Last year I biked to Norfolk and back... And when I got home I set myself a challenge that I could bike up and down Mount Snowdon!!! Here is my journey.....
Well it certainly isn't a case of jumping on the bike and away you go!!!! I wish it were that simple? My sons Grandma had been diagnosed with cancer so I decided I should do it for a charity of her choice. She chose St Rocco's Hospice as they have been fantastic while she has been ill and a very worthy charity indeed; As you can see they even sent me a T-Shirt which was nice of them. So that bit is sorted,although I must add that fund raising is very,very hard work!!! My bike needed some work so I blagged Halfords into doing it half-price!!! Although I actually got it less than that!!!
Now I needed some kit! All sorts spring to mind but I have to be conscious of the fact that I have to carry everything on the bike!!!
- Waterproofs (It might be May but it is Wales!)
- Lightweight tent
- Good footwear
- Lightweight tools for the bike
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| Maps and Flyer's |
That's what I had to take!!! Tent was tiny tho.....
So my kit,bike,dates and route all planned out. Everything is ready,except me!!!
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| Wishing me n badger luck |
One last thing to do was to check my e-mails as I had contacted several campsites along my route asking did they do a discount if it was a charity ride etc? One reply! Ah well better than nothing I thought? Which one is it? Oh eck!!! Why did I e-mail them? This campsite is 90 miles away at a town/village called Llanfairfechan... 90 Miles!!!! On the 1st day!!! With all that weight on my bike!! I had a deep sense of foreboding about this,that's a long way even with sufficient training! I e-mailed back and said 'that's fab,I see you Friday night'. Was that foolish? We shall see.
So I wake up about 6.30am and all I can do is drink coffee non-stop! Go the toilet about 5 times and time is ticking away! Sky is overcast and it's deja vu from last year when I went my sisters! Ready to rain soon as I set off.... I haul the bike outside and it's just gone 8am,have a quick cig and last swig of coffee and jump on the bike.
Right from the start it was obvious the wind was going to be against me all day! It was strong too,between 13-20 mph at a guess. Nothing I could do about it though so I just got my head down and kept the legs spinning! Came across a very amusing sign on one of my 1st breaks though...Continued on and going over the bridge near Connors Quay was lethal! Wow it was windy.... Got off and pushed it at the very top because the bike was being blown all over! Now I was getting somewhere though,on the coast road and heading towards Flint,then onto Prestatyn and then Rhyl; Stopped and had a good break on the Rhyl prom,the sea air was waking me up but not enough so I gulped a pro-plus down with a can of energy drink. It was 5pm by now and I still had about 20 miles to go till the campsite; doesn't sound far but the wind was still in my face and I was getting tired quickly by now; I rang the campsite and told them I will still be there,just wasn't sure when??? They were fine with that. So I swallowed a snickers bar whole and started off again,I had rested a tad too long though and my legs felt seized at first so I had to 'hit the wall' and keep spinning the legs till they remembered what to do! By now I had joined the bike lane alongside the A55 and what a great thing that is... Very smooth and no cars 'buzzing' you with a beautiful view of the Irish Sea.
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| Cycle route |
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| Puffin Island |
Well by now the sun is beginning to set but I know the campsite isn't too much further.... My legs ain't hurting but my bum is!!! The bike has been fine and I get a last look of the sea as I get sent inland by the cycle path towards my campsite (Platts Farm) for the night. The owner is waiting at the gate with a lovely smile; 'You must be badger?'. I can hardly catch my breath to say 'Yes'. Am shown my pitch and I set up and enjoy a beer before getting a well earned sleep. Mileage for the day was 90.38miles!!! Zzzzzzz... Oh and why oh why that campsite??? They let me stay for free!!! All that punishment to save a fiver eh!!!
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| Irish Sea sunset |
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Wake up the next day and the sun is shining and I feel pretty good; Scoff some frosties and have a wash; Pack the tent up,re-load the bike and set off. Destination today is Anglesey. First place I get to is the gateway to Anglesey (The Menai Bridge); It was certainly windy on it and I had to remove my baseball cap before it went for a swim in the straits below!!!
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| Menai Bridge |
As the pictures show,it was a lovely day and although there was still some wind it was easier than the previous day. My original plan was to cycle anti-clockwise around Anglesey but after sleeping in that morning and feeling a tad tired I thought best to head straight for the South Stack on Holy Island.
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| Island on Menai Straits |
My friend Anna asked me to look out for a nice quiet property on my travels,should she win the lotto!!! So I thought this island would be perfect for her.... First place to go before South Stack was the world famous longest named place in the world!!! It was very touristy!!! When I got there a coach load of American tourists turned up and one of them took a great picture of me,badger mascot and bike outside the gift shop. I didn't venture in as my funds were limited and I was getting hungry as my Frosties were beginning to wear off!!!!
So the pictures for the scrapbook are done and it's time to get some miles done! Unfortunately my mobile was getting a bit low on power so I stopped at a pub in Gaerwen and had a pint while it got some charge via the pubs plug socket.... £3 a pint though! Ouch!!! Had a nice chat with the locals and told them what I was doing and I got the usual response of 'Are you mad?'.... It was a bit crazy though because after the chat with them they turned and spoke amongst themselves in their native Welsh tongue!!! I know Wales is a country in its own right but still felt strange. Stopped for some chips at a quaint little village and pretty soon I was venturing onto Holy Island. First place I went was Tesco for supplies; Got some yogurts,energy bars,milk and 8 tesco lager!!! It's only 2% so I knew I be safe to ride in the morning!!!
Holy Island is a lovely little place,very laid back and a kind of 'go slow' feel to it. I asked some directions for the best way to South Stack from Holyhead and got sent onto a quiet country lane and before long I got to the HILL that takes you to it. When I say hill I ain't kidding! I thought about not bothering because I had just been tesco and added 8 cans of lager to the already overweight bike! Then I saw 3 other guys on touring bikes like myself and thought 'I will follow them up and use them as pacemakers'. They had very expensive bikes and kit but they struggled too and as they rested at the visitor centre I went past them and got to the top first! It wasn't a race but what the hell! My £90 bike can mix it with the 'Big Boys!'.
Am so glad I made the effort to get up there; Views were great and the wind was very cooling after that hard climb.
It was about 6pm at this point and I had planned to 'wild camp' on Holy Island as there are loads of little places to do so without disturbing wildlife or upsetting locals but all my picture taking and the odd text had eaten away at the mobiles battery again! I need a campsite to get some power in it.
First of all lets hammer down that hill I struggled up!!! Did about 25mph and it would have been faster but its a single track road and cars were heading towards me so I took it easy. I didn't have a particular campsite in mind at this point but that area is swamped with them so I just thought I shall turn up at one and pitch up. About half an hour later I found one. Tyn Rhos camping site. So I went to the office and it was closed but then a lady turned up who opened the door and let me in. I knew nothing about this site so I explained that my budget is tight and that I am doing a charity ride etc etc..... She listened and even asked questions about it and then says 'well its only £7.25 a night'. Oh OK,that's fine,which it was.... but I was a little disappointed that she heard me out and what I was doing and no offer of a discount; She was actually quite rude and abrupt looking back now. Ah well,at least I got somewhere and it's getting late and it hasn't broke the bank so go get set up! Found a spot near a hedgerow and unloaded the bike and headed off to win my bet with Michelle.... On the way to the office I went past a pub (on site) so its time to rob some electricity! Oh and have a pint! They had what looked like a 80" LCD TV on the wall and BGT final was just starting!! Got my pint (£3!!!) plugged charger in and rang Michelle; Her first question was 'Where are you? Its noisy!'. 'I'm watching BGT in the pub hun'; Hahaha. One nil badger. I didn't watch all off it though but got the news that 'pudsey the dog' had won via Face book while I was in my tent having a few tesco lagers. Time to sleep because it's off to Llanberis in the morning.
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| Trearddur Beach |
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| Oooh not far.... |
So I get to this sign and the wind has really started to pick up!!! And I don't mean in my face or behind..... It's everywhere!!! I am cycling along and sudden gusts blast at me from different sides and it feels like someone is pushing me and the bike over or (worst of all) into the road!!!! After a while I have to concede defeat and push the bike for my own safety! This was after a gust blew me all the way over to the middle of the road! Thankfully no cars were coming up behind me at the time.... Then at long last I enter Llanberis. Just need to find the campsite now???See a 'local' coming out of his house and ask for directions and he knows the place well; Gives me perfect directions but warns me that there's a very steep hill! Where have I heard that before??? He wasn't kidding though! It was a bloody monster! Got off and pushed (again!) and finally made it to Llwyn Celyn Bach Farm!!! Glad I am typing this and not saying it because my Welsh is shocking! It's a full working farm and there's a note on the door telling campers to set up as they are out working on the top fields. So I find a sheltered pitch as it's still windy and get the bike unloaded.
It's a shame it was so late in the day as I wanted to have a walk up the mountain path and have a quick look at the conditions and terrain for my attempt in the morning. Instead I decide to have a ride into the village and get some supplies and have a look around; It's a lovely little place with quaint tea rooms and lots of Outdoor clothing shops! Get supplies and head back to my tent just as the owners return; I speak with Fiona and explain what I am doing for charity and she agrees to charge me £1 for the night!!! What a lovely person; She also gives me some valuable directions for joining the path from the campsite as we are already 50 metres above the village! Excellent. Spend the rest of the evening relaxing and eating my tea and tons of choc bars so my energy levels are good for the morning! | |
| Start of the Llanberis Path |
Started off well and the surface was no problem for myself or the bike; I had set off with a few layers on but soon ditched these in the backpack as I worked up a sweat! After about half a mile I got to my first section of 'boulders!' The best way I can describe them is.... Try and imagine 1000's of pillows laid out side by side,all different sizes and height levels!!! And obviously made of stone!!! That's basically what it was like! Plus its going uphill. Some sections I was able to ride but there are a few points when it was just better to push as it saves energy. After a while the 'pillows' would go and it was just a rough track that was fine to ride but then 200 yards later the 'pillows' returned! This went on for about 2 miles until I got where you pass under the railway. I did a time check and I was going well,but then after the bridge the hill that faces you is not only steep but seems to go on forever and the surface is a loose gravel; A good example is that its as if a million roofing tiles have been smashed to bits and dumped on that part of the path! Added to that is the fact that I am entering clouds now so the 'tiles' are wet!! At first I could ride but as it got steeper and since I only weigh about 10 stone all I got was wheel spin... No traction whatsoever! Time to push!!!! (Again!). Pushing the bike is hard work and since mine is a steel framed one and not carbon fibre I am drinking loads of water! The path does start to level out after what feels like 2-3miles but it's probably more like half a mile in truth! It's my body that's making these figures up! Get on the bike and am getting some traction at last; Visibility has started to go bad though and there's a thick hill fog that just seems to have come out of nowhere? I am only doing about 5mph so it's not hindering me too much;
I stop for a quick break and my body is a tad sore; Not just from the mountain but from the last few days of biking and camping! It's all catching up with me I think? I get back on the bike and crack on... Even though I cannot see anything ahead I just know I must be near the top!! The path gets thin at this point with drops either side! Its kinda like walking along a 'Dragons Spine' and there's weathered rocky outcrops jutting up into the sky! It looks like the surface of some distant planet like Mars!!! I can hear the Snowdon train struggling up the mountain somewhere behind me,can't see it because of the fog! I continue on and 'hello whats this?' Some steps... I think I am there? Carry the bike up and as the swirling mist moves out the way I can see the top!!!
Oh my word!!! I have done it! I can't believe it myself; Sure I knew I wouldn't quit but managing it and being there truly was a 'pinch me,am I dreaming?' moment!!!
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| Notice the tourists struggling behind me!!! I don't know the wind speed but it was BAD!!!! |
Well I climb to the very top and there are no views to be had!!! Gutted,but it wasn't about the views,it was for the charity; I have a drink of Powerade and an energy bar and do a time check..... Oh bugger,it's almost 10am!!! Not much I can do about it now! As I am sat with my thoughts the train load of tourists appear from the visitor centre; The first couple to greet me think I am a hiker and as she talks to me she spots the bike! 'What the hell is a bike doing here? Is that yours? OMG!!!' It was brilliant and these American and Japanese tourists had their pics done with me??? And one of them kindly took this one of me. It was freezing and the windproof jacket went straight back on after he took it; Everyone headed into the visitor centre for a brew and getting ready to catch the train back down... I did too but I went in to warm my hands and put my body armour on for the descent! I didn't bother locking the bike up while it was in the foyer or outside!!! 
Then my worries disappear as the train crawls past with the next load of tourists..... One of them spots me and then before long the whole train load of passengers have got their faces up against the window gawping in disbelief!! The odd camera goes off as well! Hope they got my good side? So I set off laughing to myself at the reaction; I don't know how much the train is? But maybe I made those passengers feel it was worth it! Good talking point at parties 'nutter on bike up Snowdon!'.
You may all think to yourselves 'here is the good bit,going down!'. Hmmm... It is easier but it is so technical as you try to choose the right path and watch your speed and be wary of any sudden gusts of wind! I got some good speed up as the path cleared and not too many large rocks to contend with and I started to apply the brakes to slow up a little since I knew the loose scree kind of stuff was coming up.... What brakes??? Well they did work but its so damp up there they took a time to find any sort of grip; It was just like when a train slows down to stop at a station!!! This I knew was the steepest part though and I was nearly past it and down to the railway bridge; Went under the bridge and about 100 yards away my first sight of hikers!!! I was conscious of the fact that I had gone over the voluntary bike curfew,so I stopped and got off and decided to have a 5 min break while they went past; Don't want to upset anyone? It was a young American couple and they were in awe at what I had done,then they were thrilled to bits when I told them they were the first hikers I had seen,so therefor they would be the first hikers to the top that day!! They continued on their way,as did I,by now I was at the 'pillows!' My bike is a hard frame bike,no suspension whatsoever! I had to do this section slowly but at times there was a path to the side but this was right on the edge of a drop! With some careful manoeuvres it was OK though and I was going a fair speed when using the little paths. By now my hands and arms were killing because of all the braking and effort with the front wheel,it's tough coming down! Came across several other walkers,including a couple from my campsite,said hello etc... Got near the bottom and now I really was shifting! No need to pedal,gravity was taking care of it! As always I slowed up for hikers and everyone was friendly enough; Managed about 25-28mph on some sections,I really could have gone faster but I was near the bottom and that would be such a stupid place to come a cropper!!! Got to the village and sat on a bench and just sat there grinning to myself!!! My solitude moment was disturbed by a couple I had seen up the mountain earlier! The lady said 'Oh I am glad your down safe' her husband added 'you are nuts!'. Ha ha.... I took it as a compliment and returned to my campsite.
I had planned to leave the same day but I was so tired I just couldn't be bothered!! I just wanted to chill in my tent the rest of the day and get some good food in me! I spoke to the owners and they let me stay again at no charge! And they gave me praise for my achievement which was nice. Went down into the village and got a big portion of chips and ate them at my tent,with some help from the resident hen!!!
Wake up the next morning and my tent was soaked!!! There had been a major storm that night and I had slept through the whole thing! It was still raining so I waited for a break in the weather and once it came I got the tent down,gave it a good shake to get the excess water off it and just packed it away even though it was still wet! Had no choice as the rain started again! I will worry about the tent when I get to Fron Farm,my destination for that day; I took a last look at that beautiful mountain and set off ,I was upbeat and even though the weather was horrid I was feeling good; Just one more night of camping before getting home.
The road I rode along had been built along the valley floor,huge mountains either side looking menacing but also spectacular; There was a fair amount of snow on one particular peak which seemed crazy as at this point the sun had made an appearance; I stopped to get changed as I was overheating and opted for my 3/4 cargo pants as they comfy and lightweight. It was all uphill to the top of the pass and there was a visitor centre with toilets,so I used them and had a drink and bite to eat as I looked at the huge downhill section that lay before me!!! Oh this is gonna be fun! Scanned the MP3 for some suitable music (born to be wild by Steppenwolf) and gunned it!!! I tore down that hill for about 20 mins,catching up with the occasional car,which then sped up to save the embarrassment of a fully laden bike overtaking them! When the hill ended the road was just flat,there was very little wind so I was doing a reasonable 13-15mph. 
The scenery was outstanding! Breathtaking is probably a better description,it truly was. Oh for more time and money I could tour around this place for weeks! Alas I have neither luxury and besides I was missing some home comforts; Started to hit some civilisation at last,the odd little village and a reasonably large town; Got some supplies and continued on but I had noticed my speed had dropped and I was exhausted??? This is what I called 'Snowdons Revenge!'... The only pains I had were the customary 'Arse Ache!' and some pains at top of back and shoulder blades,both caused by being in the same riding position. I did move around,wiggle bum,massage back,etc,etc.... to alleviate the aches but they still catch up in the end; This wasn't the revenge though; My legs were empty! They didn't hurt or ache,they just didn't have any energy? Strange sensation because you feel OK but no energy from waist down!!! Time for secret weapon; Cold water on face and neck,deep heat on the legs,pro-plus washed down with energy drink and a Snickers bar!! Did all that in 10 mins because if I stay rested for too long my legs start to seize up! Half hour after my mini cocktail of caffeine and sugar I am back in the game! Legs spinning and miles are tumbling,although Denbigh was a nightmare with some of its hills but some cracking downhill sections made up for it; Am about 6 miles from campsite and realise I forgot to buy some fags! (Yes I smoke!) Should be OK though since there are about 3 villages en-route; Not a shop in sight?? Blimey this is the sticks ain't it? I see a guy walking a dog and he suggest the pub near campsite,yea that should work. Get to the pub and a lady gets up to serve me; I tell her I would like to buy some cigs or use the vending machine if that OK? She looked gutted I didn't want to buy a drink; 'We don't sell cigs and vending machines are illegal in pubs! Well I didn't know that at the time? My disappointment was obvious and a guy who sat there with his pint asked which direction I was heading; Explained I was heading for campsite,was tired and what I had done.... Then the barmaid pips in 'there's nothing for you here!' Blimey,how rude! I tell you she said it about 5 times while I was chatting with this guy; She reminded me of the barmaid of 'The Slaughtered Lamb' in American werewolf in London!!!
The guy took pity and gave me 3 cigs as the nearest place was Mold and I just wanted to get to the site; Said thanks and goodbye and that lady just scowled??? Wow! Major attitude or what! Got to Fron Farm campsite half hour later and my hosts were lovely... 'Pitch where you want,well done on a mammoth trip and donate our pitch fee for the charity'. My friend had rang them before hand and told them of my trip but they didn't know I had been up and down Snowdon on bike! Their faces were priceless! Unpacked the tent (which was still wet!) Gave it a good shake and used my dirty laundry to dry the bottom of it where I sleep. I had packed a spare tarpaulin so I used that on the floor too; Used the power shower (pure bliss) and I was asleep within half an hour! Dreaming of home and Michelle,Josh and my friends.
