Event – Cymru 100 – May 2025
Daniel Thomas reports back from the second AROC drive around Wales
Sunday the 11th of May was the selected date for the second Wales 100 run. Now, May in Wales can be a rollercoaster in regard to the weather, so to say I was anxious was an understatement! As with last year, my main concern was the weather. In the days leading up to the event, the forecast showed a 70% chance of rain and a potential of thunder and lightning. I was rather nervous.
I knew bad weather would put people off the idea of attending, and I can’t blame them, so when I woke up that morning and drew the curtains to see blue sky, the relief was palpable. That was the first box for success ticked.
The air was cool and fresh, an excellent feeling for a fine Spring morning. I jumped in my Giulietta, and turned the key. The engine fired up no problem and it failed to give any nasty warning lights. That was the second box for success ticked off! I put the car in drive and away I went.
Not long after I arrived at our start venue, Baffle Haus, a smart motoring themed Café just north of Swansea, I saw the first few cars turn up. First a GT, then a rather uncommon dark green 145. Soon more turned up and I struggled to peel myself away from prior conversations to start new ones with the people who had just arrived. I was inundated with fantastic conversation about various cars and their stories. It was a shame that I couldn’t just chat all day long but we had an excellent route lined up, and I was not going to miss it.
At 09:45 we set off. I led the convoy of 23 Alfa Romeos away to the North. First, we had Brecon to contend with. I led the cars up through the lower valley towns of Treorchy and Treherbert, where we began our ascent. As we left civilisation behind, we crept up the side of the mountains. The convoy, colourful in the sun, carved its way up. The sight of an almost never-ending amount of Alfas in my rear-view mirror was fantastic! The two cars immediately behind me were 115 Giulias. Their chrome grilles reflecting in the sun was as classy as it was cool. What a fantastic situation I had found myself in. The winding mountain roads were a brilliant match for the stunning array of vehicles we’d all brought.
We continued further North, and past the crowds who had gathered to scale the biggest peak in Southern Britain, Pen Y Fan. Another fantastic showing of the spectacular geography which we’re so lucky to have in this country.
Not long after, we stopped for lunch and to gather our thoughts. We fuelled ourselves up and before long we were back on the road. With Brecon now conquered, our next destination was the Elan valley reservoirs. I found myself behind a 952 Giulia and a white 939 Spider as we approached. The white Spider led us in the series of narrow country roads which ran the outskirts of the reservoirs. The roads flowed well, only slowing for the sheep which were situated on the road’s edge. We eventually found ourselves having caught up to a few of the other participants who had left our lunch stop a little earlier. They joined in behind us for the last few miles to Claerwen reservoir. The site where Richard Hammond drove up the side of the dam so famously on Top Gear. We parked close to the bottom and looked on at the tremendous view. I chatted to the others who we’d formed a smaller convoy with, and we appreciated the views all around.
As I turned in I saw the other Alfas parked together one after another. We’d completed our drive, over 130 mile in total, which was a shame really because the roads we had driven were epic.
“It was a delight to have organised this journey. And I’m so glad that so many people were able to bring their pride and joy with them. The love for the cars, and driving shined through that day.”
I don’t know if I’ll be in a position where I can run another Wales 100 next year, but if I can, I will. I take great joy from hearing the positive comments about the scenery which we encounter, and the conversations on Italian engineering. I can’t really get enough of it!
I would like to thank the Baffle Haus team for hosting the start. They were a pleasure to deal with and were massively accommodating to us, opening early and organising our dedicated parking area. Our final stop was next: Devil’s Bridge train station. We got back on the road and continued our exploration of the Elan Valley. The geography of the area did not allow for any straight sections so our little convoy snuck around and over the smooth and flowing contours of the hills. We eventually left the Elan Valley behind and turned left on to National Cycle Route 81. The theme of geography dictating the road continued and we were left in awe of the mountains either side of us. We began from above and gradually descended down into a valley and past what used to be a slate mine. It very much added to the feeling of serenity and stillness as we approached our finish line.
I would also like to thank everyone who came, no matter how far on the drive they were able to commit to. Without so many people with such varied taste in Alfas, it wouldn’t have been nearly as cool.
Daniel