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The car park was really full. With 31 people having arrived for the ride it was going to be a difficult days
guiding. As we rode up the first climb we went past a photographer waiting for horses taking part in an
enduro event being held in the Clwyds that day. I crossed my fingers and hoped we wouldn’t meet too
many of the competitors on the way round.
guiding. As we rode up the first climb we went past a photographer waiting for horses taking part in an
enduro event being held in the Clwyds that day. I crossed my fingers and hoped we wouldn’t meet too
many of the competitors on the way round.
We made it along the first few miles of singletrack
before the first incident, when Michael found the pivot
bolt of his brake lever had fallen out. There was no
chance of finding it but a couple of zip ties bodged it
together well enough to keep him riding. Not long after
Gareth thought there were problems with his bottom
bracket. Thankfully it turned out to be something
fixable, a bent chain ring. This let me use my new pliers
and enjoy the pleasure of bending metal on the trail
with a good quality multi-tool…..Grrrrr…..man stuff….
before the first incident, when Michael found the pivot
bolt of his brake lever had fallen out. There was no
chance of finding it but a couple of zip ties bodged it
together well enough to keep him riding. Not long after
Gareth thought there were problems with his bottom
bracket. Thankfully it turned out to be something
fixable, a bent chain ring. This let me use my new pliers
and enjoy the pleasure of bending metal on the trail
with a good quality multi-tool…..Grrrrr…..man stuff….
| (left, top to bottom) David S, Jamie, Jason, Richard, (above) David and Huw on the first climb |
Next was vomit hill. Even though we started
halfway up it was hard going as the ground was
soaking, perfect for sapping the strength from your
legs. Not good, I was now at the back of the pack
and had to try and get to the front to guide the way.
When I reached the top the first riders had moved
on. At least there was only one way to go. To catch
them I had to keep my speed up on the singletrack
round the back of Moel Famau. This proved
difficult as it was deep in mud and littered with
slippery rocks. Just as I caught sight of them my
front wheel caught a rock and sent me rolling
through the heather. It was a soft landing though
and I managed to bounce straight to my feet then
shout for them to wait.
halfway up it was hard going as the ground was
soaking, perfect for sapping the strength from your
legs. Not good, I was now at the back of the pack
and had to try and get to the front to guide the way.
When I reached the top the first riders had moved
on. At least there was only one way to go. To catch
them I had to keep my speed up on the singletrack
round the back of Moel Famau. This proved
difficult as it was deep in mud and littered with
slippery rocks. Just as I caught sight of them my
front wheel caught a rock and sent me rolling
through the heather. It was a soft landing though
and I managed to bounce straight to my feet then
shout for them to wait.
| (clockwise from top left) David S, Mark, Cheryl, Anne and Alex near the Vomit Hill junction. |
We finally got back together at the top of the ridge.
The stop was a bit longer than planned as Gareth’s
chain had broken, probably something to do with his
chain ring problem. It gave me a chance to catch up
with Maca, who used to help with the Shop Rides.
He was out on a ride of his own ride after recently
regaining his Sundays. It was good to see him on
the trails, hopefully he might even be able to help
with the Shop Rides again?
From the ridge we had a great descent to look
forward too, although it was going to be tricky given
the conditions. It’s a long, steep and fast descent
that allows you to build up a real head of steam. It’s
also grassy and muddy and very hard to slow down
on when wet. A lot of the group tiptoed their way
The stop was a bit longer than planned as Gareth’s
chain had broken, probably something to do with his
chain ring problem. It gave me a chance to catch up
with Maca, who used to help with the Shop Rides.
He was out on a ride of his own ride after recently
regaining his Sundays. It was good to see him on
the trails, hopefully he might even be able to help
with the Shop Rides again?
From the ridge we had a great descent to look
forward too, although it was going to be tricky given
the conditions. It’s a long, steep and fast descent
that allows you to build up a real head of steam. It’s
also grassy and muddy and very hard to slow down
on when wet. A lot of the group tiptoed their way
| Steve E and Gareth R riding the muddy singletrack around the flanks of Moel Famau |
down while trying to stay upright,
accompanied by the smell of
burning brakes. It got so bad that
Sabine’s rear brake boiled and
locked the wheel solid, only
freeing up after spitting ½ litre of
water on it to cool it down.
accompanied by the smell of
burning brakes. It got so bad that
Sabine’s rear brake boiled and
locked the wheel solid, only
freeing up after spitting ½ litre of
water on it to cool it down.
(left) Jamie and Gareth R on the fast
and slippery descent off Moel Famau
and slippery descent off Moel Famau
| (clockwise from top left) Huw, Anne and Sabine descending the Gellifor trail |
The descending wasn’t over and there were still a
couple of trails left before reaching the bottom of the
valley. The first of these went through a deep cutting
and this was where we encountered our first horse. We
all slowed down and gave way but the horse still looked
nervous. It can’t have been easy encountering that
many bikes in such close confines but we got past
without incident. At the bottom of the trail was a check
point for the enduro and two more horse riders. When I
informed them of the hordes following me they decided
it was best to stay put until we’d passed.
couple of trails left before reaching the bottom of the
valley. The first of these went through a deep cutting
and this was where we encountered our first horse. We
all slowed down and gave way but the horse still looked
nervous. It can’t have been easy encountering that
many bikes in such close confines but we got past
without incident. At the bottom of the trail was a check
point for the enduro and two more horse riders. When I
informed them of the hordes following me they decided
it was best to stay put until we’d passed.
At the bottom we
regrouped in Gellifor then
had a ‘stand around for a
while only to find the
puncture when we set off’
moment before we could
ride through the Vale of
Clwyd, where the hedge-
lined lanes were broken in
the middle by a muddy
double track. It wasn’t a
slog but with so many
people on the trail it was
hard not to be near
someone else’s wheels
when they splashed
through one of the many
puddles.
Eventually we got to the
bottom of the long Clwyd
Gate climb. On the lanes
at the bottom I had to let
the front go ahead while I
directed the rest of the
group. This left me with
some work to get back to
the front again and stop
regrouped in Gellifor then
had a ‘stand around for a
while only to find the
puncture when we set off’
moment before we could
ride through the Vale of
Clwyd, where the hedge-
lined lanes were broken in
the middle by a muddy
double track. It wasn’t a
slog but with so many
people on the trail it was
hard not to be near
someone else’s wheels
when they splashed
through one of the many
puddles.
Eventually we got to the
bottom of the long Clwyd
Gate climb. On the lanes
at the bottom I had to let
the front go ahead while I
directed the rest of the
group. This left me with
some work to get back to
the front again and stop
(left to right) Richard,
Gareth R, David S, Harri
and Ches on the muddy
double track after Gellifor
Gareth R, David S, Harri
and Ches on the muddy
double track after Gellifor
| Sabine and Huw near the top of the Clwyd Gate climb |
| (clockwise from left) Richard, Sabine, Gareth R, Chris and Mark. Muddy singletrack after the Clwyd Gate |
When we reached the bottom it was only a short ride back to the car park where I was glad to be riding
home. The covering of mud and other filth I’d accumulated wouldn’t be loaded into the back of my car so
I’d have one less thing to clean when I got home.
It was hard work getting everyone around with the number of riders we had so I can’t thank Shane and Ken
enough for bring up the rear. With the rides becoming so popular I may need sort out some help in the
future and perhaps take the jump to become a proper club, watch this space. Thank you as well to all those
who passed on their best wishes for Sabine's and my Wedding.
Directions for this route can be found in my route guides.
home. The covering of mud and other filth I’d accumulated wouldn’t be loaded into the back of my car so
I’d have one less thing to clean when I got home.
It was hard work getting everyone around with the number of riders we had so I can’t thank Shane and Ken
enough for bring up the rear. With the rides becoming so popular I may need sort out some help in the
future and perhaps take the jump to become a proper club, watch this space. Thank you as well to all those
who passed on their best wishes for Sabine's and my Wedding.
Directions for this route can be found in my route guides.
in the right place for some food and a rest. Although I didn’t make it I got within shouting range and was
happy to be able to rest my burning legs. Another radio or two may be needed.
After the Clwyd Gate Hotel we started a bit of a gate relay to keep everyone riding across the ridge. This
coincided with a return to the gloop, which reduced grip everywhere and sapped our energy on the
climbs. Eventually we reached the last descent and Mark went down first to hold the gate while I followed
to take some pictures. As I stood there with my camera out I got to contemplate the taste in my mouth and
realised I had just ridden at speed through liquid sheep poo. Mmmm lovely.
happy to be able to rest my burning legs. Another radio or two may be needed.
After the Clwyd Gate Hotel we started a bit of a gate relay to keep everyone riding across the ridge. This
coincided with a return to the gloop, which reduced grip everywhere and sapped our energy on the
climbs. Eventually we reached the last descent and Mark went down first to hold the gate while I followed
to take some pictures. As I stood there with my camera out I got to contemplate the taste in my mouth and
realised I had just ridden at speed through liquid sheep poo. Mmmm lovely.
| (above, left to right) Darren, Gareth and David S on the Fron Hen descent, the final descent of the day |
(left) "El Bandito" Neil and
"Full-face" Harri with two ways
to avoid ingesting the dirt
"Full-face" Harri with two ways
to avoid ingesting the dirt
| (right) Anne descending through the mud |
| (above, left to right) Ches, Lee, Sabine, Dave, Jason and Chris on the Fron Hen descent |
| (left to right) Luke, Cheryl, Huw and Gareth R on the Fron Hen descent |
| A Oneplanet Adventure Shop Ride by www.flattyresmtbroutes.com |
