flattyres mtb routes
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The great weather seemed to have brought a good number of people out to the Clwyds. When the last
couple arrived at the car park we had a group of 21 riders. About a third were new faces and I only just had
enough disclaimer forms to go round. The ride started not long after 10am. As our long precession made
its way up the first climb there was lots of chatting as everyone got to know each other.
couple arrived at the car park we had a group of 21 riders. About a third were new faces and I only just had
enough disclaimer forms to go round. The ride started not long after 10am. As our long precession made
its way up the first climb there was lots of chatting as everyone got to know each other.
| A good turnout at the start |
| Karl leading the group with style |
The easy riding continued through the
forest until we hit the muddy trails that
would take us to Cilcain. With a lack of
traction and big muddy holes we had a few
incidents, nothing serious, we just got
dirty. The planks were covered in their
usual autumn layer of Teflon and also
claimed a few victims.
| Pete and Mark on the last descent in the woods |
| Mark and Mark (above), Mark and Sabine (left) taking some speed through the ford |
Along this trail Shane brought to our attention that he wasn’t feeling well and
would have to bail. We would soon be at Cilcain and decided to sort things out
there. Maca and Martin volunteered to stay with him and make sure he was ok.
After wishing them well I took the rest of the group for the start of our long
climb into the hills above Cilcain. I should have kept my wits about me as we
got split at the next junction. It was a big group and I realised too late that
Maca wasn’t at the back. Fortunately Sabine was with the other group and got
would have to bail. We would soon be at Cilcain and decided to sort things out
there. Maca and Martin volunteered to stay with him and make sure he was ok.
After wishing them well I took the rest of the group for the start of our long
climb into the hills above Cilcain. I should have kept my wits about me as we
got split at the next junction. It was a big group and I realised too late that
Maca wasn’t at the back. Fortunately Sabine was with the other group and got
| Tom riding point shows everyone else where the deep mud is |
us all reunited at the next junction. A
small mishap, but a reminder I would have
to work harder at keeping everyone
together.
It really was a great day to be out on the
bikes. The skies were blue, the air cool
and the fantastic views of Moel Famau
and the Cheshire plain just got better as
we gained height. We regrouped at the
top for some food before the fast, loose
descent into the Vale of Clwyd. It’s a
great descent but there were a few
choice words as the low sun bounced off
small mishap, but a reminder I would have
to work harder at keeping everyone
together.
It really was a great day to be out on the
bikes. The skies were blue, the air cool
and the fantastic views of Moel Famau
and the Cheshire plain just got better as
we gained height. We regrouped at the
top for some food before the fast, loose
descent into the Vale of Clwyd. It’s a
great descent but there were a few
choice words as the low sun bounced off
the water-logged track and blinded us.
At the junction halfway down the descent I waited to point everyone in the right
direction. When I followed the last riders through the gate I found some at the
At the junction halfway down the descent I waited to point everyone in the right
direction. When I followed the last riders through the gate I found some at the
| Everyone waits patiently while Annwen searches for buried treasure. |
| Mark, Karl, Mark, Craig, Sally and Mal on the long climb from Cilcain |
| Jill, Ken, Tom and Sabine descending from Moel Dywyll |
front had headed off along the
obvious, but wrong trail. Not again!
I had to sprint down the trail and
gather everyone back up again.
We then descended the Tunnel of
Trees trail, usually a mud fest at
this time of year. We had our arms
slashed by the thorn bushes at the
top but were happy to find the trail
after was dry and fast all the way to
Gellifor.
obvious, but wrong trail. Not again!
I had to sprint down the trail and
gather everyone back up again.
We then descended the Tunnel of
Trees trail, usually a mud fest at
this time of year. We had our arms
slashed by the thorn bushes at the
top but were happy to find the trail
after was dry and fast all the way to
Gellifor.
Now on the valley floor we had a gentle spin along country lanes to the Clywd gate climb. On the way we
found Maca and Martin waiting for us and were happy to be told Shane was ok. They managed to get him
back to his car and he'd felt well enough to get himself home.
found Maca and Martin waiting for us and were happy to be told Shane was ok. They managed to get him
back to his car and he'd felt well enough to get himself home.
| Ken on the Tunnel of Trees trail |
| Sally on Mud Lane |
| Ben and Mal on Mud Lane |
Mal fixed a puncture (the only one of the day)
just before the climb, and Ken saved us time by
considerately timing his mechanical to
co-inside. We hit the bottom of the climb well
just before the climb, and Ken saved us time by
considerately timing his mechanical to
co-inside. We hit the bottom of the climb well
rested but the long and steep first section had a few of our group pushing
before it levelled off. With Maca now bringing up the rear again I was
happy to stay with the front of the group and wait at the top while the
rest caught up.
After the Hotel we were on to the last section of the ride and a climb
through muddy fields. By the top a few people were glad there was only
a descent left before the finish. The descent was fast and fun but
muddy and had us fighting to keep our lines. There were a few close
calls and one crash. When Martin picked himself up off the floor he
remembered that he should never try and keep up with Maca.
With the last descent completed we were soon back at the car park. It
had been a great ride and a chance to get to know a lot of new riders.
The weather had been fantastic and everyone had really enjoyed
themselves. Thanks to all who turned up and big thanks to Maca and
Martin for looking after Shane.
happy to stay with the front of the group and wait at the top while the
rest caught up.
After the Hotel we were on to the last section of the ride and a climb
through muddy fields. By the top a few people were glad there was only
a descent left before the finish. The descent was fast and fun but
muddy and had us fighting to keep our lines. There were a few close
calls and one crash. When Martin picked himself up off the floor he
remembered that he should never try and keep up with Maca.
With the last descent completed we were soon back at the car park. It
had been a great ride and a chance to get to know a lot of new riders.
The weather had been fantastic and everyone had really enjoyed
themselves. Thanks to all who turned up and big thanks to Maca and
Martin for looking after Shane.
| Harri and Pete starting the off-road on the Clwyd Gate climb |
Ben and Ken nearly at the Clwyd Gate
| Sabine on the last steep section |
| Mark on the Fron Hen trail |
| Sally (above) and Annwen (left) on the last descent |
| Jill and Ken on the last descent |
| A descrition of this route can be found in my route guides. |
| www.flattyresmtbroutes.com |