Great Orme to Worm's Head

Ian · Post by **Ian** » Fri Aug 12, 2011 3:41 pm

Just finished plotting this route. 403 km, 10,700m ascent. Very high proportion of off road, but mostly on tracks that I am familiar with so a high degree of rideability. I thought three nights/ four days to allow travel up to North Wales. That works out at around 80 miles/ day. There are good options for stocking up on food on route, so I was tempted to go light and pick up food on the way.

Route files here:
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/30554497/Wales% ... nlleth.kml
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/30554497/Wales% ... 20Head.kml

Originally plotted in Tracklogs 1:50, the conversion to Google Earth shows the line to be a little off the aerial in places, but you'll get the idea.
I've not specific date in mind for this, but this Autumn would be good.

Anyone fancy it?

Bearbonesnorm · Post by **Bearbonesnorm** » Fri Aug 12, 2011 4:07 pm

I could be up for some of that Ian depending on dates.

Taylor · Post by **Taylor** » Fri Aug 12, 2011 6:42 pm

Probably can't do the whole thing but could meet you at somewhere like Llanwrtyd Wells and ride to Worm's Head. If the days fall suitably.

Matt · Post by **Matt** » Mon Aug 15, 2011 4:27 pm

Mental - too fast for me

alfachippy · Post by **alfachippy** » Thu Aug 18, 2011 9:02 pm

I really like the sound of that, but pass-outs are of a premium this late in the year. What is your gut feeling on dates?

Ian · Post by **Ian** » Fri Aug 19, 2011 9:57 am

The year does appear to be advancing rapidly. End of September maybe?
Early October would have been OK if it wasn't for the BB200.
Later you leave it, the shorter the days and greater likelihood of poor weather.

alfachippy · Post by **alfachippy** » Fri Aug 19, 2011 1:58 pm

I think you're right date wise, should still have at least 12 hours of light per day.
I now need to enter serious negotiations with Mrs. P to achieve a pass out. Are you thinking Thu/Sun or mid-week.
I also need to try and get a frame bag made up in around 4 weeks, any idea where I can get one?

Will try and provide you with an update next week.

nostoc · Post by **nostoc** » Mon Aug 22, 2011 5:50 pm

I`d be up for this.

Ian · Post by **Ian** » Thu Aug 25, 2011 1:14 pm

How about the 29 September to 2 October (Thursday to Sunday)?

Subject to the usual caveats with the weather. Don't mind some rain, but if they've forecast four days of solid rain I'd rather shelve it until early spring next year.

Bearbonesnorm · Post by **Bearbonesnorm** » Thu Aug 25, 2011 2:36 pm

I'll be working the weekend but I might be able to do Thu/Fri.

Ian · Post by **Ian** » Tue Aug 30, 2011 1:36 pm

Right then, train ticket sorted for 29 September, arriving Colwyn Bay at 10am (6.30am start for me in Abergavenny). Suggest starting here http://g.co/maps/84ba at 11am for second/ third breakfast. Depart around 12pm. Coed-y-brenin is probably a reasonable target for Thursday night, beyond that I'll have to see how it goes.

99percentchimp · Post by **99percentchimp** » Wed Sep 07, 2011 6:46 pm

Hi Ian,
I might join you (just to see if I can keep up for a bit but I wouldn't want to hold you up).... not too sure how far maybe a day and a bit (are you dead set on a pace/destination?)
I can see the first 10km from here... have you thought of going down the west shore from the Orme. Offroad cycle path with views of Snowdonia and Conwy castleand probably better way of getting to the Junction.
I shall see if I can get a bit of time off that week.
Cheers, Mark

Ian · Post by **Ian** » Wed Sep 07, 2011 9:50 pm

Hi Mark,

Sure, no problem. Company would be good actually. I don't think I'll be setting a blistering pace, just trying to be efficient and max the riding time each day.

Very slight change of date though to fit around some work commitments. Leaving on Wednesday 28 September, same time.

I wasn't aware there was a cycle path west side of the Orme, but was tempted by the bridleway that runs over the top, plus the psychological boost to starting the route with off road :)

Ian

99percentchimp · Post by **99percentchimp** » Wed Sep 07, 2011 10:05 pm

Hi Ian... you are right - follow the bridfleway along the top, then drop down the Orme and follow the west shore of Llandudno to the Conwy Bridge.... I think nicer then the North Shore, the grannies don't like cyclists on the prom - you'll get handbagged!
Could still be up for a day or so even with the date change - although unavoidable work may come calling that week! I'll know nearer the date.
Cheers, Mark

nostoc · Post by **nostoc** » Fri Sep 09, 2011 1:25 pm

Still up for this, at least the first half. Hopefully will be on the Radnor ride so can discuss plans.

Ian · Post by **Ian** » Fri Sep 09, 2011 9:55 pm

Great, look forward to that :)

99percentchimp · Post by **99percentchimp** » Mon Sep 12, 2011 10:11 pm

Hi Ian (and any others),
Time off work booked (although I get called away at short notice sometimes) and looked at trains to get me home... so Ian, I hope to roll down the hill and meet you off the train in CB and then just see how far I can get with you. Might depend on pace etc. As you mentioned, I'll plan for a bit of rain etc. but if it's hosing down I might look in the bag of excuses!
I will be self sufficient.
Do you have the top half Tracklogs files I could play around with a bit?
Hope that's all OK and look forward to it.
mark.weldon AT btinternet.com

Ian · Post by **Ian** » Tue Sep 13, 2011 10:08 am

Mark

I will send tracklogs stuff later in the week - they're on my work PC as I don't have mapping software for my Mac at home, which is where I am most of this week. Did you note the change of start date to the 28th Sept?
So far it's looking like three of of us.

Ian

numplumz · Post by **numplumz** » Tue Sep 13, 2011 10:48 pm

Hi Ian, really interested in joining you if you don't mind a complete stranger. I've ridden Cardiff to Conway almost all off road before and this sounds like a great return adventure.
I'd just need to decide which end of the country I leave my van if you'll have me :D

Jack

Ian · Post by **Ian** » Wed Sep 14, 2011 8:04 am

Hi Jack, you're very welcome to join us. I remember riding trans Scotland with you several years ago, so I'll probably be a vaguely familiar face. I'll email details out later this week. Ian

numplumz · Post by **numplumz** » Wed Sep 14, 2011 11:13 am

Great
oh yes TransScotland, will have to go back and do some of the southern upland way one day.

Would like to have the tracklogs files too, if possible. If you'd like any of my C2C route ideas i can provide them.
Cheers

99percentchimp · Post by **99percentchimp** » Wed Sep 14, 2011 1:13 pm

Jack,
Feel free to leave your van at mine if you decide on a train back north after finishing.... I'm close to Colwyn Bay station (quiet/safe off road parking too - and regardless of whether I make it part of the way or not you'd still be welcome to do that).
Cheers, Mark

numplumz · Post by **numplumz** » Thu Sep 15, 2011 2:09 pm

Thanks Mark that sounds like a plan, I have more time after the trip than before.
my contact details are numplumz AT gmail

99percentchimp · Post by **99percentchimp** » Sun Sep 18, 2011 6:21 pm

Hi Ian,
I wanted to mail you a Tracklog file of the slightly different start (If you fancy) - noted the day earlier start too.
Can you mail me (as above) and I'll fire that back tonight. Away with work most of this week.
Cheers, Mark

Ian · Post by **Ian** » Mon Sep 19, 2011 8:51 pm

OK, details now mailed out to those who've said they're coming (Mark, Jack and Kevin).

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