10th June 2010: Denbigh & Vale of Clwyd

Just like Caergwrle, a start from Hawarden usually means a lot of hills in prospect and today’s ride was not a disappointment.  Although Jim and Bryan were at the Gallery Café, it was Dave & Liz P, Mike and Dave H and myself who set off for Denbigh. Bryan had a genuine reason not to ride, but Jim’s sounded a little suspect!  Out via Buckley, New Brighton and Sychdyn, we skirted north of Mold heading for Gwernaffield.  This road from Mold to Gwernaffield is a bit like the Minera Steps, but eventually the top was crested near to Mold golf club.  The single chevroned twisting road down to the small bridge was quickly followed by a double chevroned ascent.  Dave H on his Marin, fully employed the ultra low gearing specified on his new bike, as we all puffed our way up and out, soon turning right northwards thus bypassing Cilcain itself.  All the Moels (Famau, Llys-y-coed, Arthur) were resplendent against the greyish and windy skyline.  The narrow lane rapidly opened up into a highway used by trucks from the nearby quarry.  On reaching the A541, we were accosted by a Volvo driver asking if we knew anyone who wanted a tandem; Mike offered to facilitate a potential sale via the CTC website.  Quickly turning left off the main road, we headed ever upwards to the Moel Arthur pass at 1130ft.  It was a charming gradual climb through a wooded valley crowned by a magnificent view of the Vale of Clwyd.  We pushed on downhill for once across the Clwyd river valley and into Denbigh, passing on the outskirts a very charming light stone church.  The town centre was reached by yet another steady climb.  We scouted out a few pubs but none appeared to serve food, but a local advised us to go to the Forum tea shop/restaurant (opposite Boots) and an excellent recommendation it was.  Good food at reasonable prices served promptly; and you could buy a pint as well!  All agreed it was a lunch stop for the list.  Leaving on the back lane towards Trefnant, the sun highlighted the edge of the escarpment across the valley that we knew we had to climb a few miles later on.  On reaching Tremeirchion, the tandem duo wisely decided to find a flatter way back and headed off towards Rhuallt.  We three monocyclists struggled uphill for what seemed miles (1.3 actually but 500ft of ascent) until a right turn found us riding essentially on the level through some beautiful countryside.  Turning towards Babell, we made the slow ascent to Pentre Halkyn against a strengthening wind.  Pausing at the top for views over to Liverpool, we made the usual fast return via Northop and Ewloe back to Hawarden.  The lanes from the top down to Northop are fast but a very close brush with a van reinforced how dangerous they can be!  The Hawarden round trip was 48.5 miles with 3600ft of ascents, adding in the 16 miles out and back, another very enjoyable ride into the quiet Clwydian countryside.
See route map and/or gpx file download.
CA