I liked the first ride over Gospel Pass so much I thought I would go back again! Yesterday’s ride was much shorter than my previous effort being 50miles as opposed to 100!!! Still a very tough ride as Gospel Pass is, after all, the highest road in Wales at 549metres. We rode from Abergavenny and up the Llanthony (Vale of Ewyas) valley to Gospel Pass before skirting the sides of Hay Bluff and dropping into Hay on Wye. After a quick refuel stop, we headed towards Talgarth, alongside Llangorse Lake before heading through Crickhowell and back to Abergavenny.
The rain and wind held off and allowed us to have a really good but still challenging ride through one of my favourite areas of all, The Black Mountains. I have now ridden Gospel Pass from both major directions and its hard to say which I prefer. The Llanthony route up to Gospel Pass is relatively gentle until the last 2 miles (and then it really ramps up!) and you get the sudden view of the Powys and Herefordshire plains opening up in front of you as you reach the top. The descent alongside Hay Bluff into Hay is fast and technical! Going the other way, you immediately hit high gradients coming out of Hay and it doesnt really let up much. There are a few really steep sections as the road breaks into open moorland but you do get the view of the mountains as you creep up towards the Gospel Pass.
Either way, doesnt matter if you like cycling or walking (or both!), Gospel Pass and the surrounding area is one you really ought to try and get to at least once. It really is that good
Saddlebags and Backpacks - a brewer's outdoor adventures 