The forecast was for sunny spells and although rain threatened several times, only a few spots fell – so I have maintained my “ability/luck” to control the weather over the last three rides! Six of us left the Gallery Café bound for Penycloddiau pass and the Griffin pub in Llanbedr DC. Liz D, Trevor, George, Alan, Dave B and I left behind the Tandem Duo and Martin.
Out from Hawarden, we warm up our legs over wet roads past the Ewloe quarry towards Buckley. We take the back way to Soughton to access the steady climb up to Gwernaffield. Down the steep descent to Cilcain Bridge, we puff up the double chevron ascent and turn right towards Nannerch.
Photographs by Alan Jeffs
Out from Hawarden, we warm up our legs over wet roads past the Ewloe quarry towards Buckley. We take the back way to Soughton to access the steady climb up to Gwernaffield. Down the steep descent to Cilcain Bridge, we puff up the double chevron ascent and turn right towards Nannerch. Photographs by Alan Jeffs
At the start of the long climb to Penycloddiau I suggest we meet in the car park at the top for a breather. In the car park Alan and I enjoy the Vale of Clwyd views and the history of this Iron Age hill fort and patiently wait but no one comes until I spot Trevor who says he is the back marker. We three set of down the lane to find the others. A phone call from Liz advises they couldn’t find us in the car park (?) and are down the bottom at the crossroads. “OK” I say, “be with you soon”. However down the lane I find Alan assisting Trevor with a puncture so I freewheel all way down to the crossroads and advise Liz and Co to follow the B road to the Griffin. I grind back up the hill and wait at the turn for the high level lane that cuts across the countryside to the pub. 
CA
For those who missed the history lesson at the top of Penycloddiau, if you click on my pictures of the notice boards to enlarge them you can read most of the text! There's an interesting bit about a Canadian soldier visiting at the time of WW1.
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