Prior to the trip starting, it was expected that day 4 would be the hardest day. It didn’t disappoint. In the morning it was pretty much up hill for the first three quarters of the ride. It follows the river seven until it reaches Rhyd-y-benwch where the gradient gets slightly harder until it reached the top of the peak and then descended via another disc pad killer downhill into Machynlleth.
The afternoon on the fourth day was by far our hardest portion of this cycle ride. Whilst not the highest, it contained the most elevation gain and descent in one section. The roads from Machynlleth to Aberllefenni were quiet country lanes through small hamlets and villages. However, once past the slate quarry the terrain got a lot harder and the smooth tarmac turned to gravel with sections of the path gated off near the top to prevent motorised vehicles from trying to ascend the 17% climb. None of us managed to cycle all of the way up this section and I think I summed it up by saying it was hard enough to walk up!
