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16th/17th
March
I
have been waiting for months for this date to arrive and it doesn’t disappoint.
After
a nightmare 7-hour journey through the carnage of a Friday on the M25, M40 and
M6 etc. I arrive in Dolgellau shortly before midnight wondering if the trip was
worth it. I go to bed thinking there will have to be some serious trails to keep
me happy.
The
next morning is clear and dry and after a couple of bacon rolls, plus the usual
tinkering with bikes etc. we are ready to go.
We
decide on the Karrimor trail and set off on the first climb through the woods.
I won’t bother recording the routes as these are covered extensively on other
sites but suffice to say, this is a monster. 35 km of hard climbs, technical descents,
fire roads, singletrack – it’s got the lot. The climbs soon begin to tell and the group splits into two. Richard, Tim and Elliott are up front, followed by the rest. However, Richard struggles to keep up with Tim who is in training for the marathon, and Elliott who is built like a typical king of the mountains. However,
disaster strikes as Tim stomps down on the pedals on a fast downhill section and
rips his SPD out of the Race Face crank. We jam it back in but the crank thread
is totally screwed. Tim struggles manfully on for the next few miles but makes
an honourable exit when he bumps into the local ranger who has transport to get
him back to base. The
other 3 catch up and we do the last quarter back to base for lunch.
Tim
goes off with George in search of a new set of cranks and after a big lunch four
of us set off to do the Red Bull route.
Mike
has convinced us all that the red Bull is only 17 km but it seems much longer
and is actually 22km. Never mind that though, the Red Bull is a fantastic route,
very technical and the last long downhill section followed by the dual style berms
and ramps leaves us all with big smiles on our faces.
This
is a very testing route but it’s shorter length, less climbs and more rewarding
descents make it a winner for me. I found myself tackling things that I never
would have done before. It’s that kind of route, it make you want to ride it.
The
Sunday sees Tim raring to go, having bought and fitted new Ritchey cranks, new
chain, cassette and various other kit. We tackle the MBR route which can only
be described as fantastic. This is full of rolling singletrack which takes you
around and across the side of hills like a rollercoaster.
The
group sticks together as we all seem to have a new lease of life. This is 22km
of sheer enjoyment.
All
too soon the trail finishes and we head for home but this has been a great weekend
with the best riding I have ever seen. To those of you that have been there –
you know what I mean. To those of you that haven’t – book a weekend – NOW!
The
group files by
Mike
‘BMX Bandit’
The
group pose half way around MBR |
Adam exits a downhill section followed by Tim
Elliott and Tim disappear over the crest of yet
another hill (yeah, I could hardly see them either!)
Tim contemplates his ruined cranks
Elliott
exits Al’s loop on the Red Bull
The
group pauses for breath
Tim
flying downhill - Karrimor
Rolling
terrain at the top of a very long fire road - Karrimor | |||
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