I had enough time to turn around and shout ‘CAR!’
before Luke appeared and mirrored my actions. I
think the facial expression was the same as well. I
managed to get the warning back quickly enough
that nobody hit anyone, although there were a few
close calls. The group was so large that those at
the back had no idea what was going on in front.
They were having their own fun with a few jams and
a stop to watch Dave P fix his old dislocated
shoulder that wasn’t feeling too good, by repeatedly
hitting it against the wall of the gully.
We reached Glyn Ceiriog at the bottom and got back
to our cars in just under 4hrs30mins, which was
really surprising considering the size of the group.
I’d ridden this route previously with a group of nine
and it still took 4hrs.
before Luke appeared and mirrored my actions. I
think the facial expression was the same as well. I
managed to get the warning back quickly enough
that nobody hit anyone, although there were a few
close calls. The group was so large that those at
the back had no idea what was going on in front.
They were having their own fun with a few jams and
a stop to watch Dave P fix his old dislocated
shoulder that wasn’t feeling too good, by repeatedly
hitting it against the wall of the gully.
We reached Glyn Ceiriog at the bottom and got back
to our cars in just under 4hrs30mins, which was
really surprising considering the size of the group.
I’d ridden this route previously with a group of nine
and it still took 4hrs.
| |||||||||
When Sabine and I turned up in Glyn Ceiriog only Lee and Anthony’s vans were waiting for us in the car
park. That didn’t last long and we were soon scratching our heads trying to work out where to fit
everyone. Including me, the final number for the ride was a record breaking 27, some having travelled
from as far as Birmingham and Wolverhampton. As we set off, the long line of riders snaking through the
lanes made it look more like a roadie club ride than a mountain bike ride.
Unusually for my rides we got to warm up for a few miles before we hit the first climb. The warm up was
needed though as it was a long drag and one of the hardest climbs of the day. Sabine was hot in her
waterproof but was reluctant to ‘Take her top off’, as I’d suggested, in front of 26 blokes (ladies, you are
welcome and Sabine would like your company). It was a good job she didn’t as it started raining five
minutes later.
park. That didn’t last long and we were soon scratching our heads trying to work out where to fit
everyone. Including me, the final number for the ride was a record breaking 27, some having travelled
from as far as Birmingham and Wolverhampton. As we set off, the long line of riders snaking through the
lanes made it look more like a roadie club ride than a mountain bike ride.
Unusually for my rides we got to warm up for a few miles before we hit the first climb. The warm up was
needed though as it was a long drag and one of the hardest climbs of the day. Sabine was hot in her
waterproof but was reluctant to ‘Take her top off’, as I’d suggested, in front of 26 blokes (ladies, you are
welcome and Sabine would like your company). It was a good job she didn’t as it started raining five
minutes later.
| Lee at the head of a long line of riders that took a long time to pass me on the first climb |
With such a large group I felt it best to give a warning at the top of the first descent. It started fast and
wide but became thinner and steeper lower down, as well as loose and rocky, with lots of potential for a
pile up. What I couldn’t give a warning about were the freshly cut hedges. Although we got down safely
we had to fix seven punctures. I thought we would have a few with such a large group but not so many so
soon.
wide but became thinner and steeper lower down, as well as loose and rocky, with lots of potential for a
pile up. What I couldn’t give a warning about were the freshly cut hedges. Although we got down safely
we had to fix seven punctures. I thought we would have a few with such a large group but not so many so
soon.
While standing around in the rain
wasn’t good for keeping warm the
following steep road climb was. At
the top of the valley we caught our
breath and rode across the ridge
while enjoying the views as the
rain cleared. We hit dirt again on
the climb to the Old Hanger. It was
here I stopped to take photos and
looked back on a multicoloured
procession that stretched back for
quite some distance.
There really were a lot of
people, it was a great
sight.
Before descending back
into the Ceiriog Valley
we stopped for food. We
should also have used
this time to appreciate
being clean, it wouldn’t
last much longer. The
fast double track was
covered in layer of mud
and water, which by the
bottom covered us too.
There really were a lot of
people, it was a great
sight.
Before descending back
into the Ceiriog Valley
we stopped for food. We
should also have used
this time to appreciate
being clean, it wouldn’t
last much longer. The
fast double track was
covered in layer of mud
and water, which by the
bottom covered us too.
Mark, Anthony, Jamie, Ian (left) and John (right) on the Plas-Onn descent
| Sabine and Ralph on the Plas-Onn descent |
Well, except for Sabine who was feeling smug with her with her front
mudguard.
A short ride through the valley brought us to the climb to the Pheasant
Track. It was steep tarmac again and I started to see some tired
faces. Sabine began at the back and asked me not to take a photo.
She got to the top without walking and passed quite a few people on
the way. I was then reprimanded for not staying to record the event.
‘Don’t miss my moment of glory’ is a new demand I will have to add to
Don’t talk to me, Don’t make it look easy and Don’t become a dot on
the horizon that make up the list of things not to do on a climb.
mudguard.
A short ride through the valley brought us to the climb to the Pheasant
Track. It was steep tarmac again and I started to see some tired
faces. Sabine began at the back and asked me not to take a photo.
She got to the top without walking and passed quite a few people on
the way. I was then reprimanded for not staying to record the event.
‘Don’t miss my moment of glory’ is a new demand I will have to add to
Don’t talk to me, Don’t make it look easy and Don’t become a dot on
the horizon that make up the list of things not to do on a climb.
| more climbing to the Old Hanger |
| Martin, Gareth & Dave (left), Dave, Steve & Mark (right), Foel Wylfa descent |
| Paul happy about another climb |
groans. It did start out steep, but nothing
like the previous climbs, and it soon eased
off to become more of a gentle ‘incline’ (not
a hill, no, definitely not!). I knew there were
a few tired riders and reassured them we
only had to ride across the top of the hill to
the last descent, which would bring us right
into Glyn Ceiriog.
It would be another descent that started
fast and wide, becoming steeper and
thinner as we dropped into the valley, so it
like the previous climbs, and it soon eased
off to become more of a gentle ‘incline’ (not
a hill, no, definitely not!). I knew there were
a few tired riders and reassured them we
only had to ride across the top of the hill to
the last descent, which would bring us right
into Glyn Ceiriog.
It would be another descent that started
fast and wide, becoming steeper and
thinner as we dropped into the valley, so it
| Steve & Martin on the Pheasant Track |
We reached the Pheasant Track for
a return to the dirt and came to the
4x4 ruts at the top of the hill. They
are quite deep and you have to be
careful when riding through the
big puddles. The middle is a lot
shallower than the sides,
something Lee and Ken learnt the
hard way as they sank up to their
axles.
The next descent was one of the
best of the day. Fast, loose and
rocky with some off camber slate
near the bottom to spice things up.
The slate was slippery and had our
tyres squirming and sliding.
Anthony had a big moment when
his bike flicked sideways, forcing
him down the steepest part of the
slate. Somehow he managed to
stay upright and wrestle the bike
back on line.
The last climb was met with a few
a return to the dirt and came to the
4x4 ruts at the top of the hill. They
are quite deep and you have to be
careful when riding through the
big puddles. The middle is a lot
shallower than the sides,
something Lee and Ken learnt the
hard way as they sank up to their
axles.
The next descent was one of the
best of the day. Fast, loose and
rocky with some off camber slate
near the bottom to spice things up.
The slate was slippery and had our
tyres squirming and sliding.
Anthony had a big moment when
his bike flicked sideways, forcing
him down the steepest part of the
slate. Somehow he managed to
stay upright and wrestle the bike
back on line.
The last climb was met with a few
| Simon, Ian and Gareth at the ford |
| Mark & Steve after the ford |
was time for another quick warning. My plan was to get off the front and enjoy
the natural berms lower down before stopping for photos. Halfway round the
biggest berm a stationary Landrover came into view, Greenlaners taking it slow
on a tricky part of the trail. I slammed the brakes on and aimed for level
the natural berms lower down before stopping for photos. Halfway round the
biggest berm a stationary Landrover came into view, Greenlaners taking it slow
on a tricky part of the trail. I slammed the brakes on and aimed for level
ground. As the bike bucked and slid through the bottom of a slatey rut my body slid along the side of the
gulley. Stopping a couple of meters from the car I knew I couldn’t relax as there was a large group of
riders coming down behind me.
gulley. Stopping a couple of meters from the car I knew I couldn’t relax as there was a large group of
riders coming down behind me.
| (left to right) Jason, Aron and Ken tackling the slippery, off-camber slate of the Tyn-y-Pistyll descent |
There were a few tired riders at the end, the steep climbs having taken their toll. Some said the ride was at
the limit of their ability, but that was good. It’s much easier to push your abilities with the support of a big
group, especially when you don’t have to find your own way. That’s one of the things these rides are
about. And they could take comfort from the fact that, with the steep climbs and distance, it’s one of the
hardest rides I take the Shop Rides on. If they could make it round this they could make it round any of
them.
The directions for this ride can be found in my route guides.
| Anthony and his sideways moment |
| Aron on the Cefn Canol descent to Glyn Ceiriog |
| Climbing to the Old Hanger |
| A Oneplanet Adventure Shop Ride by www.flattyresmtbroutes.com |
