| The second shop ride started on a blue skied frosty morning in Glyn Ceiriog. It was a good welcome for the four lads who had come all the way from Bolton. The pre-ride fettling was taken to higher levels by Lee, who Maca had convinced to come at the last minute. It wasn't until getting on his bike in the car park he remembered about not refitting his chain. A 'BIG' thanks goes to Rob for the supply of a spare one that got him round. As a reward for his kindness he was treated, with everyone else, to a long road climb to start. This did lead on to the good, although muddy in places, descent into Pandy. Not taking my own advice on the tricky rocks on the final section saw me going over the bars of my new P7. This was a good reminder I wasn't riding my full sus and being a new frame, to get used to it's handling before going all out down hill. With the first frame scratches out of the |
| Lee attaching a much needed chain |
| Lee and Maca on the first descent |
| Neil, Derek, Steve on the Pen Y Gwely climb |
| Martin, Jim, Michael and Rob (behind) climbing Pew Y Gwely |
| Everyone starting the Pen Y Gwely climb |
| way I could now concentrate on leading the ride. The next climb saw us all walking at some point because of the extremely slippery ice. We stood to watch some 4x4s descending this track but their levels of grip were far too high to be of any entertainment value. After a bit of a ride along the southern ridge we dropped back |
| Derek, Jim, Martin and Michael defeated by the river of ice |
| Me starting to ride again after the ice sheet |
| Paul, Thomas, Paul, Pete (all the way from Bolton) Neil (right) |
| Derek in the lead on the second descent |
| Sabine, Jim, Rob and Steve following behind |
into the Ceiriog Valley where I was happy to assist Paul in his braking, even if he
didn't ask. After another long climb we were treated to a great view over the
Vale of Llangollen before the fast double track descent of Three Trees. The
final climb up Green Lane had more great views to take the mind off how long it
didn't ask. After another long climb we were treated to a great view over the
Vale of Llangollen before the fast double track descent of Three Trees. The
final climb up Green Lane had more great views to take the mind off how long it
| Neil and Derek fighting up a tricky climb |
| A great view of Worlds End |
| Thomas, Paul and Paul on Three Trees |
Paul, Paul, Steve and Rob descending Three Trees
Neil, Jim, Martin, Michael and Maca descending Three Trees
was. This just left the last descent,
into the Ceiriog Valley, before the
last couple of road miles into Glyn
Ceiriog. The eventfullness started
with Paul Bs' puncture. This was
then followed by three people
separately visiting hedges and
ditches. The final road section saw
a game of 'Beat the Puncture' on
the ride back to the cars as about a
third of the group picked up thorns
thanks to the freshly cut hedges.
Even with the final difficulties the
ride was enjoyed by all.
Thanks to Jim for supplying some
of the photos. Another 'BIG' thanks
goes to Maca for riding rear
gunner for the day and making
sure those at the back were well
looked after and not left behind,
oh, and making sure all the gates
were closed behind us.
into the Ceiriog Valley, before the
last couple of road miles into Glyn
Ceiriog. The eventfullness started
with Paul Bs' puncture. This was
then followed by three people
separately visiting hedges and
ditches. The final road section saw
a game of 'Beat the Puncture' on
the ride back to the cars as about a
third of the group picked up thorns
thanks to the freshly cut hedges.
Even with the final difficulties the
ride was enjoyed by all.
Thanks to Jim for supplying some
of the photos. Another 'BIG' thanks
goes to Maca for riding rear
gunner for the day and making
sure those at the back were well
looked after and not left behind,
oh, and making sure all the gates
were closed behind us.
Paul, Martin and Jim at the top of Green Lane, the final climb
| Sabine and Steve completing the Green Lane climb |
