Sarn Helen MTB Route, Nidum/Hirfynydd section

Now that was an epic!!!! It took 5 and a half hours including stops for lunch, mechanicals, navigation and history sessions. The cycle computer says it was 44km, but I've got my doubts. I got just about all forms of weather. Rain was a feature of the ride, as was wind. A little sunshine and even some sleet finished off the weather's repertoire!! The picture is of the old bridges across the River Nedd at Aberdulais.

For the most part Sarn Helen has a rocky base, but is often muddy over the top making the going difficult at times. Doing the route this way round means you're climbing forever before you get any decent downhill. It goes against my theme, which is south to north, but it might be better run in reverse. That way you climb up the Dulais valley on tarmac. I was a little late getting started and consequently finished the last but one bridleway in the dark and skipped the last one. This now seems irrelevent, because I don't think the bridleways along the Dulais valley are any good.

Next section will probably be the CICVCIVM section near Brecon.