24th July 2014: Pistyll Rhaeadr (mod)

The moderate group consisting of Dave and Liz on tandem, Dave H, Steve and Trevor set off to repeat Mike Morley’s route of 2010 to Pistyll Rhaeadr: a splendid route over the Berwyn mountains down to the Rhaeadr Valley and up to its start at the magnificent waterfall (Pistyll Rhaeadr) with its quaint tearooms at its foot.

Photograph by Steve Haywood

The return route descended further down the Rhaeadr Valley to turn north at Abercynllaith to take a lower but still very hilly return route over the Berwyn’s back to Chirk.

A little bit of walking on the 1 in 6 sections but the views and sense of achievement of cycling in the high mountains makes for a splendid day out at a pace suited to all of the party.  Distance 43 miles. A steady ride averaging just over 10 miles an hour including the walking. 

Pistyll Rhaeadr Café rating:  good selection of food at moderate price.  Open all year. No beer.  Seats outside but beautifully cool inside on a scorching day.

Getting to Chirk: several riders took the train from Chester to Chirk, we took the tandem in the car as usual (25 minutes from South Chester). Steve cycled from Kelsall to the start and back making a round trip of about 110 miles.

DP

28th July 2011: Pistyll Packing Momma Audax

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

2nd September 2010: Pistyll Rhaeadr

This being the August Bank Holiday week the numbers registered for Mike’s ride from Chirk over to the Rhaeadr Falls was down on our usual turnout.  With many regulars away on holiday it was encouraging to hear from two new riders, on the day before, that they intended to join us.  Then while unloading my bike in Chirk, Dave Heath pulled up with his bike on the back and within a few minutes Trevor, riding with us for the first time, was introducing himself.
We headed off to the Coffee Shop to find Dave Hill eating breakfast having cycled all the way from Chester.  Then Mike and Clive arrived, and finally Dave Matthews to make the numbers up to a respectable seven riders.  After a few minutes of chat Mike brought us to order and led off towards the impressive Chirk Castle gates where a left turn onto a track immediately stamped his signature on the ride.  We then followed the Ceiriog Valley out to Glyn Ceiriog and Llanarmon Dyffryn Ceiriog with a minor deviation along another track enjoyed by just three intrepid riders while the rest stuck to the road.  This was easy riding, through beautiful countryside in perfect conditions engendering, what was perhaps, a false sense of what was to come: but not for long!

Photographs by Mike Morley and Bryan Wade

Immediately out of Llanarmon Dyffryn Ceiriog the road ahead rose uphill into the distance: gently at first then steepening and finally maintaining a constant gradient for another mile. We all made it, although I suspect Trevor was beginning to wonder what he had let himself in for.  After a brief stop and a photograph to mark the occasion we continued up the last section of the climb before a long swooping descent down the other side touching 40 mph.  With little traffic we enjoyed the meander along the Afon Iwrch before turning up over the shoulder of Moel Hen-fache through a farm and down to the Afon Rhaeadr for the final stretch to the Falls.

The Rhaeadr Falls café, although small, offered a good choice of food all quickly served at tables looking out over the Falls.  Tea, coffee and cold drinks were the order of day here; so the beer drinkers had to go without for once.  A small price to pay for what was already a superb ride.  By 2.00pm it was time to leave the café for the short walk down to the bottom of the Falls and then the ride back.
The first part back along the Afon Rhaeadr to Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant in perfect sunny weather was simply stunning.  I began to seriously consider spending an hour or so at the side of the road taking in the views.  Sanity prevailed and we continued into the Tanat Valley before turning off at Llangedwyn to head north uphill towards Llansilin.  A few miles further we stopped by Bwlch-y-rhiw Farm to read the plaque dedicated to those who lost their lives when a Wellington bomber on a training exercise from RAF Harwell crashed on the farmhouse in January 1943 killing the family and entire aircraft crew.  This was followed by another stop to admire the false OS grid reference painstakingly etched on the gatepost of Rhydycroesau Village Hall.
There was one more climb to go but once over Offa’s Dyke it was downhill virtually all the way back to Chirk arriving at just gone 4.00pm in time for afternoon tea.  43 miles done, back on time, perfect weather, fantastic route and scenery and we even had a bit of culture and history: how do you do it Mike?  A truly wonderful day.
And for Trevor not the easiest of first rides but judging by the way you coped we hope you are up for more.  Manley Mere next for a more typical Easy Riders ride.
For the record the SatMap recorded 2,024 m of ascent!

BW