Chirk (Y Waun) – Llanbenwch (which is so small it does not get a mention on the 1:50000 scale OS map).
I arrived at the café in Chirk to find 5x mod plus riders
and no mods. Following some lively banter they went to sleep and I decided to
ride solo.
Since the mods no longer use the opportunities Chirk has to
offer to the west I decided to seize this one and headed for the castle. At the
castle gates normal rides turn to the right and head down toward the A5. Not
today! Straight up the hill followed by a left turn takes you to Tyn y groes,
which does have a nice view across to the castle. Climbing steadily beyond this
takes you up to the ridge road (386m) with excellent views on both sides, Dee
valley to the North, Ceriog valley to the south
How do you get down off this ridge? The sign said
Llangollen, 13%. I don’t believe that I thought, but I will try it.
The first section was very steep, very scary and was descended
with the brakes clamped on. Then I went around a bend. I was faced with a very
long, straight, very narrow, very vertical section. Examining Strava afterwards
said -25.9%. I started down and soon thought better of it. I managed to stop
and get off. I touched the front rim and burnt my finger. My trust in my bike’s
ability to handle this descent failed and I walked until the hill eased a
little. Call me a wimp, but I am still alive.
Through Llangollen and then over the Horseshoe pass allowed
me to enjoy a proper descent. This was followed by that annoying little climb
up to the roundabout. Straight over that and then down the Nant y Garth on the
A525. This is really nice now it has been resurfaced.
1 mile past Llysfasi college and 1 ½ miles before Llanfair
Dyffryn Clwyd there is a café on a campsite (Llanbenwch). 20 miles done, this
was my lunch stop.
After lunch I took the minor road across the vale to
Pentrecelyn, then up to Graigfechan. Take the right turn and back up to the top
of Nant y Garth on the minor road. Left at the top brings me down to Llanarmon-yn-Ial,
then onto the B5430 and the A494 to Llanferres. Left at Cadole to Gwernaffield
then right to drop into Mold.
When you throw in the 23 miles to the start that makes a
total of 58.9 miles with 4465 feet of climbing.
An enjoyable ride was had by all.
Andy B
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