i I had a steady start as I had injured my knee playing football the night before, so it took a little while to get warmed up. Today's start destination was the Gallery in Hawarden, and for once I don't believe I was last, I even had time for coffee in the very packed cafe. We pretty much filled the place, I recall only two customers who weren't CERs.
With hellos and coffee underway and gearing up to follow Clive and his route, which he planned for us a few days ago, I was informed that he was not feeling energetic enough for it today and opted for a steadier alternative. Feeling confident that I could take on Clive's route, we quickly sorted the boys from men, that being Mariusz and Toby, up for a hilly route.
We had a small delay to begin with as I had trouble getting the route loaded onto my Garmin. We decided to head out in the general direction of west, finding our way through Buckley and on through Mold on the Denbigh road. With a murderous wagon passing us, we all happily took the next right off the main road, even if that came in the form of a climb, one of many in today's ride.
Realising that we were afar from Clive's route, I managed to educate myself on the usage of my Garmin and plotted a route through Cilcain and skirting Ruthin with our destination still being Llandegla community cafe. With a salvaged route we turn left and end up heading down through a small valley, a sea of yellow fields. With a closer look into the sea of yellow fields, it was dandelions.
We cross the Mold-Denbigh road and climb up to Cilcain, with a moment of pause and a check of the winging it route, we carry on through to reach a junction met with a sign that said Mold and Ruthin were both left. Quickly realising that was heading to the main road and not wanting to double back on ourselves meant we turned right to head up towards Moel Famau. We reach the brow of the road and take the obligatory team pic and all enjoy the view across the Ruthin planes, or at least using that as an excuse to refill our lungs. Small talk of brakes and then descend on towards Ruthin, turning left before we got too close.
Along the back lanes we head, Toby reading the road asks if
we are heading straight on or right. I responded with a left, that he hadn't
spotted. This also puzzled Mariusz as he wasn't sure where this shortcut of
mine led too. With a small discussion, looking at the cul de sac sign, I
decided that we will push on with the shortcut, I mean what was the worst that
could happen? The wind for once was helpful pushing us on up as the road got
steeper, before it ran out of tarmac.
Waiting for the other two at the dead end of the tarmac
road, I was fully prepared for a mutiny. To my surprise it never came, on we
pushed being good candidates for the Rough fellowship, where the rocky gravel
road turned into farm tracks and into ramblers path over gates and through a
field. With all this challenging terrain, we were rewarded with a splendid
view. Making our way through the field I couldn't help but adore a Magnificent
horny beast of what I can only describe as a highland cow.
Helping each other with lifting bikes over another gate we find tarmac again, I wasn't about to say to my comrades that my so-called shortcut carries on straight down another gravel path. We take the right onto the road and once again, and for the final real climb of the day. We start our descent onto Llandegla as we admire the banked rows of dandelions, bluebells and white garlic leaves.
With our steads parked up we head inside the community cafe, who are expecting another group. We take our pews and order our much needed fueling and refreshments. Coffees arrive and then our ordered meals. I originally ordered a soup, but it must have been a soup day as they had sold out, so I settled for a bacon egg bap. I'm glad I did, as it certainly hit the spot, one of the best I've had in a long time (I also had my traditional egg thin, almost like a desert). Toby delved into beans on toast and as the cafe was short on cakes (must have also been a cake day), Mariusz settled for a tuna sandwich, which also looked good.
It's all downhill now, we head out of Llandegla onto the 525 and head to Bwlchgwyn, then left down the steps down to Cefn-y-Bedd. On through Hope, taking the road to Kinnerton. But then take the right to take the road that runs parallel, avoiding the school run pick ups. We reach Saltney ferry, Mariusz peels off to see a mate, leaving Toby and I to cross the river. We head straight up to Blacon, where Toby departs onto the Greenway and home. I return home with over 55miles and nearly 1300m elevation gain, to prepare myself for my work shift. With Toby and Mariusz closer to 60 miles.
Many thanks for your company today chaps and the make do and mend or at least adapt attitude, as always a great day of cycling.
Summary
This ride report documents a hilly, adventurous journey from
The Gallery in Hawarden to Llandegla, featuring an improvised route through
Cilcain, Mold, and over Moel Famau. Despite unexpected gravel paths and the
route becoming a "cul-de-sac," the ride included scenic views and a
refueling stop in Llandegla before returning via Hope and Saltney.
Chris E
See route map and/or gpx file download
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