Well after all the talk and organising and with ideas flying around all over the place our North Wales trip did actually happen and it turned out very well indeed.
I drove up taking Charlie and Wendy with me and we met up at Llandegla with Matt and Simon who where driven up by Antony. The six of us set off on the trails with a light covering of snow on the ground.
My previous visit here had been on a Sunday in February 2012 and the place was packed with both the main and overflow car parks rammed full. Our plan to ride here on the Friday worked a treat as just a few fellow bikers were out on a weekday afternoon and in sleety conditions.
We set off together and made steady progress on the long climb up to the first real section of singletrack. It was at this point as Simon, Antony, Charlie and me sped off following the red trail that Wendy and Matt just seconds behind managed to head off down the blue option.
Having waited around and even back tracked and being unable to find us we eventually set off having a great following the red and black loops all the way back to the visitor centre. Much needed afternoon tea followed and in short time Matt and Wendy turned up having realised there mistake and back tracked to pick up the red route which they followed from there.
The Trails were fantastic, loved all the zig zaggy descents and climbs, the berms and tabletops, even the wooden board walks, all rode well and made for a great couple of hours entertainment.
As we supped our tea thoughts turned to Leo, Ray and Jo who had headed directly to Snowdon to attempt a ride to the summit. As it turned out they had a good crack at it but were defeated by the snow about 2 km from the top – perhaps trying it at a better time of year would have been wiser.
With the days riding done we made our way over to our B & B near Coed y Brenin. Can’t remember the name of the place but it was very nice, warm and clean and the owners very friendly and helpful, they even drove us up to the local pub near the log cabins which was a really good place to spend an evening.
The following day following the usual mix of too much beer, gin, vodka and brandy we took our time getting ready. The weather was damp and overcast, really not too pleasant but we had come a long way to ride so that’s what we were going to do. The fast squad set of 1st (Ray, Leo & Antony) whilst the rest of us fluffed about and waited and waited for Joe. Eventually we got going, cycling down the A470 (not much fun) to the visitor centre where yet more flaffing followed.
Eventually we got going and basically did the beast. I loved some of the new additions to the trails, not technical but really fast and swoopy with the added advantage of cutting out the small road sections. Can’t remember the names of all the trails but we really hammered many of the downs before having a well-earned rest at the café half way around.
Once warmed up in the Wendy house with tea and soup we set off again, I managed to drag everyone around the big fire road loop which I seem to be in a minority of one as I quite like it – coming down from the top was very misty, no views today but it was kind of fun riding flat out hardly being able to see what way the track was going to turn next. Soon we arrived at the start of the singletrack decent and having re grouped we set of in order, Simon and Charlie at the front with me chasing them as hard as I could on my hard tail whilst Matt, Wendy and Joe followed.
All too soon it was over and we were spat out on the fire road. Charlie who had been I’ll all weekend so far decided to head back to the visitor centre and Joe and Simon joined him which left Matt, Wendy and myself to continue on the loop taking in the final climb and then decent to the car park. On arrival we decided it was too early to go for a tea so headed out and did a small loop taking in Dream time before returning back to the start. Temptation once again got the better of me and along with Matt we did the blue route and just loved the flow of it and that wicked section of berms – really good fun. With that done we joined Wendy for a cuppa before returning to the B&B.
Another enjoyable evening out followed and a good sleep was had by most - just ask Ray. As Sunday dawned thankfully the 4 to 8 inches of snow hadn’t materialised and over breakfast we decided the best option was to pack the cars and drive them down to the Visitor Centre before heading of on a short ride. With this done we cycled as a whole group covering all the sections of the Beast and Dragons back that we had missed the day before clocking up another 12 miles or so in very sleety conditions.
That concluded a weekend of fine riding in poor conditions but at least that meant the trails were quiet. We had no major offs or mechanicals, Wendy and Joe managed to demo 2 or 3 bikes between them and hopefully a good time was had by all.
