The car park at Ruthin Craft Centre was a hive of activity as 14 of us met for this year’s first special ride. The plan was to leave Ruthin heading for Lady Bagot’s Drive and then on to Cyffyffliog and the long climb up to the moors before descending to Llyn Brenig and lunch in the lakeside café. The route was as spectacular as expected and while the wind was stiff at times we only had a few spots of rain. The highlights were of course Lady Bagot’s Drive with its garlicky bluebell woods and tumbling peaty river.
Bryan ran out of steam at the top of the long climb out of Cyffyffliog and decided to return to Ruthin and the Craft Centre. Thanks to Tony for accompanying him safely back down.
The moors above Brenig were still quite wintery and as Dave Heath punctured we cut the corner to avoid the tracks around Llyn Alwen. The riverside track by Pentrellyncwmr was another beautiful undiscovered spot for all but the leader. A belter of a climb took us to tracks in Clocaenog: all very rideable and with long views across to the Arenigs.
Photographs by Dave Hill and Alan Jeffs.
The lane descent down to Bontuchel was in a sorry state but wide tyres and good skills saw everyone reach the bottom without incident. Some took a coffee at the Ruthin Craft Centre before heading for home.
We all made it round successfully. I enjoyed the lead, loved to show everyone some of my favourite tracks, lanes and countryside. Thanks for the opportunity to do so.
DHill
Although disappointing that I wasn't able to complete this ride despite having ridden the majority of it previously I have no doubt it was the right decision to turn back. Many thanks to Tony for staying with me and for the concerned texts, emails and phone calls.
ReplyDeleteBryan