A beautiful Sunny morning in Wales, with a fresher feel than yesterday’s humid drizzle and, when I set out, just a gentle North Westerly breeze. It was one of those days when I wasn’t sure if I needed trousers or shorts, but went for trousers due to the cool air and it probably proved to just about be the correct decision, warm on the climbs but blooming cold on the descents!
I meandered up to Dyffryn and then along the busier than I’d hoped for, main road to Llanbedr, pausing in the lay-by that overlooks the airfield, for a couple of pictures.
I then turned off towards Pentre Gwynfryn and began the climbing in the direction of Cwm Bychan, which was my first destination of the day. The lanes were fairly quiet, just a few cars met, plenty of squirrels and 3 friendly chaps out for a hike, but they’d paused for a cuppa and gave me a cheery hello and wave.
I arrived at the Cwm and followed the shoreline to the far end, before doubling back and pausing for a snack in my usual spot that over looks the water. It’s such a peaceful spot and one of my favourite places to escape to by bike.
The descent back down to Pentre Gwynfryn was its usual enjoyable self, seeing the 3 chaps again on the way and remarkably meeting the same Vauxhall Zafira, in exactly the same place that I’d met it coming in the opposite direction earlier on!
I crossed the bridge over the Nantcol river and then started climbing again, up past the Rhaeadr waterfalls and through farmland, before the final steep climb up to Pen yr Allt Fawr, at 805ft. It’s a 600 ft climb from Pentre Gwynfryn and a lovely view awaits, where I sat on the bench to have my lunch.
The Llyn Peninsula
Yr Wyddfa (Mount Snowdon)
I then descended the gated road (3 of them to contend with) before the exhilarating descent down to Dyffryn Ardudwy and back to the caravan.
20.97 miles, 1691ft of climbing at 10.3mph avg