The Welsh Lakes

ootini · Post by **ootini** » Tue Jun 02, 2015 11:36 am

Has any one ridden a tour of the lakes in North Wales?
I was hoping to do a three to four day trip in the summer, probably something like:
* Day 1 - Llyn Brenig / Llyn Alwen
* Day 2 - Llyn Bala
* Day 3 - Trawsfynydd
* Day 4 - Either Llyn Padarn, or Llyn Crafnant / Llyn Geirionydd

Any one have experiences of these areas, suggestions or advice?

Bearbonesnorm · Post by **Bearbonesnorm** » Tue Jun 02, 2015 2:20 pm

There's some decent riding between them and some less so

Where would you plan on starting from? I assume a loop? How many miles a day?

ootini · Post by **ootini** » Tue Jun 02, 2015 2:29 pm

s8tannorm wrote:There's some decent riding between them and some less so

Where would you plan on starting from? I assume a loop? How many miles a day?

I'd probably start from Brenig and loop back around. Distance is less important, happy to ride anything up to about 40-50 miles per day, but I'm very happy to ride less, take my time, look around, enjoy it a bit more. I'm no racer.

Bearbonesnorm · Post by **Bearbonesnorm** » Tue Jun 02, 2015 2:32 pm

Can you give me a GR for your preferred start?

ootini · Post by **ootini** » Tue Jun 02, 2015 2:35 pm

Yeah sure, the Grid Ref for the Brenig entrance is: SH 96554 55230

Bearbonesnorm · Post by **Bearbonesnorm** » Tue Jun 02, 2015 2:37 pm

Yeah sure, the Grid Ref for the Brenig entrance is: SH 96554 55230

Leave it with me

ootini · Post by **ootini** » Tue Jun 02, 2015 2:42 pm

Thanks very much!

If I find the going easier than expected, I could always do two lakes in a day... Depends on how much Weetabix I eat.

Bearbonesnorm · Post by **Bearbonesnorm** » Tue Jun 02, 2015 2:53 pm

If I find the going easier than expected

This is me you're talking to

voodoo_simon · Post by **voodoo_simon** » Tue Jun 02, 2015 2:58 pm

I think ootini has set a challenge...

ootini · Post by **ootini** » Tue Jun 02, 2015 3:02 pm

voodoo_simon wrote:I think ootini has set a challenge...

Honestly, I haven't.

Well actually, saying that. I think I have, I'd love to do a tour and hit as many lakes as possible. Obviously skipping Anglesey, 'tis a strange place with strange folk, and it only has one lake worth looking at. Llyn Celyn is an interesting lake during a heat wave as rumour has it you can see the steeple of the church in the village of Capel Celyn drowned during the resevoirs creation. Kept badgering Welsh Water and various other bods about organising a SCUBA diving trip in there but it never panned out.

ootini · Post by **ootini** » Tue Jun 02, 2015 3:06 pm

I guess it would be nice to add: Celyn, Eigiau, Elsi, Ogwen, Idwal and Gwynant. Has anyone done much riding up around the Nantlle ridge? Dorothea quarry is a genuine sight to behold, and the diving is epic!

BreninBeener · Post by **BreninBeener** » Tue Jun 02, 2015 3:40 pm

Im really interested in this. I live in N Wales and would like to see where you go, ride with etc

Ian

ootini · Post by **ootini** » Tue Jun 02, 2015 3:43 pm

If I get a route and date sorted you'd be more than welcome to join me.

Bearbonesnorm · Post by **Bearbonesnorm** » Tue Jun 02, 2015 3:53 pm

Preliminary look at the maps done, will churn out a gpx file tonight

ootini · Post by **ootini** » Tue Jun 02, 2015 3:55 pm

s8tannorm wrote:Preliminary look at the maps done, will churn out a gpx file tonight

Wow, fair play, I was still looking at bikehike, referencing my OS legend PDF trying to figure out what the cough a double dashed black line means.... Good effort!

Bearbonesnorm · Post by **Bearbonesnorm** » Tue Jun 02, 2015 4:15 pm

what the cough a double dashed black line means....

They are the key to to world ... if you can find one with green dashes overlayed too, then you've cracked it

ootini · Post by **ootini** » Tue Jun 02, 2015 4:19 pm

s8tannorm wrote:
what the cough a double dashed black line means....
They are the key to to world ... if you can find one with green dashes overlayed too, then you've cracked it

Now THAT is a challenge!

Bearbonesnorm · Post by **Bearbonesnorm** » Tue Jun 02, 2015 7:14 pm

Route emailed.

ootini · Post by **ootini** » Tue Jun 02, 2015 7:45 pm

Thanks Stuart. I'll take a look now

Bearbonesnorm · Post by **Bearbonesnorm** » Wed Jun 03, 2015 10:34 am

Well, whatever I've done has made you go awfully quiet

ootini · Post by **ootini** » Wed Jun 03, 2015 10:46 am

s8tannorm wrote:Well, whatever I've done has made you go awfully quiet

Haha sorry! I downloaded the file last night and loaded it in to BackCountry Navigator. Looks really good! I can't really get an idea of how horrific the elevation is at the moment, but I'm sure it's "adventurous". Would you have any objection to me posting the GPX file here for others to look at?

I'm definitely up for this! Also, I think from looking at how you put the GPX file together I've got a better idea of what I'm looking for when plotting my own routes now too, thanks very much Stuart! It's a massive help!

Ian · Post by **Ian** » Wed Jun 03, 2015 2:37 pm

I wouldn't mind a look at it, just so I can see what you're letting yourself in for

Bearbonesnorm · Post by **Bearbonesnorm** » Wed Jun 03, 2015 2:57 pm

Would you have any objection to me posting the GPX file here for others to look at?

Not at all ... just don't let them talk you out of the 'good bits'

ootini · Post by **ootini** » Wed Jun 03, 2015 3:24 pm

Ok here goes, I'm "attaching" now. This could go wrong.

Yep, went wrong. I can't upload anything as the file extensions are not allowed. Tried .gpx and renaming to .txt...... Anyone got any ideas?

ootini · Post by **ootini** » Wed Jun 03, 2015 3:53 pm

Sorry folks, until I become more tech savvy (you'd never think I work in IT) you'll just have to trust that the route is interesting!

Feel free to pm me email addresses and I'll foward the file on.

Until then, in a nut shell:

83.2 miles, 10,379 feet of climbing, max altitude of 1,709 feet. Actually skirting five of the lakes; Mymbyr, Brenig, Gwynant, Celyn and Trawsfynydd and getting within spitting distance of a good few more.

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