25th August 2022 : Rhyl (brisk)

Apologies to Dave who has arranged a great day out for the club riders today, but unfortunately my group of brisk riders were not able to take part on this occasion

Setting off from our booked start café at Hawarden joining me was, John W, Ken and Richard.

Richard is a new cyclist to the North West and Wales area so as we are in Wales, I thought I’d try to combine hills and flats with scenery in between the miles. Leaving Hawarden, the next 23 miles is only upwards, riding along Wood Lane and to Buckley then Nercwys and up to Maeshafn and up and over Moel Famau. 

We can now enjoy down hill and flattish roads to Denbigh and our final climb into the town. From here the route went via Henlian to Trefnant and on to Waen before heading towards Rhyl but an old bridge closure over the river Clwyd (where road blocked signs were prominently displayed but ignored by us!!) prevented the continued route so about turn and head towards St Asaph. 

Definitely Closed!

Riding the esplanade

The plan now was to follow the river Elwy into Rhyl, but I’d mixed my location up and instead we explored a cycleway to the main A525 which we ride along on the very good cycleway, although noisy until Rhuddlan where we were able to pick up the North Wales cycle path into Rhyl.

There were no grumbles from the group regards the detour or the hilly route to Denbigh and I was hoping that a quick lunch at my favourite Wetherspoons at Rhyl would be as good as usual. Unfortunately, we had a grumpy bar person who split our order up so there were two early diners and two late diners and the food was definitely not the standard fayre we usually enjoy.

The Sussex is a North facing pub and the front is always in shade and sitting outside after all our hard work and sweaty bodies it did get a little chilly and as soon as food eaten, we were off to get into the lovely summer day. The cycle way along the coast was very busy with holiday makers enjoying a sunny afternoon. There were bathers in the sea but certain the water was far from warm today!!

Enjoying the cycle route 5 along the coast on arrival at Talacre / Point of Ayr we stop for an ice cream – lovely. Joining the A548 at the end of the coast path we now enjoy a tail wind to blow us all the way home to Chester.

At Connah's Quay we say farewell to Ken who is riding back home via Hawarden and we three continue with the millennium greenway to Chester.

The route is a 65-mile round trip starting at the Gallery tearoom with a lumpy start but on a fine day as today the views are better than photos can produce although I’m sure some good shots have been taken today.

Thanks to my buddies today for a great day out and hoping this weather lasts until December at the worst!!

See route map and/or gpx file download

ID

Photos JW

A date for calendars: -SEPTEMBER 27^th:  MacMillan coffee/cake morning at John W’s mum's house, so please give your support to this very worthy charity.

Highfield Road, Blacon from 10:00 am