Post by rb on Jun 21, 2014 19:31:26 GMT
Thank you Roger that was an excellent adventure.
After meeting Roger at the forum ride and finding out he was only down the road, a plan was hatched to ride Snowdon!! Early morning was decided to be best and when weather conditions permitted. The plan was in place, we just needed to decide when. After a few weeks of cracking weather we chose to give it a go on the 21st. The day soon came round. Roger picked me up at 3 am and we got to Llanberis at 4!
He told me the planned route was to go up the Llanberis Path to the top, then down the southern ridge, bear off down another path then come back up the Ranger's and turn left up to Telegraph Valley. So then was it onwards and upwards, we rode as much as possible and hiked the rest. It was cloudy but every so often the sun would brake through and the view was amazing.
We made the top in 2 hrs 10 min, with me stopping to be a tourist and take pictures, and Roger with the head cam. Again it was cloudy at the summit, but we just had to wait and the sun would shine and it was wow. I was like a kid it was fantastic.
We had a quick bite then we headed down the steps and on to the southen ridge. The start was very steep and techy, so a bit of a hike and we were off. The first section was hard going but just made you grin, and when the view was there it was ace. Roger thought it would be good to film me on the descent, so off I charged and within 20 ft bang, front wheel stuck and I went over the bars and hit the floor hard! Ok though, just two bloody knees and Roger with his video cam!!
Off we went again, off the ridge and heading down another path, without me being filmed. It was a very technical descent that made you work, but again just kept grinning. We hit a stretch of double track and Roger wanted to film again, so I rode on and reached the gate, looked round and he was not there!! It was ok, he came round the corner pushing, flat tyre time. So tube changed, and after a joint effort we finally managed to pump up the big tyres ☺
Off again on a short road section to the bottom of the Ranger's Path, then up started again for a bit, then it was a push up until we made the left turn for Llanberis. Up a very steep grass part to the start of Telegraph Valley. Another quick bite and video on, and we were off trying to jump all the drainage gulls, some of which were not that easy to clear.
Made it down to the gate, looked round and he's not there!! So I took some pictures and walked back round the corner, there he was, puncture number 2. This time due to his sandwich it was re inflated in no time ☺. Down the final bit of double track enjoying the lovely sunshine, then into Llanberis back to the sneaky parking spot Roger had found.
We chatted all the way round and did laugh. It was a fantastic adventure and Roger knows the names of every hill I think. An excellent ride and would recommend anybody gives it a try. I will put some pics up and I'm sure there will be a video. Hope I have not bored you, but I'm still smiling. It was a ride I'll remember.
Ray
After meeting Roger at the forum ride and finding out he was only down the road, a plan was hatched to ride Snowdon!! Early morning was decided to be best and when weather conditions permitted. The plan was in place, we just needed to decide when. After a few weeks of cracking weather we chose to give it a go on the 21st. The day soon came round. Roger picked me up at 3 am and we got to Llanberis at 4!
He told me the planned route was to go up the Llanberis Path to the top, then down the southern ridge, bear off down another path then come back up the Ranger's and turn left up to Telegraph Valley. So then was it onwards and upwards, we rode as much as possible and hiked the rest. It was cloudy but every so often the sun would brake through and the view was amazing.
We made the top in 2 hrs 10 min, with me stopping to be a tourist and take pictures, and Roger with the head cam. Again it was cloudy at the summit, but we just had to wait and the sun would shine and it was wow. I was like a kid it was fantastic.
We had a quick bite then we headed down the steps and on to the southen ridge. The start was very steep and techy, so a bit of a hike and we were off. The first section was hard going but just made you grin, and when the view was there it was ace. Roger thought it would be good to film me on the descent, so off I charged and within 20 ft bang, front wheel stuck and I went over the bars and hit the floor hard! Ok though, just two bloody knees and Roger with his video cam!!
Off we went again, off the ridge and heading down another path, without me being filmed. It was a very technical descent that made you work, but again just kept grinning. We hit a stretch of double track and Roger wanted to film again, so I rode on and reached the gate, looked round and he was not there!! It was ok, he came round the corner pushing, flat tyre time. So tube changed, and after a joint effort we finally managed to pump up the big tyres ☺
Off again on a short road section to the bottom of the Ranger's Path, then up started again for a bit, then it was a push up until we made the left turn for Llanberis. Up a very steep grass part to the start of Telegraph Valley. Another quick bite and video on, and we were off trying to jump all the drainage gulls, some of which were not that easy to clear.
Made it down to the gate, looked round and he's not there!! So I took some pictures and walked back round the corner, there he was, puncture number 2. This time due to his sandwich it was re inflated in no time ☺. Down the final bit of double track enjoying the lovely sunshine, then into Llanberis back to the sneaky parking spot Roger had found.
We chatted all the way round and did laugh. It was a fantastic adventure and Roger knows the names of every hill I think. An excellent ride and would recommend anybody gives it a try. I will put some pics up and I'm sure there will be a video. Hope I have not bored you, but I'm still smiling. It was a ride I'll remember.
Ray