Not good, especially as
he had borrowed
Sabines bike for the day
and she’d told him not to
break it.  We couldn’t fix
it but weren’t far from
the car park so Paul
managed to limp back.  
That’ll be another tool I’ll
be carrying in future
then.

Back at the car park we
said our good-byes and
headed for home.  A
couple of miles down the
road the rain finally
started.  I knew it would
happen, I wasn’t wearing
my waterproof jacket
anymore.
There was a reason I couldn’t find my car keys.  I’d stuck them in the back pocket of my jersey before
putting my waterproof jacket on.  When Paul reminded me to close the car I couldn’t find them anywhere.  
No matter how many times I checked the back pocket of my jacket I found it empty.  It was only once my
backpack and car had been ripped apart realisation dawned, much to the amusement of everyone who had
turned up for the ride.

As with all my previous visits to Penmachno there was rain predicted.  With fingers crossed I led everyone
up the first climb.  The rain hadn’t arrived and there was only a light breeze, but the solid cover of grey
cloud had me sweating away in my waterproof.  Uncomfortable or not the jacket stayed on.  I just knew that
as soon as it came off the heavens would open.
(left)
Shane, Paul and
Ches making
their way up the
first climb
(right)
Queing to get
past the one
place left with
fallen trees
Jez (above) and Ken (below) on the
first singletrack
The fire track climb had us nicely warmed up by the time the first
section of singletrack appeared, where a winding trail led us into the
trees.  The air was cool and fresh in the damp forest and the colours
bright.  It was a great start to the ride and although the ground was
wet there was enough grip to enjoy every twist and change of
direction.

Although the singletrack seemed to go on and on it had to come to an
end eventually.  Fortunately the fire track climb didn’t last long and
brought us to the top of a fantastic three part descent.  With crests
now thrown into the mix the riding became even more interesting.
Jonathan (left) and Paul (above)
flying through the twisting
second trail
Jez riding past one of the iron
stained waterfalls
A stop at the bottom while Ken rescued a jammed
chain from behind his chain rings gave time to
recover for the next climb.  As we rode up the hill
Shane brought up the subject of my recent article
in Singletrack Magazine.  I didn’t start the
conversation…...not me……no…...I’m far too
modest.  But as the subject had come up……
well……

We got round the exposed top trail without the
usual headwind.  I always think the first part is flat
but it actually gains height, so it still seemed like
hard work.  It brought us to the highest point in the
trail though, with lots of descending to look
forward too.
The big rocks on the first descent gave
way to fast flowing singletrack as we
dropped back into the forest.  Now having
to cope with hairpins and the odd change
of direction after a crest we need all our
concentration.  Having me standing with
my camera ready next to one of those
crests didn’t help Jonathan with his.  The
trail went right but he flew straight on and
crashed, sorry.
Ches (above left) and Shane (above right)
at the bottom of the Three-part descent
Ches (above) and Ken (left)
riding the planks
Shane at the highest point of the trail
Harri (below left) approaching and Ches
(below) descending from the highest point
Paul in the air (on Sabines bike)
Gareth (left) and Harri (right) making shapes on the first trail
back in the trees
Jonathan on a take-off that looked good.
The landing was a different matter as
can be seen from the impact mark
Shane and Harri finishing the second to last trail
Jez on the final singletrack

Thankfully he got away with grazes so we
rode to the final section of singletrack.  
Halfway down the trail I heard Pauls voice
over the radio, ‘Col, my crank’s fallen off!’.
Jonathan (left) and Ken (right) riding the final singletrack back to the car park