but nothing long. As we rode along the ridge there was more new life
in the fields. The D of E’rs had come out of their winter hibernation and
could be seen trudging along under heavy loads while staring in awe
and wonderment at map and compass. We didn’t have to share the
trails for long as we were soon at the top of the last descent and a
in the fields. The D of E’rs had come out of their winter hibernation and
could be seen trudging along under heavy loads while staring in awe
and wonderment at map and compass. We didn’t have to share the
trails for long as we were soon at the top of the last descent and a
|
For just about the first time this
year the weather was fantastic. It
was a proper spring morning of
blue skies, fluffy white clouds,
fresh cool air and shorts, a big
change from the frozen hands and
sleet of the previous week.
Daffodils were just starting to
emerge and lambs were bouncing
around the fields. Winter finally
felt like it was over, which was
great for my mood, as were the
year the weather was fantastic. It
was a proper spring morning of
blue skies, fluffy white clouds,
fresh cool air and shorts, a big
change from the frozen hands and
sleet of the previous week.
Daffodils were just starting to
emerge and lambs were bouncing
around the fields. Winter finally
felt like it was over, which was
great for my mood, as were the
| Col, Andy, Ian B and Paul B at the top of the climb from the Moel Famau car park |
| Ian & Chris, Dave B & Mark crossing the muddy stream |
ten new faces in the group awaiting my arrival at the
Moel Famau car park.
Having arrived by bike I was lucky to have packed
just the right amount of disclaimer forms. My usual
pre-ride greeting and chat was replaced with a flurry
of form signing and brief hellos. This work rate
didn't seem to reduce when the ride started either,
as the group was moving quite quickly and I found
myself flying about trying to take photos while
pointing everyone in the right direction.
After the previous months snow and rain it was great
to be riding drier trails. There were still quite a few
patches of mud but not so many that the riding
stopped being fun. These first trails took us all the
Moel Famau car park.
Having arrived by bike I was lucky to have packed
just the right amount of disclaimer forms. My usual
pre-ride greeting and chat was replaced with a flurry
of form signing and brief hellos. This work rate
didn't seem to reduce when the ride started either,
as the group was moving quite quickly and I found
myself flying about trying to take photos while
pointing everyone in the right direction.
After the previous months snow and rain it was great
to be riding drier trails. There were still quite a few
patches of mud but not so many that the riding
stopped being fun. These first trails took us all the
way to Cilcain, which was a good place to regroup and have a quick breather. For such a nice day the
conversation strangely turned to the muddy slog some had endured during Sleepless the previous year.
Perhaps the ordeal is easier to talk about in the sunshine, like talking about monsters in the daylight rather
than when it’s dark and you’re alone.
conversation strangely turned to the muddy slog some had endured during Sleepless the previous year.
Perhaps the ordeal is easier to talk about in the sunshine, like talking about monsters in the daylight rather
than when it’s dark and you’re alone.
| Mark, Andy, Ian B and Col tackling the muddy holes on the way to Cilcain |
The climb from Cilcain was a long gradual
incline with fantastic views of Moel Famau
and the Cheshire Plain. It strung the group
out again but there was place to stop at the
top with more great views, this time across
the mountains of North Wales, with Cadair
Idris plainly visible on the horizon.
incline with fantastic views of Moel Famau
and the Cheshire Plain. It strung the group
out again but there was place to stop at the
top with more great views, this time across
the mountains of North Wales, with Cadair
Idris plainly visible on the horizon.
(left) Col and (above) Paul B on the Planks
| (above) Ian T halfway up the climb above Cilcain and (below) Paul McK near the top |
It was then time for the longest descent of the ride. The first part was
fast with loose, rocky corners. This was followed by a complete
change on the Tunnel of Trees trail. Its sandy soil drains easily but the
covering of trees stops water evaporating so it’s difficult to predict
the conditions, fast and dry or deep with mud. This day it was a
fast with loose, rocky corners. This was followed by a complete
change on the Tunnel of Trees trail. Its sandy soil drains easily but the
covering of trees stops water evaporating so it’s difficult to predict
the conditions, fast and dry or deep with mud. This day it was a
(below left) Ian B and Darren (below) Simon Ro and
Paul B heading up the group on the climb above Cilcain
Paul B heading up the group on the climb above Cilcain
mixture, fast in places with deep mud everywhere else. Lee was happy to find he was catching me until he
realised I had slowed for the deep mud, which he hit going a bit fast. The rest of the way down it was a
case of weaving around to keep to the most solid line and maintain momentum.
realised I had slowed for the deep mud, which he hit going a bit fast. The rest of the way down it was a
case of weaving around to keep to the most solid line and maintain momentum.
(clockwise from above, far left)
Andy, Darren, Simon Ri & Mark,
Lee, Ian T, Dave W, Chris &
Paul McK and on the loose
gravel of the Moel Dywyl descent
Andy, Darren, Simon Ri & Mark,
Lee, Ian T, Dave W, Chris &
Paul McK and on the loose
gravel of the Moel Dywyl descent
(left)
Dave W &
John on
the
adrenaline
inducing
descent
to Gellifor
Dave W &
John on
the
adrenaline
inducing
descent
to Gellifor
At the bottom the spring feeling took hold again as Simon decided to brighten
up his helmet with a daffodil. I’m not sure whether it was this seasonal display
or the group of 16 lycra clad men that got the old woman in the house opposite
twitching her curtains. We soon got underway again for an easy but enjoyable
ride through the Vale of Clwyd, the highlights of which were the blind and busy
crossing of the A494 and Lee trying on a number of occasions to take us in the
wrong direction.
up his helmet with a daffodil. I’m not sure whether it was this seasonal display
or the group of 16 lycra clad men that got the old woman in the house opposite
twitching her curtains. We soon got underway again for an easy but enjoyable
ride through the Vale of Clwyd, the highlights of which were the blind and busy
crossing of the A494 and Lee trying on a number of occasions to take us in the
wrong direction.
| (below) Mark & Andy, Simon Ri at the end of the 'Tunnel of Trees' trail |
With so many new faces
the cheeky bit in the
middle caught a few out.
On the approach to the
manhole cover it looks
like the drop after heads
the cheeky bit in the
middle caught a few out.
On the approach to the
manhole cover it looks
like the drop after heads
straight for a dry line through the mud. It’s only after
committing that most realise it’s really an exposed
drainage pipe. Landing on its curved surface
caused a few nervous smiles, as did the final section
of descent to Gellifor. It’s fast but not technical, the
of the trail and the small bridge used to cross it of
the trail and the small bridge used to cross it halfway
down. For such a simple trail it takes some guts to
ride fast.
committing that most realise it’s really an exposed
drainage pipe. Landing on its curved surface
caused a few nervous smiles, as did the final section
of descent to Gellifor. It’s fast but not technical, the
of the trail and the small bridge used to cross it of
the trail and the small bridge used to cross it halfway
down. For such a simple trail it takes some guts to
ride fast.
| Simon with flowers in his hair, sort of |
| (above left) Simon Ro and (below left) Ian B and Mark on a surprisingly dry 'mud lane' (right) Colin, John & Simon Ri and (far right) Paul McK on 'mud lane' |
| (right) Mark and Dave B in the woods on the Clwyd Gate climb |
We soon reached the bottom of the long climb back
onto the ridge of the Clwyds, where Paul was happy
to find a few gears that worked. After replacing his
chain the day before they had been skipping all ride.
I let Lee take the front of the group up the climb
while waiting to point tail enders in the right
direction. Not remembering if I had told Lee where
onto the ridge of the Clwyds, where Paul was happy
to find a few gears that worked. After replacing his
chain the day before they had been skipping all ride.
I let Lee take the front of the group up the climb
while waiting to point tail enders in the right
direction. Not remembering if I had told Lee where
to stop I then
had to middle
ring it to catch
back up. One of
these days I’ll
remember to
bring a third
radio to save
me from this
over exertion.
Saying that, it
was good for my
fitness.
had to middle
ring it to catch
back up. One of
these days I’ll
remember to
bring a third
radio to save
me from this
over exertion.
Saying that, it
was good for my
fitness.
(above) Andy at the muddy gate
before the Fron-heulog climb
(above left) Paul B, Simon Ro,
Mark & Dave B at the top of the
Clwyd Gate climb
(left) The Clwyd Gate Hotel
coming into view
before the Fron-heulog climb
(above left) Paul B, Simon Ro,
Mark & Dave B at the top of the
Clwyd Gate climb
(left) The Clwyd Gate Hotel
coming into view
| Paul McK happy to have people behind him on the Clwyd Gate climb, despite the skipping gears. |
(below) Lee and
Dave W descending
to the muddy gate
Dave W descending
to the muddy gate
| Chris descending to the muddy gate |
| The grassy Fron-heulog climb |
| (above) Dave W and (below) Chris at the bottom of the final descent |
At the Clwyd Gate the worst of the
climbing was out of the way.
There were a few steep kicks left
climbing was out of the way.
There were a few steep kicks left
nice fast finish to the ride. On reaching the bottom it wasn’t far to the car park, and the closer we got the
stronger the smell of bacon baps became.
Directions for this ride can be found in my route guides.
Related Page: Oneplanet Adventure Oct '06 Clwydian Shop Ride
For details of how to buy a digital orginal of any of these photos - click here
stronger the smell of bacon baps became.
Directions for this ride can be found in my route guides.
Related Page: Oneplanet Adventure Oct '06 Clwydian Shop Ride
For details of how to buy a digital orginal of any of these photos - click here
| A 'Social' Ride by www.flattyresmtbroutes.com |