Day 5
REST DAY! Bike mechanical problems (Daves bike) needed sorting. Swimming and meeting the England tug of war team.
Day 6
Fresh legs and ready to go after being rested. We set off from Dyserth up the roads towards Builth Wells, which then set us onto a few more back roads which involved a lot of steep ups and downs....undulations all the way!! Undulations are so much hard work!
We had a few off road sections but the majority was on minor roads, which made the cycling pritty quick. Although, despite the fast cycling I managed to pick up two punctures AND my cycle computer broke down :( So for the rest of the day, we never made it past 15km.
One interesting section of off road provided some interesting navigation sections and riding. Trying to pick our way through fields, woodland and farmers land to get to a road. We eventually made it but Dave almost lost his head to a tree. In addition to this I also decided to take a closed look at a load of nettles, which for future reference, hurt a lot!
We made it to Brecon by early afternoon to meet up with mum in the ice cream parlour to sample some of Wales' finest icecream....and, it was delicious! One think we didn't account for was a jazz festival going on on the same weekend as us arriving which ment it took quite some time to find a campsite with space.
Whilst in Brecon we found a very helpful guy in 'Bike and Hike' bike shop who gave some adive to sort our cyce computer and with a few campsite options....A great shop to visit if your ever in Brecon!!!
About the Author
- Dave Murphy
- I am a Primary School teacher just about to move to the Bristol area and after two years of posting very little I am going to make an effort to post a little more often.
Sunday, 12 August 2012
Sarn Helen Day 4
So, its back on the bikes....again, to cover our route over 4 of our maps, around 60ish km. The sun was shining, but our bums were sore...VERY sore. We found it pritty hard to get into a rhythm today, my legs certainly weren't feeling the love for cycling.
We rode through Devils Bridge to then ascend through Coed Bwlchgwalter up onto the moorland. Making it through the forrest was the half way marker for the whole trail...this seems to have crept up on us very qwickly! Thankfully when leaving the forrest there was only a small section of the route which required some pushing, and yet again resulted in wet feet. Although, I'm starting to think it wouldn't be a normal day on the Sarn Helen without wet feet. Once we had made it back onto a 'proper' track the riding picked up again. The views of the moorland and all the lakes and reseviours were amazing and the riding was to match. The track around Claerwen Reservoir was the best yet. Fun and fast downhills with some steady climbs with beautiful views setting you up nicely for the next downhill, which just kept repeating itself. Smiles all round :)
A stop at the top of the reservoir for a lovely lunch stop before heading down the road into the Elan Valley. The road was great fun...long sweeping road and all down hill. We past a couple of families on our way down whilst our chests were on our saddles and heads nearly on the handle bars and the Dads of the families giving us huge smiles, appreciating how much fun we were having.
The Elan Valley was beautiful, and there was a very lovely chap inside the visitors centre who filled up four litres worth of water for us...THANKS!! We stopped off for a refuel of drinks and treats (jellied sweets provided my mum that morning) before we set off to complete our last stage of the jounrey today, following the Afon Elan and then the River Wye towards Disserth. I was kind of hoping that this would be a pritty easy trail to camp but there seemed to be many sneeky uphills which sapped a lot of leg energy. After not too long though the campsite was suddenly upon us, arriving just after mum.
A great day on the bikes, an area which is worth another visit in the future I think! Lets hope this sun stays around for the rest of the journey.
We rode through Devils Bridge to then ascend through Coed Bwlchgwalter up onto the moorland. Making it through the forrest was the half way marker for the whole trail...this seems to have crept up on us very qwickly! Thankfully when leaving the forrest there was only a small section of the route which required some pushing, and yet again resulted in wet feet. Although, I'm starting to think it wouldn't be a normal day on the Sarn Helen without wet feet. Once we had made it back onto a 'proper' track the riding picked up again. The views of the moorland and all the lakes and reseviours were amazing and the riding was to match. The track around Claerwen Reservoir was the best yet. Fun and fast downhills with some steady climbs with beautiful views setting you up nicely for the next downhill, which just kept repeating itself. Smiles all round :)
A stop at the top of the reservoir for a lovely lunch stop before heading down the road into the Elan Valley. The road was great fun...long sweeping road and all down hill. We past a couple of families on our way down whilst our chests were on our saddles and heads nearly on the handle bars and the Dads of the families giving us huge smiles, appreciating how much fun we were having.
The Elan Valley was beautiful, and there was a very lovely chap inside the visitors centre who filled up four litres worth of water for us...THANKS!! We stopped off for a refuel of drinks and treats (jellied sweets provided my mum that morning) before we set off to complete our last stage of the jounrey today, following the Afon Elan and then the River Wye towards Disserth. I was kind of hoping that this would be a pritty easy trail to camp but there seemed to be many sneeky uphills which sapped a lot of leg energy. After not too long though the campsite was suddenly upon us, arriving just after mum.
A great day on the bikes, an area which is worth another visit in the future I think! Lets hope this sun stays around for the rest of the journey.
Wednesday, 8 August 2012
Sarn Helen Day 3
An earlier start today with the theory we can then get a good afternoons rest...
The day certainly started with some tired legs and very sore bums!!! Once our bums finally made contact again with our saddles we had a 500m climb, a nice little warm up!?! The hill up to Meml seemed to go on and on, and got steeper and steeper. Everytime I saw the end of a hump I thought we had made it, yetonce we reached the top we were faced with yet more climbing.
We refuelled at the top, thinking that was the hardest part of the day over...little did we know about what lie ahead. After following a track through a wild nature reserve our track suddenly dissapeared. For the next 6 km we rode our bikes on and off, but for most of it we were pushing through bog (up to our knees in places), crossing rivers, wading through mud...oh and more bog. To say we were pleased when we finally got onto a proper track again would be an understatement.
When back on firm ground again we soon made up time and started to head around Nant y Moch Reservoir. Beautiful views, beautiful weather and good riding :) We soon turned off to head through some open farmland towards Nant yr Arian trail centre. First we had to head through a ford....first attempted on bikes but soon enough in the water up to our knees.
Within minutes we found ourselves climbing up through the Nant yr Arian forest, to descend the final section of single track, 'high as a kite'...great fun!! We met up with mum in the carpark for post ride treats (although a little early) before we bombed it down the valley to our campsite in Devils bridge, Erwbarfe farm.
An earlyish finish saw us by the coast in Aber, eating ice cream. Lets hope the legs hold out for an epic ride tomorrow!
The day certainly started with some tired legs and very sore bums!!! Once our bums finally made contact again with our saddles we had a 500m climb, a nice little warm up!?! The hill up to Meml seemed to go on and on, and got steeper and steeper. Everytime I saw the end of a hump I thought we had made it, yetonce we reached the top we were faced with yet more climbing.
We refuelled at the top, thinking that was the hardest part of the day over...little did we know about what lie ahead. After following a track through a wild nature reserve our track suddenly dissapeared. For the next 6 km we rode our bikes on and off, but for most of it we were pushing through bog (up to our knees in places), crossing rivers, wading through mud...oh and more bog. To say we were pleased when we finally got onto a proper track again would be an understatement.
When back on firm ground again we soon made up time and started to head around Nant y Moch Reservoir. Beautiful views, beautiful weather and good riding :) We soon turned off to head through some open farmland towards Nant yr Arian trail centre. First we had to head through a ford....first attempted on bikes but soon enough in the water up to our knees.
Within minutes we found ourselves climbing up through the Nant yr Arian forest, to descend the final section of single track, 'high as a kite'...great fun!! We met up with mum in the carpark for post ride treats (although a little early) before we bombed it down the valley to our campsite in Devils bridge, Erwbarfe farm.
An earlyish finish saw us by the coast in Aber, eating ice cream. Lets hope the legs hold out for an epic ride tomorrow!
Sarn Helen Day 2
Out of camp at 9.15, to fly down the hill to Coed y Brenin. A quick blast along the Minataur trail, with some whooping and holaring took us to 'route 82' along the river to Dolgellau....a very quick 15 ish Km. The smells from the cafes and bakeries were almost too tempting so we carried on riding before we gave in to our bellies.
We continued to follow route 82 out of Dolgellau towards Cadir Idris. Beautiful views of the majestic Cadir and Sunny Barmouth beaches kept us going up the hills with out too much of a worry. We branched off to Ffordd Ddu (Black road), which apparently was closed and unsuitable for any motorised vehicles...we continued. Dave soon commented on how the road 'isn't that bad!' Yet soon enough we came to realise why it was closed. Think of the biggest muddy, wet, boggy man eating puddle you can think of, times by ten and you might be close to what we faced....definately not one to chance on the bike, you might never return!!! We circumnaviated the bog and the six footprints which went in, but no further, trying not to get caught in it ourselves. Back on our bikes to climb further to Braich Ddu forrest. The decent then started :) A long, rolling decent, reaching 50km and feeling much faster!! Soon enough we reached Bryncrug for a well earnt stop for lunch. 3 hours riding and we'd already covered nearly 40km so we decided to stop for a good rest.
Re-fuelled, rested and ready to go we headed of to Rhyd-yr-onen to climb our last substantial hill of the day. On our way up the first section on the road, my day was made up by one guy in his car and his comedy waves. He waved to Dave by putting his thumb up to him (man wave) and when he past me he did a little cheeky flirty wave...(if you are the waving man, then thanks!) We have riden down here before so knew what to expect, but it wasn't as hard as we anticipated, fuelled up by jelly beans, we soon got to the top :) Another great downhill, although the loose, wet rocks had me on the edge of my seat for most of the decent! Once we hit the road it wasn't long until we reached the campsite...and we made it there before mum!! 56km in total, no falls and no punctures! :) More post treats from mum, fruit salad, orange juice and a cornflake/puff pastry cake.
We continued to follow route 82 out of Dolgellau towards Cadir Idris. Beautiful views of the majestic Cadir and Sunny Barmouth beaches kept us going up the hills with out too much of a worry. We branched off to Ffordd Ddu (Black road), which apparently was closed and unsuitable for any motorised vehicles...we continued. Dave soon commented on how the road 'isn't that bad!' Yet soon enough we came to realise why it was closed. Think of the biggest muddy, wet, boggy man eating puddle you can think of, times by ten and you might be close to what we faced....definately not one to chance on the bike, you might never return!!! We circumnaviated the bog and the six footprints which went in, but no further, trying not to get caught in it ourselves. Back on our bikes to climb further to Braich Ddu forrest. The decent then started :) A long, rolling decent, reaching 50km and feeling much faster!! Soon enough we reached Bryncrug for a well earnt stop for lunch. 3 hours riding and we'd already covered nearly 40km so we decided to stop for a good rest.
Re-fuelled, rested and ready to go we headed of to Rhyd-yr-onen to climb our last substantial hill of the day. On our way up the first section on the road, my day was made up by one guy in his car and his comedy waves. He waved to Dave by putting his thumb up to him (man wave) and when he past me he did a little cheeky flirty wave...(if you are the waving man, then thanks!) We have riden down here before so knew what to expect, but it wasn't as hard as we anticipated, fuelled up by jelly beans, we soon got to the top :) Another great downhill, although the loose, wet rocks had me on the edge of my seat for most of the decent! Once we hit the road it wasn't long until we reached the campsite...and we made it there before mum!! 56km in total, no falls and no punctures! :) More post treats from mum, fruit salad, orange juice and a cornflake/puff pastry cake.
Monday, 6 August 2012
Sarn Helen: Day1
Ready to go at 8.45 this morning. We waved goodbye to mum at our house to set off on our long cycling journey.
The firt section was a nice warm up on the road...19km...tick! Soon enough the nice riding ended and we hit the double chevron track up to Llyn Cowlyd, our legs certainly felt that hill! Cowlyd was pritty hard riding all round to be honest, glad to have reached the top. The down hills were well recieved but had some intersting mud holes waiting in discuse. Dave was attacked first, loosing his back wheel entrily to the muddy abyss (I laughed)! Next it was my turn. I tried to miss the muddy puddle but in revenge I was attacked by a hiden ditch lying in wait...front wheel in and I sommersaulted over my bike (still attached to the pedals). Dave laughed at my missfortune when he realised what had happened.
Down to capel to head back up and over to Dolwyddelan. This part seemed pritty easy compared to the last hill and we blasted through it. Although we knew what lie ahead. The next ascent was another biggy...up to the top of Cwn Pennamen (400m ish of ascent). We decided to have a wee break before hitting the hill, which consisted of us lying on the forrestry track (i could definately have fallen to sleep here!) After riding and pushing the the bikes we finally reached the top :)
Down to Llan Ffestiniog, to head up through Bont Newydd forrest. Along the track I shouted to Dave in amazement and excitment as I had spotted a large raspberry plant fall of delicious raspberries....AMAZING!!!! Decent throguh fields to Trawsfynedd and along the roas to the campsite, Cae Gwyn. Mum was waiting our arrival in the campsite armed with multiple goodies. We were sson fed with fruit salad, eccles cakes and chocolate hobnobs!!!! Mum you are amazing :)
Adter feasting on our treats we headed off for a much needed shower. Dinner....chill, more hobnobs (of course), bed!
Lets see how our bums and legs are feeling tomorrow after our 70km and lots of uphill today......
The firt section was a nice warm up on the road...19km...tick! Soon enough the nice riding ended and we hit the double chevron track up to Llyn Cowlyd, our legs certainly felt that hill! Cowlyd was pritty hard riding all round to be honest, glad to have reached the top. The down hills were well recieved but had some intersting mud holes waiting in discuse. Dave was attacked first, loosing his back wheel entrily to the muddy abyss (I laughed)! Next it was my turn. I tried to miss the muddy puddle but in revenge I was attacked by a hiden ditch lying in wait...front wheel in and I sommersaulted over my bike (still attached to the pedals). Dave laughed at my missfortune when he realised what had happened.
Down to capel to head back up and over to Dolwyddelan. This part seemed pritty easy compared to the last hill and we blasted through it. Although we knew what lie ahead. The next ascent was another biggy...up to the top of Cwn Pennamen (400m ish of ascent). We decided to have a wee break before hitting the hill, which consisted of us lying on the forrestry track (i could definately have fallen to sleep here!) After riding and pushing the the bikes we finally reached the top :)
Down to Llan Ffestiniog, to head up through Bont Newydd forrest. Along the track I shouted to Dave in amazement and excitment as I had spotted a large raspberry plant fall of delicious raspberries....AMAZING!!!! Decent throguh fields to Trawsfynedd and along the roas to the campsite, Cae Gwyn. Mum was waiting our arrival in the campsite armed with multiple goodies. We were sson fed with fruit salad, eccles cakes and chocolate hobnobs!!!! Mum you are amazing :)
Adter feasting on our treats we headed off for a much needed shower. Dinner....chill, more hobnobs (of course), bed!
Friday, 22 June 2012
2 Days with Mr Hillyer
Day 1 - We started near the Pen Y Gwryd, walked up to the pass to avoid the ludicrous £10 parking charge and took to Pyg track to the Snowdon summit. We then took the long way back over Carnedd Ugain and Crib Coch before descending down to Pen y Pass for ice cream. We had planned a slightly longer day but this was better and we all had a good day out followed by a very nice meal in the Rhos Fynach (Rhos on Sea). Its the third time I have been there and every time they have offered up excellent meals and the specials are always very appealing.
Day 2 - With the weather turning a bit we decided to scrap the Carneddau and stay coastal. We parked up at Aber Falls and went to see the falls before heading up the road, over towards Bwlch Y Ddeaufaen, up Foel Lwyd, on to Tal Y Fan and then descending using some of the North Wales Footpath to the Sychnant Pass, Conwy Mountain and to a second car in Conwy.
 |
| Snowdon Summit |
 |
| Carnedd Ugain Summit |
 |
| Crib Coch Summit |
 |
| Aber Falls |
 |
| Looking over to the Glyders with Crib Coch in the background |
 |
| Heading down from Carnedd Ugain to Crib Coch |
 |
| Kelly and Graham about to start up Crib Coch |
 |
| Father and Daughter having a good time |
 |
| Serious eating faces. |
 |
| On Crib Coch with Snowdon and Carnedd Ugain behind |
 |
| Graham on the Crib Coch ridge. |
 |
| Dales new house |
 |
| Sunset over Little Orme |
 |
| Sunset over Little Orme |
 |
| View north from Foel Lwyd |
 |
| Me loving the good weather |
 |
| Tal y Fan Summit |
Wednesday, 20 June 2012
3 Days of Rory Refurbishment
From this:
We have just returned home from 3 days of van 'refurbishment'. We took a trip to my Grandparents house as my Granddad has the tools, the space and more importantly plenty of experience with woodwork.
To see more pictures and see more details click HERE
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)