Although there were only a couple of miles left when we reached the
bottom there was still some mud to get through before the sanctuary
of the forest trails. Nobody made it back without being covered from
head to toe in muck. To be honest it was great fun especially as we
were old enough not to be in trouble with mum when we got home.
Back at the cars I was glad to be riding home though, it would only be
my bike and clothes that would need cleaning.
Details of this route can be found in my route guides.
bottom there was still some mud to get through before the sanctuary
of the forest trails. Nobody made it back without being covered from
head to toe in muck. To be honest it was great fun especially as we
were old enough not to be in trouble with mum when we got home.
Back at the cars I was glad to be riding home though, it would only be
my bike and clothes that would need cleaning.
Details of this route can be found in my route guides.
| Nick arriving at the junction near the top of the Roman Road |
Now at the bottom of the
hill we had a long climb
back to the ridge. Ken
could still ride but a bit
slower and with a
grimace. Sabine kept him
company and we
eventually reached the
top for one of the new
concessional tracks, a
wonderful piece of
singletrack through the
heather across the ridge.
It was boggy though and
getting worse as the
heavens had opened
again.
hill we had a long climb
back to the ridge. Ken
could still ride but a bit
slower and with a
grimace. Sabine kept him
company and we
eventually reached the
top for one of the new
concessional tracks, a
wonderful piece of
singletrack through the
heather across the ridge.
It was boggy though and
getting worse as the
heavens had opened
again.
| |||||||||
Summer was meant to have started but no one had told the weather. It had been raining heavily every day
for weeks and more was on the way. Thankfully the sun made an appearance on the Saturday and returned
the next day for the morning of the ride. Still, I didn’t think twice about putting on waterproof socks.
for weeks and more was on the way. Thankfully the sun made an appearance on the Saturday and returned
the next day for the morning of the ride. Still, I didn’t think twice about putting on waterproof socks.
With rain predicted for any time during the day I thought numbers might be
down. I shouldn’t have worried. By 10 o’clock there were fourteen of us willing
to risk a good soaking. Setting off from the car park we followed the wide
forest tracks around the back of Moel Famau and enjoyed the clear air, lush
green surroundings and great views that were the bonus of all the rain.
down. I shouldn’t have worried. By 10 o’clock there were fourteen of us willing
to risk a good soaking. Setting off from the car park we followed the wide
forest tracks around the back of Moel Famau and enjoyed the clear air, lush
green surroundings and great views that were the bonus of all the rain.
| Sabine and Shane on the climb from the car park |
| Ken, Tom & Cliff in the forest below Moel Famau |
| Ben descending to the junction near Ffrith Mountain |
Regrouping at the end forest, after a spilt caused by a puncture, I noticed two were missing. Peter was
back down the track looking after Robyn, who wasn’t feeling well. As they knew the hills they decided to
bail and plod round on their own. Those who stayed with me were rewarded with the tough grassy climb
up Vomit Hill. We started off half way up so it didn’t live up to its name and we reached the top with our
breakfast still intact.
back down the track looking after Robyn, who wasn’t feeling well. As they knew the hills they decided to
bail and plod round on their own. Those who stayed with me were rewarded with the tough grassy climb
up Vomit Hill. We started off half way up so it didn’t live up to its name and we reached the top with our
breakfast still intact.
Riding along the ridge underneath
the summit of Moel Famau thick
patches of mud and water slicked
rocks had us scrabbling for
traction. We fought our way
across the hill and eventually
made it to the first big descent.
Some words of warning were
given as it started out boggy,
steep and rocky. Although some
walked everyone made it down
without incident to the sweeping
the summit of Moel Famau thick
patches of mud and water slicked
rocks had us scrabbling for
traction. We fought our way
across the hill and eventually
made it to the first big descent.
Some words of warning were
given as it started out boggy,
steep and rocky. Although some
walked everyone made it down
without incident to the sweeping
| Sabine leading out from Vomit Hill |
| Charlie & Wayne negotiating the rocks |
singletrack that followed. The trail was fast but wet
grass and mud made it sketchy. At the bottom the
smell of hot brakes was an indication of how much
we’d had to keep our speed under control.
A stream was next and being local I thought I’d show
off and cross it using the plank. I was impressed to
see half the group follow me and make it look easy.
I’ll have to show off on something harder next time
though, it’s no good when everyone else can do it.
grass and mud made it sketchy. At the bottom the
smell of hot brakes was an indication of how much
we’d had to keep our speed under control.
A stream was next and being local I thought I’d show
off and cross it using the plank. I was impressed to
see half the group follow me and make it look easy.
I’ll have to show off on something harder next time
though, it’s no good when everyone else can do it.
| Tom and Peter tackle the rocks on Moel Famau |
| Nick on one of the new concessional tracks |
| Ian cleans the top of the descent to the reservoir while others struggle |
Shane (far left)
and Ben (left) on
the steep section
before the stream
crossing
and Ben (left) on
the steep section
before the stream
crossing
At Cilcain the heavens opened. The short heavy
shower soaked everything and reversed any effects
of the sun over the last day and a half. That
probably contributed to Kens crash on Keegans
Lane, where he lost his front wheel and smashed his
thigh against the rocks. Although in quite a bit of
pain he did seem to perk up when he found it was
Sabine who would administer first aid.
shower soaked everything and reversed any effects
of the sun over the last day and a half. That
probably contributed to Kens crash on Keegans
Lane, where he lost his front wheel and smashed his
thigh against the rocks. Although in quite a bit of
pain he did seem to perk up when he found it was
Sabine who would administer first aid.
(below) Ian, Charlie, and Wayne cross the plank
| Shane successfully crosses the plank while Tom and Peter take a different approach |
| Wanye and Peter arrive at Keegans Lane junction |
| Tom riding the rocky line on Keegans Lane |
| Ian, Ben & Nick on the long climb back to the ridge |
| Ben and Shane hit the dirt again on the climb back to the ridge |
| Sabine and Ken (in quite a bit of pain) follow Nick a little while later |
Mud sucked at our wheels and the rocks didn’t give much grip, it was had
work. By the time we’d fought our way back to the top of Vomit Hill I was among
those eager for some food and a bit more energy.
The descent let us build speed quickly but wet grass didn’t help scrub it off. As
Tom tried to slow down I saw his rear wheel slide all over the place, that was
until he lost it completely and slid on his arse. At least he was only going slowly
by then.
work. By the time we’d fought our way back to the top of Vomit Hill I was among
those eager for some food and a bit more energy.
The descent let us build speed quickly but wet grass didn’t help scrub it off. As
Tom tried to slow down I saw his rear wheel slide all over the place, that was
until he lost it completely and slid on his arse. At least he was only going slowly
by then.
| Shane on the concessional ridge traverse |
| Tom on some loose rocky singletrack, Moel Famau |
| Wayne and Peter riding through the rain on the muddy trail below Moel Famau |
| Ian, Charlie and Nick enjoying high speeds on the wet grass of Vomit Hill |
| Tom crossing the stream just before returning to the forest |
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