'So much for an early start' we said to ourselves as we arrived on the M42 near Birmingham at 5.30pm on a Bank Holiday Friday! However an hour and a half later our first challenge for the weekend was over and we were cruising down the M54 towards a rendezvous with Fish and Chips in Welshpool (Highly recommended by the way - Andrews Fish Bar on the main street in Welshpool).

'What was our next challenge to be?' Beating both the rain and nightfall to our campsite! Soon followed by a very welcome cup of tea (or was that whiskey) to the pitter patter sound of rain on the tent.

Saturday morning dawned bright and clear. No no! That was a dream - this is Wales after all! Saturday morning dawned cool and rainy. After much to-ing and fro-ing we settled on a mountain bike ride from Bryncrug - which can be roughly translated from the Welsh as "Small Welsh Village with Pub and Shop but No Parking"!

Our route took us past the Rhyd-yr-onen railway station, climbing steeply into the Nant Braich-y-rhiw valley. Hard riding at times but it was a beautiful remote valley with views out over the mountains and coasts of mid Wales. All that uphill gave us a wicked downhill section on the road to Cwrt, the turning point of the ride. We followed the Panorama Walk Track high up on the hills above Happy Valley to the coast. The final descent was hairy but not too scary despite the skull and cross bones warning from the route guide!

Riding on the beach back to Tywyn

At this point we decided to ride our bikes back to Tywyn, not taking the road, but the beach. Carrying the bikes up over the sand hills had some of us reconsidering this idea! But the sight of the broad flat sand had us all enthusiastic again. Nothing quite like the freshness of sea air!

From Tywyn it was a short ride back to Bryncrug, and then a short drive back to our campsite. Our arrival back at the campsite was followed by the usual cup of tea (or was that beer), and a very relaxing evening listening to the rain on the roof of the tent (again!)

Overall it was a fun weekend with the weather better than expected. I had never been to this part of Wales before and I found there was a good mix of activities - biking and walking. Just right for a weekend where you're not quite sure what the weather is going to do!

Other activities

As well as mountain biking, there were lots of other activities and trips this weekend including:

• Mountain biking at Nant Yr Arian a forestry commission trail. This included such sections as "The Mark of Zorro", which nearly became "The Mark of Zorro on Nigel's Forehead" as it was a precipitously steep zig zag downhill trail. This was followed by "The Leg Burner". I could still see the glow on their legs hours after their return to the campsite! Highly recommended is the walnut coffee cake at the Forestry Enterprise Cafe!
• Climbing and walking in the Berwyns.
• Walking over Tyrrau Mawr and Craig y Llyn, followed by a side trip to Castell y Bere. Castell y Bere is the well preserved ruin of a 13th century Welsh prince's castle. It was the last Welsh castle to fall to the English (1292) when it was besieged by 3000 men.
• Walking to Llyn Cau and over Cadair Idris.
• That usual SMoG activity of gear fondling!

Paula and Lutz at Llyn Cau

Who's the King of the Castle?

Last Updated: 13 Oct 2005	© Slough Mountaineering Group	contact us