Words by Angela Royston and Phil Walker
Photos by Kevin Royston, Phil Walker, Chris McCollum and Lionel Gurney

The event was organised to raise funds for Cancer Research UK in memory of Peter Edwards who sadly died a year before. Peter’s widow Jill came along to spend the weekend with the group as did her son Greg and his wife Sarah and her daughter Alice with her husband Quentin and their sons. It was really fantastic to see so many people coming out for this event and also for those unable to join the event but contributing to the overall amount raised for charity. In total, the event raised a magnificent £820 – a very big thank you to everyone who took part and/or contributed.

After many weeks of planning, the day of the event dawned bright and sunny albeit cold. One group met at Strata Florida Abbey in mid Wales to begin the trip south initially taken the well known lane south of the abbey incorporating 7 river crossings. The second group met up at the Abercrave Inn.

Those starting out at Strata Florida soon discovered that the Welsh weather can bring some very unexpected surprises as within a matter of minutes of starting out, the group found themselves in a total white-out wondering where to go next. Thankfully the snow did not last for too long and the group proceeded south via the woodland tracks taking in the river crossings. At the end of the first lane, the group had choices to make and decided to try several new sets of lanes. Albeit we had obtained information in advance about open and closed lanes, the group found that one lane believed to be open was in fact closed prompting a swift U turn.

Later in the day, what looked like an interesting route on the map came up trumps providing some stunning back-drops for photos and challenging driving along the way – in particular having to do a 3 point turn along the top of a ridge to get back to the starting point. Warnings given earlier about not wanting to complete all the lane became obvious once at the top where to continue a 90 degree turn is required onto a track no more than 6’ wide with a few hundred feet of clear drop to the valley.

The day ended with a quick tea stop in Llandovery before travelling over to meet up with the second group in Brecon for an overnight stop and group meal.

The group starting at the Abercrave drove to the bottom of Sarn Helen Roman Road taking the well known lane northwards towards Brecon. Fortunately there was not a much snow in the South of Wales that day but there was still snow on the peaks. The non modified vehicles in the group were guided down the rock steps into the river to avoid unwanted damage.

After Sarn Helen the group drove through Brecon to start the long drive upwards to the Gap, which as ever, was dramatic for all concerned. There was some trepidation at the top about navigating the icy rocks but all got through safely. The wash-out towards the end of the lane proved eventful with the “leaping Jeep” and an unexpected wheel change at the top.

The final lane of the day was back over Tal-y-Bont towards Brecon. Having reached the open area on the top of the lane, the group met up with 2 Suzuki’s looking the worse for their day out. The Suzuki’s were very pleased to meet us as we were about the winch one of them out of a mud hole far bigger than the vehicle itself.

The day ended with farewells at the reservoir dam for those only able to come along for the day and then a return to Brecon to meet up with the other group.

The evening meal at the Beacons Guest House allowed everyone to get together for a well earned meal and chance to swap stories of the day’s events. After the meal, an unusual event occurred as Costas produced a large heavy bag and promptly started his special charity auction of surplus Jeep parts and equipment. Everyone joined in with much enthusiasm, even when the nth grease gun came under the hammer.

The second day saw the group meet up just outside Brecon where Wales showed its character by welcoming us with heavy rain. So off the group set this time all together, with a very brave Jill as WB in Phil’s CJ10. Plan was to drive up the Gap, a route that starts as an easy track and gets ever steeper until reaching a series of steps approaching the top. Comment was made that if ‘Phil had to take 2 goes at it, it must be steep’. Everyone who drove it quickly walked back and joined the massed ranks of bikers watching and hoping a Jeep would fail in the same way many of them had…..

Once over the top a gentle drive down the mountain was punctuated by a deep gulley that bit back at the Grand Cherokee, redesigning his side rails on the way in. The exit provided interesting observation of those willing to try to crawl out and those who used plenty of gas so as not to reward spectators with a failed hill climb.

The group tackled the next trail over extensive upland moors and had soon gained a V8 Landrover driven by Jason, a local who used the presence of Jeeps as an opportunity to drive some spectacular ruts and gullies, best not contemplated alone. Good decision given that within a few minutes he was grounded, flooded and requiring a double winch recovery. Having failed to get it started with assorted WD40 and many expensive sounding sharp intakes of breath and his near flat battery he was pushed down a steep hill in a final attempt to jump start. Plan was along the lines that if failed we could drive off and disown him, but that’s not J33P style and thankfully it burst into life again to his relief with a new friend made.

Even hardened Jeepers can take only so much fun so after following the remainder of the Tal-y-Bont trail down past the reservoir it was again time for farewells and to cut loose and start the journey homeward, taking only memories and mud.

As far as we know damage to vehicles was limited and most who participated vowed to return at a future date to try some more o the lanes in the area

Some pictures from the event