LOMs mini tour, help please

[littleoldman2]

Hello you lovely, helpful people. Due to JulesW and Luckypants (and others) posts in the The Good The Bad and The Ugly Pub and Cafe guide my better half and I are spending Easter weekend getting to know your wonderful area.
What I'd like is local knowledge. We will by necessity be using the M6 to avoid the urban conurbation around Manchester. So I'd like a route from the Motorway to Chirk near Wrexham. Then a 200/300 mile route for Saturday and another for Sunday.
If any one would care to join us that would be even better.
We are very much looking forward to this. Thanks in advance.

[Luckypants]

I can help you out, just been a bit busy since you posted!

[Luckypants]

Hi LOM, sorry for not getting back to you sooner....

From the M6, I would get off the M6 at J18 Holmes Chapel and take the route below. Nice flowing roads that are not too busy, especially after Whitchurch.

https://goo.gl/maps/dqjz6

For a rideout, do you want flowing two lane roads or quiet back roads or both?

[littleoldman2]

A mix please. We are used to allsorts. Thanks very much.

[Luckypants]

for Saturday a southerly loop taking in some of Mid-Wales finest views and roads. try this....

https://goo.gl/maps/uNER1

[littleoldman2]

Thanks for that. I've just spent a while looking at the street views on the route and it's lovely.

You cannot go wrong with the A483. Might be up there again tomorrow. Enjoy!

[Luckypants]

LOM - would you like...

1. A commentary on the route so you don't miss some highlights?
2. A route for Sunday?
3. Meet for a brew? (not sure if I'll be on the bike due to it being squirrelled away as part of moving house)

[littleoldman2]

Yes please to all three, if you have the time. The Saturday route is now in the Garmin and I can add waypoints to it for places to stop. I have checked Google maps, BBR etc but there really is no substitute for local knowledge.
Many Thanks

[Luckypants]

I'm stuck on a long conference call with work, so a little distraction is welcome!

Commentary on Saturday.

• Look out for the viaduct and aquaduct to your left at the bottom of Chirk bank soon after setting off.
• The road over the top out of Dyffryn Ceiriog can be rough, but not a problem if you ride steady.
• At LLanrheadr-ym-Mochnant you might want to take a detour to see one of Wales' most famous waterfalls Pistyll Rhaeadr. Not much there apart from the falls and a cafe.
• Although Lake Vyrnwy is early in the ride, there are two great places to stop for coffee/cake/breakfast. The Lake Vyrnwy hotel has a terrace overlooking the lake and is stunning on a nice day. For good food also try the Old Barn cafe. If you need just a comfort break, the loos on the west side of the dam are normally very clean.
• After leaving Vyrnwy up the steep single track along Eunant, at the end of that road turn right, up the hill for 200m to get a great view from the Bwlch-y-Groes. Turn around to rejoin the route down to Dinas Mawddwy.
• After Dinas Mawddwy, as far as Machynlleth,keep an eye out for low flying aircraft. This is part of the Mach Loop used to train pilots in low flying. You pass between Cad West and Cad East photo taking sites if you want to Google....
• The road from Machynlleth is very scenic, so enjoy. As you approach LLyn Clywedog there is a great overlook and car park. You come up on this up a hill and you don't see the car park until the last minute. Add to the Garmin to not miss it. It is at grid reference SN 91486 88781.
• From there to Devil's Bridge the road is fast and flowing. A great blast if you are in the mood.
• The ride up to Elan Valley is very narrow, so be aware of other traffic especially other bikers!
• Coming down the Elan Valley it is worth a diversion up to see the largest dam (Claerwen) by taking the road across the lake at GR SN 91134 63998.
• Good tea and cake at the Elan Valley visitor center, but if you need fuel carry on to Crossgates as there is also a great cafe there.
• For fuel at Crossgates carry on on the A44 for 150m instead of turning left at the roundabout for Newtown
• Enjoy the A483, great road for a blast! Might be busy on Easter Weekend, but plenty of opportunity to make progress.
• Be careful to follow the route in Newtown so as not to get lost in the houses.
• There is a left turn in New Mills that is easy to miss at GR SJ 09931 01162.
• The road back to Chirk from there is fun but pretty straightforward. Pay attention to the route through Oswestry though.