NEWS |
26th Apr 2011 |
Rich, Pete and Andy cycle the length of Wales!
It would appear that cycling the length of Wales is possible however trying to follow the published Sarn Helen trail proved difficult at times...
Saturday:
After a 5 hour drive the boys got their bikes out of the van in the shadow of Conwy Castle and started the journey south. Andy started with Rich and it wasn't long before they realised this was going to be a hard challenge as the first climb was extremely steep (25%) for over a mile. They were soon off road and battling with rocks, rocks and more rocks which made some sections unrideable. After lunch Rich was joined by Pete and following another leg busting climb they found themselves knee deep in a peat bog - which lead to very slow progress and much frustration. Back on a fire trail Rich had a very lucky escape - riding at high speed he lost control and slid sideways into a ditch - luckily without injury.
Sunday:
Now enjoying the sunshine the team left Festiniog and climbed several hundred metres and onto some great single track around Coed-y-Brenan. The afternoon was also very sunny as the miles passed largely enjoyable as the track went through the coastal mountains and down some great single track. Rich tackled an unbelievably steep 'road' straight after lunch - the sign read "not suitable for motors" - could be right!
Monday:
Rich left the campsite ahead of the team to take on a lung busting 600m climb. To start with this was pleasant but towards the end it became unrideable. The van was a welcome sight at the top and Rich was then joined by Andy for a trudge through a beautiful valley - the trail was at times nonexistent and often unrideable meaning that bikes had to be carried through a marsh and across a river.
Riding through the boggy wet valley both Rich and Andy went over the handlebars - Andy's resulting in a good amount of blood albeit from a small cut. The afternoon was much faster with good trails and some lovely scenic tracks. Riding fast downhill Rich had a blow out which meant Pete could spring into action and fix a puncture. The route then disappeared and the boys decided to follow a longer off road. Into a headwind this made for a tough end to a tough day - the final count being 96km ridden and 2200 metres climbed.
Tuesday
After a good night's sleep at a B&B and a hearty breakfast, Andy & Rich once again headed South saying goodbye to Rhyadaer. Having crossed a bouncy narrow bridge the ride followed the Sustrans R8 route before turning off road through a series of sheep fields which meant more gate opening and closing. After a relatively modest start the climbing became relentless. One section after crossing a ford was extremely steep and the surface loose however the view from the high sheep country was spectacular. The boys then headed into some forestry before a very welcome lunch break at which Andy was more than happy to hand the baton over to Pete.
