Bryan, Janet, Ivan, Clive, Trevor, Allan, Lizzie and Martin met in the café by the car park in Dolgellau at 10:30 am on another grey and gloomy August day. As we left it was just starting to rain and this would continue for the next 3 hours. We rode through the town and then immediately began a 200 metre ascent that Bryan described as "cruel". At the top, the normal splendid views were largely absent as the hills were enveloped in cloud down to the 300 metre level. From here it was downhill back to the valley bottom and after crossing the main Bala road it was up again towards the Coed Brenin forest. We rode up one side of the raging Afon Wen surrounded by huge trees and then down the other side and eventually back to Dolgellau.
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| Whether mist or condensation this says it all. |
Photograph by Martin Donaldson
The first section completed we embarked on the second which again began with a stiff climb up the Cader Road. At this point hunger and unremitting rain were causing spirits to flag so we were all relieved to reach the Gwernan Hotel. Welsh Rarebit proved the most popular choice for lunch. We learnt from the kitchen that this dish was so named because in then past the ordinary Welshman was prohibited by the landowners from catching rabbits and so cheese was used instead. Who needs Wikipedia!
By now the rain had stopped and the sun appeared, so with improved mood we continued the climb with great views of the Cader Idris crags to our left. Eventually we arrived at the Cregennen Lakes where superb views of the Mawddach estuary opened up. Then a steep descent with Bryan managing to skid on one particularly tight bend but expertly avoiding disaster. On to the main road and then a touch of wheels and Ivan was down thankfully without serious damage to body or bike. An everyday hazard in the life of the peloton!
Next we crossed the estuary along the railway bridge and, to avoid the horrors of Barmouth in August and the £1 toll, we doubled back and picked up the Mawddach trail. This follows a former railway line and provided an easy, flat and scenic route back to Dolgellau arriving just in time for tea and cakes.
41 miles and 1600 metres of ascent. A route I think that was enjoyed by all but which would have been so much better if the weather had been kind.
MD
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