returning to Gowerton.

Around 40 miles in total with 1,600 feet of climbing, and one of the most rewarding rides on our calendar.

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Llandeilo and back, up through the valleys and home over the tops. This is 40 miles with 1,600 feet of climbing, and it is a proper morning out. If you rode our flat Porthcawl run, be aware this is a different sort of challenge. Slightly shorter, but three times the climbing. The route splits neatly in two. We head north up the valley to Llandeilo on gently rising ground, which is a lovely steady warm up over the first 20 miles. We stop for coffee in Llandeilo. Then we come home a different way, and this is where the work is, with a long climb up onto the higher ground shortly after we leave town, topping out at around 220 m before a long and thoroughly enjoyable descent back towards Gowerton. Please note we are starting from Gowerton, not our usual spot at the Rec. The pace will be an average of 12 to 14 mph. On the flat valley run out that will feel comfortable, and on the climb home it will be a good deal slower, but that is the standard for the ride overall. This is a Challenging ride and you should be able to get up most hills without stopping. If you can already ride 40 miles, are comfortable on hills, and are happy sustaining that sort of average for three and a half hours or so, this one is for you. If you are not there yet, come out on one of our flatter rides and build up. There will be another.

A mix, and more road riding than our coastal routes. The way out follows valley roads and cycle paths heading north, generally quieter and gently rising. The return takes us onto proper country lanes over the higher ground, which is where the route really opens up. Expect narrow lanes, some rough surfaces, gates and livestock, and the occasional farm vehicle. We will be riding two abreast where it is safe and singling out where it is not, and we will call hazards down the line. On the descent we will take it steadily and regroup rather than racing to the bottom, because these are lanes we do not want to be carrying speed into blind. Any roadworthy bike is fine, but think about your gearing. A bike you can spin comfortably up a long climb will make this ride considerably more pleasant than one you have to grind.

Coffee in Llandeilo at just under 20 miles, which is the halfway point and the reward for the ride up. Llandeilo is a lovely spot with a proper high street and several good independent cafés. We will head for one of them, sit down for twenty minutes or so, and eat something before the climb home. That last part matters more than usual here, because the hardest section of the ride comes immediately after we leave. Public toilets are available in town. There will also be a short comfort stop on each leg.

A roadworthy bike and a helmet, both essential, and please check your gears are shifting cleanly before you come out. This is not the route to discover your front mech has stopped working. Two full water bottles, and top up in Llandeilo. Proper food for the ride, so flapjacks, bananas, cereal bars, whatever you know works for you, and stick to things you have eaten on a bike before. Eat little and often, and have something at the café stop rather than saving yourself. It helps if you can eat and drink while riding, with food in a back pocket and a bottle on the bike. A spare inner tube, tyre levers, a pump and basic tools. Money or a card for the coffee. A lightweight waterproof, and a spare layer for the descent, because coming off the tops you will cool down quickly even on a warm day. Sun cream if it is bright, as the higher ground is exposed. A charged phone, and please check your emergency contact details are up to date on your Let's Ride profile. Mobile signal is patchy in the lanes on the return leg.

If this is your first ride with us, welcome, and please do not be nervous about turning up on your own. Most people do exactly that. Come and find us in the Gowerton Station car park. We will do a quick M-check on everyone's bike, which is just a simple safety look over the frame, wheels and brakes, and we will run through how we ride together before we set off. Calling out potholes, signalling turns, letting each other know when a car is coming past. It sounds like a lot written down but it takes a couple of minutes to pick up and the leaders will talk you through it as we go. You do not need lycra or a fancy bike, just something roadworthy with gears low enough for a long climb. A word about the hills, because we would rather be straight with you than have you find out at mile 22. There is a sustained climb on the way home and it arrives when you already have 20 miles in your legs. We regroup at the top and nobody gets left behind, but this is graded Challenging and you should be confident riding up most hills without having to stop. If that does not sound like you yet, come out on one of our flatter rides first. We would much rather see you on a shorter one and again later in the year than have you struggling on this one.