A smaller than usual group of three headed for North Wales courtesy of Andy’s van. We hit the Beast trail which is 37km of mainly singletrack with some rocky technical sections but more flowing than it used to be. It takes in 3500ft of climbing (that’s equivalent to riding up Snowdon), but that didn’t seem to bother Derek. He was having trouble holding down his new super lightweight carbon/alloy Giant bike, resulting in Andy and me grovelling to keep up on every climb. And lots of comments from other surprised groups riding at a more sedate pace.
But you are never far from another descent on this trail and here the playing field was a bit leveller with the three of us keeping fairly close together and catching a few other groups as we went. A quick tea and barra brith at the cafe mid route gave us the sustenance to climb to the highest point and then tackle the neverending descents, which have been gretatly improved, but still require 100% concentration. We finished off the trail with further refreshment at the visitors’ centre. A grand day out with blue skies for much of the time.
Beforehand, someone had the suggestion of stopping off on the way home to ride up Snowdon, but they had gone off the idea by the end of the Beast! I won’t say who’s idea it was for fear of embarrassment, and Derek and I didn’t want to make too much of the change of heart because we wanted a lift back to Northwich! Thanks for the lift Andy and welcome to the world of pain and suffering which is cycling.
Sounds fantastic, I’m so sorry I missed it. Great photo incidentally! And as for Snowdon, there’s always another day!
Jealous!!!
Ross
It was a great day out. I do feel that I need to add to the story that Nick let me tire myself out and then waited till I was heavy with Bara Brith and kicked on the climb from the cafe did a Armstrong – Ullrich look and kicked again and rode away. Note to self leave some in the tank and get him back!
Derek
you’re right derek, i don’t remember nick struggling with ANY hills – infact if it wasn’t for his vapour trail i think i’d have lost him. thanks nick – those last few downhill boulder sections were bonkers. and you still had two ‘snowdon references’ left before you were biking home!
Glad you both enjoyed it – we’ll have to get a bigger group for the next outing. By the way, I borrowed the photo. Depending on what people want to do we will probably change the 2 May ride from Mary Townley Loop to Lee Quarry, especially as it’s the Borderlands Race ( sorry…ride) the following weekend. Please leave a comment here to let me know what you prefer. I’ll put a link on here soon so you can see what Lee Quarry is all about.
I’d vote for Lee Quarry.
Looking at the website though, on the day entry is only if they are not already full. £10.00, cash.
Perhaps if we turn up earlyish, then if it is full we could clear off somewhere else, I will have a look at my collection of MBR routes to see if there are any pre-planned routes near there.
http://www.brownbacksracing.co.uk/
Matt is it £10 in on the 2nd or are you thinking about the race on the 4th bank hol? By the way I’m up for the race on the 4th if anyone else fancies it?
Ah that was Derek looking for race buddies
if you’re talking about the 2nd of may then its free to ride on the saturday, with the race being the following day. i’d be up for lee quarry on the 2nd as i don’t think i’d manage the townley loop. plus if we hit lee quarry then it gives the people who’d be up for doing a race an insight to the course. probs get a couple of laps in as i’ve heard its not the longest of courses. i’d have to run the dates past ‘the board’ to get a race date booked which needs strategic planning so i’ll let you know….
I’d be up for Lee Quarry on the 2nd. Had a look at some clips on Youtube last night and it looks like a post-apocalyptic Llandegla! Should be good, like Andy said we can at least check it out for the possibility of racing on the 4th.
Looks like Lee Quarry then unless some are desparate to takle Mary Townley!
Aah, right. Now I understand. I didn’t read the original post properly and thought we were aiming for the first race, this Sunday. All sounds good to me.
I’m lost!!! Are we doing the race on the 4th or not? Got a plan for a night ride on the 9th if anbody fancies it?
Ross
Sat 2 May for a ride round Lee Quarry. The race there is on Bank Holiday Monday. See the comments on the later post. Tell us about your night ride plan on 9th there too Ross.