flattyres mtb routes
oneplanet shop ride
oneplanet shop ride
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The climb out of the valley was a hard going on tired legs and the ruts
didn’t make it any easier. At least we had the satisfaction in knowing
this was the last big climb. We stopped to catch our breath before
riding the lanes across the ridge, they led to the last descent and we
wanted to enjoy it. Our speeds increased as tarmac pointed downhill,
meaning we hit the first rocky turns at speed. After holding on round
the corners the speeds increased as the rocky track plummeted
straight down the side of the valley. We reached the bottom of the
valley on a high, a high that stayed with us as we rode through the
back lanes and returned to Glyn Ceiriog.
didn’t make it any easier. At least we had the satisfaction in knowing
this was the last big climb. We stopped to catch our breath before
riding the lanes across the ridge, they led to the last descent and we
wanted to enjoy it. Our speeds increased as tarmac pointed downhill,
meaning we hit the first rocky turns at speed. After holding on round
the corners the speeds increased as the rocky track plummeted
straight down the side of the valley. We reached the bottom of the
valley on a high, a high that stayed with us as we rode through the
back lanes and returned to Glyn Ceiriog.
We were back in the Ceiriog Valley for the second time in the year. It was the ride I had planned for our
first visit before gales knocked trees down across the trails and forced a last minute route change. A big
tidy up operation had finally cleared the trails so it was time to get the route ridden.
first visit before gales knocked trees down across the trails and forced a last minute route change. A big
tidy up operation had finally cleared the trails so it was time to get the route ridden.
With a good mixture of new and old faces we set off
for a couple of miles warm up on the road. As we
span along Dave P asked me which way we’d climb
out of the valley. We normally ride with different
groups so called everything by different names. It
took some time struggling to decipher each other’s
descriptions to establish he hadn’t been up the
climb, probably.
If he was hoping to finally find an easy way out of the
valley he would have been disappointed, although it
did get easier halfway up. I was happy to hear the
sound of conversation return to accompany us
through the grassy fields at the top. As we were a
quarter of the way around the route and had mainly
been climbing it could easily have been grumbling.
| Dave and Ken on the steep part of the first climb |
| Ian and Ken halfway up, with an easier climb ahead |
Before anyone noticed we were on the short but fun Old Hanger descent. It was a great blast that kept
everyone in good spirits for the climb to the next road section.
everyone in good spirits for the climb to the next road section.
| Climbing past the farm on Foel Wylfa |
| Steve leading the pack on the climb to Pen-y-Gwely |
| A social gathering on the top of Pen-y-Gwely |
I hit almost 40mph before shooting round a bend
and braking for the next junction. I thought I was
well ahead but Dave Ps shouts of alarm informed me
otherwise. I best remember to always use hand
signals. The road didn’t last long and brought us at
high speed into the long Starlings Castle descent.
As always this loose, rocky descent was fantastic
and everyone enjoyed it, especially Mark who rode
past me with a huge grin on his face.
We hit tarmac again near the bottom of the valley
and took a break for food. Sabine went off into the
bushes for a spot of brambling but ended up on her
arse. Well that’s what it looked like to us. She had
stepped into the ditch at the edge of the road when
the ground gave way and swallowed her leg up to
and braking for the next junction. I thought I was
well ahead but Dave Ps shouts of alarm informed me
otherwise. I best remember to always use hand
signals. The road didn’t last long and brought us at
high speed into the long Starlings Castle descent.
As always this loose, rocky descent was fantastic
and everyone enjoyed it, especially Mark who rode
past me with a huge grin on his face.
We hit tarmac again near the bottom of the valley
and took a break for food. Sabine went off into the
bushes for a spot of brambling but ended up on her
arse. Well that’s what it looked like to us. She had
stepped into the ditch at the edge of the road when
the ground gave way and swallowed her leg up to
Jason, Ian, Martin and Gareth on the Old Hanger descent
| Carl climbing from Llechrydau Farm |
| Ken in Caemor Wood |
| Dave & Dave, Starlings Castle descent |
| Gareth and Carl on the Starlings Castle descent |
| Ken descending to Bronygarth |
| Steve, Mark & Steve on the tricky Crogen Wladys climb |
the hip. After being annoyed at extracting herself
before securing some photographic evidence she
realised she was lucky not to have broken any
bones.
The climb out of the valley was tricky and a struggle
for some. At the top stunning views across the Vale
of Llangollen and Cheshire plain made it all
worthwhile though. This wasn’t the only reward as
fast ruts and loose rocks were on the menu for the
descent into the Vale. On the descent Gareth had
his fun spoiled slightly by a puncture. Fortunately
for him I climbed back up to see how he was getting
on. I reached him just before he found his spare
tube also had a hole and could lend him mine.
before securing some photographic evidence she
realised she was lucky not to have broken any
bones.
The climb out of the valley was tricky and a struggle
for some. At the top stunning views across the Vale
of Llangollen and Cheshire plain made it all
worthwhile though. This wasn’t the only reward as
fast ruts and loose rocks were on the menu for the
descent into the Vale. On the descent Gareth had
his fun spoiled slightly by a puncture. Fortunately
for him I climbed back up to see how he was getting
on. I reached him just before he found his spare
tube also had a hole and could lend him mine.
| A Oneplanet Shop Ride organised by www.flattyresmtbroutes.com |
| Ken and Carl climbing through the woods |
| Jason enjoying a flatter section through the woods |
| Martin, Jason and Sabine flying down the rocks on the Three Trees descent |
| Ian, Martin (left) and Steve (above) on the Three Trees descent |
| Gareth and Mark starting the Green Lane climb |
| Dave P at the top of Green Lane |
| Steve and Mark riding the ruts of Green Lane |
| Steve, Ian & Gareth on the last descent |
| Sabine and Mark at the bottom of the last descent |
