Flatytres-MTB - Guided Rides Gallery

Brian on the first climb through the woods from Tal-y-Bont.

Brian on the steep tarmac climb to the start of the Bwlch y Rhiwgyr.

Brian winching his way up the grassy drag of the Bwlch y Rhiwgyr climb about 5 mins away from a drenching. Thankfully the 5 min downpour was the only one we were subjected to all ride.

Brain aiming at the Bwlch y Rhiwgyr saddle.

Me (Col) climbing the steep rocky finish to the Bwlch y Rhiwgyr climb. Brian acquitted himself well on this section too!

Brian starting the fast, loose and rocky Bwlch y Rhiwgyr descent.

Brian threading the gate on the Bwlch y Rhiwgyr descent.

Brian climbing the double track across Bryn Castell.

David enjoying the first descent through Moel Famau forest.

Brian and David getting some speed on as we left Moel Famau forest.

Brian and David tackling the planks. The grooves between the planks makes it harder than it looks.

Brian and David flying down the fast double track to Cilcain.

David and Brian climbing the County Road from Cilcain.

Brian and David starting the descent from the ridge of the Clwydian Range into the Vale of Clwyd.

David experiencing the Tunnel of Trees trail for the first time. He liked it 🙂

David and Brian in the greenery of the trail to Plas Towerbridge.

David and Brian in my best Autumn picture this year, on the Clwyd Gate climb.

Brian on a brief respite in the climbing above the Clwyd Gate.

The forcast was biblical. I was surprised not to see anyone actually building an arc. The plan was to ride from Grizedale Forest but I only got as far as Ambleside before the flooding stopped me. A few quick phone calls and we reorganised to start from Ambleside and try for the Garburn pass. Thankfully the 50mph winds didn't materialise, so we enjoyed getting soaked to the skin and splashing our way around the Lakes. There's only a few pictures as it didn't take long until everything became too wet to risk my camera

Lee, Adrian and Brian climbing through Skelghyll Woods.

Adrian in one of the many, many puddles. From what we encountered on the ride this bit doesn't even count as wet!

Lee leaving Skelghyll Woods, with Lake Windermere merging with the clouds behind.

Yes it was wet but if you only go out in the dry you wouldn't really ride in the winter. The Ceiriog Valley is a good place to ride in these sorts of conditions as the ground is quite rocky. As well as the water we had to contend with quite a few punctures due to the hawthorn hedges recently getting a cut. Thankfully two of the puntures were very slow (including mine) so they only needed the odd top of with a pump. But that's not to say it was a miseable ride, far from it! We all finished the ride covered in mud, with big smiles from all the fun rocky descents.

A Route Guide for this ride is available here:
Ceiriog valley and the Vale of Llangollen

Mike and Stephen on the first long tarmac climb from Glyn Ceiriog.

It started properly raining on the climb onto Pen y Gwely.

Marc, Mike and Stephen on the saturated field across the top of Pen y Gwely.

Mike, Stephen and Marc riding through the puddles on Pen y Gwely.

At the end of the Pen y Gwely ruts it was a bit wet for my camera.

Stephen with a view of Worlds End at the start of the Three Trees descent into the Vale of Llangollen.

After the excess of Christmas a ride was in order to burn off those extra calories. As I was in the White Peak I decided it would be a good idea to ride a new route I'd had planned out for some time. Starting from Bakewell we headed out past Chatsworth on gritstone trails, that were riding well despite all the rain. On the return leg we hit the less well draining woodland trails that were a good test of our handling skills and also got our legs burning. So more guilt free mince pies and Christmas cheer on our return. The final descent to Bakewell through Mannors Wood was a highlight that will keep me smiling well into 2016!

2015 Gallery

Back to the Future year

Pont Scethin Social Ride - 20 Sep 15

Moel Famau Social Ride - 20 Oct 15

Garburn Pass Social Ride - 15 Nov 15

Glyn Ceiriog Social Ride - 06 Dec 15

Bakewell Social Ride - 28 Dec 15