Day one of the Traws Eryri and Olive’s fkt attempt.
We got the train from Llandudno Junction to Machynlleth at 05:16 so that we could still make a day of riding, we started from the tower after breakfast at 9:30.
Skirting the main road and starting on a closed road cycle path was great. Dropping over to the South side of Cadair Idris quickly and dropping onto the Mawdach Trail. Thats a cracking fast & rocky descent.
At the end of the trail you cross the toll bridge, don’t forget your 30p – dogs are free 🙂
A stop at the road to pop on rain jackets for the climb that follows. There’s not much flat here.
Though the take away so far is a lot of road and forestry roads interspersed with some good old Welsh mtb action!
Day Two of the Traws Eryri and Olive’s fkt attempt.
A relatively early start from our lovely little spot overlooking the lake and we were off on our way around to the visitors centre. Not much going on there at that time on an Easter Sunday. Why is it so damn difficult to find a tap at a reservoir? Never mind…
Soon after the little wooden bridge you’re crossing the A470 which is a super fast road at any time of day #carefulnow you are rewarded for your daring crossing by a sweet little stone bridge that we didn’t take a picture of. First super muddy bit of the trip next and further up it got pushy rocky too. Much further up towards the grassy summit there are three livestock feeders on the trail in a hollow – move up onto the bank at this point otherwise you’re axle deep in something.
Once summited your following a long and windy, mostly uphill road until your back on the A470! If we were doing this following section again we’d stay on the road until the right turn at Bont Newydd, just to get a view of what traffic is behind you – the route has you exiting a road on the left just after that fast bend, not nice.
Anyway! 20 or so K into the day and your at the entrance to Penmachno – one of the original trail centres. A long set of gravel roads and a bit more of the A470 road (!) before checking out the Sarn Helen Road on the way to Betws-y-Coed and the busy Spar and a handy chippy. Pastie and chips by the river and a sausage for Olive.
We followed the route for a bit longer down the quiet road towards the Ugly House, stopping just short for an idyllic camp spot in the woods, just lovely as the light faded and the cloud cover meant a warmer night.
Day Three of the Traws Eryri, where Olive got her water wings.
We slipped quietly away from our woodland campsite and trundled off down some quiet lanes towards Capel Curig. The Moel Siabod Cafe is sadly no more but Plas y Brenin is a good shout for breakfast before heading out on the long straight trail to Ogden Cottage via the Snowdonia Slate Trail. There’s a kiosk refuel option here too!
Rained on and off so at least we were in no danger of overheating today! After a few more quiet road sections and more of the Slate Trail ( and the old hospital! ) then via Bethesda with cheeky views of the coast we pushed up and onto back of the Carneddau. Ponies!! Then things started to get really quite wet, wetter than an otters pocket.
When taking on a pooch packing trip remember it’s all about the mutt. That big roll on the 7roads front rack contained more towels and extra fleecy layers for Olive. These dried her down and kept her warm for the next 10 miles or so. The rain was quite full on for a bit.
We criss crossed familiar trails from previous trips up high until dropping towards the urban parks and pushy bits that would’ve been funny on a dry summers afternoon. On this rainy day not so much. What’s going on with those steps into Llanfairfechan? Answers on a postcard…
