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Herefordshire 3: Golden opportunities

Posted on 26 March 202229 March 2022 by Rob Ainsley

A lazy day of exploring the hilly country west of Hereford today, around the Golden Valley. I headed down the railtrail south from the town and struck west into the uplands, overlooked dramatically by Hay Bluff. (On the other side is the awesome Gospel Pass, which I rode on my Welsh End to End in 2020.)

Follow that rider: Railtrail south out of Hereford

On a lovely sunny spring morning this was delightful, all empty back lanes, farms, billowing green hills, streams and blue skies. With virtually no traffic save the occasional tractor there was not a sound to be heard except birdsong and my squeaking back brake.

Hill country: Scenic riding west of Hereford

I was particularly taken by the castle at Longtown. Locals tending gardens offered to look after my bike as I looked round – people really are friendly round here, by the way – though I suspect casual theft is not too much of a problem here in any case.

Hay everyone: Hay Bluff from the Golden Valley

At Clodock’s ancient church I resisted the temptation to have a skinny dip in the stream behind it, no doubt to the relief of locals. I’ve been lucky with the weather; it’s been warm and sunny all this trip. While packing for it last Tuesday, I took about half an hour to excavate my sunhat and suncream from the back of my bike bits cupboard.

Cut out and keep: Castle at Longtown

It’s been a wonderful three days, roaming a part of the world I somehow had never done before. Herefordshire’s a cycling delight.

I hope the road goes round the side: Hill at Pandy

My journey’s end was at Abergavenny, a very likeable place I found almost impossible to leave. Though that mainly because of Transport for Wales’s lavish train cancellations.

What do you mean, you don’t have the original deeds? Clodock Church dates back to the year 500
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