The UK has thousands of miles of cycle paths, and one of its longest, National Cycle Route 4, runs from the centre of London to the shores of west Wales, following old railway lines across flat plains, country lanes up steep valley walls, and main roads through urban settlements over many hundreds of miles. In late August last year, I set off on a cycle ride that lasted for almost two days, with about 20 hours of my life spent peddling over a distance of 100 miles. While my original goal was to ride from my home in South Wales to the city of London, I reached my limits just as I was approaching the city of Bath in Somerset. It was perhaps the most trying experience of my life, and yet one of the most rewarding, and is one that come next summer I am eager to repeat and exceed. Naturally, I took plenty of snaps to share with you as I relay the trials and triumphs of my time on the trail.

Mynydd y Castell is so named because of the remains of a hill fort discovered atop the hill. While there are paths which do lead up the slopes for closer inspection of the site, the only path I was interested in following was that running parallel to the stream you see here, leading slowly uphill. The path is all dirt and gravel, not nice for my poor little road bike, so I walk uphill to an open path running along an escarpment, passing by five rectangular blocks of firs planted in the 1950s known as the “Breast Plantations”…I can hear you snickering; grow up. :P Once you pass the plantation, you reach a gate leading out of Margam Park at the Graig Goch farm, and return to asphalt road, going downhill for over half a mile.

Hope you enjoy!