- Location
- Shrewsbury, Shropshire
Sunday: As forecast the day dawned bright and sunny. It was just about warm enough for shorts and t-shirt from the off and expected to become pleasantly comfortable later. The plan was to get a 50 miler in and the route included some proper climbing which Doug didn't think he'd be able to manage. We had a plan that he'd stop off at Dolgellau and we'd rejoin him later, however after some discussion the alternative plan was for Doug to join us for part of the hilly section then to do his own shorter route and we'd meet up at Dolgellau - this would hopefully mean he wouldn't be having to wait round in town for too long.
We headed for Barmouth and found the main road reasonably busy. Most of the traffic was well behaved but one driver who gave us plenty of room forced an oncoming Land Rover into an emergency stop.
We got off that road as soon as possible and dropped down to cross the railway and ride along the sea front. There were plenty of trippers arriving for the day with queues to get into the car parks already.
Barmouth Bridge was fairly crowded so progress across it was slow. I'm pleased to see that barriers have been put on the path at the Morfa Mawddach end which should help deter motorcyclists from trying to use the footpath across the bridge. We joined the Mawddach trail which was nicely busy with people walking and more cyclists than I've seen out at once since the covid lockdowns. It was really good to see a wide variety of riders too - not just the obvious keen cyclists.
After the end of the trail we followed NCN route 82 up towards Coed Y Brenin. A family group was taking a breather part way up the first steep bit - we hadn't the heart to tell them how much more climbing there was likely to be. The views along this valley are lovely and made a good distraction for Doug who was doing alright but finding the climbs an effort. Gav and I parted from him close to The Forest Garden and made our own way on the route Gav had plotted out. I've ridden a lot of this before but it is still steep and I think Doug was right to avoid this bit.
At the summit of the climb the trees have been harvested since I was last here meaning there are some great views. We found a spot by a junction to pause to eat our lunch, with a view of mountain bikers coming to the end of a trail section and having to splash through a muddy puddle before joining the road.
When we moved on again we had a really nice long descent back to the road where we'd last seen Doug and headed past the Forest Garden ourselves.
Gav had some new lanes to try out so we turned off and had an explore on the way to Llanfachreth and Ochr Y Foel. A lady with a couple of very large black dogs crossed the path just in front of Gav - he said he thought they were bears for a moment.
We rejoined familiar roads on the descent into Dolgellau and with good sight lines and a smooth surface I hit 42.3 mph top speed at one point.
My highest top speed on this bike by some margin and only a fraction slower than my best ever (set on the same stretch of road incidentally). We met Doug at The Royal Ship in the centre of town and he bought a round.
After enjoying our break at the pub we returned along the Mawddach Trail. There were still plenty of people about but it wasn't quite as busy as earlier. We had a headwind on the way back which made progress a little slower then when we reached Arthog we took a detour out to the main road and into Fairbourne so as to make sure of getting over 50 miles. It's been many years since I last visited Fairbourne - I liked seeing the miniature railway again but the rest of the village feels pretty run down which is a little sad. We rode as far as the tarmac goes then retraced our steps (getting held up at the level crossing) and rejoined the path to the bridge at Morfa Mawddach. Again, there were plenty of people using the path but not quite as many so it was slightly easier on the return.
Barmouth had obviously had a busy day as there were cars parked along the whole length of the promenade. Quite a few people wandered into the road without looking so we had to pay attention.
After the steep climb at the end of the sea front we rejoined the main road - we stayed on this road for a bit and having a tailwind we were getting along at a good pace, overtaking a couple of riders along the way. The motor traffic seemed to be going at a particularly fast pace too so as soon as the signage allowed it we hopped onto the path even if it wasn't as good to ride.
51.94 miles at 11 mph average. A great ride in some wonderful weather.
We did have it in mind to ride again on the Monday but Gav and Doug preferred a walk along the beach instead - that turned out to be a good move as it stayed dry where we were but a couple of thundery showers rolled across where we would have gone.
Barmouth Bridge.
The train for Barmouth at Morfa Mawddach.
Enjoying the Mawddach Trail.
Some climbing to do in Coed Y Dinas.........
....... the views from the top are worthwhile though.
Near Llanfachreth.
Pints at The Royal Ship. Shame Gav blinked - I'll have to take him back and get the shot again.
The Fairbourne Railway.
The view from the top of our last steep climb of the day.
We headed for Barmouth and found the main road reasonably busy. Most of the traffic was well behaved but one driver who gave us plenty of room forced an oncoming Land Rover into an emergency stop.
We got off that road as soon as possible and dropped down to cross the railway and ride along the sea front. There were plenty of trippers arriving for the day with queues to get into the car parks already.Barmouth Bridge was fairly crowded so progress across it was slow. I'm pleased to see that barriers have been put on the path at the Morfa Mawddach end which should help deter motorcyclists from trying to use the footpath across the bridge. We joined the Mawddach trail which was nicely busy with people walking and more cyclists than I've seen out at once since the covid lockdowns. It was really good to see a wide variety of riders too - not just the obvious keen cyclists.
After the end of the trail we followed NCN route 82 up towards Coed Y Brenin. A family group was taking a breather part way up the first steep bit - we hadn't the heart to tell them how much more climbing there was likely to be. The views along this valley are lovely and made a good distraction for Doug who was doing alright but finding the climbs an effort. Gav and I parted from him close to The Forest Garden and made our own way on the route Gav had plotted out. I've ridden a lot of this before but it is still steep and I think Doug was right to avoid this bit.
At the summit of the climb the trees have been harvested since I was last here meaning there are some great views. We found a spot by a junction to pause to eat our lunch, with a view of mountain bikers coming to the end of a trail section and having to splash through a muddy puddle before joining the road.
When we moved on again we had a really nice long descent back to the road where we'd last seen Doug and headed past the Forest Garden ourselves.
Gav had some new lanes to try out so we turned off and had an explore on the way to Llanfachreth and Ochr Y Foel. A lady with a couple of very large black dogs crossed the path just in front of Gav - he said he thought they were bears for a moment.
We rejoined familiar roads on the descent into Dolgellau and with good sight lines and a smooth surface I hit 42.3 mph top speed at one point.
My highest top speed on this bike by some margin and only a fraction slower than my best ever (set on the same stretch of road incidentally). We met Doug at The Royal Ship in the centre of town and he bought a round.After enjoying our break at the pub we returned along the Mawddach Trail. There were still plenty of people about but it wasn't quite as busy as earlier. We had a headwind on the way back which made progress a little slower then when we reached Arthog we took a detour out to the main road and into Fairbourne so as to make sure of getting over 50 miles. It's been many years since I last visited Fairbourne - I liked seeing the miniature railway again but the rest of the village feels pretty run down which is a little sad. We rode as far as the tarmac goes then retraced our steps (getting held up at the level crossing) and rejoined the path to the bridge at Morfa Mawddach. Again, there were plenty of people using the path but not quite as many so it was slightly easier on the return.
Barmouth had obviously had a busy day as there were cars parked along the whole length of the promenade. Quite a few people wandered into the road without looking so we had to pay attention.
After the steep climb at the end of the sea front we rejoined the main road - we stayed on this road for a bit and having a tailwind we were getting along at a good pace, overtaking a couple of riders along the way. The motor traffic seemed to be going at a particularly fast pace too so as soon as the signage allowed it we hopped onto the path even if it wasn't as good to ride.
51.94 miles at 11 mph average. A great ride in some wonderful weather.
We did have it in mind to ride again on the Monday but Gav and Doug preferred a walk along the beach instead - that turned out to be a good move as it stayed dry where we were but a couple of thundery showers rolled across where we would have gone.
Barmouth Bridge.
The train for Barmouth at Morfa Mawddach.
Enjoying the Mawddach Trail.
Some climbing to do in Coed Y Dinas.........
....... the views from the top are worthwhile though.
Near Llanfachreth.
Pints at The Royal Ship. Shame Gav blinked - I'll have to take him back and get the shot again.
The Fairbourne Railway.
The view from the top of our last steep climb of the day.
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