Just Ray and I turned up for this bumper fun day to check the route of the forthcoming "Pistyll Packing Momma" Audax. We left Tattenhall at 07:55 into a cool and overcast day. Chirk was the first stop which we reached by 10:00am: 10 minutes less than when we rode "Momma's Mountain Views".
From here we rode up Glen Cerriog, through Llanarmon DC and over the tops to Pistyll Rhaeadr for a good lunch. The route then took us to Lake Vyrnwy over the southern Hirnant Pass and over the dam to the cafes. The weather became threatening at this stage and dropped some rain (as it did again after Bala): but nothing too wet.
We left Lake Vyrnwy over the North Hirnant Pass which gives a spectacular descent to Bala and another cafe stop. Beyond Bala we followed the main road north for 8km until turning off at Bethel. We then followed a relentlessly hilly route past Melin-y-Wig, Pentrecelyn and over the Shelf to Llanarmon-yn-lal. Much of the road around Melin-y-wig and beyond is in terrible condition, but due to be resurfaced this August.
After Llanarmon-yn-lal we picked up the "Momma's Mountain Views" route again to Llanfynydd where we had a much needed and appreciated hot bowl of soup at the Cross Keys. Finally we climbed over Hope Mountain and returned to Tattenhall through Hope, Holt and Bruera, arriving at 21:30 pm in the gloom. Distance was around 210/215km (just over 130 miles) with 3000m climbing.
We had a hard but ultimately very satisfying day out. Many thanks to Ray who could have got round an hour quicker, but waited for me after he had sprinted over the big hills.
DM
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