Turned out nice eventually. This is the atmospheric view across to Moel Siabod from the Dragon’s Back on the Marin trail. Just Andy B and I tackled this one after Penmachno in the morning where we were joined by Alan Cook of BNECC. Despite the drizzle it was warm and great fun combining these two trails with a cafe stop in between at an excellent new cafe on the junction of the A5 and the B road to Penmachno.
The ride wasn’t without incident. Alan and Andy had falls on the very slippery wet rocks on the Penmachno trail and Andy’s seat post broke (at least the bolt did) half way round the Marin. I took pity on him after a while and swapped my seat to his bike; riding without a saddle certainly builds up the quads.
Thanks to Andy for the lift in the van – makes changing after the ride easier too!
Here we were on top of Old Pale on one of the recent Delamere rides. But we’ll find more excitement Saturday on the Penmachno and Marin Trails. For those who don’t know it, the Marin is a testing, rugged trail. Penmachno is less technical, but still great fun with some fantastic flowing sections. We can ride to Penmachno on quiet lanes and tracks, back to Betws for lunch, then off to the Marin which is a short ride away.
Meet at Betws y Coed’s main P&D car park at 10am. I can offer 1 place in my car, so get in touch if you want a lift.
Not going to be able to make it tomorrow, as I'm off to London Village to watch The Killers today.
Have a good trip!
i'll be going down in the van – nick, could pick you up at eight fifteen. let me know via the blog, if i don't hear from you i'll presume your making your own way. room for another if anyone is interested.
That would be great Andy, as long as you don't have to get back too early. Alan Cook is meeting us there too. See you at 8.15am
i'll be in for the long haul. i'll be introducing a bit of rust to wvcc by way of using my old bike, the white one is feeling a bit under the weather. just couldn't pass up the opportunity of doing the penmachno and marin. like i say, room for one more ……… eleanor?
Blimey I've heard it all now Nick -riding without a saddle eh! You've confirmed what I'd previously suspected, you're Superman in disguise! I'm wondering what the risk assessment looked like – potential hazards of riding saddle-less – enough to make your eyes water. Sorry we couldn't be with you, it sounds like you had a good time – we'll join you hopefully for the next Delamere ride – all things considered I think we'll probably bring our saddles along too.
thanks to the benevolence of nick 'iron legs' butterworth i managed to get back in one piece, just. how he managed to get round by far the best part of the marin with no seat beggars belief. although i think secretly he quite enjoyed the challenge, which he passed with flying colours. should have mentioned squeezing in snowdon on the way home seeing as i had my comfy new saddle with intergrated yellow crud catcher! cheers nick – great day
Glad you enjoyed it Andy. Don't forget it's Delamere this Saturday, then Wednesday 22 July Llandegla after work for those who don't mind missing the 10.
We have a few new takers already for Delamere, so I'm hoping for a bumper turnout. 10am at the station cafe as usual, all abilities welcome, we'll split into two groups if necessary.
See you at 10 at the cafe
Ross