We stayed out of their clutches and made it to the last descent unmolested. Flying down hill the muddy
corner produced its usual close calls but the loose rocks that followed had vanished. It was another effect
of the big clear up, the trail again being compacted by use. No problem, a bit of weathering and the rocks
will return. At the bottom it was only few minutes to the cars and time to say our goodbyes.
Thanks to those who turned up for sticking with me during the few problems at the start. I have had some
offers to help out with the rides so they will be back to the usual standard next month. The help will be
much appreciated, so thanks.
The directions for this ride can be found in my route guides.
corner produced its usual close calls but the loose rocks that followed had vanished. It was another effect
of the big clear up, the trail again being compacted by use. No problem, a bit of weathering and the rocks
will return. At the bottom it was only few minutes to the cars and time to say our goodbyes.
Thanks to those who turned up for sticking with me during the few problems at the start. I have had some
offers to help out with the rides so they will be back to the usual standard next month. The help will be
much appreciated, so thanks.
The directions for this ride can be found in my route guides.
| |||||||||
The weather reports might have put a few people off as I arrived to
find only a couple of cars in the car park. I was confident of a nice day
but there were some concerns about rain in the afternoon. I shouldn’t
have worried, when everyone turned up there were fourteen of us. A
few late arrivals and excessive fettling meant we started a bit later
than intended. This wasn’t helped when I picked up a thorn puncture
as we headed out of the car park. Not the best start to a ride I’ve ever
had.
find only a couple of cars in the car park. I was confident of a nice day
but there were some concerns about rain in the afternoon. I shouldn’t
have worried, when everyone turned up there were fourteen of us. A
few late arrivals and excessive fettling meant we started a bit later
than intended. This wasn’t helped when I picked up a thorn puncture
as we headed out of the car park. Not the best start to a ride I’ve ever
had.
The start at Moel Famau lower car park
Although grey it was spot on for riding, cool with
light winds. Spinning down the road with a tail wind
gave everyone a chance to warm up, blissfully
ignorant of what was to come. The start of the ride
contained two of the most difficult climbs. Although
short the first climb was steep and muddy, requiring
careful line choice to stop the rear wheel spinning.
It wasn’t long till somebody stalled and the back half
of the group rode into a chaotic pile-up. At least
the singletrack that followed was a nice reward for
making it up.
Some groans let me know a few had guessed what
the second climb would be. Although tarmac and
not too long the climb to Maeshafen is well known
light winds. Spinning down the road with a tail wind
gave everyone a chance to warm up, blissfully
ignorant of what was to come. The start of the ride
contained two of the most difficult climbs. Although
short the first climb was steep and muddy, requiring
careful line choice to stop the rear wheel spinning.
It wasn’t long till somebody stalled and the back half
of the group rode into a chaotic pile-up. At least
the singletrack that followed was a nice reward for
making it up.
Some groans let me know a few had guessed what
the second climb would be. Although tarmac and
not too long the climb to Maeshafen is well known
| Ian, Paul, Jim (left) Sabine, Annwen, Brenda (right) climbing from Loggerheads |
locally. It gets steeper as it climbs, eventually inflicting a 1 in 5 on already burning legs. By the top Toms
red face and puffed out cheeks said it all.
The ride to Nercwys Forest allowed for some recovery time before resuming the off-road. The sound of
chainsaws could soon be heard as we approached Llyn Ochin, near the highest point in the forest. It
seemed they were still clearing up from the previous months high winds. A couple of trees lying across
the track were testament to that.
red face and puffed out cheeks said it all.
The ride to Nercwys Forest allowed for some recovery time before resuming the off-road. The sound of
chainsaws could soon be heard as we approached Llyn Ochin, near the highest point in the forest. It
seemed they were still clearing up from the previous months high winds. A couple of trees lying across
the track were testament to that.
At the viewpoint on the far side of
the forest I realised we were
missing some riders. I’d seen the
tailenders and pointed the way but
they mustn’t have seen. We found
them soon enough but I was
definitely missing Maca bringing
up the rear.
Leaving the forest behind we
made our way to Eryrys. It wasn’t
far down the lanes and muddy
tracks that I came up short on a
the forest I realised we were
missing some riders. I’d seen the
tailenders and pointed the way but
they mustn’t have seen. We found
them soon enough but I was
definitely missing Maca bringing
up the rear.
Leaving the forest behind we
made our way to Eryrys. It wasn’t
far down the lanes and muddy
tracks that I came up short on a
| Ben before the Maeshafen climb |
| Glen near the top of the Maeshafen climb |
head count. Ben had gone astray. While some doubled back the rest of us stayed put. The rescue squad
came up empty handed but were relieved to find Ben had followed his nose and made it back on his own.
Thankfully Paul B accepted the radio and brought up the rear for the rest of the ride so there weren’t any
more problems.
came up empty handed but were relieved to find Ben had followed his nose and made it back on his own.
Thankfully Paul B accepted the radio and brought up the rear for the rest of the ride so there weren’t any
more problems.
Some nice trails brought
us to Eryrys and from
there it wasn’t far to the
first good descent. The
muddy start dried out as
the gradient increased
allowing us to enjoy
some speed. Dry or wet
the dirt and rock
combination on this
downhill never fails to
be fun.
We hit the lanes again
for the climb onto the
Clwydian Range.
Stopping at the top by
us to Eryrys and from
there it wasn’t far to the
first good descent. The
muddy start dried out as
the gradient increased
allowing us to enjoy
some speed. Dry or wet
the dirt and rock
combination on this
downhill never fails to
be fun.
We hit the lanes again
for the climb onto the
Clwydian Range.
Stopping at the top by
| Mark (left), Sabine and Paul (middle), Tom and Paul (right) making their way through Nercwys Forest |
| Ken and Steve just before the climb to the view point, Nercwys Forest |
| Sabine braving the mud |
| Ken and Ian on the descent after Eryrys |
| Annwen on the lanes to the Clwydian range |
Moel Llech I was asked if
we were halfway? It
surprised some to find
we were a few miles past
that point. The lanes
were quiet and well
broken by trails so we
had racked up the miles
without noticing.
The descent from the
ridge was the longest of
the day, dropping all the
way into the Vale of
Clwyd. The fast, rocky
ruts at the top could be
we were halfway? It
surprised some to find
we were a few miles past
that point. The lanes
were quiet and well
broken by trails so we
had racked up the miles
without noticing.
The descent from the
ridge was the longest of
the day, dropping all the
way into the Vale of
Clwyd. The fast, rocky
ruts at the top could be
tricky at speed and I
feared the worst on
seeing a group stopped
halfway down. Happily
there were no injuries,
just one rock that had
punctured three sets of
tyres.
Heading out of the valley
on the Clwyd Gate climb
proved easier than on
previous rides. Heavy
machinery had been used
to clear all the fallen
trees. The activity had
filled holes and
feared the worst on
seeing a group stopped
halfway down. Happily
there were no injuries,
just one rock that had
punctured three sets of
tyres.
Heading out of the valley
on the Clwyd Gate climb
proved easier than on
previous rides. Heavy
machinery had been used
to clear all the fallen
trees. The activity had
filled holes and
| Picnic below Moel Llech |
| Ben on the Moel Llech descent |
compacted the ground. That said, it was easier, not easy. After crossing the main road Sabine cursed the
final kick up through the fields. Thinking she’d made the top it was disheartening to see the last steep
gradient come into her view.
On reaching the (real) top of the hill we rode through a large group of walkers. I passed some women to
hear them start to giggle and whisper. Shouts from behind that more riders were on their way seemed to
excite them more. Jim, who was behind me, thought it was the lycra. It has that effect occasionally.
final kick up through the fields. Thinking she’d made the top it was disheartening to see the last steep
gradient come into her view.
On reaching the (real) top of the hill we rode through a large group of walkers. I passed some women to
hear them start to giggle and whisper. Shouts from behind that more riders were on their way seemed to
excite them more. Jim, who was behind me, thought it was the lycra. It has that effect occasionally.
| Ben on the Clwyd Gate climb |
| Paul & Ian, Moel Llech descent |
| Ian, Sabine, Steve, Ken just before the Clwyd Gate |
| Ian, Sabine & Ben, woods after the Clwyd Gate |
| Ian on the Fron Hen track |
| Ben (left), Tom & Jim (right) on the Fron Hen descent |
