I'm up at the caravan for the Bank Holiday Weekend and once the morning showers had passed through I headed out on a ride with some new exploring included.
There was a strong southerly breeze blowing, which made it a hard ride down into Barmouth and along the seafront, before the slow weave across Barmouth bridge in between the tourists.
The trip up the Mawddach Trail was good, with the wind either helping me or at the side and it was my first trip up it that co-incided with high tide, which made it even more impressive than usual.
I paused at Dolgellau and had my lunch whilst watching the start of a cricket match.
I then continued through the Town and turned onto the new territory. There was a right turn towards the hospital and the start of a steep long climb up Froneleu, which easily dwarfs the one up to Cregennan!
Looking back down to Dolgellau
There were 4 gradient arrows and 800ft of climbing in about 1.5 miles. I seriously knew about it when I reached the turn off onto the lovely metalled mountain roads/paths along NCN Route 8, at Tabor.
There was more climbing as I wound my way over the top and the vast scenery towards Cader Idris was stunning.
Looking towards the pass I was heading for
I descended a little way down to the crossing point over the main A487. I then began a climb up a proper mountain pass, towards Aberlleffeni, which was bottom granny gear all the way......well as far as I decided to go anyhow!! It defeated me after about 20 minutes, and I could see that it just continued up and up before it would then steeply drop to the village. I simply didn't have the legs to go any further up it and so decided to re-trace my steps back towards Dolgellau and enjoy the brilliant descent that was ahead of me.
Cader Idris
It took me 35 minutes to climb up the hill, and 6 minutes to descend it. It was brilliant fun and I hit 30 to 34 mph in a number of places
My plan eventually is to work up the fitness to enable me to make it over to Aberlleffeni and then loop round to Tal-y-Lyn, Llyngwryl and Fairbourne. It will be a challenge that's for sure!
I arrived back at the cricket and the away team batsmen were dominating at 105 for 1 off 22 overs. The trip back along the Mawddach Trail was busy, loads of cyclists and walkers and the bridge was like a motorway! Some people are so rude as well, try moving out of my way, it's only a bike you know!!
Barmouth Bridge
With the wind behind me it was a speedy trip back along the seafront and along the very busy coast road to Talybont, which was heaving with weekend traffic, but all very well behaved
40.1 miles with 2100 ft of climbing and it takes me to 220 miles for the month, my first +200 mile month in 2 years and one of my biggest ever.
Edit:- Photo's now uploaded due to better wifi signal
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