Post by summittoppler on Jan 13, 2013 11:16:56 GMT
I'm back after a 16 week lay off 
Due to my poor fitness levels I made this a solo ride and I wanted to try a new second half to previous rides I've done up that way.
So my plan was to leave the car park at Croeso, take in the old quarry road to the mine at the top. this was a struggle due to my poor fitness level!! From there it was down to Cwmorthin mine with its old buildings. From there it was a there and back route along the old tramway 'Bwlch y Rhosydd' with some fantastic vieews down the Croeso valley. Then the challenging descent to Llyn Cwmorthin, it starts off fine with the small shail on the ground but the lower you get the bigger the stones become. I was one the verge of cramp in the thighs due to the hanging on for dear life on that one!! Then onto the tarmac climb up to Llyn Stwlan (the one with the million hairpins). The idea was to follow the inclines down to Llyn tanygrisiau but as I got nearer the top of the climb the higher incline looked a bit too steep!! so a bit of hiking took me to the bottom of the first incline and then it was easy pickings to the railway below. After following the old tramway it was then into the forestry for some great singletrack but the worst bit was the country lane back to the car as I was goosed at this point as i had left my food in the car!!
All in all a great day, so glad to be back on it and finding new routes
a few pics
Some nice looking singletrack that'll be tried another day
Due to my poor fitness levels I made this a solo ride and I wanted to try a new second half to previous rides I've done up that way.
So my plan was to leave the car park at Croeso, take in the old quarry road to the mine at the top. this was a struggle due to my poor fitness level!! From there it was down to Cwmorthin mine with its old buildings. From there it was a there and back route along the old tramway 'Bwlch y Rhosydd' with some fantastic vieews down the Croeso valley. Then the challenging descent to Llyn Cwmorthin, it starts off fine with the small shail on the ground but the lower you get the bigger the stones become. I was one the verge of cramp in the thighs due to the hanging on for dear life on that one!! Then onto the tarmac climb up to Llyn Stwlan (the one with the million hairpins). The idea was to follow the inclines down to Llyn tanygrisiau but as I got nearer the top of the climb the higher incline looked a bit too steep!! so a bit of hiking took me to the bottom of the first incline and then it was easy pickings to the railway below. After following the old tramway it was then into the forestry for some great singletrack but the worst bit was the country lane back to the car as I was goosed at this point as i had left my food in the car!!
All in all a great day, so glad to be back on it and finding new routes
a few pics
Some nice looking singletrack that'll be tried another day
