Day 5: Llanidloes to Builth Wells

Wednesday 7 September: Llanidloes to Builth Wells (33 miles, 920 m ascent)

More rain greeted us as we set off from Llanidloes to climb out of the Severn Valley along the narrow B- road leading to Llangurig. Still somewhat heavy legged from the previous day’s exertions, we negotiated several short, sharp, ascents before descending to Llangurig. We then followed an attractive, undulating, back road alongside the upper reaches of the Wye to Rhayader where Kate and David decided that their brake pads were now in need of replacement, a job which was undertaken in Clive Powell’s bike shop. As we continued on towards Builth Wells the terrain became noticeably gentler, indeed it even stopped raining! However, we still had to negotiate the Old Coach Road between Llanwrthwl and Newbridge-on-Wye. This turned out to be a long, muddy, section of rough track over which we had to walk the bikes for over a mile before we arrived at Builth Wells to stay overnight at Bronwye Guest House. That evening it was a pleasure to reacquaint ourselves with Helen and Mark and others, old university friends of Kate’s, who were holidaying in the area.