Ross on Wye from Severn Bridge

Cycle-touring, Expeditions, Adventures, Major cycle routes NOT LeJoG (see other special board)
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mnichols
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Joined: 22 Apr 2013, 4:29pm

Ross on Wye from Severn Bridge

Post by mnichols »

Hi,

I'll be cycling over the Severn Bridge to Ross on Wye at the weekend and then back a couple of days later. Lots of great looking routes, either through the Forest of Dean, along the Wye, through Tintern and Monmouth or Symons Yat

Any locals got a must do route, know a website or can recommend a favorite?

I like a good hill climb, but will be doing plenty getting through Bath on the way so its not a must

Thanks

Martin
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fausto copy
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Location: Pembrokeshire

Re: Ross on Wye from Severn Bridge

Post by fausto copy »

Hi Martin, we're not local but have done quite a bit of touring there.
A couple of weeks ago we cycled from Symonds Yat down to Goodridge (you'd be returning the opposite way though).
From there we did a couple of different routes, one cracker was from Goodrich up to Ruardean and over the Pludds.
From there we passed the Cannop Cycle centre and took the forest trail back to Parkend.
There's a lovely pull up to Bream and St.Briavels and from there some lovely countryside all the way back down to Chepstow.

We were also told that there's a new route opened alongside the Wye fron Symonds Yat to Monmouth, known as the Peregrine Trail. Monmouth back to Chepstow's not so lovely though.
mnichols
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Re: Ross on Wye from Severn Bridge

Post by mnichols »

Thanks. Are those on road routes suitable for a carbon road bike?
mattsccm
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Re: Ross on Wye from Severn Bridge

Post by mattsccm »

Several ways from Chepstow north. From East to West. Avoid A48. by local standards fast and busy. Next (2) is over the Wye bridge to Tutshill and thence St Briavels. Keep going to Coleford then either vaguely NW down over Simonds Yat then Gooodrich and Ross Or Coleford to Lydbrook and Ross.
3rd routes is up the Wye valley. this can be busy although its mot A48 busy. To Bigsweir or Redbrook allows a climb back into the forest meeting route 2 at some point. You could continue to Monmouth then up to Staunton and meet route 2.7
A 4th option is to climb from Chepstow to Devauden and along the ridge through Trelleck, dropping to Monmouth.
I'd say route 2 with variations. Try St Briavels to Bream, Parkend, Drybrook, Ross.Thats where I go from home in Bream.
cycle hire/shop and café's at Parkend and Cannop. Good food at Parkend. The Fountain inn is home to the local cycle club
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fausto copy
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Re: Ross on Wye from Severn Bridge

Post by fausto copy »

mnichols wrote:Thanks. Are those on road routes suitable for a carbon road bike?


We found the road surfaces OK apart from a couple of large deep potholes which you couldn't miss spotting.
If you've got low enough gears or a good pair of legs then the hills will hold no problems for you.
tatanab
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Joined: 8 Feb 2007, 12:37pm

Re: Ross on Wye from Severn Bridge

Post by tatanab »

mattsccm wrote:A 4th option is to climb from Chepstow to Devauden and along the ridge through Trelleck, dropping to Monmouth.
A few years ago when I lived near Newport, that was a favourite of mine but in the opposite direction. A stiff but enjoyable climb from Mitchel Troy.
mnichols
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Re: Ross on Wye from Severn Bridge

Post by mnichols »

Thanks everyone
mnichols
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Joined: 22 Apr 2013, 4:29pm

Re: Ross on Wye from Severn Bridge

Post by mnichols »

mattsccm wrote: cycle hire/shop and café's at Parkend and Cannop. Good food at Parkend. The Fountain inn is home to the local cycle club


Is there a cafe at Cannop Ponds? I might meet the wife and kids there
mattsccm
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Joined: 28 Nov 2009, 9:44pm

Re: Ross on Wye from Severn Bridge

Post by mattsccm »

The café is at the cycle hire place.
Pedalabikeaway. 1/2 mile towards Ross from the Cannop cross roads. Nasty tea van at the ponds. Or there is a poncy café at Beechenhurst, the FC site about the same distance from the X roads towards Cinderford.
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fausto copy
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Re: Ross on Wye from Severn Bridge

Post by fausto copy »

mattsccm wrote:The café is at the cycle hire place.
Or there is a poncy café at Beechenhurst, .


Would never have thought of it as poncy.......

...but they wouldn't serve me a glass of water for my grand-daughter.
Not because it was poncy Evian or anything; no, they were adamant the water wasn't safe to drink from the tap. :shock:

By the way, there's an even better café that's only recently opened in Parkend.
it's in the Post Office / Shop and they're lovely people that run it.
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