Lon Las trail

 

Quick write-up of our 170-mile ride in Wales from Builth Wells to Conway a few weekends ago, completing a section of the Sustrans Lon Las route.  We're still reeling from the beautiful weather in Snowdonia, and the shock of being able to see the tops of Snowdon and Cader Idris - usually wreathed in atmospheric (chilly) cloud.

The trip was a Team Glow outing, characterised by 6 women's camaraderie and incomprehensible jokes - I found a kindred spirit who also HATES binoculars.  Ok, that's apropos of nothing, so back to the cycling.

The reason I've avoided cycling in Wales is the relentless ups and downs. The first day's upping-and-downing approached the ridiculous - in 57 miles we climbed 6,100 feet, included one 20% pull which I'm proud to say I crested still in my saddle. The culmination of that day was the most fantastic 8-mile run downhill from Llanidloes to Machynlleth where Liz achieved a fantastic 45mph. We strongly recommend doing the Lon Las 'backwards' (according to the Sustrans map) so you get that descent - we felt so sorry for the poor b***ers toiling their way up as we sped past.

This was another trip where we had no rain and no punctures. Most of the roads were a delight to ride on - big thank you to the Welsh Assembly Government. As well as the inland hills and valleys - including the delightfully-named Happy Valley to Tywyn, we rode by the coast, up the estuary by Maentwrog, past imposing castles at Harlech and Conwy, over a rattling wooden railway/bike bridge at Porthmadog (no cars), and then the whole Snowdonia experience via the Nantlle Valley, the climb up Nant Gwynant and through Capel Curig to the gentle riverside roll along to Conwy.

 

The trip was "bendigedig" said our Welsh speaker - fantastically superb.