ride
north wales conwy-denbighshire
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credits Copywriting and design: White Fox 01352 840898 www.whitefox-design.co.uk Photography: Š Crown copyright (2012) Visit Wales, Jonathan Carre, Menter Bro Machno, Oneplanet Adventure, TT Adventure, Marsh Tracks, Dw ˆ r 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.
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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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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.
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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.
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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.
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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. 10
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.
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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. 12 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.
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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. 14
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.
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snowdonia adventure hub 16
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 info@ttadventure.co.uk www.ttadventure.co.uk
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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. 18
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 info@oneplanetadventure.com www.oneplanetadventure.com
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marsh tracks 20
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 justin@marshtracks.co.uk www.marshtracks.co.uk
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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
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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
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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 admin@1mtb1.co.uk 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 info@bikewales.co.uk MTB guided rides and bike hire. Better Bikes Rhyl 213 Wellington Road Rhyl 01745 343132 www.betterbikes.moonfruit.com better_bikes@yahoo.co.uk Bike shop, bike servicing and repairs – a social enterprise.
Campbell Coaching 4 Tai Newyddion Llandegla LL11 3BH 01928 790155 www.campbellcoaching.eu campbellcoaching@me.com 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 cyclelife.rhyl@btconnect.com 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: info@getafix.com 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 customer.services@halfords.co.uk 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 admin@1mtb1.co.uk Coed Llandegla Llandegla MTB guiding rides, skills coaching, bike hire, LL11 3AA bike servicing, 01978 751656equipment sales and repairs. www.oneplanetadventure.com info@oneplanetadventure.co.uk 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 osian@osiansadventureswales.co.uk MTB guiding and skills coaching, bike hire.
For more events check out
www.bikewales.co.uk Planet Fear Holyhead Road info@bikewales.co.uk Betws-y-Coed MTB0EB guided rides and bike hire. LL24 01690 710888 www.planetfear.com Better Bikes Rhyl betws@planetfear.com 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 better_bikes@yahoo.co.uk office@proactive-adventure.com 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 info@skcycles.co.uk campbellcoaching@me.com 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 ukbikes@aol.com Bike shop and bike hire.
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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.
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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 tic.byc@eryri-npa.gov.uk Conwy Castle Buildings LL32 8LD 01492 592248 conwytic@conwy.gov.uk Llandudno Library Building, Mostyn Street LL30 2RP 01492 577577 llandudnotic@conwy.gov.uk Llangollen Y Capel, Castle Street LL20 8NU 01978 860828 llangollen.touristinformation@denbighshire.gov.uk Rhyl The Village, West Parade LL18 1HZ 01745 344515/355068 rhyl.tic@denbighshire.gov.uk
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:
info@bikewales.co.uk
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 admin@1mtb1.co.uk 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 better_bikes@yahoo.co.uk 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 campbellcoaching@me.com 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
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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
siroedd conwy-dinbych
wyd u Cl nia ge and y r B an NE n R AH ydia Clw
A5
A494
A494
A5
Cerrigydrudion
2
Y Bala / Bala
A543
Corwen
A494
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 D y O NB n y a Dy ff r ley A Va l d Dee A534
A525
Wrecsam/ Wrexham
A483