Well it could be any regular CER Thursday in Nov or Dec heading for Chirk. 50-100 yard visibility torrential rain and steamed up windscreen. But no, its June and we are heading west on the A55!
No sane rider would have set out today if it wasn’t for the fact all the weather forecasts showed it brightening from the west. And west indeed was todays destination Caernarfon, for a two castles ride.
Once everyone had unloaded their vehicles we awaited the arrival of our venerable secretary and his wingman Steve T. It was a quick phone call that revealed the two of them were already ensconced in the warm atmosphere of the cafe.
Once Kevin had consumed his bodyweight in bacon butties our intrepid group set off on our N.Wales adventure. The group consisted of Megan, Mel, Kevin, Mold Andy, Steve T & H, Dave H, Alan, Mike G, Keith & local boy Trevor. See our group below
Trevor and Mike had cycled part of the way to
Caernarfon so it wasn’t as much of a shock to their legs as the rest of us
battled the headwinds along Aber Foreshore Rd with the Menai straights on our
right-hand side.
Soon with the coast behind us we set about tackling what Wales is famous for, not Sheep or Rain but Welsh hills. The climb was only interrupted by a road closed sign (which we normally take with a pinch of halen), but on this occasion was blocked by two vans, a plastic fence, a digger and a sizeable hole. A diplomatic chat with the contractors in their own language ensured a slow squeeze past the various obstacles and normal service was resumed.
Once clear and along with Steve H’s assurances “this is the last climb” we continued to rise and fall for a further forty-five minutes, by this time Steve overtures were being mostly ignored and the subject turned to “how long before lunch”. Before long the road dropped away and the sea came into view. Alan’s group were straining at the leash and allowed free reign to meet us at the lunch stop Tir a Môr Cafe. On arriving at the cafe Alan and his merry band were not to be seen, we realised later he had taken them on a Tour du Criccieth for extra miles.
To avoid the busy A road we entered Llanystumdwy
on the cycle path and followed the national cycle path network up to Bryncir.
At this point Alan decided he needed some extreme hill training and set off up the A road on his own. Soon he realised that the lovely gated Lôn Eifion (a gated old railway) was preferable to the busy A road and re-joined us. Mike and Trevor regaled us with the history of this lovely cycleway which is a 12.5 mile closed road from Bryncir to Caernarfon. The railway ceased operations in 1964 In addition to to it being part of the Avon Wen railway line it also shared part of its route with the Nantile Tramway. The Nantile Tramway transported slate from the local quarries to waiting vessels in Caernarfon.
Lastly the old tramway/line had a role in transporting materials from the quarry to the Dinorwic pumped power station near Llanberis during its construction. But probably the MOST endearing part of the route is the nine-mile downhill section all the way into Caernarfon. This section is delight to ride, requiring little pedalling and only the occasional stop to open gates or cross roads.
Soon we were back in town and here the group split, some heading to the station others to their cars and lastly the thirsty group who headed to the Caffi Maes for another warm drink.
A very pleasant 42 miles spent in excellent company with only a few short and mild showers.
Steve Hu
Our thanks go to Steve and Meghan Hughes for organising today's Special Ride. . Everyone really enjoyed the route, ride and the cafes in Caernarfon and Criccieth were first class. And even the weather turned out good. A great day all round!
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