• I have a dream

    I want to sit on a summit on a balmy summer evening and watch the sun go down.
    And I want to wake up in the morning and drink coffee, watching the sunrise cast shadows over the hills.


    I say have, because I haven’t given up hope yet, but I haven’t much time left.
    And my attempt at the weekend was not too successful.
    The forecast for Sunday night/Monday morning was promising.
    Rain clearing early and a 90% chance of clear skies on Monday.

    Well, it was grey and damp in Llanberis, but we pinned our hopes on the forecast and set off with laden bags.

    But even my naive optimism started to wane, as instead of clear skies, we simply climbed up into the cloud.

    The summit was shrouded in cloud, the wind was Arctic and it was raining.

    Too cold on top, but no reason we couldn’t bivvy half way down?
    Well, we just didn’t find a nice spot and in the end decided to head back to the car.
    It was a good decision – it was dark when we got back to the tarmac.

    Snowdon is something that just has to be done.
    It’s a tough climb with a fair bit of pushing – especially with bivvy kit.
    But the descent is a monster!
    And it’s all ridable, except for the bit where I went over the handlebars!

    We ended up bivvying at Penmachno.
    Nice views:

    a spot of supper

    and sweet dreams

    It rained during the night – coming off Snowdon was a good decision.
    Not only that, but we awoke ready to ride, after a coffee and a Pot Noodle – food of the Gods!

    It was dry in the morning and slowly the cloud cleared and the day improved – 24 hours too late.
    Good riding at Penmachno, fast, twisty, undulating and fun with capital F.
    The Sleeve was grinning from ear to ear.
    A big day out on the hill followed by some man-made shenanigans. Fantastic!
    One loop or two Sir?

    Well worth a visit – the Sleeve is already planning a return trip!

    Anyhow, that’s enough from me – I’m tired, in work tomorrow so I’m going to get my head down.
     September 8th, 2008  NoPies   6 comments

    6 responses to “I have a dream”

    • Looks like a great trip – I am now tempted to head over to do Snowdon myself having not previously realised it was rideable. Keep on posting, your entries always make interesting reading.

    • Fantastic trip slim fella,
      Penmachno was brilliant fun – I can’t wait to get over there again soon !

    • Go for it Jon!
      I think everyone should have a crack at Snowdon.
      Proper mountain biking, and like I said – it’s a monster descent!

      I rode my skill compensator but The Sleeve was on a long forked hardtail. I’m still buzzing from it!

      Penmachno’s worth a visit too.

    • New bike and some proper shoes and The Sleeve pootles up and down a small hill in Wales. What will he do when he gets some socks???

    • proper mountain biking.

      tell me when you’re doing it again!

    • Looks good, never done Snowdon, count me in!


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