It seemed like a good idea at first, and a few weeks ago it was turning into a Grand Day Out as six of us tried to communicate with email and facebook to co-ordinate cars and lifts to Corwen. But with a 9am start, this meant getting up around 6am and congregating at my house for a 7:40 set off! At least it was light by then!
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| Six fabulous ladies at the start |
The route was simple - follow the river up to it's source at Bala Lake (Llyn Tegid); go around the lake, then back along the valley. Simples. What can go wrong?
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| Vicky and Krissy deep in conversation - and not a route sheet between them! |
The first thing that happened (after Vicky and Krissy sailed off into the distance) was another lady we befriended had a small exploding incident with her rear mech (the two wheel coggy thing by the back wheel that changes gear). Once she had retrieved the parts form the road, we realised it was totally unridable (Sarah - "what do we do when a bike cannot be ridden?", "Hmmm, good question!"). We contacted the organiser, and negotiated a pick up. Then carried on!
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| Photos on-the-go! |
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| Random pointing with Bala below |
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| Quick photo stop |
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| Sarah passing Lake Bala (and me!) |
Cafe and Control in Bala, then continue to the B road after Bala, and side lanes to follow the valley. Now on much quieter lanes, narrow and full of pheasants who leaped out at me (usually in front) with much clacking and flapping, sometimes just running along the road in a bit of a quandary before appearing to remember that they have wings! Not to mention the added sudden appearance of a landrover - not a lot of space to pass, especially as I had just been taking photos, and we were gliding downhill!
Then Raina had a puncture - courtesy of local farmers/ landowners not clearing up very well after mashing the hedges. We helped by taking photos of each other, pumping up tubes, admiring the view....at least she unglued the tyre from the rim (thanks to a certain cycle shop!). We were soon on our way to rendezvous with Vicky and Krissy (sat in Corwen for past few hours...). Super route, fabulous scenery, great company, good day out all round.
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| First sighting of Bala Lake |
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| Bridge over River Dee near Llandderfel |
Sue
[it has to be said, after all that, we managed to lose Nosheen between the cafe and car park when heading home. This is the car park across the road. I still do not know how she does it!]
37 miles, 42 Pheasants, 1 puncture, -1rear mech.
A super blog of another super ride. Impressive to take photos with gloves on let alone on a moving bicycle- and without the wrist cord on! I wish there was a local group where I live who'd go out for the fun of the company and no competitive element. :-)
ReplyDeleteHi Ken - thanks!
ReplyDeleteI think I have mastered the art of over-the-shoulder shots (that is where many of my pics come from) as well as those from behind the group and general views.
However, I did nearly meet my demise on the lane returning when we came face to face with a landrover. A lot of luck was involved, and probably a significant amount of God intervention!
Oh - Ken - I meant to add....check out your local CTC groups (see my membership tab)- and if there is nothing, why not start up your own? You will probably find that there are others near you who would also like the leisure type riding we do!
ReplyDelete