Drum Epic 1/1/09

[martinw]

Well i set my heart on getting out for a ride today and I fancied hauling my ass up drum to make the most of this cracking crisp weather.

Started off from my house in Pen and rode to Aber and up to the start of the roman road, thats a dirty climb . Hit the roman road and cracked on to the x roads with the track up to Drum. Stopped there to take some pics and give the pins a rest before the ride up to the top.

some pics.







The track up to drum was pretty icy, a lot of it was get off and walk stuff



Some of the views from the way up and the top.









Catalog poses ;D









A little tot of the finest single malt warmed the cockles at the top ;D ;D



I headed back down cross country along the fencline and wall that brings you out at the first big gate and style on the Conwy side of the roman road. I came off going down there too.

A cold Conwy valley from the roman road.



The top of the sycnant pass and parts of Dwygyfylchi that haven't seen the sun for days ;D





From the Sychnant pass I headed over the top of Conwy mountain and hit the downhill into Conwy.

That ride was emotional, around 38k's My legs were giving up on the road ride back from Conwy. Cracking day though, I'm glad I never went out and got hammered last night so I could enjoy the ride.

[thistle]

Jeez that's absolutely gorgeous.

There's some photos going up shortly from Llandegla today (well, 1 from me anyway). Freezing cold, windy and misty up on the moors!

[antshybrid]

lovely pics martin, looks more like A frozen stream than a track!!

[summittoppler]

nice pics. I was too hung over to even consider going out this morn.

I can't say I've rode that way down Drum. Is it worth doing or was it just because of the ice on the main track?

[martinw]

When you get the clear weather like we have had over the past week its lovely up there, It beats any trail center hands down, it so peaceful and the whole place is your playground. So lucky to have all that on your back-step.

I was getting funny looks off the horses though ;D

Conwy mountain was very busy so didn't get the full downhill experience.

ooh I forgot a pic,

Token bitch shot ;D ;D

[martinw]

I only went that way because of the ice on the track. It wasn't a bad ride down, bit sketchy in places Not a fast descent, you have to really pick your way through. I only tried that way because I had previously see walkers coming down that way.

I'm sure that descent down from drum via the track is fast. shame it was iced up. Next time.

[mtbman]

Looks like a quality ride.

My new year resolution is to learn more natural trails, around my own neck of the woods. If those pictures don't inspire people to get out and explore, then nothing will

[antshybrid]

here here!
the welsh mountains are amazing arent they.

[thistle]

Jan 1, 2009 15:44:22 GMT mtbman said:

My new year resolution is to learn more natural trails, around my own neck of the woods.

Wrexham doesn't seem that good for paths but Cheshire's got a few - there's a path that runs almost from Whitchurch to Beeston Castle, half on road and half off road.

The old railway lines around Wrexham are good for exploring but they're usually private land. I'm starting to put together a nice coloured map showing paths around Wrexham to try and make it a bit easier to plan routes.

[mtbman]

Jan 1, 2009 19:12:46 GMT thistle said:

Jan 1, 2009 15:44:22 GMT mtbman said:

My new year resolution is to learn more natural trails, around my own neck of the woods.

Wrexham doesn't seem that good for paths but Cheshire's got a few - there's a path that runs almost from Whitchurch to Beeston Castle, half on road and half off road.

The old railway lines around Wrexham are good for exploring but they're usually private land. I'm starting to put together a nice coloured map showing paths around Wrexham to try and make it a bit easier to plan routes.

I'm going to try exploring around Hope Mountain, Ruabon Mountain, Horseshoe Pass. Plan to either make a route that I can ride from home, or more routes that I can loop from LDG (re: worlds end).

I used to go to Gresford forest and make it a 20mile round trip, but I really don't enjoy the tarmac roads getting there so I've not done that in ages (plus the old sand stone quarry doesn't really agree with the bike parts).

I'm going to buy an OS map and just get out and explore. If nothing else it should help shift all my excess xmas weight (Fat-B)

[Rob]

Martin,

It looks like a stroll in the park ;D

[danevs]

What's with the uber camp hip flask mate?

Does MBNW endorse drink DHing? ;D

[martinw]

Jan 1, 2009 19:32:33 GMT @danevs said:

What's with the uber camp hip flask mate?

Does MBNW endorse drink DHing? ;D

Ill have you know thats a ben sherman hip flask ;D. Tell u wot tho, it did warm me up a little inside on the top of Drum

[campbell]

I'll be bringing me Famous Grouse hip flask to Crafnant in a few weeks,

Cheers Santa ;D ;D ;D

If its that good, maybe we could use it to replace the water in the hydro pack, that should get the confidence up on the downhills...

[Arnie]

The question is, what malt were you drinking? Must've just missed you, i walked a loop with some friends over conwy mountain / sychnant pass on new years day. Only saw one biker and i was jealous, but to be honest i was way too hungover for anything more technical than a towpath : )