...& Then There Were Three...Part 1 - Coed-y-Brenin
Coed-y-Brenin mountain bike trail.
My birthday weekend... After deliberation and much consideration and bit of persuasion for all parties considered, the car was hastily packed with tent and all the paraphernalia that goes along with it...oh and trusty steeds... and by 4.30pm Tomks and I were on the road ready for the drive to the campsite to meet Waynerock for an epic ride the following day
Wayne was already there, pitched, keeping space for us with the look of "I wanna ride" in his eye. We hastily made camp, found the local(ish) pub, had a few beers, ate back at the tent, before bedding down for the night.
It was decided in the morning to make our first ride of the day at Coed-y-Brenin... I hadn't ridden there before, but had read Tom's epic road trip diary from the year previous and Wayne's blog a few weeks back. I was up for it.
The skies threatened rain, but the temperature was good...Car park was mobbed with dozens of eager riders.
Let's go.....
DRAGONS BACK - 31.1km - climb 710m
The trail started well, rocky single track with quite a nice flow to it, few bits that threaten to have you off, but not too bad. Still cool. There was a bit of a steep climb to the fire road which warmed us up now end. But so far so good!!
Just a short cross over the fire road to more single-track, but this time no flow, just climb, and climb a bit more until the fire road is reached which is more of up and up!
At this point, Mr64, showed his super XC skills on his super light carbon machine and disappeared in a cloud of dust... my jaw dropped in awe, but soon pulled myself together by having a gel to keep me going on up.
The fire road seemed to go on forever, but I focused and kept my pace even until we eventually had a brief reprieve at BEEFY. And brief it was a lovely flow that ended up just being a drip is was so short. More fire road stretched up and beyond. I was starting to feel my choice from the extensive menu was misguided as at this point the clouds were becoming heavy and darker with rain and I knew we weren't even half way round...but hey in for a penny so they say....and smiles were still a plenty. As usual Tom had time to show off
HERMON
Finally a lovely chance to stand, pump and manual down a much needed flowing single-track. My faith restored until, you got it, more fire road... boohoo
This section of fire road and tarmac is epic in itself...and it goes up and more up and turning the corner to more up... To be fair some loooovvverrrrlyyyyy people have turned their house in to a Brew-box...."The Forest Café" giving much needed opportunity for a rest-bite, but we passed on by to continue our epic ride.
I don't think I have ever done so much up ever in my cycling over such a continuous long distance... But I was holding my own and not too fatigued just wet and cold. In my perverse mind I found comfort in seeing two young athlete lads pushing their bikes up the trail while I was still plodding away. Wayne sped ahead to offer advice and support and they eventually were able to regain their flow.
At last we reached more single-track, but by this time my hands were so numb and tingly with the wet and cold, I doubted my ability to descend. Tom has seen me like this on our many wet and cold rides, so is quite used to having to warm my hands in his always radiator fingers. Wayne's' ever contagious humour also helped immensely to raise spirits
After descending GOMEZ I began to regain my confidence as section after section of fast flowing, twisting single-track fell away before us, giving that chance to use the skills aching to get out after such a major climb. Woohoo, At last the grin factor was regained and embraced to its full... We all rode with gusto, confidence and immense pleasure despite the poor conditions... The jumps and berms being used to their full potential.
Then some more fire road, but this time, amazingly some that you could have a real rest on and just sit and ponder the ride just rode...oh and chance to dry your clothes...
PINK HEIFER
Wicked bit of single-track to wake you up, before becoming too complacent. Loved it, by now my hands were fully mine again.
The fire road now met was distinctly familiar, but travelling in the opposite direction. The boys were supportive in saying how well I had ridden and this really was the last climb to the beginning of the end... yeah rite!!
These final sections, GLIDE and SEVEN SISTERS I personally found an anticlimax as were short lived and only resulted in a further tarmac climb back up to the car park, when we had just passed 50metres from our vehicles ,fully loaded with food, a few moments before!!!
I can't wait to return to re-ride this absolute epic trail... I whinged a bit, smiled muchly and in my heart of hearts know I soooo enjoyed myself... great trail, abate a little too much fire road. But hey I know that now and will embrace it the next time.
I take my hat off to both Tom and Wayne for previously doing alone. Certainly not one I would want to do in my own company....a laugh and a joke along the way is required, especially in the Welsh rain.
Smackral to eat at the car and a post ride chat.... Back to the campsite for a well earned hot shower.
The boys sent on a beer errand while I cooked dinner, we then discussed weather to stay and ride the ClimachX then next morning...
No rain forecast for the next day til the afternoon...so possibly tooo rude not to... To bed to sleep on it....
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marcel warner
said:
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... Tom's turn???? the blog would be blue with words not temperature!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
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