the Ride North Wales brochure

ride
north
wales
conwy-denbighshire
ridenorthwales.co.uk
2
credits
Copywriting and design:
White Fox 01352 840898 www.whitefox-design.co.uk
Photography: © Crown copyright (2012) Visit Wales,
Jonathan Carre, Menter Bro Machno, Oneplanet Adventure,
TT Adventure, Marsh Tracks, Dŵr Cymru, Forestry Commission
Wales, Jon Brookes: rightplacerighttime.co.uk, Dave Franciosy,
Laurence Crossman-Emms: www.laurence-ce.com
Published jointly in 2012 by Denbighshire County Council,
Conwy County Borough Council, Welsh Water, Forestry
Commission Wales and Snowdonia Adventure Hub.
While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, the publishers
can accept no liability whatsoever for any errors, inaccuracies or
omissions or for any matter in any way connected with or arising out
of the publication of the information. Copyright for material is held
by the publishers and may not be reproduced in part or in whole in
any form without written consent.
scan me
what’s inside
The grin factor
Out of the saddle
Ride the Clwyds
Ride Hiraethog
Marin trail
Penmachno trails
Snowdonia Adventure Hub
Coed Llandegla Forest
Marsh Tracks
Easy riders
What’s on
Your support team
The knowledge
Rules of the trail
How to find us: map
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ridenorthwales.co.uk
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Take nothing
leave nothing
on trails and
have a good
grin factor
Cycling in Conwy and Denbighshire is about to get much,
much better. And it’s already some of the best in Wales.
That’s why thousands of cyclists and mountain bikers come
here every week. They come for the panoramic views across
our mountains, forests, valleys and lakes. For the challenging
climbs, technical singletrack and swooping descents.
They come, in short, for what they call the grin factor.
And they’re happy that we’re so close. So they can spend more
time out on the trails and less time in their cars. Because, let’s
face it, two wheels are much more fun than four.
Until now our cycling hotspots have been unconnected. Some
of them, like the community-run trails at Penmachno or the
wilderness around Mynydd Hiraethog and Llyn Brenig, are still
well-kept secrets.
But we’ve got big plans to join them together to make a trail
lasting several days – linking Llandegla to the Clwydian Range,
Brenig and Betws-y-Coed. We’ll be improving the facilities en
route. And creating a new adventure hub at Betws-y-Coed
where you can book all sorts of other outdoor activities.
Quite simply, this multi-million pound Cycling Centre of
Excellence will turn us into a world-class mountain biking
destination.
But if all that sounds a bit too energetic, don’t worry. We have
plenty of family-friendly, traffic-free and most importantly flat
cycling trails as well. And we have lots of fully qualified bike
guides and instructors to brush up your skills or just take you
out for a ride at your own pace.
So you don’t have to be an adrenalin junkie to come here.
Although, we must admit, it does help.
ridenorthwales.co.uk
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Clockwise from top left: Great Orme Tramway, Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, Bodnant
Garden, Ladies of Llangollen, Llandudno Pier, Ruthin Craft Centre
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out of the
saddle
There are plenty
of other
things to try in
Conwy and
Denbighshire if
you’ve any
energy left at the
end of the trail.
Here are
10 suggestions.
stroll a pier
It might take a while, mind. At 695 metres, or 2,295 feet in old money, Llandudno Pier is
the longest in Wales.
hear the world
Every July the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod welcomes 50,000 visitors and
5,000 musicians from across the globe.
enter a castle
Conwy Castle is a World Heritage Site. So UNESCO thinks it’s “of outstanding universal
value to all humanity”. Couldn’t have put it better ourselves.
walk this way
Stroll beside the River Alyn through the wooded valley with limestone cliffs at Loggerheads
Country Park. Then recharge with a light bite of local produce at Caffi Florence.
ride a cable car
There are three places where cable cars run on the streets. San Francisco, Lisbon and –
Llandudno. A ride on the Great Orme Tramway will save you a very long journey.
visit the ladies
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The so-called Ladies of Llangollen set Regency tongues wagging when they ran away
together. See what all the fuss was about at their Plas Newydd home.
befriend a penguin
At Colwyn Bay’s Welsh Mountain Zoo, you don’t just get to see endangered snow leopards
or Sumatran tigers. You can watch a penguin parade and encounter a chimp.
get arty
Ruthin Craft Centre is the finest applied arts gallery in Wales. And this £4 million building,
which echoes the shape of the surrounding hills, is a work of art in itself.
smell the flowers
Bodnant Garden is famous around the world. And it has the country’s tallest California
redwood. So mind you don’t get a stiff neck.
see famous faces
Bodelwyddan Castle isn’t really a castle at all. It’s an extravagant Victorian mansion. And
it’s the Welsh outpost of the National Portrait Gallery.
ridenorthwales.co.uk
ride the clwyds
The Clwydian Range is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
And the mountain biking isn’t too shabby either.
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Many visitors to this 35-km chain of hills between Llandegla and
Prestatyn are drawn to the Iron Age hillforts, limestone cliffs and
heather moorland. But you might be more interested in its
network of untamed trails and quiet roads.
Thanks to Ride the Clwyds you can weave them together into
superb starter rides or endurance epics for which you’ll require
the constitution of an ox. Not to mention buns of steel.
The Moel Famau Loop is somewhere between those two
extremes. That’s why we call it moderate. And why it’s the
perfect introduction to the Ride the Clwyds network.
A steady climb to the edge of the trees is rewarded by
spectacular views over Merseyside and beyond. Then you get a
great descent, a fun stream crossing, a grind up the forest road
and a fast finish back to the car park.
And if you laugh in the face of “moderate”, try Almost the
Delyn. So called because it emulates the famously tough Delyn
Challenge – but with a bit added on to weed out the wimps.
Only 78.8km. Eight hours should do it.
find out more
www.ridenorthwales.co.uk
Trail
Moel Famau Loop
Grade
Blue/moderate
Fitness
A good standard of
fitness is required
Distance
12.2km
Time
2 hours
Climb
450m
Suitable for
Intermediate riders
with basic offroad
cycling skills.
Mountain bikes or
hybrids.
Trail type
Features specially
constructed single
track. Surface may
include small obstacles
of roots and rock.
Gradients and features
Most gradients
moderate but may
include short steep
sections. Includes
small technical trail
features (TTFs).
Start
Main car park at
Coed Moel Famau.
Grid reference SJ173612.
ridenorthwales.co.uk
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ride hiraethog
Mynydd Hiraethog roughly translates as “The Mountain of Great
Longing”. It certainly tends to arouse strong emotions in cyclists
who love a taste of wilderness.
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This glorious landscape of lakes, forest and rolling heather moors
attracts rare species. If you’re very lucky you might see a red
squirrel or a black grouse. And once you get off the beaten track,
you never know, you could even catch a glimpse of another
mountain biker. But we doubt it.
Our Two Lakes Trail is just one of the routes for all ages and
abilities brought together under the banner of Ride Hiraethog. It
joins Llyn Brenig with the Alwen Reservoir via the beautiful Cerrig
Caws National Nature Reserve.
There’s a taxing climb after the bridge over the reservoir at Nant
Heilyn but you can always get off and push (we won’t tell).
For something more family-friendly, just circumnavigate one of
the lakes. The Alwen Trail is a manageable 11.5km. And the
Brenig Trail, suitable for kids of about 10 or older, is 15km and
should take about three hours.
Excitingly, you get to cycle over the dam. And you’re never too
far from tea and cakes at Llyn Brenig Visitor Centre, which from
2013 will have a bigger café and mountain bikes for hire.
find out more
www.ridenorthwales.co.uk
www.forestry.gov.uk/wales
mountainbiking
Llyn Brenig Visitor Centre
Cerrigydrudion, Corwen,
Conwy LL21 9TT
01490 420463
www.dwrcymru.com
Trail
Two Lakes Trail
Grade
Blue/moderate
Fitness
A good standard of
fitness is required
Distance
22.5km
Time
2-5 hours
Climb
200m
Suitable for
Intermediate riders
with basic offroad
cycling skills.
Mountain bikes or
hybrids.
Trail type
Includes specially
constructed single
track. Surface may
contain small
obstacles of roots
and rock.
Gradients and features
Most gradients
moderate but may
include short steep
sections. Includes
small technical trail
features (TTFs).
Start
Main car park at
Llyn Brenig Visitor
Centre. Grid
reference SH968548.
ridenorthwales.co.uk
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marin trail
Forestry Commission Wales doesn’t just grow trees. It builds
single-track mountain bike trails through some of the most
beautiful high country you’ll find anywhere. Thirty-two of them
at the last count.
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The Marin Trail was one of their first. In fact, it was among the
very first in the whole of the UK. And more than a decade on, it’s
still considered a classic.
This is proper mountain biking. Big climbs, big descents and truly
awesome scenery as the trail carves through Gwydyr Forest –
7,250 hectares of pure drama on Snowdonia’s eastern flank.
You’ll be glad to know that most of the challenging climbs are on
forest roads. So you’ve got plenty of time to take in those
mountain views before the exhilarating downhill action – every
inch of it on singletrack, as you weave between trees and
boulders and plunge through streams.
Marin varies from very tight, technical and rocky to wonderfully
open and flowing, from dark forest to exposed ridgelines. It will
get your heart and brakes pumping. And it’s guaranteed to put a
great big daft smile on your face.
find out more
As Bikefax says: “If you don’t go ‘wow’ after tackling the last
two descents, you didn’t do it quickly enough. Go back and do
it again!”
www.forestry.gov.uk/wales
mountainbiking
Trail
Marin
Grade
Red/difficult
Fitness
Higher level of
fitness and stamina
Distance
25km
Time
2-4 hours
Climb
450m
Suitable for
Proficient mountain
bikers with good
off-road riding skills.
Better quality
off-road mountain
bikes.
Trail type
Steeper and
tougher, mostly
singletrack with
technical sections.
Expect very variable
surface types.
Gradients and features
Wide range of
challenging climbs
and descents.
Expect boardwalks,
berms, large rocks,
medium steps,
drop-offs, cambers
or water crossings.
Start
Turn west off the
B5106 near Gwydyr
Castle up a minor
road into the forest
and take the first
forest road on your
left. Grid reference
SH757618.
ridenorthwales.co.uk
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penmachno trails
What’s it worth to ride 30km of world-class mountain bike trails
through Gwydyr Forest? Well, the good people of Penmachno
village hope it’s worth at least a couple of quid.
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Because these quiet trails are now managed solely by a group of
local volunteers. All the money raised from donation boxes and
via Facebook and the website goes back into maintaining and
improving the rides.
Except the 10% that goes straight to community causes. So
when you’re slogging up a forest track you can console
yourself that you’re also helping to fund Penmachno’s football
team, youth club or playgroup.
And what do you get for your money? You get the real deal. As
you climb, the views of Snowdonia get more spectacular and the
singletrack just gets better and better.
Most people just ride Dolen Machno (Loop 1). But if you’re
feeling good halfway round, take the fork onto cross-country
Dolen Eryri (Loop 2). That will add another 11km and a lot more
mud and excitement to your day.
And when you’re done, the new Penmachno trail card will give
you discounts in local bike and outdoor shops, cafés, bunkhouses
and hostels.
find out more
www.penmachnobiketrails.
org.uk
www.facebook.com/
penmachnomountainbiketrails
Trail
Dolen Machno
(Loop 1) & Dolen
Eryri (Loop 2)
Grade
Red/difficult
Fitness
Higher level of
fitness and stamina
Distance
19km & 11km
Time
1.5-3 hours &
1-2 hours
Climb
560m & 206m
Suitable for
Proficient mountain
bikers with good
off-road riding
skills. Better quality
off-road mountain
bikes.
Trail type
Steeper and
tougher, mostly
singletrack with
technical sections.
Expect very variable
surface types.
Gradients and features
Wide range of
challenging climbs
and descents.
Expect boardwalks,
berms, large rocks,
medium steps,
drop-offs, cambers
or water crossings.
Start
Through Penmachno
village towards Cwm
Penmachno for
approximately 0.5km.
The trailhead is on
the right up a forest
track.
ridenorthwales.co.uk
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snowdonia
adventure hub
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Betws-y-Coed in the heart of Snowdonia is the
outdoor adventure capital of Wales. No argument.
It tends to be the end of the trail for mountain
bikers who’ve spent days pounding the local
singletrack.
Once they’ve washed the mud off their wheels,
they start searching for other sources of
entertainment and adrenalin. And Betws delivers –
but you’ve got to know your way around.
That’s where the new Snowdonia Adventure
Hub comes in. It doesn’t just cater for mountain
bike nuts. It dispenses insider knowledge on just
about any outdoor activity under the sun.
Better still, it can book you onto courses with
qualified and vetted instructors. All you have to
do is ask one very simple question: “What can
we do?”
Before you know it you could be gorge walking,
climbing, abseiling, horse riding, white water
rafting, coasteering, kayaking – and any number
of other slightly crazy things ending in “ing”.
For a complete change of pace, you could even
end up on an art or photography course.
The hub is the brainchild of ex-Marine Sean
Taylor, who knows a thing or two about
thrill-seeking. He runs nearby Treetops
Adventure, Britain’s leading high ropes course.
There you get to negotiate more than 30
terrifying obstacles including balancing beams,
zip wires and rope bridges. Oh, and the world’s
tallest powerfan parachute simulator. It’s 106
feet high and, believe us, you feel every foot.
Thanks to high-tech cameras running on
solar energy and wifi, you can even buy a
personalised DVD of your adventure.
Warning: may contain frequent scenes of
screaming.
find out more
www.snowdoniaadventurehub.co.uk
Tree Top Adventure Tree Top Lodge,
Llanwrst Road, Betws-y-Coed, Conwy
LL24 0HA
01690 710914
[email protected]
www.ttadventure.co.uk
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ridenorthwales.co.uk
coed llandegla
forest
In your dreams, you can ride like Neil Donoghue.
They show a film of the World Cup Downhill legend
in the visitor centre at Coed Llandegla Forest.
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He’s tackling their new 2.6km black trail with its
giddying North Shore, jump lines, table tops,
doubles and drops. And he’s making it seem easy.
You never know, he might be able to help you
look just as good. He runs a highly popular
jumps and drops course at the centre. But if
these ninja skills sound a bit optimistic, there
are also confidence boosters and family skills
days for beginners.
That’s the beauty of 650-hectare Coed Llandegla
Forest, owned by UPM Tilhill. It has something
for everyone. The 44km of custom-built trails
cover every grade from green to black – with a
dedicated skills area so you can try out the
obstacles before you commit.
Its 200,000 riders a year contain a fair few
mud-splattered weekend warriors from all over
the country, often en route to the Marin or
Penmachno trails. But you’re just as likely to see
kids as young as five or six pedalling around
the reservoir.
At the Oneplanet visitor centre, you can hire a
bike, buy a bike or get your bike tuned up in
the workshop. You can also stoke up in their
award-winning café. They don’t go in for “slam
it in a microwave” food. It’s the sort of hearty
stuff you want to eat after a ride.
Especially if you’ve just survived the new
stretch of sweeping singletrack at the end of
the red trail, which is getting rave reviews. And
which has, we’re reliably informed, a very big
grin factor indeed.
find out more
Coed Llandegla Forest
Ruthin Road, Llandegla, Denbighshire
LL11 3AA
01978 751656
www.coedllandegla.com
[email protected]
www.oneplanetadventure.com
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ridenorthwales.co.uk
marsh tracks
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They think big at Marsh Tracks. This superb
Big ambitions. And with British Cycling
traffic-free arena for cycle sport was opened
qualified coaches on hand to teach you the
by none other than Dave Brailsford, the man
ropes, improve your fitness and hone your
behind the success of Great Britain’s Olympic
competitive edge, you might just be the one
track riders and Team Sky on the road.
to achieve them.
There’s a 1.3km closed circuit road cycling track
To get you started you can hire Giant Road
and a national standard BMX race track with
bikes or BMX machines from Redline, Haro and
the very same Bensink start gate used in the
SE Racing in a range of sizes to suit age five
2012 Olympics. Not to mention floodlights.
upwards. Plus helmets and knee and elbow pads.
Watching riders hitting those jumps after dark
is an amazing experience.
And if you really want to look the business you
can buy branded gear from the new clothing
And if all this wasn’t enough, they plan to tick
and accessories shop. After all, you can’t turn
yet another box by building a red grade 5km
up at the Olympics wearing just anything.
mountain bike trail right next door.
“First and foremost these sports are great fun,
ideal for developing confidence and a brilliant
way of keeping fit for both children and adults,”
says Justin Lewis of Marsh Tracks. “But our
mission is to develop local riders to one day
win on the Tour or race BMX in the Olympics.”
find out more
Marsh Tracks
Marsh Road, Rhyl, Denbighshire LL18 2AD
01745 353335
[email protected]
www.marshtracks.co.uk
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ridenorthwales.co.uk
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ridenorthwales.co.uk
easy riders
Let's face it, not everyone is into extreme
mountain biking. We don't all have a thing for
mud. And we don't necessarily look good
in lycra.
More to the point, some people find mountains
a little bit too steep to be puffing up and down
on a bike. We prefer our cycling to be nice and
relaxed – and fairly flat. And sometimes we like
to make a day of it and bring the kids along.
Conwy and Denbighshire have more than
our fair share of the 13,500 miles of the
National Cycle Network. And our trails are
mostly traffic-free, starting with the Daddy of
them all: National Route 5.
As part of its journey from Reading to
Holyhead, it runs right along the North Wales
The route links some of Britain’s best-loved
seaside resorts: Prestatyn, Rhyl, Kinmel Bay,
Abergele, Colwyn Bay, Rhos on Sea, Llandudno
and Conwy. The kids will love it – and you’ll be
pretty popular, too.
On a slightly smaller scale, the Prestatyn-Dyserth
Way takes you four miles along an old railway
line that’s now a wildlife corridor. Ride too fast
and you’ll miss the insects, butterflies, voles
and kestrels. Return along the Rhuddlan to Rhyl
Riverside Path (National Cycle Network Route
84) to make it into a circular route.
For a big jolt of adrenalin without too much
exertion, ride from Llangollen along the canal
to Pontcysyllte Aqueduct. Thomas Telford’s
masterpiece is 1,007 feet long and 126 feet
high. Don’t try to pedal over – the path is
shared and narrow. But you can cross on foot
if you’ve got the nerve.
coast. Which means you get to see some
lovely beaches and ride along some splendid
promenades. And you can stop for an ice
cream just about anywhere you fancy.
find out more
www.sustrans.org.uk
www.routes2ride.org.uk/wales
ridenorthwales.co.uk
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what’s
on
2012
We’ve got cycling events
Get involved yourself or
burger in your
experts do it.
Here are just a few of the highlights. Check out the
latest information on www.ridenorthwales.co.uk
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Chain Reaction Cycles MTB Marathon Series 2012
North Wales Downhill Series
19-20 May 2012
One Giant Leap, Llangollen
Run by Extreme Know How, specialists in extreme
events from downhill mountain biking and
cross country to triathlons and trail running.
www.ekhint.co.uk
www.onegiantleap.llangollen.co.uk
British Cycling National
Championship of Downhill
21-22 July 2012, Moelfre, Oswestry SY10 7QJ
An action-packed weekend is promised at the
National Champs.
www.britishcycling.co.uk
On Your Bike
8 August 2012, 11am-4pm, Coed Moel Famau
9 August 2012, 11am-4pm, Llangollen Pavilion
Bring your bikes and build up your family’s
confidence on our cycle track with experts.
Then head off on your own to enjoy some
local cycling. Start at Coed Moel Famau car
park (SJ172612) on 8 August and Royal
International Pavilion, Llangollen, on 9 August.
Deg (10) yn Llandegla
18 August 2012, Coed Llandegla near Wrexham
The 10-hour marathon arranged by No Fuss is back.
www.nofussevents.co.uk
Halo British Downhill Series Round
Six 2012
22-23 September
One Giant Leap, Llangollen
More than 2,000 spectators. 320 of the best
riders from across Britain. And the toughest
and steepest course on the UK race scene –
littered with large rocks, exposed tree roots
and huge jumps and drops. No wonder this
event is raced by current world champion
Danny Hart, women’s champion Manon
Carpenter and former world champs Steve
Peat and Gee Atherton.
www.halobritishdownhillseries.com
www.onegiantleap.llangollen.co.uk
Chain Reaction Cycles MTB
Marathon Series 2012
15-16 September
Ruthin Rugby Club
A big – and mighty tough – weekend of biking
events:
Vitus Road Sportive. 45 miles/3,850 feet of
climbing or 80 miles/7,400 feet of climbing.
Start 9am Saturday.
Exposure Lights Big Night Out. Night
marathon. 40km/1,300m climbing. Start 8pm
Saturday.
Chain Reaction Cycles MTB Marathon. Four
distances: 80km/2,900m climbing, 70km/
2,350m climbing, 50km/1,900m climbing or
29km/900m climbing. Start Sunday 10am.
Event village open all weekend Friday pm to
Sunday pm. Free cycle skills courses for all
ages by Cycle-active. Free camping and
finisher T-shirt for all entrants.
01982 552923
www.mtb-marathon.co.uk
ridenorthwales.co.uk
25
your
support
team
These people will keep
want to buy a new bike or
sell you gear, show you
jump better. And you can
on our website.
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1868 Racing
Denbigh Street
Llanrwst
LL26 0LL
01492 641028
www.1868racing.co.uk
info@1868 racing.co.uk
Bike shop, bike servicing and repairs.
1mtb1
Conwy
07738 288552
www.1mtb1.co.uk
[email protected]
MTB guiding rides, skills coaching, bike hire,
bike servicing, equipment sales and repairs.
Beics Betws
Tan Lan
Holyhead Road
Betws-y-Coed
01690 710766/07736 903138
www.bikewales.co.uk
[email protected]
MTB guided rides and bike hire.
Better Bikes Rhyl
213 Wellington Road
Rhyl
01745 343132
www.betterbikes.moonfruit.com
[email protected]
Bike shop, bike servicing and repairs –
a social enterprise.
Campbell Coaching
4 Tai Newyddion
Llandegla
LL11 3BH
01928 790155
www.campbellcoaching.eu
[email protected]
MTB guiding, skills courses, bike repairs
and servicing.
Cellar Cycles
5 Well Street
Ruthin
LL15 1AE
01824 707133
Bike shop, bike servicing and repairs.
Cyclelife Rhyl
21 Bodfor Street
Rhyl
01745 342012
www.cycleliferhyl.com
[email protected]
Bike shop, bike servicing and repairs,
bike hire.
E Davies
56 Henllan Street
Denbigh
01745 813859
Bike shop.
your support
team
East
End Cycles
93 Abergele Road
Colwyn
Bayor set bold or in box:
Stand-first
LL29 7SA
01492 533834
These
people
keep your
Bike
shop,
bikewill
servicing
andwheels
repairs.turning –
whether you want to buy a new bike or patch
Getafix
up your old one. They’ll sell you gear, show
Coed y Glyn Farm
you where to ride and even help you jump
Glyndyfrdwy
better.Llangollen
Near
LL21 9BP
www.getafix.com
Listing:
[email protected]
MTB skills, courses and guiding.
1868 Racing
Halfords
Denbigh Street
Unit 5 Clwyd Retail Park
Llanrwst
Rhyl
Road
Rhyl
LL26 0LL
LL18 2TJ
01745
01492 336199
641028
www.halfords.com
www.1868racing.co.uk
[email protected]
Bike
shop, bike
servicing and repairs.
info@1868
racing.co.uk
Marsh
Tracks
Bike shop,
bike servicing and repairs.
Marsh Road
Rhyl
LL18
2AD
1mtb1
01745 353335
Conwy
www.marshtracks.co.uk
BMX track, cycling circuit track, bike hire,
07738 288552
clothing and accessories.
www.1mtb1.co.uk
Oneplanet Adventure
[email protected]
Coed
Llandegla
Llandegla
MTB guiding rides, skills coaching, bike hire,
LL11 3AA
bike servicing,
01978
751656equipment sales and repairs.
www.oneplanetadventure.com
[email protected]
Beicsshop,
Betwsmaintenance, bike hire, skills
Bike
courses, MTB guiding, on-site bike trails.
Tan Lan
Osian’s
Adventures Wales
Holyhead Road
Ruthin
Betws-y-Coed
01824
704607/07707 804964
www.osiansadventureswales.co.uk
01690 710766/07736 903138
[email protected]
MTB guiding and skills coaching, bike hire.
For more events check out
www.bikewales.co.uk
Planet
Fear
Holyhead
Road
[email protected]
Betws-y-Coed
MTB0EB
guided rides and bike hire.
LL24
01690 710888
www.planetfear.com
Better Bikes Rhyl
[email protected]
Bike shop, bike servicing and repairs, bike hire.
213 Wellington Road
Rhyl Active Adventure
Pro
Llangollen
01745 343132
LL20 8RT
01978
860088
www.betterbikes.moonfruit.com
www.proactive-adventure.com
[email protected]
[email protected]
MTB
andservicing
training.and repairs — a soBike guiding
shop, bike
cial enterprise.
ProAdventure Activities Ltd
Llangollen
01978
861912
Campbell
Coaching
www.proadventure.co.uk
4 Tai Newyddion
Mountain
bike guides and training.
Llandegla
SK Cycles
LL11 3BH
Llangollen
LL20 8NF
01928 790155
01978 869436
www.skcycles.co.uk
www.campbellcoaching.eu
[email protected]
[email protected]
Bike
shop, bike servicing and repairs, cycle hire.
MTB guiding, skills courses, bike repairs and
Snowdonia
Adventure Hub
servicing.
Betws-y-Coed
www.snowdoniaadventurehub.co.uk
Activity
advice and booking service.
Cellar Cycles
5 Well
Street
The
Oaklands
Centre
Betws-y-Coed
Ruthin
01690 710500
LL15guiding
1AE and skills training.
MTB
01824 707133
West End Cycles
Bike shop,
Colwyn
Baybike servicing and repairs.
LL29 7LS
01492 536395
www.westendcycles.com
[email protected]
Bike shop and bike hire.
ridenorthwales.co.uk
ridenorthwales.co.uk
27
the knowledge
tourist information
centres
So what do you want to know? The friendly
staff in our Tourist Information Centres know
the answer to just about any question.
28
Well, any sensible question. They may not be
able to name all 11 members of Blackpool’s FA
Cup-winning team from 1953. But they know
the best places to eat, where to catch a bus or
what’s showing at the local theatre.
And they’ll book you a bed wherever you fancy.
Camp site or swish hotel. A country cottage or a
room on a working farm. Every establishment
is checked by Visit Wales or the AA and
awarded a grade from one star (simple, practical
and no-frills) to five stars (the best of the best).
If you’ve got your bikes on board, look out for
the Cyclists Welcome logo. Places that display
this sign won’t throw a wobbler if you turn up
covered in mud. They’ll have spots for drying
clothes and footwear and lockable bike storage.
And they’ll be flexible with meal times if you
fancy an early start.
Betws-y-Coed
Snowdonia National Park Visitor Centre
LL24 0AH
01690 710426
[email protected]
Conwy
Castle Buildings LL32 8LD
01492 592248
[email protected]
Llandudno
Library Building, Mostyn Street LL30 2RP
01492 577577
[email protected]
Llangollen
Y Capel, Castle Street LL20 8NU
01978 860828
[email protected]
Rhyl
The Village, West Parade LL18 1HZ
01745 344515/355068
[email protected]
bike servicing, equipment sales
and repairs.
Beics Betws
Tan Lan
Holyhead Road
Betws-y-Coed
01690 710766/07736 903138
your support team
www.bikewales.co.uk
Stand-first or set bold or in box:
[email protected]
bookmarks
These people will keep your wheels turning –
whether you want to buy a new bike or patch
up your old one. They’ll sell you gear, show
We’ve
already
listed
websites
youjump
need to
you
where
to ride
andthe
even
help you
know about when you’re riding our trails. Not
better.
least the wonderful www.ridenorthwales.co.uk
Listing:
But since you can never have too much of a
good thing, here are a few others to bookmark.
1868 Racing
www.mbwales.com
Denbigh
Street
The clue’s in the name. If you’re into mountain
Llanrwst
biking and you fancy doing it in Wales, this is
the website
LL26
0LL for you. Spectacular all-weather
singletrack trail centres, downhill and free ride
01492 641028
hotspots, wildback country riding in some of
www.1868racing.co.uk
Britain’s most spectacular scenery. It’s all here,
plus a huge database of quality places to stay.
info@1868 racing.co.uk
Bike
shop, bike servicing and repairs.
www.clwydianrangeaonb.org.uk
We admit it: the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley
Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is a bit of
1mtb1
a mouthful. But there’s a lot to fit in. A dramatic
chain of purple hills and limestone cliffs.
Conwy
Wild rugged mountains. Stunning medieval
07738
288552
architecture.
Two dynamic riverside towns. A
World Heritage Site. And lots and lots of views.
www.1mtb1.co.uk
[email protected]
www.northwalesborderlands.co.uk
The North
Wales
is close
MTB
guiding
rides,Borderlands
skills coaching,
bikeenough
hire,
to touch. It shares a border with Shropshire
For more events check out
MTBCheshire.
guided rides
and bike
and
It’s within
an hire.
hour’s drive of
Manchester and Liverpool and just 90 minutes
from Birmingham. But this place where two
Better Bikes Rhyl
cultures meet is delightfully different.
213 Wellington Road
www.visitllandudno.org.uk
Rhyl
It’s no mean feat to list all the things there are
01745
to
do in343132
Llandudno, Wales’ largest seaside
resort.
Never mind the World Heritage Site of
www.betterbikes.moonfruit.com
Conwy Castle, the famous gardens at Bodnant
[email protected]
and the legendary golf courses. But this
Bike shop,
bikeit servicing
repairs
— a link
sowebsite
gives
a go. Andand
there’s
a video
cialyou
enterprise.
so
can see it all for yourselves.
www.visitrhylandprestatyn.co.uk
Campbell
Coaching
Two
famous
seaside resorts with seven
unbroken
miles of sandy beach. And joined,
4 Tai Newyddion
as it happens, by National Cycle Route 5. So
Llandegla
you could build a sandcastle in Prestatyn, cycle
LL11 3BH
along
the promenade and grab an ice cream
in
Rhyl. 790155
01928
www.campbellcoaching.eu
www.visitwales.co.uk
[email protected]
We
know you like to spend all day on your
bike.
whenskills
thecourses,
trails arebike
thisrepairs
good, who
MTB And
guiding,
and
can blame you? But everybody needs a
servicing.
rest. So climb out of the saddle and try
something else for a change. A romantic
weekend break, for example, of one of our
big events or festivals.
ridenorthwales.co.uk
ridenorthwales.co.uk
29
rules
of
the
trail
You can do your bit to widen
following these simple
ride today shapes where we
International Mountain
they’re designed to reduce
environment – and promote
all trail users.
30
Every mountain biker should
know and live by these rules.
1 Ride on open trails only
Stick to bridleways, byways and other recognised
routes. Avoid trespass on private land.
play it safe
Always carry a mobile phone.
Ride the trail type suited to your
2 Leave no trace
Wet and muddy trails are more vulnerable to
damage. When the trailbed is soft, consider
other riding options. Stay on existing trails and
don’t create new ones. Don’t cut switchbacks.
3 Control your bicycle
Inattention for even a second can cause
disaster. Obey all speed regulations and
recommendations.
4 Always yield trail
Let others know you’re coming. A friendly
greeting or bell works well. Anticipate other
trail users around corners or in blind spots.
Yielding means slow down, establish
communication, be prepared to stop if
necessary and pass safely.
5 Never scare animals
Give animals extra room and time to adjust to
you. When passing horses, use special care
and follow directions from the horse riders
(ask if uncertain). Running cattle and sheep or
disturbing wildlife is a serious offence.
6 Plan ahead
Know your equipment, your ability and the
area in which you are riding – and prepare
accordingly. Don’t rely on others. Keep your
equipment in good repair and carry supplies
for changes in weather or other conditions.
ability and the specification/
quality of your bike.
Ride within your ability.
Always carry some sort of
identification.
Always tell someone where you
are going and when you will
be back.
31
Reflective materials on your
clothes or bike can save your life.
Carry a torch.
Take plenty of food and water.
Wear suitable clothing – to cover
and protect elbows and knees.
Always wear a helmet and gloves
and carry a waterproof jacket.
ridenorthwales.co.uk
Bangor
A5
A55
3
A470
Conwy
Llanrwst
A548
8
A544
A548
Abergele
A55
Llandudno
7
A543
Llanelwy/
St Asaph
Rhyl
A525
Dinbych /
Denbigh
A55
Prestatyn
A525
9
A541
1
A494
Yr Wyddgrug/
Mold
A55
Treffynnon/
Holywell
Y Fflint/
Flint
M53
Caer/
Chester
A55
M53
M56
1. Beicio Bryniau Clwyd 2. Beicio Hiraethog 3. Llwybr Marin 4. Llwybrau Penmachno
5. Canolfan Antur Eryri 6. Coed Llandegla 7. Traciau’r Gors 8. Llwybr Beicio Cenedlaethol 5
9. Llwybr Prestatyn-Diserth 10. Camlas Llangollen
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Rhuthun/
Ruthin
A5
A5104
A525
y
Llangollen
A542
w
10
6
A5104
A525
A5
A539
A483
1. Ride the Clwyds 2. Ride Hiraethog 3. Marin Trail 4. Penmachno Trails
5. Snowdonia Adventure Hub 6. Coed Llandegla Forest 7. Marsh Tracks
8. National Cycle Route 5 9. Prestatyn-Dyserth Way 10. Llangollen Canal
conwy-denbighshire
A470
Parc Cenedlaethol Eryri
Snowdonia National Park
A470
4
Betws y coed
5
f rd
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Wrecsam/
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A483