Carneddau from Gerlan

Peaks: Yr Elen, Carnedd Llewellyn

Area: Carneddau, Eryri

The forecast this morning was grim, so I was planning a short outing above Aber. But driving into Conwy it seemed far better, windy and cool with cloud around the tops, but dry. So I carried on and parked at Gerlan where I had a vague plan to go up Yr Elen from Bethesda (up the west ridge rather than down it). Up the familar lanes to the boggy track up into Cwm Llafar, and then across the bog towards the end of the Elen ridge at Foel Ganol. This does become very steep in places, particularly towards the top, but it emerges right on the summit (less than an hour from Gerlan). Windy and cold, with cloud playing around the tops, but I felt reasonably good and it seemed rude not to continue to Llewellyn, so I did. Nicely down the ridge and then a direct line to the summit in 10 minutes or so. Light mist on the top, which I had to myself again. Then down the normal Carneddau motorway towards the Black Ladders before breaking off for the pathless descent into the top of Cwm Llafar. This is a superb place, and I emerged right below Ysgolion Duon/Black Ladders, looking up to the two winter gully climbs I have done here (Central and Eastern) with a slight shudder (we did Central Gully in dreadful conditions in January 2010). Ahead, Llech Ddu and its spur. It must be one of the best locations in Eryri, and it would be nice to camp here some time. The run down to Gerlan was into a headwind, but quite enjoyable at a sustainable jog. Back to the bunkhouse around 1.55 after starting, which didn't seem too bad for 14k/1000m or so, given how boggy it is in places.

Rhydycroesau fell race

Race: Rhydycroesau fell race (5.5m/800ft)

Time/Position: 38.11 (6th from 37)

Surprisingly perhaps, I have stuck to the ethos of the 'fallow year', this being my first race since the start of July. As such, I was quite pleased to feel reasonably good (although completely lacking any speed) for this runnable event, more of a trail race than a fell race. I did the previous incarnation of the Rhydycroesau race many years ago - from memory it was similar in style but went up the opposite side of the valley. This new version leaves the delightful village show and heads up little lanes to a track passing the England-Wales border stone. Above this is the highpoint of the race above the Pen y Gwely reservoir. Then after a little loop it rejoins the ascent for a fast descent back to the show. K and E had joined me, so we walked to Cefn Canol for a warm down.

Foel Lwyd

Peaks: Foel Lwyd

Area: Carneddau, Eryri

Since my embarrassingly recent 'discovery' of Nant y Coed above Llanfairfechan I have resolved to make up for years of neglect by exploring the routes up onto the Carneddau from here. This was just a short outing but excellent, taking part of the coast path which we did last December. It more or less reversed that route, climbing up the hillside from Terrace Walk, rounding Carreg Fawr, and emerging at familiar territory, the Drum crossroads onto the Roman Road. This is easy angled up to Bwlch y Ddaefaen, after which I ploughed up the very steep climb to Foel Lwyd (which is always embedded in my memory as the last real climb of our 'Sea to Sea' in 2018). It was hard today too, and I had no wish to extend to Tal y Fan. The weather was better than forecast, a few light spots of drizzle. After the steep descent I cut down to the valley of the Afon Ddu which leads all the way down to Nant y Coed but is tortuous at the top, with no real human path through the gorse. Below, it gets better, and quite beautiful as it descends to the native woodland with the Menai Strait beyond.

Malpas 100m loop

It must be at least nine years since my last 'imperial century' ride, but as this was always intended to be one of my intermittent 'cycling years' I didn't want to end it without at least one 100 miler. That said, aware of that time gap since the last one and my general lack of cycling prowess, I knew it had to be flat. And there was another concept at play today - I wanted to do a form of time trial for the first 50k, and keep this going to a lesser extent until 50 miles had been done (and then just keep going at a slower pace). It all worked perfectly and ideal conditions helped too. I left home before 7am for the familiar start to Saltney Ferry and then on to the westbound cycle path to Shotton. Then all the way through Blacon to the end of the cycle path in Guilden Sutton before starting south through Waverton to Aldford and then Farndon, where I notched up the 50k in 1.55. I was desperate for a wee, so lost time doing that before heading up the surprisingly lengthy climb to Malpas, the far-end of the planned route. Back down the hill to Bangor, where (after notching up 50 miles in a little over 3 hours) I finally stopped properly for cheese sarnies and a drink at the co-op. Nice riding through to Holt, although I didn't stop at this traditional cycling crossroads, instead heading for home via Rossett and the climb to Shordley. Having no wish to fully extend the route into the hills, I then cycled into Westminster Park for a pastry, and back onto the cycle path from Sealand Road. Another loop, all the way round to Blacon and then Saltney Ferry before finally notching up the imperial century in 6.30 with some extra bits along familiar home roads.

Tremadog climbing

Routes: Scratch (VS 4b.4c:sec), Great Western/The Quakermen/Peutery combination (HVS 5a, 4a:sec)

Crag: Craig Pant Ifan, Tremadog

When it comes to climbing, I am not so much rusty as entirely corroded, having done hardly any since Covid. So I was inevitably a passenger today, although it was still an enjoyable outing with Peter and Vic. We started off with the standard VS of Scratch, nicely delicate on the first pitch (which I have led before), then a contrastingly steep and awkward crack, which i followed Peter up. After abbing down for lunch, we did a combination of three routes further left. I may well have done this combo before too: I've certainly done Great Western before. I followed Vic up this - a muddy groove leads to twin cracks. I found these very awkward indeed, particularly as it was a bit damp. Then an easing before another hard and steep corner leads to a stance on Poor Man's Peuterey, which I have done at least twice. It was quite breezy for the wonderful step right on to the arete, aided by huge holds, and then the delightful easy slab to the top. Felt weak and unconfident throughout, inevitable really, and there was no chance of me leading anything. But it was a nice day, and we finished with a pint at the excellent Pengwern in Ffestiniog.

Conwy-Chester+ ride

An attempt to link the region's best pubs, going from Conwy to Chester via an indirect 'interior' route (although I didn't actually go in any of them!). Another time, perhaps, for the wet version. Joining Kate on her commute, I set off from Bodlondeb at 8.30am, going across the river and then up through Junction to Mochre and Colwyn Bay via Pabo Lane. Then the delightful riding along the seafront with a light tailwind all the way to Rhyl. The weather was ideal, less hot than of late, but dry with light south-westerlies. I went through the middle of Rhyl for the first time in years, and then through Rhuddlan to a break for a pie at St Asaph Greggs! If the bike could talk, it would no doubt remark on the fairly extreme contrast between the Tourmalet, Lers, Aspin etc, less than a fortnight ago, and certain parts of today's route. Then it was Lower Denbigh Road up the 'S Bends' (again for the first time in decades, it used to be my school bus journey). From Bodfari, I took the peaceful lanes all the way to Llanbedr DC passing the Golden Lion in Llangynhafal (a bit of a headwind throughout). Then comes the route's main climb up the hairpins to the Clwyd Gate, like a miniature Pyrenean col, although ruined by roadworks today. From the top, it is easy down to the side road to Llanarmon yn Ial, and then undulating down the lovely lanes (via the Rose and Crown) to Treuddyn. Then came the fast descent and little climb to Penyffordd. I stopped off at home for a brief refuel and then took Lache Lane into Handbridge. At the Old Dee Bridge (close to the Tap), I turned south for Eccleston into a mild headwind. Down to Pulford and then over the border to Lavister and home: 110k, just under 1000m ascent, just over four hours, very varied.

Tryfan

Peaks: Tryfan

Area: Glyderau, Eryri

Third time lucky for EE on Tryfan, and we chose a very nice morning albeit a little too hot and humid at times. We took the steep climb into Cwm Tryfan, then walked up to join the side path which leads up to Bwlch Tryfan. From here, I think she enjoyed the occasional little scrambly steps which lead up to the tiny ridge below the summit. It is never quite the same route twice. A fairly crowded summit, which displeased her, but we had a nice break before descending via the direct scree path to Llyn Bochlwyd and then curving round towards Milestone Buttress. A helicopter was ferrying rocks presumably to improve the path here, which has always been muddy and is now becoming increasingly wide and eroded.