Snowdon

daiboy06 · June 2007

Anybody out there ventured to Snowdon biking?

I've heard that the Ranger Trail is amazing, but looking into it further, there seems to be some restrictions on when it can be ridden.

KeelKlein · June 2007

I'll let you know after Aug Bank Hols, going to fit in Snowdon, Afan and the Beacons.

Anonymous · June 2007

I live about 10 miles away from the base of snowdon, but have only ridden it a few times, many years ago.
If I remember correctly, you're 'officially' allowed to ride on it before 9am, and after 5pm.
However, in the long long ago, when I used to ride it, people didn't generally mind you riding UP between these times, as long as you were considerate to the armies of walkers you'd encounter on the way.
What I used to do was head up from Pen y Pass at around 12:00, then have a rest when I'd ascended enough, have a sarnie or whatever, then head back down again full tilt at about half six.

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My trusty steed
1999 marin wolfridge, Marzocchi Jr Ts, Saint cranks, D321 rims, Hope C2s, raceface bits and bobs, XT running gear. All vintage stuff! (apart from the saints)
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Anonymous · June 2007

Oh, KeelKlein, may I just point out that Snowdon (at least) is absolutely frigging heaving with people on bank holidays. I wouldn't be surprised if the population of Llanberis increases ten-fold.

And please drive considerately when you're over. Nothing annoys the locals (well, me anyway) more than some divs doing 25-30 MPH along the fast mountain roads round here! speed limit is 60, people!

<hr noshade size="1">
My trusty steed
1999 marin wolfridge, Marzocchi Jr Ts, Saint cranks, D321 rims, Hope C2s, raceface bits and bobs, XT running gear. All vintage stuff! (apart from the saints)
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dave_s · June 2007

I've walked up it but would agree with the comment about it being packed on bank holidays. Also I've been told that the cafe at the top is shut at the moment for re-furbishment so you should take that into consideration and don't rely on that hot drink and a flapjack at the top before you descend.
I went up via the miners track and came back down the pyg track and those don't seem that ridable to me on an MTB so check your routes. I think MBUK did one a while back so you might find something on the site about it or elsewhere on the web

gerallt · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by yeehaamcgee

And please drive considerately when you're over. Nothing annoys the locals (well, me anyway) more than some divs doing 25-30 MPH along the fast mountain roads round here! speed limit is 60, people!

<hr noshade size="1">
My trusty steed
1999 marin wolfridge, Marzocchi Jr Ts, Saint cranks, D321 rims, Hope C2s, raceface bits and bobs, XT running gear. All vintage stuff! (apart from the saints)
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<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Too friggin rite!!

--cymru am byth--
stock giant acid << Gone

Anonymous · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">
Too friggin rite!!

--cymru am byth--
stock giant acid << Gone
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Took me an hour and a half each way to get to betws y coed last time there was a half term! bloody caravans!

<hr noshade size="1">
My trusty steed
1999 marin wolfridge, Marzocchi Jr Ts, Saint cranks, D321 rims, Hope C2s, raceface bits and bobs, XT running gear. All vintage stuff! (apart from the saints)
<hr noshade size="1">

Anonymous · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by dave_s

I've walked up it but would agree with the comment about it being packed on bank holidays. Also I've been told that the cafe at the top is shut at the moment for re-furbishment so you should take that into consideration and don't rely on that hot drink and a flapjack at the top before you descend.
I went up via the miners track and came back down the pyg track and those don't seem that ridable to me on an MTB so check your routes. I think MBUK did one a while back so you might find something on the site about it or elsewhere on the web
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
The pyg and miner's tracks are eminently rideable, downhill! as far as I'm concerned, none af them are truly rideable uphill!!

<hr noshade size="1">
My trusty steed
1999 marin wolfridge, Marzocchi Jr Ts, Saint cranks, D321 rims, Hope C2s, raceface bits and bobs, XT running gear. All vintage stuff! (apart from the saints)
<hr noshade size="1">

dave_s · June 2007

I'd like to see someone get down that section of the pyg track near the bottom where I had to jump down a 4 ft drop between 2 boulders with about 6 or 7" gap between them. Maybe Martin Ashton could but I'd be faceplanting for sure.
On the miner's track we joined it at the scree slope so that would be absolutely impossible to ride up and I'd be interested to see someone ride up the steps near the top of that too especially when it's packed with walkers

KeelKlein · June 2007

We'll see its been years since i've been there, last time you were allowed to take your bike up on the train and then belt down (and that was on my old Giant Escaper with Mk1 Pace elastomer forks!). Doubt i'll do Snowdon itseld this time, but just wanna get back to N Wales, walking and biking in general, had a change of lifestyle thats allowed me to do it.

dalesman · June 2007

rode it recently - foul weather but bloody awesome. The best downhill to be had in Wales. 20 minutes of shere joy - frightening but fun. Just do it.

Bloody hard pushing up though!

Anonymous · June 2007

IIRC, the fastest time from the peak of snowdon to the train station at the bottom is something insane like 9 minutes, 40 something secconds. There was some unwritten contest going on between the localsriders/bike shop owners, or something like that.

<hr noshade size="1">
My trusty steed
1999 marin wolfridge, Marzocchi Jr Ts, Saint cranks, D321 rims, Hope C2s, raceface bits and bobs, XT running gear. All vintage stuff! (apart from the saints)
<hr noshade size="1">

iggs · June 2007

Best way to do it is in the evening when its quiet. It took me about 2 hrs to push up the Llanberis path the other day and about 20 minutes to descend the same way.

Descents
The Llanberis path- biggest straightest widest path on the mountain. Fantastic blast and a must do for any mountain biker. Problem is its the busiest path too and walkers don't mix very well with bikes that are hoofing down this very fast track. You need to plan to be coming down at one of the quieter times of the day or there will be pesky walkers in the way.

Snowdon Ranger / Telegraph Bridalway combination- Steep, technical and rocky high up turning into very fast single track at the bottom. Takes a lot longer to get down and is not a straight forward blast. The path is also a bit quieter but is a lot narrower so walkers have nowhere to go to get out of the way. Being able to use a map will help find our way back to Llanberis

fozzybear · June 2007

having recently ridden Snowdon you HAVE to respect the times.

i suggest you read this for the times
http://www.singletrackworld.com/article.php?sid=987

also Iggs is right going up and down the Llanberis path is the best option as you get to see all the potential snag points on the way up and avoid them on the way down. riding up the Llanberis path and down the Rangers would mean you have no idea about the landslide boards or the 3 rock steps on the way.

Anonymous · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by fozzybear

having recently ridden Snowdon you HAVE to respect the times.

i suggest you read this for the times
http://www.singletrackworld.com/article.php?sid=987

also Iggs is right going up and down the Llanberis path is the best option as you get to see all the potential snag points on the way up and avoid them on the way down. riding up the Llanberis path and down the Rangers would mean you have no idea about the landslide boards or the 3 rock steps on the way.

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
You are quite right that you should respect the times you're allowed on the mountain, otherwise it's dangerous for yourself and the walkers, and on somewhere like snowdon, dangerous can mean anything from a bit of gravel rash to death - this isn't some friendly trail-center and many people ARE killed on the mountains of Snowdonia every year.
However, when I used to ride the mountains (1996-2002/3 ish) I found that riding UP during the restricted times was accepted by all, as long as you don't try and mow people down!
Most of the uphill was a pushing job (for me) anyway, and when you're pushing, you're basically a walker, with some unwieldy luggage!

But bear in Mind, that because we were speaking welsh among our crowd, many people probably correctly assumed we were local, and gave us next to no grief.
They may not see things in the same light if they assume you're a tourist, and you may cop some abuse.

<hr noshade size="1">
My trusty steed
1999 marin wolfridge, Marzocchi Jr Ts, Saint cranks, D321 rims, Hope C2s, raceface bits and bobs, XT running gear. All vintage stuff! (apart from the saints)
<hr noshade size="1">

Anonymous · June 2007

Ooh, just as a side note. If you do get there, and you find it's stupendously busy...
Remember that most of the other mountains have no access limitations, which means you can go anywhere at all. And there's some really extreme terrain to play on round there.
Just don't end up crashing into the army training base!
Oh, and if you come across a large tunnel, don't go down it, it's a power station!

<hr noshade size="1">
My trusty steed
1999 marin wolfridge, Marzocchi Jr Ts, Saint cranks, D321 rims, Hope C2s, raceface bits and bobs, XT running gear. All vintage stuff! (apart from the saints)
<hr noshade size="1">

fozzybear · June 2007

LOL i did wonder about that tunnel....

just have fun.. for me it was one of the most amazing days on a bike. oddly we hiked UP Rangers path and down Rhyd-Ddu path

daiboy06 · June 2007

Cheers for all the help. Much appreciated.

Off to Snowdon it is then!

Anonymous · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by daiboy06

Cheers for all the help. Much appreciated.

Off to Snowdon it is then!
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Oh, and remember to get your bike SORTED before you go. It really could be the difference between life and death[:0]!

<hr noshade size="1">
My trusty steed
1999 marin wolfridge, Marzocchi Jr Ts, Saint cranks, D321 rims, Hope C2s, raceface bits and bobs, XT running gear. All vintage stuff! (apart from the saints)
<hr noshade size="1">

Snowdon

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