•continuing our series on Matt Cook’s epic coastal bike trip
Friday 10th September – (Day 11)
Rest Day for Matt. A wild night last night with rain and wind which wasn't forecast. We decided to get the train from Pembroke to Tenby today - a favourite of ours as we had several holidays there when Tasha and Matt were young. It was George’s first trip on a train and he wasn't very impressed! Tenby was still pretty busy and we had a walk around the town and a long walk along the beach and George was very happy to be able to go in the sea! Back to the cycling tomorrow - Cardigan tomorrow night.
Saturday 11th September – (Day 12)
Matt cycled 69 miles with 1713m climbing. He left at 8.10am and arrived at the Cardigan Caravan and Camping site at 2.40pm. He cycled into Pembroke, then to Milford Haven, around to Dale, Little Haven, Broadwater, Newgale, Solva, St David’s, Fishguard along A487 to the campsite. We arrived just after him as we left later and had to stop at Tesco to stock up. Also ended up down a narrow lane in someone's garden – apparently they have the same post code as the campsite which was the next left and it happens all the time – had a great problem turning around!
Sunday 12th September – (Day 13)
Matt cycled 101 miles today with 1783m climbing. He started at 8am and reached the campsite in Barmouth at 3.30pm. He cycled from Cardigan on the A487 to Aberystwyth then up to Machynlleth, round to Dolgellau and to Barmouth. We were on the A487 for most of the way, very narrow in places, hilly and zigzags but some beautiful views as a lot was along the coast.
Monday 13th September – (Day 14)
97 miles, 1484m climbing, large screw in tyre caused a puncture and a broken spoke didn’t help the day. Matt cycled from Barmouth - the hill out of the campsite was his first challenge!! to Harlech round to Porthmadog, down to Pwllheli then round to Mynytho, Tudweiliog up to Llanaelhaern, Llandaff and on to the campsite at Rhosneigr literally at the end of the runway for RAF Valley so have seen very noisy jets flying over since we arrived. It has rained pretty much all day but let up long enough to take George for a walk on the beach tonight but has started again now. Steve and I had a nice drive today even though it rained all the way it was very atmospheric with the very low cloud over the mountains and forests.
Tuesday 14th September – (Day 15)
107 miles, 1672m climbing. Matt left the Campsite at Rhosneigr at 8am. Heavy rain all last night but fortunately it stopped as we got up and turned into a lovely sunny day but with a head wind. He cycled along South Stack Road to Holyhead then round the coast to Benllech, Amlwch then to Pentraeth, Mariandyrys and round to the Menai Bridge past Bangor on to Conwy, Llandudno, Colwyn Bay, Abergele, Rhyl and on to Prestatyn arriving at 5pm. Cyclists aren't allowed on the A55 so he went on the NCN No 5 cycle path route.
Steve and I took George to Rhosneigr beach again before we left then drove to Holyhead and had a walk around the mountain before driving on to Prestatyn. Took George onto Prestatyn beach tonight with a beautiful sunset.
