Lake Vyrnwy
Added on Thursday, February 7th, 2008 by Carole Nash Editor
The middle of Wales has got just about everything any biker could wish for; sweeping roads, stunning scenery and relatively few towns. These are some of the most traffic jam free roads in the UK, even at weekends. This route takes in some of the most atmospheric reservoirs of Wales, along with quaint market towns and wild, sheep-infested moorlands. Obviously, there are a few hazards to look out for en route, but no biker, regardless of the motorcycle they ride, could be anything less than gobsmacked by the rollercoaster addictive beauty of Mid Wales. Start your engines.
The Route
Lake Vyrnwy - Welshpool - Newtown - Llangurig - Rhayader - Builth Wells - Llandovery
Start at Lake Vyrnwy, which is signed off the main A483 linking Oswestry and Welshpool. Follow the B4393 to the Lake itself, which is in fact a reservoir, constructed back in the 1930s to provide water for Liverpool. Cross the dam and take the lakeside drive, which circulates Vyrnwy and brings you back to the visitor centre. Grab a snack here if you’re hungry - there’s a long ride ahead.
Go back on yourself along the B4393, then hook up onto the lovely A490, following the signs for Welshpool. By-pass the town centre itself, unless you need petrol, then take the A483 to Newtown. This is lovely old fashioned market town and makes a good base for a weekend’s exploration of the area. Take the A470, signed for Llangurig, running South from Newtown - there are two petrol stations on the outskirts by the way.
Now the fun starts as the A470 twists and turns through some spectacular scenery. Watch your speed near Llangurig, as there is a Gatso set up on the by-pass, right on the main straight after a mini roundabout. Keep on the A470, now following signs for Rhayader, which is a small, but friendly town, with a remarkably high number of pubs!
At the main square in Rhayader, turn right and follow the signs for Elan valley, which is on the B4518. There is a visitor centre just a few miles along this road if you need a break and some food. Otherwise, slow down and get set to see some of the most beautiful scenery in the UK, as the road loops around three reservoirs in succession, climbing onto bleak moorlands. After about ten miles, you will come to a junction, where you need to turn right for Rhayader once again, yep it’s a detour, but definitely worth doing.
Back onto the A470 once more, going South from Rhayader, signed towards Builth Wells. It’s another section of fantastic curvy tarmac if you’re into it, but slow down near Builth Wells, as it’s a surprisingly busy market town. At Builth, turn onto the A483 for Llandovery, via Beulah. Another Top Road this, but it has a variable surface with some bumpy bits. At Llandovery, slow down and stop at the West End cafe, which is a regular biker’s hang out at weekends. The cafe also does great food and can seat over 100 too - highly recommended.
This is one of our longer routes at insidebikes, but very definitely one of the best too. If you have the time, take a whole weekend to savour some of the most biker friendly roads in the UK.
Tourist Information
Local tourist info offices like Builth Wells Elan Valley or Lake Vyrnwy Visitor Centre will all prove useful, especially in tracking down a bed for the night.
Police File
insidebikes hasn’t had any official contact with the Mid Wales forces, which cover this huge geographical area. But local bikers advise that the boys in blue are well aware that a small minority of bikers are intent on using the roads as a racetrack and they will use the latest radar equipment - with helicopter support to catch them. Like most forces, they want you to enjoy yourself, but ride safe in area which has a typical selection of rural road hazards; tractors, dung on the roads, loose sheep etc. Be careful out there.
Biker Beds
Mid Wales is obviously full of farmhouse bed and breakfast accommodation, which is usually available on spec, even to bikers. Start looking around at 4-5 p.m. in case it proves a bit busy during the summer school holiday period.
Call a local tourist office once you are in the Mid Wales area for more on all types overnight places. Typical Bed and Breakfast accommodation is very reasonably priced in Wales, with the Pentre Hotel in Abergavenny demonstrating this fact. But it is No Smoking at Pentre, unlike the Old Vicarage in Llangurig, which has smoking sections, plus a licensed bar on the site, with off street parking.
Pitstops
The West End Cafe mentioned in this feature as the destination at the end of the ride qualifies as one of the premier biker friendly cafes in the UK, never mind Wales. Sumptuous sized fry-ups, sarnies and fantabulous cakes too - a real belly buster’s delight. Newtown, Powys is also home to several traditional local sandwich shops/bakers, with tons of calorie-laden goodies to tempt you - usually OK to squeeze a bike into a parking spot in Newtown too.
