Looking forward to the forecast sun it was disappointing waking up to grey skies
and light drizzle. Things started to look up as I was greeted with the largest
number yet waiting at the shop. The drive to the Clwyds had us fighting for a
view of the hills through the low cloud and mist but as we got to the Moel Arthur
car park the clouds parted around us and we were bathed in sunshine. That
might have had something to do with the gusty wind that saw us chasing round
the car park for disclaimer forms. The idea for the ride was to take in two loops
of 11miles the first being on easier trails and leaving the more technical stuff for
the second. 2/3rds of the 19 who turned up were there only for the first loop for
reasons of family commitments, building fitness back up or just having a gentle
introduction to what the Shop Rides were about. We set off just after 10am and
found the wind was, weirdly, only in the car park. The hole in the clouds
increased with the miles and our outer layers were soon shed as the
temperature kept rising. This only helped the condition of the trails which after
a few days good weather were dry if not quite dusty. Being the easier loop
didn't mean there was a lack of climbing or descents so there wasn't a lack of
excitement and smiles at the bottom of the hills or some puffed out cheeks at
and light drizzle. Things started to look up as I was greeted with the largest
number yet waiting at the shop. The drive to the Clwyds had us fighting for a
view of the hills through the low cloud and mist but as we got to the Moel Arthur
car park the clouds parted around us and we were bathed in sunshine. That
might have had something to do with the gusty wind that saw us chasing round
the car park for disclaimer forms. The idea for the ride was to take in two loops
of 11miles the first being on easier trails and leaving the more technical stuff for
the second. 2/3rds of the 19 who turned up were there only for the first loop for
reasons of family commitments, building fitness back up or just having a gentle
introduction to what the Shop Rides were about. We set off just after 10am and
found the wind was, weirdly, only in the car park. The hole in the clouds
increased with the miles and our outer layers were soon shed as the
temperature kept rising. This only helped the condition of the trails which after
a few days good weather were dry if not quite dusty. Being the easier loop
didn't mean there was a lack of climbing or descents so there wasn't a lack of
excitement and smiles at the bottom of the hills or some puffed out cheeks at
| Dry trails near Moel Arthur |
| The first descent of the day, through Nanerch Woods |
| Neil and Jim |
| John being chased by the girls |
| Paul and Steve |
the tops. Things seemed to go so
well on this first part of the ride that
plans were being made to do more
of the same by the time we got back
to the Moel Arthur car park.
well on this first part of the ride that
plans were being made to do more
of the same by the time we got back
to the Moel Arthur car park.
| Annwen |
| Rob and Rod |
| Ken |
| The compulsory group photo |
| Neil, Rod, Steve, Sarah and Jim |
| Rob |
| Sabine, Annwen, Paul and Sheila |
The long gradual climb along the
flank of Penycloddiau may have
had some breathing heavily at the
top but everyone was soon
smiling after the following descent.
flank of Penycloddiau may have
had some breathing heavily at the
top but everyone was soon
smiling after the following descent.
Annwen, Sabine and Paul
| Col, John and Rick |
| The 'Squire' Jim |
| Ken, Sabine and Sheila |
| Jim |
| Sabine |
| Sarah, Steve and Annwen on the final descent of the first loop |
| Annwen and Louise |
| Martin and Steve |
| Steve |
| Rob |
| Rod |
| Sheila |
| Rick |
Sheila, Annwen, Col and
Paul retracing their steps
back to the car park
Paul retracing their steps
back to the car park
| Mike and Neil |
Back at the car park we said our goodbyes to
all but six of our number. But there was
plenty of time for that as Jim had to fix the
all but six of our number. But there was
plenty of time for that as Jim had to fix the
multiple punctures he had picked up. Once sorted we set out on
the harder loop getting straight into it on the fast and rocky
Keegans lane descent. A short lane hack after Cilcain saw us
coming back along the planks trail. The muddy section in the
middle, while ridable, still had me and Jim over the bars. There was
the harder loop getting straight into it on the fast and rocky
Keegans lane descent. A short lane hack after Cilcain saw us
coming back along the planks trail. The muddy section in the
middle, while ridable, still had me and Jim over the bars. There was
| Louise, Sabine and Maca |
one big climb left to the
gate on the ridge by Moel
Dywyll. Well, one big climb
for all but Jim who half way
down the last descent
remembered the glasses
he had just left at the top.
That and the fact that his
gate on the ridge by Moel
Dywyll. Well, one big climb
for all but Jim who half way
down the last descent
remembered the glasses
he had just left at the top.
That and the fact that his
Jim and Mike in the mud
Paul and Maca battle through the mud
| Jim, Mike and Maca after Cilcain |
Neil and Jim descending Keegans Lane
| Rob, Neil and Mike descending after the planks |
crank fell off during the rescue mission made for an eventful end to the day. Fortunately the bodged back
on crack did for the couple of miles to the finish. Thanks to everyone who turned up and made it such a
great days riding, special thanks going to Jim for the couple of photos I didn't take and to Rob and Sheila
for the coffee and egg butties.
on crack did for the couple of miles to the finish. Thanks to everyone who turned up and made it such a
great days riding, special thanks going to Jim for the couple of photos I didn't take and to Rob and Sheila
for the coffee and egg butties.
| The final climb of the day |