The Spring Meet and 2025 AGM Weekend, Llanwrtyd Wells 26th -28th April 2025
Llanwrtyd Wells, is famous for being the smallest town in Wales. We will not get into the ‘politics’ of what defines a town. The Man vs Horse Competition, we were too early for this, it’s due to take place on June 14th this year. Also the World Bog Snorkelling Championships, this is on the 24th August, Oh and the Stinking Well, a very high Sulphur content I believe. I don’t know if any went sniffing for it. There is obviously plenty to see and smell in LW, and I’ve not mentioned the wonderful scenery surrounding the town.
Most of us arrived during the Friday afternoon and in beautiful sunshine, some had even arrived early enough to go for a short ride. I don’t know how short, but suspect that some were not. I know that some members, Jeff, Steve and possibly others had come all or some of the way on two wheels. Well done to you and all.
Those of us arriving by car ‘snuggled’ into the car parks and I think all found a space. Most vehicles would not be used for the duration which is just as well, as in Eddie & Joan’s case they had brought the tandem trike on a trailer behind their car. Reversing would no doubt be fun !
Some had overflowed, from the Neuadd Arms Hotel to stay in Bryncelyn Guest House only 30 mtrs down the road from the hotel. Across the road from the Guest House was, is and I hope will long remain, ‘Cupboards and Cakes’ run by Becca who kept us well supplied with teas, coffees, and many many cakes all weekend. This she managed with us sat in the sunshine across the road in front of the guest house, not much traffic thankfully. Becca is multi skilled and the other string (perhaps there are more?) to her bow, is running a dress shop or agency from the same premises.
I couldn’t find a dress that suited me. I don’t know if others had more success.
The Neuadd Arms, is still I understand, the head quarters of the Monster Raving Loony Party, and that Screaming Lord Sutch used to appear regularly. Some Cuckoos were also heard over the weekend, but I don’t believe any were human or indeed members ! The proprietor's, Lindsay, Catherine all the staff and the regulars gave us a warm and comfortable welcome. This is an old hotel, full of character even more so with us there. After some drinks of various types, we had a pleasant evening meal followed by the Annual Photo Show and the revealing of the winners. This took place about 100 mtrs down the road at The Victoria Hall (built in 1887, if you need to know) You will by now have seen the photo competition winners in the journal but won’t yet know, unless you were there, that John Kemp won the first of our new Funny Picture Competition, judged on the night. This was won by John with a picture of some cyclists arriving via a bridleway into what can only be described as a scrap yard. I do have to report that I ‘figured’ in the photo. I was though, on or pushing my bike and not yet in the scrap ! We then retired back to the hotel for more drinks and bed, possibly in that order. After an un-eventful night for most, we woke for breakfast. Some had though, been up all night sleeping or trying to rest in the bar ! This because one of our characters had had a bad fall and hit his head. Eight or more hours waiting for an ambulance was no fun for those involved, especially whilst lying on the bar floor. A trip in the eventual ambulance to Merthyr Tydfil Hospital and a CT Scan thankfully found that no serious damage had been caused. But a very sore head and lack of sleep did catch up, and need catching up on.
And so to our Saturday cycling. We mostly set off in a very large group up the lovely Irfon Valley toward Abergwesyn. We spread out as we went. Our ride was led by George Nutt, with Ian Wood, Eileen, Nick Lay and myself. Ian acquired a puncture just before we reached Abergwesyn.
View up toward the Devils Staircase
Cracking views were had most of the way, with the exception that is of the inside of Ian’s tyre, where several thorns were found. Puncture eventually repaired with ‘many hands’ we took the left at Abergwesyn and on up, up and eventually up over the Devils Staircase. After several breather’s we topped out and began the whizz down into the Towy Valley, with more great views. We had arranged to stop for lunch at Dolgoch Hostel. We had the hostel door code and some enjoyed hot drinks from the hostel with whatever we had brought for our lunch on the patio. All in lovely warm sunshine. After lunch we retraced some of our route but only to the foot of the Devils Staircase, here took the right turn down the Towy Valley toward Llandovery. Passing Nantyrhwch and on to Llyn Brianne Resr. We turned off a short distance down the reservoir, left on a track. If you go right, it’s a very bumpy and steep descent until you’d get very wet. Climbing on up through the forestry and Nant Fannog. Eventually, IF you take the correct tracks, you come out just below Abergwesyn. In fact very close to where we had ‘helped’ mend Ian’s puncture, earlier. Back down the Irfon Valley in lovely warm and dappled sunshine to Llanwyrtd Wells and so to Becca’s for Tea and Cake etc. A little over 27 miles and 2600 ft of ascent.
Some members I heard may have caught the train up to Llandrindod Wells and back, this to visit the National Cycle Museum there. I understand that some others were far more adventurous and had gone up through the forestry and then down the Towy Valley to the end of Llyn Brianne, over the Dam, through the forestry there. Stopping at the isolated Soar-y-Mynydd Chapel, then to Dolgoch Hostel for a later lunch than us. I believe this group clocked over 40 miles and heaven knows how much height gain. Others were a little more ‘sensible’ and I think did the clockwise and a little more level circuit up to Abergwesyn, then around to Beulah. Then on South down the old Roman Road to Cefn Glancamddwr and back into Llanwrtwd Wells from the East. All groups I think, worked up a good thirst and appetite for their evening meal. Following this most, trooped down the road again, for the AGM. This went well, I think. The minutes for it will shortly, may already, be available on the website. Guess what some of us did afterwards? Yes, the bar was involved again. No drama for this night though.
Sunday dawned bright and sunny again, we can get very used to this. I just went for a gentle ride (so he said) with Geoff across to Llangammarch Wells. We were going to try getting over the top, South on to a track through to the ranges. But we gave it up as silly, since we both threw our chains off, on a very steep ascent. Sandwiches were eaten lower down, in view of the range Red flags ! looking out to the NW over the Irfon Valley and Llanwrtwd Wells. A very fine view. We returned via Tirabad and Cefn-gorwydd to the ‘smallest town’ and so to the Stonecroft Inn. Here we met up with The Rev James ! As you can see Geoff has been, a regular at The Stonecroft and knows The Rev well. It was then a short stagger back to the Neuadd Arms or even shorter to Becca’s for tea, coffee & cakes again. Almost 19 miles and 1760ft of ascent today.
And so to our last night, the Gala Dinner and the prize giving.
Thanks must go to many for the whole weekend but especially to Steve Griffiths who did most of the actual organisation. And also to Heather who although not attending, again sorted all our meal bookings even for those not staying at the hotel.
I had intended to give a vote of thanks to Steve at the AGM but thought that the Gala Dinner might be more appropriate. However, I did not know that Steve was not staying for the last night, so he missed out. Sorry Steve. I did though thank him personally and hope that others did also. An urgent return to London was I believe the reason.
I do have to tell you Steve, that Becca sent you some cakes across to the Neuadd Arms in a box, after you had gone. I didn’t eat any but suspect and hope that they didn’t go to waste, or is that waist. A final night in the bar for some and an early night for others.
I had to get back home on the Monday for an important appointment on the Tuesday. So I set off straight after breakfast. I understand some did stay an extra day and night. I hope you all had a great time and a safe, un-eventful, trip back home.
The whole weekend was I think a great success and very enjoyable, well for those who didn’t have to visit a hospital !
Great weather, good company, some rough stuff and happy fellowship.
Until we meet again……
Allan Henson
General Secretary
May 2025