The Malverns & Brecon Beacons - June 2024

The Malverns

It’s like early Spring, late Winter, temperature wise with a cool north wind, but I was determined to getaway…so headed for the relatively better weather toward the SW.

Often driving down the M5 to races in south Wales, the hill range near Worcester had often caught my eye…the Malverns! But I’d never been there to explore…until now.

Booking ahead to a campsite (£10pn) just outside the town of Great Malvern….lovely people, but the most basic campsite, right next to the A road back to the M5, and there was no need to book!

The Malvern Hills are an elongated range, created by a geological fault with either side steeply dropping off to relative local flatlands….so, the vistas are superb. Using Komoot, I decided to recce the northern hinterland, but in retrospect that was a waste of time of what was to come….

Eventually arriving at the northern end of the hills, the climb perfect for a gravel bike zig zagged up the hillside, with numerous unbroken tremendous views in sight almost immediately. The climbing in places touched 20% but soon I was on the higher tracks, with 360 degree views on a clear if cool day.

The Komoot route I had created, had me regularly losing height down single tracks, and then eventually ascending again, this was repeated several times…and surprisingly I felt quite strong on the climbs!

Soon dropping down into the town of Malvern, and firstly found a bike shop….as my left brake leve4 had somehow dropped southwards…this made it tougher on gnarly descents as that’s how you use the brake lever, by placing weight on the (hood) lever. Apparently a bolt had come loose! (It stooped again on the next ride, so soon I’ll be visiting Kip!).

The one good thing about the campsite was that there was a pub almost next door, and at 7.30pm I’d booked a table for TWO!

Richard my ex coach and friend of course, offered to drive over to meet up…and what a splendid evening too….great to see Richard and we tried our best to set the World to rights….covering all sorts of topics….some interesting stuff!

The following morning, I couldn’t get excited about any further local exploration. I don’t think the campsite helped either….and I knew a pal was planning a few days in fairly close Brecon, but was he still there?

 

Brecon Beacons

 

So leaving Malvern, via Hereford and a cafe stop off in the delightful Hay on Wye, I soon arrived at the new campsite (£10)….and what a contrast! Set above Brecon but in a well protected glade alongside a river..a stunning spot.

After setting my tent etc up and having a rather early afternoon beer overlooking the river….I watched a blackcap mum catching flies then feeding her fledglings, nearby also was a woodpecker, wrens and a goldcrest amongst others…

At the cafe earlier I’d planned a local hike, which although the scenery was ok…there was far too much tarmac, a section that was private and it was far too long, for what I had planned…my fault I didn’t verify like I normally do! But a couple of beers and homemade pie in the centre of Brecon helped the recovery.

As the campsite was sheltered, it kept out the unseasonal northerly cool winds in the daytime but the temperature dropped at night…down to 4C, it was a rather chilly night, but I was prepared!

 

DAY 2

The morning was glorious with bright sunshine….and soon I was out on my gravel bike. Firstly following a Komoot route out of Brecon down the Usk Valley and alongside a canal for a greater part…the Taff Trail. After cycling around the Talybont reservoir, I did make an effort to climb up towards The Gap…but sensibly gave up, as the terrain was too rough but irrespective too steep anyway! Lunch in Talybont village, where a local informed me that Brecon was the coldest place in the UK the last night! They laughed when I described how many layers I had on….and then got into my sleeping bag, for breakie!

I decided to combine my Komoot route with some random riding, occasionally checking my OS app…this was the best bit….mainly tiny lanes and lots of ups and downs with great views…one supposed bridlepath which ultimately was impenetrable, well it wasn’t, but I’d gone so far…not sure how I got through…but the nettle stings were still shimmering, later in the evening.

Returning back to the campsite after a couple of sneaky pints in the village, and later deciding to "do a Wetherspoons" where using their WiFi I watched a chunk of the Euro athletics Champs! But for some unknown reason, I ordered a meat fest, mixed grill....the quality was as expected! 

DAY 3

The forecast was supposed to be regressing from lunchtime ish, and on recommendation from a guy on the campsite, he suggested the Dragons Back hike in the Black Mountains....so, by 8am I was parked up and on my way. 

In my definition, these aren't mountains, but big grass hills....the Dragons Back ridge added some character but I wouldn't rush back or ever suggest they are "mountains". 

 

For the record the highest point was Waun Fach at 811m - apparently the 2nd highest "mountain" in southern UK....🤷‍♂️

My Google Maps sent me via Abergavenny and the quickest route over towards Oundle, my next stop, rather nostalgic especially the DC through to Monmouth. Did I really race a pushbike on this! 😳😅