Alan, Megan & I have previously ridden this route, and, with pressure from Steve Tan to try it as a special ride, Megan changed the route to afford two options . A mod plus ride of forty miles with 3800 ft climbing and a moderate route of 38 miles with 2600 ft of climbing.
It was with delight that a total of fourteen CER faithful tuned up including our planner and tail gunner Megan.
After refreshments and cakes at Baileys Cafe, the group split into a Mod+ group led by Alan and a Mod group led by Steve Hu. The Mod group consisted of Megan & Steve Hu, Keith, Dave H, Fiona & Elwyn (newly married, congratulations) Trevor, Jim, Andy, Mike, Mike Gilbert & George.
The route out of Rhuddlan is by a cycleway which dives under the A55 and into St Asaph. Leaving the busy roads behind we struck off Glascoed Rd and started a long slow climb to Bont Newydd. Here the road plunges down negating all our climbing to a small bridge over the River Elwy. The road is attractively called Lon Jack Ffrwn but it might as well have been called “killer hill” as its a 0.4 mile hill with an average gradient of 14.5%
Those of you who study statistics will know averages are deceptive, If I sit with my feet in the freezer and my head in the oven (switched on, not gas DH) I’m averagely warm! Such was Lon Jack F, very steep in parts with little respites. However, 100% of folk got up and all were pleased with their efforts. From here the road levels off and we descend into the small village of Henllan.
We now enjoyed the roads along the bottom of the valley which wound their way into Denbigh. Stopping only for a quick photo stop outside the rambling Denbigh Sanatorium where incidentally Fiona worked in the past.
Taking Prion road we dropped into the tiny
village of Llanrhaeadr. By now stomachs were a rumbling and the cry of “are we
there yet” was heard more than once. A swift descent to Telpyn, stopping only
to let cars trucks and tractors by, saw us arrive at Ruthin and Cafe R.
It was great to see Clive and Alan who had achieved their objective of doing more climbing and mileage yet arriving before us. A glitch on Alans computer announced that their average was 9.5 mph compared to our 10.5 mph implied either the computer was wrong or they had caught a bus!
Full of Quiche, Sandwiches Cakes and many other savoury dishes we set out on our return journey. Using the cycleway we quick passed Rhewl and LLanynys. from here the route turns east to follow the shoulder of the vale of Clwyd towards Llandyrnog. Crossing the main road at Bodfari we started the gentle, and not so gentle climbs up to Tremeirchion and lastly Rhuallt. By now the views over the valley rewarded our efforts and had it been clearer we could have seen Snowdon.
At Cwm everyone was delighted to hear all the climbing was done and the plunge down into Rhuddlan was a lovely three mile blast.
A great day out for a special ride, no rain, great company and a lovely route planned by Megan and Alan. Thanks to everyone for coming along and for Alan who led the Mod plus group.
Many thanks to Meganand and Steve Hughes and also Alan for organising and supporting the two Special Rides. The moderate group had a particularly good turnout, and we were rewarded with beautiful views throughout. A challenging ride at times, but that was part of making it memorable. An excellent day out. DH
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