Doncaster to mount Snowden

[donnyjnk]

Hi. Next year 3 of us are planning to cycle from Doncaster to Mount Snowden and back. We are planning to use the Trans peninne trail to Lymm but then not sure where to go from there. Any one help. We are doing it for Yorkshire Air Ambulance. Any suggestions of average distances to aim for and accomodation enroute? All 3 of us can manage 50 miles especially when there is no specific time just a necessity to get to the accomodation. Planning it on MTB as we think the route would destroy the roadbikes. Please help and any other advice would be appreciated.

 

[Dave7]

I can get you a little bit (10-15 miles) further.......just keep on the trail until you get to Walton swing bridge (you have to get off and cross main roads at least 2 places). This follows the Machester Canal.
At Walton-instead of forking right on the trail (towards Widnes/Spike Island) take the left fork which gets you to Moore nature reserve (well signposted). At that point it's perhaps 1 mile by road to the A56.
Not sure which 'paths' you can take from there but there are lots of minor roads i.e. via Frodsham you could take. If its minor roads you want let me know and I can give some suggestions.

 

[Tigerbiten]

NCR 62 Trans Penine to just before Lynn -> due south on the B5159 to the NCR 70 -> NCR 70 to Chester -> NCR 5 North Wales Coast route to just before Bangor -> Then any road route to Llanberis.
That probably the flatest and most car free route.

Its ~180 miles so ........

Are you camping or B&Bing ??
Are you carrying all your kit or will you have a backup car ??

For an unsupported camping trip 40-50-50-40 mile days would work out nice.
Camp at Crowden-Delamere-Prestatyn/Abbergele area-Llanberis.
YHA's at Crowden-Chester-Conway-Llanbersis so that will also work. Longer middle days and short 4th day.
For a supported B&B trip then 3x 60 mile days is another option.

Route home is either reverse of route out or .......
Down A5 for a bit then head towards Wexham -> Leek -> Chesterfield -> Home.
Once you can off the A5 it can be done mostly on back roads but it will be more hilly and navigating will be more tricky.

It will be a nice 7-9 day trip if the weather is nice.
Luck ........

 

[subaqua]

you wouldn't want to be on the A5 from Betws to Corwen through Pentrefoelas. its bad enough driving it.

 

[Tigerbiten]

you wouldn't want to be on the A5 from Betws to Corwen through Pentrefoelas. its bad enough driving it.

If you don't want to stay on the A5, it's possible to get off it a mile outside Capel Curig and then follow mostly back roads all the way to Corwen and beyond.
You'll just have to cross the A5 around 3 times dependent on exact route taken.
But that route will be very lumpy, ~45 mile from Llamberis to Corwen with ~5,000' climbing on back roads vs 38 miles and 2,500' climbing on the A5.

I'd go mostly on back roads Llanberis -> Cerrigydrudion, ~30 miles and 3,500' climb -> Bangor on Dee, ~40 miles and 3,500' climbing -> Leek, ~50 miles and 2,500' climbing.
This leaves you 65 miles and 4,500' to go, either a very long day to finish or split in two.

 

[fossyant]

Some good ideas there. the NCN 5 runs along the N.Wales coast, and is quite pleasant !

 

[donnyjnk]

I can get you a little bit (10-15 miles) further.......just keep on the trail until you get to Walton swing bridge (you have to get off and cross main roads at least 2 places). This follows the Machester Canal.
At Walton-instead of forking right on the trail (towards Widnes/Spike Island) take the left fork which gets you to Moore nature reserve (well signposted). At that point it's perhaps 1 mile by road to the A56.
Not sure which 'paths' you can take from there but there are lots of minor roads i.e. via Frodsham you could take. If its minor roads you want let me know and I can give some suggestions.

thanks fella all advice is welcoming

 

[subaqua]

If you don't want to stay on the A5, it's possible to get off it a mile outside Capel Curig and then follow mostly back roads all the way to Corwen and beyond.
You'll just have to cross the A5 around 3 times dependent on exact route taken.
But that route will be very lumpy, ~45 mile from Llamberis to Corwen with ~5,000' climbing on back roads vs 38 miles and 2,500' climbing on the A5.

I'd go mostly on back roads Llanberis -> Cerrigydrudion, ~30 miles and 3,500' climb -> Bangor on Dee, ~40 miles and 3,500' climbing -> Leek, ~50 miles and 2,500' climbing.
This leaves you 65 miles and 4,500' to go, either a very long day to finish or split in two.

I appreciate that its a lot more lumpy , but considering how fast the road is with a fair amount of tourist drivers who don't give a stuff I know what I would safely ride. its a lot better than it used to be, hqave been close to being squished by irish lorries belting for the ferry in the past ( 20 Yrs ago when i was a young whippersnapper riding it most weekends)