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@jontea
Brief ride report.
Route: Congleton- Crewe- Nantwich- Wrenbury- Malpas- Bangor on Dee- Ruabon- Llangollen- Corwen- Bala. And back.
Saturday didn't start well for me, meeting the group at 8am at local village hall, alarm set for 6:30, slept through that, got a call at 8:15 that woke me up, lads came to my house, no breakfast or brew for me, left mine at 8:30.
We made good time, quite uneventful, Malpas first stop for a brew and scones at a lovely little cafe.
Pushed on through Bangor on Dee to Llangollen, where we got on the towpath for a bit, more tea taken at Llangollen canal cafe, stunning views from the outside seating area.
Then came much suffering, outward journey was definitely backloaded, too much hill, too much breeze, just too much. Didn't hit the wall, but was suffering, did consider getting off and having a cry, but nah, just spun the gears, and was so elated to drop into Bala. 8 hours out, about 6 n a bit riding time.
Stopped in Bala Backpackers hostel, showered, stretched, off out for beer n feed.
Right, question for our Welsh members, does Brains bitter always taste like vinegar? Pints left, off to different ale house, guest ales and lovely food enjoyed by all. I had the paella, beautiful.
Back to hostel in pissing rain, early to bed, not much sleep due to snoring members of the group, and boisterous guests.
Drizzle this morning, egg butty, tea and juice, and we're off by 8:30.
Yesterday's slog into Bala became today's chance to get the hills out the way early, into Llangollen in 1hr 30, we were really flying along, onto towpath to Trevor, got a bit tired so eased our way into Bangor on Dee for brew and chocolate, revitalised and still making excellent time, straight through Malpas, only for the promised biblical rain to make itself known to us, cracked on, Nantwich came n went, into Crewe, last brew, last push back to Congleton. We left Bala at 8:30, I had the kettle on (at home) at 14:30.
Glorious ride, some shit weather, some personally testing moments. 4 riders/bikes, 1 puncture, about 150ish total miles covered.
(Please note route data not off my bike, I peeled off, live different part of town, but you get the basic idea).