I opened the curtains to wet roofs; it had been raining overnight, but the forecast was generally dry for the day.

After leaving the hotel @ 8:15am, I pushed my bike up a 1 in 9, one-way street to a minor road which took me out to the A487 to Aberystwyth. This was not only flatter, but followed the coast which was the general aim of the trip. While the roads were ‘busyish’, it was not like the constant ‘nose-to-tail’ queues of cars in the southeast. To paraphrase the Pembroke hotel owner; these were Welsh roads.

On arriving in Aberaeron the colourful houses were striking and are a common feature along the west coast.

In the interests of fairness, I do need to advise that I had strong tailwind today, which was much appreciated. This may have been partly responsible for my top speed of 43 mph on a well surfaced descent into Llanon. Perhaps I need to reconsider getting disk brakes. To think that professional cyclists would descend at over 60mph.

I made it to a grey Aberystwyth for @ 10.15am where it was blowing a gale. It felt more like autumn than summer (…. or perhaps this a Welsh summer). I cycled along the distinctive promenade and stopped for a coffee and a planning session. After Machynlleth @ 20 miles away I could either take the quieter coastal route (which was the purpose of the trip) and catch the ferry from Fairbourne to Barmouth or take a hillier inland route to cross the river just after Dolgellau. In reality there was only one option and it depended on when the ferry stopped. I found a number and made the call. It was 4pm. It was all quite ‘doable’, so I set about planning the day.

All roads out of Aberystwyth were uphill. I passed the University where I had stayed in 2015 at the end of the Across Wales Walk (jog). Another event made memorable, in this case by the glorious weather.

The A487 to Machynlleth was busy at times and narrow in places but reasonably flat so I was able to maintain a good speed with a tailwind. All drivers were very patient and respectful (sorry if this is becoming repetitive). I arrived just as it started to rain. It would be a fleeting visit just like my only other trip, when I was due to appear in Court. Not what you’re thinking, but as a witness to a car crash on the way back from a Blackpool weekend while at Polytechnic. It turned out that the defendant had pleaded guilty, just before the case was going to be held, so I turned round and drove back to Pontypridd.

After a meal deal lunch at Nisa, I left Machynlleth @ 1:15pm for the 25 miles to Fairbourne for the ferry. The route took me over a moderate hill with 200m of elevation gain after Cwrt (according to Google Maps). The descent was typically Welsh with lush green fields, low cloud, stone walls, grey block farm buildings and sheep, some of which had escaped.

Just before Tywyn, I noticed a sign for a ‘Race the Train’ run. I first heard about it in the 1990s, but never got round to doing it. They do various distances up to half marathon, but it’s a long way to come. It would be a very scenic event of the weather was good.

However, I had my ‘Race to the Ferry’ to complete. After passing through Rhoslefain, the coast suddenly opened up for a spectacular 7 mile cycle up to Fairbourne.

On arriving in Fairbourne, I passed the Miniature Railway and then found the ferry car park. However, it still needed an off road cycle along a sandy / shingle track and then a scramble down the beach to a waiting ferry. I had reached the extraction point (for fans of Hunted).

After 69 miles, I checked into my hotel at 4.15pm, my earliest finish yet, unsurprisingly on my shortest day. Wandering round a windy and chilly Barmouth it felt like the ‘shoulder’ season with not much going on and few places to eat; all rather strange for late June. I can imagine that it has to survive all year on the July / August trade.

The day had worked out as planned which is always satisfying. It was great to have seen the coast north and south of Aberystwyth and have a shorter, wind-assisted day.