After a steady start to our cycling tour on Welsh Borders Day 1, our route from Monmouth to Clyro, just outside Hay-on-Wye, for Welsh Borders Day 2 looked as if it would be one of the hillier days.

It was a cool, though thankfully, dry morning when we cycled along Monmouth high street.

Leaving the town we crossed the River Monnow via Monnow Gate and Bridge.

The gate and bridge were built in the 13th century. It is, apparently, the only remaining mediaeval fortified river bridge left in the UK with its gate tower still standing in place.

Near to it is the Monmouth Millennium Mosaic.

We then headed out into the Welsh hills via Llangattock Viben Avel.

On towards Cross Ash.

There wasn’t a lot of human habitation on our route today. However, at Llanhivangel Crucorney, we came across The Skirrid Inn. Unfortunately, while we might have stopped for a morning break, it wasn’t open.

Thankfully, a few miles further on we came across another pub, The Queens Head. It was open.

Continuing our journey, we joined NCN Route 42 and again cycled along quiet and mainly empty lanes. We were following the River Honddu along the Vale of Ewyas.

Ahead were the Black Mountains.

The valley steadily climbed as we made our way towards Gospel Pass.

Before that, we visited Llanthony Priory. There’s also a hotel the site which contains a small cafe bar in the basement. We took the opportunity to have some lunch here.

The priory was built at the beginning of the 12th century when Norman knight William de Lacy founded a hermitage here. By 1118 Llanthony had become a monastery of Augustinian canons. However, following the Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1538, it gradually became a ruin.

The seemingly attached buildings, which now form the hotel, are some of the priory’s buildings originally converted by Colonel Sir Mark Wood into a domestic house and shooting box at the beginning of the 19th century.

Back on our bikes, we continued our slow and steady climb into the Black Mountains within the Brecon Beacons National Park.

Our climb continued snaking up and through the valley for a further six miles. While most of it was steady climbing, it gradually became steeper the closer we got to the top.

Eventually, we reached the top of Gospel Pass. At 1801 feet it is the highest road pass in Wales.

Of course, once at the top we were presented with five miles of downhill cycling into Hay-on-Wye.

Just before we reached the town we spotted Drover Cycles. We just had to go and peek inside!

Then it was into Hay-on-Wye.

Before heading out to Clyro.

We were staying at the Baskerville Arms Hotel. A former public house in the process of being converted into accommodation-only premises.

In the evening, we headed back to Hay-on-Wye where we enjoyed a meal at Blue Boar.

On our second day, we cycled 35 miles and climbed over 3000 feet. It had been both an enjoyable and a tough day of cycling. We were all tired by the time we arrived back after our evening meal. Some more so than others! Tomorrow, we are off to Knighton.

You can view our Welsh Borders Day 2 route from Monmouth to Clyro below: