A new business offering cycling holidays and rides that showcase the glorious Welsh landscape has hit the road this week with the launch of the company’s website.
After years of talking about setting up their own dream business, Scott Tompsett and partner Anwen Elias have finally taken the plunge with Crys Melyn Cycling – http://www.crysmelyn.co.uk. Their mission is to help more people discover the cycling delights of West Wales.
“It took a second child, a big birthday and a long commute to make us decide to take the cycling adventures idea more seriously,” explained Scott. “After months of thinking, planning and discussing, we’ve embarked on our very own cycling adventure.
“We’re very excited, a little nervous, but definitely ready to showcase what’s great about cycling in West Wales.”
Cycling enthusiast Scott has given up his job as a secondary school science teacher to run the business from home at Lledrod, near Aberystwyth while Anwen provides support when she’s not lecturing in international politics at Aberystwyth University.
They provide holidays and breaks to suit everyone, from cycling adventures and challenging mountain climbs to gently paced rides along quiet country lanes and cycle tracks and family rides that explore the wild Welsh countryside.
Road, leisure, bespoke and family cycling is catered for and routes can be guided or self-guided. When the cycling is done for the day, cyclists can enjoy Welsh hospitality at its best at great places to stay, eat and relax.
The business hires out Trek Hybrid and E-bikes, children’s bikes, tag-alongs and trailers if required.
Originally from London, Scott moved to Wales more than a decade ago where he fell in love with hill cycling.
“As a city boy, what got me hooked were the stunning scenery, epic climbs and breathtaking descents and the traffic-free roads, where the nearest thing to a traffic jam is a flock of sheep crossing in front of you!” said Scott, who has competed in road races, time trials and sportives as well as enjoying cycle touring.
Anwen, born and raised in West Wales, left to live and study abroad and bought her first touring bike to explore the beaches of Galicia. Now she’s back home, the same love of rolling hills and stunning coastlines still gets her out on her bike.
A big believer in coffee and cake as a part of the cycling experience, she is the authority on the best cafe stops in the area.
The couple promises spectacular cycling in West Wales and they have had fun riding and planning routes, meeting people to work with and finding the best places to stop-off, eat and sleep.
“We’re very lucky to have the Cambrian Mountains on our doorstep, one of the remotest, least populated and wildest areas of Wales,” added Scott. “Nestled between two national parks, this is an undiscovered natural wilderness that offers spectacular cycling.
“Here, you’ll find unspoilt plateaux, lakes, valleys, waterfalls and gorges. There’s very little traffic on the largely single-tracked lanes that traverse these highlands. This is a place to come to escape from the business of everyday life and to contemplate the rugged vistas in wonderful solitude.”
Many of the company’s cycling routes explore the mountains from bases in Tregaron, Devil’s Bridge and Lampeter. Cyclists can choose from Classic Climbs, Trans Cambrian Challenge, The Lakes of Mid Wales, Source to Sea: The River Teifi or The River Ystwyth and Riverside Explorer.
Crys Melyn Cycling is a member of MWT Cymru, an independent organisation representing around 600 tourism and hospitality businesses in Ceredigion, Powys and Meirionnydd.
