In the March 1919, World War 1 veteran and cycling journalist WM Robinson, pen name ‘Wayfarer’ set off with companions on his bicycle in thick snow from ‘The West Arms’ at LLanarmon Dyffryn Ceiriog in north-east Wales on a rough track over the Berwyn Hills. He subsequently wrote about this adventure in an article entitled ‘Over the top’ in a national cycle journal. This article and his many lantern lectures around the country resonated with a war-weary generation of cyclists many of whom were inspired to take to their bicycles for their own adventures, and was the catalyst that ignited the adventure cycling movement in the form of the Rough Stuff Fellowship (RSF), the worlds first off-road cycling club, long before specialist mountain bikes were first created. Off road adventure cycling is now an established as a worldwide and growing sport. There are 2 memorials to Wayfarer, the main one being on the green at Meriden near Coventry, and also at the summit of the track over the Berwyn Hills

In March 2019 on the 100th anniversary, members V-CC Wayfarers group and RSF as well as members of the Anfield Bicycle Club met at LLanarmon Dyffryn Ceiriog to recreate Wayfarer’s ride.

The V-CC Wayfarer group is inspired by the spirit of Wayfarer and cycle touring between the wars, and arranges several rides each year around the country typically meeting for a couple of days of riding on routes which include both on road and off road sections, riding pre 1987 touring bicycles and staying in local accommodation or campsites.

In 2025 we have Wayfarer rides planned in Norfolk, Wales and Kent. To take part you will need to join the Veteran-Cycle Club and be prepared to ride a pre-1987 machine off-road.