Ride Report:Brecon Gap 2024

This is a ride that the Club has run a number of times over the years, but most of us were riding it for the first time. Fortunately we had veterans Graham and Tom to lead the way.

We met at Talybont on Usk bike hub, an excellent facility with parking, toilets, showers and a bike wash. By 10.00am there were ten of us eager to get going.

The first hundred metres were flat, and then we started climbing! It started on tree-lined single track before opening out and giving us a view of the reservoir below.

After five miles, the first session of climbing came to an end as we crossed the first ‘gap’. We enjoyed a rare bit of flat at the plateau, then descended to the cafe where we would take the first of our breaks, complete with dinky teacups.

After our break, we headed straight up a really steep bit of road. Then, when we got to the top, we were ready to start the second session of climbing! The section included the gully that you’ve probably already seen photos of – a steep, narrow, rocky channel that is difficult even when walking. The channel is constantly changing, and we found it with one section halfway down that no-one managed to ride. Fun to try, though!

From there, it was the long grind to the top. Although shorter than the first (about 3 miles), this climb was far more technical, with loose rocks to dodge all the way up, and some sections so wet that it was like riding along a stream.

After a rest at the top to admire the view, it was time to cross the Gap and descend on the other side. This was even more technical (and wet) than the climb had been, but it was interesting that the further down I went, the more I learned about what my bike could cope with and I started trusting it to roll over much bigger obstacles than I would have done previously. You had to keep concentrating all the way down, though!

After an aborted attempt to decend the overgrown ‘Gully of Doom’ (with a spectacular OTB moment for Richard), we took the road decent into Brecon for a well deserved ice cream.

The last few miles followed the canal from Brecon back to Talybont. Along the way, we stopped for a swim in the River and a drink in the pub, before finally heading back to base.

This was a great day of riding, and a definite step up in challenge from the Ridgeway-based riding we usually do. Thanks to Graham and Tom for organising – can’t wait for next year’s ride!