Wye Valley Youth Hostelling Tour - 1967

[k.val...@sympatico.ca]

This is a short account of a tour that I participated in during the
late sixties. I'm trying to remember the exact route that I took but
it's been a long time so to the best of my knowledge this is how it
went!

One summer day at the age of thirteen, I arrived at Hereford, with my
Flamboyant Blue Coventry Eagle 5-speed in tow, on a train from
Paddington Station in London, England. After meeting the tour leader
and six other young cyclists like myself, and with a brief
introduction, we then cycled west across the Welsh border in the Wye
Valley, toward the hostel at Capel-y-Ffin. This hostel is located in
the northern part of the Black Mountains of South Wales. The next day
we traveled southwest toward the Ty'n-y-Caeau hostel, now known as
Brecon, located at the northern edge of the Brecon Beacons National
Park.

On the third day we rode east toward the hostel at Crickhowell, which
was located at the western edge of the mountains. The following day we
pedaled southeast toward the Chepstow hostel, through the southern
section of the mountains. It was at this point that I was involved in a
bicycle accident when I fell, riding too fast down a steep mountain
road, turning a sharp gravel bend. I finally made it to the hostel that
night albeit in some pain! - On my return to London I had to have
stitches in my right arm.

On Day Five of the ride we headed northeast along the west and east
banks of the River Wye. In that area of Wales this river forms the
border between Eastern Wales and the West of England. Later that
afternoon we arrived at the St. Briavel's Castle hostel in England.
The next day we cycled north toward the hostel at Staunton-on-Wye and
the following day we traveled northeast toward the Mitcheldean hostel.
Finally on the seventh day we rode northwest toward Hereford; said our
Goodbyes at the railway station and I boarded a train back to
Paddington with my bicycle. All things considered I believe a good time
was had by all!

Sadly, due mainly to economic cutbacks in the YHA, many of the hostels
mentioned no longer exist; they include Crickhowell, Chepstow,
Staunton-on-Wye and Mitcheldean. I understand that Capel-y-Ffin is also
closing next year.

For other youth hostelling articles please visit
http://101youthhostelling.blogspot.com