Club trip to Snowdonia, October 2003
Just thought I'd write a few lines about the MTB trip to Snowdonia this
weekend and also to thank everyone for coming and making it a great fun
weekend.
Ten of us left Cambridge on Friday evening bound for Ffridd Farm near
Harlech. We were honoured by the presence of one Mr Rob Driver who had
decided to see what mountain biking was all about! After what was quite an
eventful trip for some us, we arrived at Ffridd in time for hot chocolate
and a good sleep.
We awoke on saturday morning to a clear blue sky, bright sunshine, and a
biting easterly wind. Amazing weather for the latter half of October in
Wales! Our destination was Coed-y-Brenin and the Karrimor trail with the
option of elongating it should time allow (which it did!). The Karrimor,
which is probably the founding father of Welsh groomed trails, still packs
in a lot of interesting things along its 25 mile length - as was confirmed
when Rob was heard to gasp 'gawd, give me the track anyday!'. Grinding
climbs, rocky downhills and awesome singletrack was the order of the day.
Just over the half way point we split into two groups and Chris Jones took
those in search of that little bit more on an extension to the trail which
took another 3 hours! I then led the remaining group along the rest of the
trail and spent the rest of the afternoon indulging in some photography
(it was such a nice day for it...).
We all reconvened at Ffridd later that evening for tea and cakes and then
whiled away the evening with beer and curry, before most people fell sound
asleep by 2300.
The forecast for Sunday was initially not so good, but thankfully it
turned out to be yet another brilliant day. We had decided to ride locally
from Ffridd along one of my favourite back-country trails in and around
the Rhinog Mountains along some of the old drover's roads. A brief spell
on narrow tarmac started the day (with the odd climb thrown in) before we
hit the bridleways and green lanes around Pont Scethin. Steep climbs, fast
descents with amazing panoramic views of southern Snowdonia followed in
what was quite a strong wind! After five or so hours of riding we were
back where we started and somewhat less energetic (with the exception of
Andrew, Joe and Rob who had a little road race back up the final climb to
the farm - with Rob adding a little extra on for good measure!). Tea and
cakes then!
And that was the weekend gone - all over very quickly, but hopefully great
fun had by all. Even Rob was heard to mutter that he ached in places he
didn't know he could ache...!
Thank you all for coming along and making it a great weekend away and a
good start to the CUCC trips for the coming academic year.
Bart
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