Chris and I took a day off work to bike up Snowdon using the Llanberis route for asecent and Ranger path and Telegraph alley for descent.
The weather looked set to be great. We set off in good spirits, though my energy levels were a bit low and the steep ascent soon had me beat and I quickly ended up hiking rather than riding my bike. Chris faired much better and managed to stay on his bike more consistently than me - this would remain the patter for the entire round.
Somehow we managed to lose the path on the way up (how!?!) and so paid the price of having to cross open bracken filled fields to regain the path.
There quite a few walkers and the occasional biker - particularly 2 young lads (one of whom reminded me of Prince Harry!), who'd we cross paths with repeatedly.
After a few stops we eventually got to the top. It was definitely harder than walking up!
Unfortunately it wasn't possible to get the bikes on top of the cairn due to the hoards of people on it, damn them...
Now for the descent! To be honest,my nerves frayed a bit initially, the drop to the left was a bit unpalatable and so I took it stead. The exposure soon disappeared and was replaced by technical descent. All good fun, some more rideable than others. Some particularly flowy.
We caught up with the 2 lads - one had a puncture. I offered an innertube but it was the wrong size.
We carried on, the lads caught up and we walked with them through to Telegraph alley. Lots of bunny hops in this bit. The lads carried on, Chris shortly behind. My much further behind...
We caught up with the lads again - another puncture. This time he gladly accepted the tube. Being recent grads, the outlay for a tube was probably greater for him than me and he was markedly grateful.
We carried on the rest of the easy, but fast route and returned to the car.
Bizarrely, a local pub had a deal where you'd get £5 worth of food/drink just by showing them your parking ticket - weird, but great! Beer and chips, lovely.
Splendid day, felt good to say that you'd biked up a mountain, or at least, been up a mountain with your bike!
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