Plenty of climbing in store as the Devil Ride returns to Wales

Valbrona wrote:

Wales ... ruined countryside where native deciduous woodland has mostly been turned into bleak fields of grass, and hillsides covered with deathly non-native conifer plantations.

If the subsidies given to non-viable farming operations were stopped and the money put into developing the country for recreation and tourism, including cycling, that would be funky.

STFU

Plasterer's Radio wrote:

Valbrona wrote:

Wales ... ruined countryside where native deciduous woodland has mostly been turned into bleak fields of grass, and hillsides covered with deathly non-native conifer plantations.

If the subsidies given to non-viable farming operations were stopped and the money put into developing the country for recreation and tourism, including cycling, that would be funky.

STFU

Classy riposte.

(not)

Valbrona has a point, regardless of whether he/she is local or not.

However, it's easy to point out what you think is wrong but effective solutions are complex and take time to work. Politicians don't like that, they like quick fixes and handshake opportunities before swiftly moving on to the next one.

Just handing grant money to a different kind of recipient will not work. And would one of the least densely populated areas south of the Scottish borders, with poor accessibility from towns and cities, really justify such cash injections over places with much greater potential?

How well do those commenting on here know Radnorshire, where these events are run? Not very well, it would seem. "Wales" is not, in terms of its human geography, a homogenous entity. This area's appeal is in its emptiness. Adding facilities, spending big on tourism etc won't work. If you want those kinds of things in Wales then you're better off climbing Snowdon, riding at Llandegla (a commercial conifer plantation that has diversified) or eating ice cream at Rhyl.

Andy Dawson is working hard to sustain/revive highly regarded events in a superb area for riding a bike. I doubt he's doing it to make a pile of cash. If he is then I'd suggest that he stop now and relocates to Surrey... or maybe start planting conifers

Valbrona wrote:

Wales ... ruined countryside where native deciduous woodland has mostly been turned into bleak fields of grass, and hillsides covered with deathly non-native conifer plantations.

If the subsidies given to non-viable farming operations were stopped and the money put into developing the country for recreation and tourism, including cycling, that would be funky.

Have you actually been to Wales ? Or just read about it in the Guardian ?

fenix wrote:

Valbrona wrote:

Wales ... ruined countryside where native deciduous woodland has mostly been turned into bleak fields of grass, and hillsides covered with deathly non-native conifer plantations.

If the subsidies given to non-viable farming operations were stopped and the money put into developing the country for recreation and tourism, including cycling, that would be funky.

 

Have you actually been to Wales ? Or just read about it in the Guardian ?

"Edward! Edward! There IS a Swansea!!"

Valbrona wrote:

Wales ... ruined countryside where native deciduous woodland has mostly been turned into bleak fields of grass, and hillsides covered with deathly non-native conifer plantations.

If the subsidies given to non-viable farming operations were stopped and the money put into developing the country for recreation and tourism, including cycling, that would be funky.

Viable or not, we do need to kind of grow more of our own food. Especially nowadays...

Valbrona wrote:

Wales ... ruined countryside where native deciduous woodland has mostly been turned into bleak fields of grass, and hillsides covered with deathly non-native conifer plantations.

If the subsidies given to non-viable farming operations were stopped and the money put into developing the country for recreation and tourism, including cycling, that would be funky.

I did a 4 hour 90 km ride round the Brecons this week and passed about 4 cars. Cycling nirvana - if the weather gods are smiling 

Plasterer's Radio wrote:

I did the Yr Elenydd audax last Saturday which takes in many parts on this ride.

It is a highy underated part of the world for cycling.

Absolutley stunning and the climbs are great.

Do it! 

Is my neck of the woods and have to agree, it's glorious...when it is sunny. But watch out for the sheep and ponies.

Grahamd wrote:

Plasterer's Radio wrote:

I did the Yr Elenydd audax last Saturday which takes in many parts on this ride.

It is a highy underated part of the world for cycling.

Absolutley stunning and the climbs are great.

Do it! 

Is my neck of the woods and have to agree, it's glorious...when it is sunny. But watch out for the sheep and ponies.

Thanks for all the comments.  I'm the organiser of the Devil Ride 2017, so its been great to hear how the route and landscape is highly valued.

Yep, the landscapes are remote, wild and huge - people are always surprised by the mid-Wales wastelands.  And definitely minimal cars.

The Devil Ride was the original sportive to explore the area, and we're trying to get it back to its rightful position as an event to aim for. 

Andy Dawson