8th June 2013: Corwen Audax Rides

With CER members taking part in each of the three audax events the first thing to say is we were very lucky with the weather.  Warm and sunny with light winds was perfect for a great day out.

200k riders at the start

Looking back at Barmouth on the Boulevard

Barmouth Boulevard 200k: 3500m ascent

There was a small entry for the original, very difficult, version climbing to Cross Foxes Inn after Dinas Mawddwy, with one rider from C&NW CTC successfully completing the course in 11h 30min.

Ten riders entered the mega difficult Vyrnwy Variant from Dinas Mawddwy taking in the hard side of the Bwlch y Groes after 150k of very hilly route and then the Northern Hirnant from Lake Vyrnwy.  Times varied from 9 hours (beat that Bradley Wiggins!) to 13h 15min.  All commented that this is a fantastic ride and deserves to be widely known.

To appeal to a larger number of riders the event may be moved to the last Saturday in July before the school holidays. The original finish via Cross Foxes is to be abandoned due to new road works and increasing traffic so the route is to take the Vyrnwy variant in future - 204k and 3750 metres of ascent - one of the most scenic and challenging 200k's in Britain.

Brenig Bach 107k: 2000m ascent

Bird Rock near Abergynolwyn- Barmouth Boulevard

A large entry of over 40 riders for this Graham Mills' classic included one tandem which successfully navigated the steep and narrow, hilly route.  Seven riders from C&NW CTC took part.  Everyone had a great day out and I have had much feedback as to the quality and enjoyment of the route.  (The fame of this route is spreading to the extent that a number of requests have been made to ride this as a "Permanent" audax ride.)

The final section of this ride down the A5 from Cerrigydrudion will be examined prior to 2014, to find the safest route back to Corwen on a summer Saturday.

Bala Parade 60k

Tal-y-Llyn in the shadow of Cader Idris - Barmouth Boulevard

Riding the Bala Parade

A super day out was had for around 25 riders with great service from the pub at Llanuwchllyn.  Seven riders from C&NW CTC took part including two vets whose combined age was well over 140 years.  Congratulations also to Geraldine Goldsmith of Peak Audax who determinedly struggled round the course with the handicap of a partially healed broken leg.

It is intended to re-route this ride next year to avoid the main road alongside Bala Lake and the town itself: too much traffic in summer.      

DM