Day 0
Our little Team of Four assembled in Swansea late this afternoon having travelled by train, car and van. Bikes have been fettled and the route, which looks longer than we'd thought, loaded into the little machines cyclist carry on their handlebars. With dry weather forecast we are set fair and will be back with news of our first bumpy100km tomorrow.

Day 1
    An extraordinary day that saw us cycle along the edge of Swansea Bay on a lovely morning before turning north on a brilliant cycle track that ran through forests, across fields and around bays that stretched to the horizon. In a quiet glade a lady blackbird hopped onto the track, nodded in our direction and flew off. Spring flowers were everywhere, and it was most peaceful.
  But it was a day of two halves, with the last 40km contributing most of the 4,600ft of climb on little hills and valleys that were beautiful but at the occasional 20% of incline unforgiving to the laden cyclist. Tomorrow we travel further and climb more. This is not a simple route.
Our stats: 103km and 4,612ft of climb.

Our cyclists make good progress in the early morning

Day 2
We cycle unsupported. Yesterday I had a puncture, easily repaired by Jim the Cyclist who was closely watched at all times by a very large hornet ! The tyre was declared unsafe. Jill, our Control back in Wandsworth found a replacement supplied by Jim from 2wheels R Us, four miles from our bed space. Enter Jerry, friend of cyclist Jez, who was to ride with us on his very powerful motorcycle (but not in support !). Jerry picks up the tyre from Jim early in the morning, it's fitted but we are late away so decide to cut out some of the coast which is a mistake because the route we then choose feels too short. But on expeditions things happen and we decided to accept the shorter day knowing what's to come tomorrow. In fact our little route concealed 3,359ft of climb in its last 20km, up and down more 20% hills so we get a very respectable workout. Huge thanks must go to 2wheels R Us for refusing payment for the tyre. An equivalent sum will be added to our fundraiser.

  Our actual journey took us across remote farmland where Land Rover Defenders from all years were ubiquitous. For the first time we were followed by red kites and passed through hidden sandy bays as we travelled the little lanes. A challenging day in fact, despite the unimpressive distance. Tomorrow an early start and 125km.
Our stats: 51km and 3,359ft of climb.

The statue of the 6th century St Caranog stands guard over the small bay at Llanogrannog

Day 3
We left early today knowing we had a long ride ahead. The sky was clear and the sun warm to hot. We hadn't gone far before we met our first 20% hill and lots more followed but it was lovely countryside of little lanes, farm machinery so large that it would not be out of place in the Australian wheat belt, squashing the unwary cyclist into the hedge, and incongruous groupings of ducks waddling along the road.

 Some parts of the second half of the day involved too much fast traffic which we didn't enjoy but towards the end what's known as Happy Valley was stunning and the Barmouth bridge a wonder, even if cycling along its board-walk type pathway was a pain.
  Tomorrow, in uncertain weather, we cross Wales, aiming for Chirk
Our stats: 128km and 3,359ft of climb

Crossing the bridge that leads to Barmouth

Day 4
We got lost today ! That's unusual for cyclists who use public roads and little devices that indicate when to turn left or right, but we did. Our problem occurred when cycling on a small tarmac road up a stunning valley and into a forest. The road became a forest track, which road bikes don't like. Our problems were slightly compounded by runners attempting a half marathon on the same tracks. Without a real map it was difficult to work out exactly where we were so we headed for the nearest big road and found ourselves. But it did illustrate how little electronic devices are not substitutes for proper maps.
After a big climb into high country we cycled miles through verdant Welsh countryside. Unusually black cows clustered in a corner of a field and elsewhere young lambs bleated for their mothers. Lovely cycling.
Our stats: 115km (includes the 15km from
Barmouth to our start point) with 5,019ft of climb. A worthwhile day.
Our route: Starting in Barmouth (not shown) and finishing in Chirk.

Up in the hills above Bala

Day 5
   Mea culpa ! Last night, blinded by the exertions of the day I wrongly attributed our efforts to Day 5, when in fact it was only our 4th Day.
    However, today saw another attack on the mountainous and beautiful Border country. After a race south from Chirk we entered the endless, tiny, overgrown and remarkable lanes that formed our route.  Roman Legions could have marched down them no more than two abreast. The surface hasn't been improved since the first King Edward was a boy and the County surveyors have given up over assessing steepness of ascent or descent. It is a remarkable and rarely traversed area, especially by cyclists. With good reason ! The memory of the day will linger long and include the three large geese standing guard at the entrance to a village, and the many domestic floral displays that lined part of our route. Amazing !
Tomorrow we turn West and back into Wales.
Our stats today: 99km with 5,059ft of climb. A decent day out.

PS. Yesterday we met, by arrangement, Gavin and George who had cycled towards us from Chirk. They managed to find us, despite our rather unusual early morning navigation, accompanied us to our over night stop and cycled with us again this morning. We hugely appreciate the very big effort they made to get to us, and the continuing support they give.

The endless green hills and fields of West Wales

Day 6
   A shorter route today over similar demanding country as before but two things in particular stood out: the generosity of people we met and the beautiful countryside that continued to challenge and delight. 

  Our hotel returned the B&B fee once they learned what we were doing. Fellow coffee drinkers in Kington just gave us money when they also learned of our mission. All will be credited to our Just Giving account, but we felt humbled by such spontaneous generosity. Our route, which included nearly 5,000ft of climb so was pretty decent, kept us off the main roads, at one time taking us down footpaths, across a field and down a lane more suited to mountain bikes than the effete road machines that we ride. Bikes and riders survived although all looked a bit shabby at the end. The experience was truly amazing. 

  Tomorrow we head west and then south back to Swansea.
  Our stats: 87km cycled with 4,934ft of climb, so another respectable day.

A big sky above the Gospel Pass

Day 7
On this our final day we had two tasks: to complete the route and to spread the ashes of the late Andrew Stevens, a former Royal Marine and keen cyclist.  We headed away from our most comfortable overnight lodgings straight into the junglie lanes of hinterland Wales, tough country of incomparable beauty although it did include a lovely ride into Brecon along a mercifully flat canal path.

We then addressed our second task.  Having decided to spread the ashes high in the Brecons we made our way up a lengthy climb known as The Elbow, just beyond which is a 4,000 year old Standing Stone.  A dignified and touching ceremony took place there.  We then cycled the final 50km back to Swansea.  The Wales ’22 challenge was over.  We have cycled 683kms on loaded bikes and ascended 27,927ft. 

We have seen country of great beauty and hidden toughness and have met hugely supportive people.  In the background our enterprise continues to raise funding for PTSD Resolution, which remains our aim.
Our stats today: 100km and 3,992ft of climb.

Up in the Brecon Beacons and where we scattered the ashes