12th February 2015: Pontcysyllite Aqueduct (mod)

Although this was our last ride from Alyn Waters this winter, a good sized group of eight, consisting of Dave and Liz P, Dave H, Steve T, Keith, Ray, myself and Andy (on his first ride for some time) met for tea and crumpet at the café, to be joined by Brian Mac who was doing a short ride.

The plan was to aim for Llangollen, but with the fall back choice of the Telford at Pontcysyllite if time was short. We set off for Windy Hill to be met immediately with ‘Road Closed’ signs. This was not on the agenda so we decided to press on regardless; a good choice as it turned out as there was no sign of road workers though some grids had been tampered with. Onward and upward onto ‘the steps’ which seem to get steeper every year, then Minera, Talwern and Rhosllanerchrugog before dropping down into Acrefair. Heading for the canal basin we realised that time was slipping away so stopped for lunch. I would like to say that the pub was warm and cosy but it wasn’t, though the food was welcome, and we were soon back in the saddle and heading across the famous aqueduct towards Chirk. 

Photograph by Steve Tan

Once over the Dee valley at Pentre we took the old main road, past the local landfill site and uphill to Cefnmawr, passing the well-known caravan sales site at the top of the hill. We noticed the usual large range of second hand vans on offer in any colour as long as you like mossy green! 

Northwards towards Ruabon, the town with more nail salons than population, and onto the back lane past New Hall recycling site, the two well known slag heaps that we all pass alongside the A483, and the old brickworks; a journey full of interest and architectural heritage! To the west of Wrexham we followed the lanes alongside the main road until we reached New Broughton. Here we went north along quite pleasant lanes and suburbs until we picked up our outward route at Windy Hill. 

However, the trials hadn’t finished yet as the mysterious road workers had appeared and were laying a lovely smooth layer of tarmac down our off route, and they definitely didn’t want several sets of tramlines spoiling the pristine surface. Carrying our bikes up the hedge bank we passed without any aggravation and arrived safely back at Alyn Waters in time for afternoon tea. All except Ray that is who had ridden out and set off for Caergwrle and Chester; a total distance of 60 miles for him but only 30 for us although they were very hilly.   

JD

13th December 2012: Pontcysyllite

Leaving home with the temperature gauge on -6˚ C I was feeling decidedly un-enthusiastic about a ride round the Welsh mountains.  I needn't have worried: most of the Easy Riders had clearly opted for a lie in as the only ones at the cafe at Alyn Waters were myself, Dave H, and Dave & Liz P on the tandem.  I proposed a short ride down to the aqueduct at Pontcysyllite: only about 13 miles but with the option to extend down to Chirk if the weather improved.  As it happened it didn't and we set off uphill through Windy Hill and onto the Steps' passing gingerly through several sections of ice before reaching Minera.  From here on we followed the B5426 southwards towards Rhosllanerchrugog and Acrefair.  A little confusion within half a mile of the aqueduct caused by the water board parking a van on the pavement blocking the sign was soon sorted and we gladly reached the pub, at this point all agreeing that 13 miles was quite far enough, as we were all chilled to the bone and the temperature had not yet gone above freezing.

Some hearty liver and onions, and famous home made steak pie went down really well and we set off at 2 o'clock for the return.  Round the back streets of Ruabon, we picked up the old main road and headed north to the outskirts of Wrexham.  Here things got a little confused, despite having the use of the GPS, but we managed to keep mainly off the main roads and threaded our way round the back of the council offices and the hospital.  Crossing the A483 we took the lane up to Summerhill and finally back to Alyn Waters.  The temp by now had leaped up to -1˚ C: positively toasty!!  An interesting ride for all concerned followed by a well-earned coffee at the centre.

Total distance a very chilly 26 miles - but at least we were out there! 

JD

12th August 2010: Street Dinas & Pontcysyllte Aqueduct

We were meeting today at Bellis’ Garden Centre with rain first thing and a mixed day forecast.  Turning to the map, some of the lanes to the east of Chirk looked quite interesting and worthy of exploration.  Combined with the added bonus of being able to try The Greyhound Inn at Street Dinas I was hooked.  The others soon arrived Clive, Ivan, Mike, Jim and Dave H although sadly Jim wouldn’t be joining us for the ride today.  Ivan had to get back early so my proposed ride of lunch at Street Dinas then the lanes round Chirk before heading north to cross the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct was ideal.  With luck we should be back in time for afternoon tea.
Setting off just after 11.00am we headed south through the lanes down to Bangor on Dee, over the bridge and on through Overton.  With very little traffic on the roads conversation flowed and we made good time on the familiar roads: even the rain held off with just a few spots now and then.
South of Overton we were back on the lanes, a descent to Shell Brook and then the lovely winding lanes requiring extra concentration to keep on the planned route, finally skirting Dudleston to join the main road 100 yards north of the pub at 12.30pm.  Although not the most attractive of places on the outside, the Freehouse sign was most encouraging.  Inside The Greyhound Inn provided everything a cyclist could ask for.  Good ale (Stonehouse Cambrian Gold) and if you are reading this Ray, lime and soda at 50p a pint!  A great choice of food, from which I chose the OAP’s plaice, chips and peas at less than £4.00.  Having had a discussion of prostate cancer on the ride down we quickly dispensed with the cholesterol issue and moved on to reminisce about bread and dripping and Camp Coffee!  No youngsters out today, you will note.  The excellent service (another plus here) meant we were back on the road by 1.30pm.

 Now the interesting bit: lots of unsigned narrow lanes until we reached the top of the descent down to Afon Ceiriog.  Not having done this before I led the way down somewhat cautiously; a narrow, windy, gravel strewn lane (two single chevrons on the map) with the occasional pothole, which seemed to go on and on.  Half way down Ivan flew past before reappearing in a field gateway having failed to make a very sharp right-hand turn.  From here it was plain sailing up to Halton before joining the A5 for a couple of miles to the canal towpath and cycleway.  Crossing the aqueduct was easy today with very few walkers about and we were able to take our time and take in the views while Ivan recorded the ride for posterity.
Photographs by Ivan Davenport

At this point Dave had a puncture and with a band of onlookers used a somewhat unusual technique to remove and replace the whole tyre and inner tube simultaneously.  Say no more: it worked and with two thorns removed we were back on the road to Ruabon.  Onto the lanes again, north to Farmworld, Sontley, Kings Mill (where Ivan skidded on loose gravel) and finally Erlas lane and the road back to Holt.
We arrived back at 4.00pm in plenty of time for afternoon tea having done a very enjoyable round trip of 42 miles from Holt and with 60 miles clocked by the time I arrived home in Chester.  Another great day with Chester Easy Riders.

BW

3rd September 2009: Trevor & Pontcysyllte Aqueduct

The good news was the rain forecast never wet us, it followed us all day. The bad news was the 18 mph wind never let up. Bryan is still out of action but kindly turned up at Bellis in Holt for elevenses and to suggest a route and wave us off. Thank you. Off directly into the South Westerly via Cross Lanes, Ruabon and the old iron/coal fields of the Dee Valley to the Canal Basin at Trevor. Excellent lunch at The Telford pub, including a dessert called ............. "Rumpy Pumpy". That's what I asked for and got.

Photograph by Brian MacDonald

After lunch it was over the "8th Wonder of Wales", now a World Heritage Site, Thomas Telford's Pontcysyllte breath-taking Aqueduct. We discovered that, in high cross winds, cycling on it is inadvisable, due to the canal on one side and the 116 foot drop on t'other. Back along the Llangollen Canal towpath for 3 miles, we passed three more of Telford's viaducts before emerging from a canal tunnel in sunny Chirk. Then with the wind behind us, we returned to Holt via St Martins and Overton, completing an easy & very varied 38 miles.

Next week, it's another 38 mile historical ride from Ness Gardens, to see where the Victorians went to play.

BMac

11th September 2008: Chirk and Pontcysyllite Aqueduct

Four riders met for elevenses at Bellis’s Garden Centre café: one had cycled from Frodsham for a chat over tea and teacakes before heading back, one had cycled from Chester and two had come by car with their cycles. The group decided to head south through the winding lanes, noting the extensive flooding along this stretch of the River Dee, before crossing the river at Bangor on Dee. We then continued further south through Overton and more lanes beyond, with the intention of heading west through Dudleston and on to Chirk. By one o’clock, and with some way still to go, the group decided to divert to St Martins where we discovered the recently opened Gill’s Café on Bank Top Industrial Estate. What a find this turned out to be: a friendly welcome, excellent service and a superb all day breakfast with toast and a mug of tea for £3.50. Suitably refreshed we headed off to Chirk before joining the canal towpath at Pentre for the last few miles to the Pontcysyllite Aqueduct. No matter how many times one crosses the aqueduct it never ceases to impress: a truly great feat of engineering. After leaving the aqueduct we made our way past the chemical works and onto the B5605 to Ruabon before eventually turning right onto the B5426 and then via Cock Bank and Cross Lanes back to Holt. The Bellis’s café was still open so we had another half hour for tea and cake before heading home.
Distance from Chester and back 63 miles with 713 metres of ascent: from Bellis’s and back about 42 miles.
BW