cycling in Snowdonia

martjans wrote:


Because Sustrans states that Route nr. 5 along the coast is suspended
between Llanfairfechan and Conwy, we will probably take the A5 from Capel
Curig to Betws-y-Coed (Señor Chris was indicating, that this won't be too
busy) and find our own route from there to Chester.


The A5 in the direction you mention isn't too bad as it is mostly
downhill. However the reverse route is really scary, especially as it
climbs up out of Betws-y-Coed past the Swallow Falls. The road here has
2 uphill lanes and drivers really go for it, and there are some bends
along here which mean that at the speed drivers go at there they risk
hitting any cyclist who was just around the bend ahead of them,
especially, as in my experience is usually the case, someone is also
overtaking in the outside lane at 80 Mph or so!

The lack of a route between Llanfairfechan and Conwy is not really a
problem as the old road over the Sachnat Pass is much more scenic, and
you can access it via some very quiet back lanes from Bangor to Aber.
The 'offical' route runs alongside the A55 'motorway' and when I last
did it was no fun at all.

schreef in bericht
ups.com...




The lack of a route between Llanfairfechan and Conwy is not really a
problem as the old road over the Sachnat Pass is much more scenic, and
you can access it via some very quiet back lanes from Bangor to Aber.
The 'offical' route runs alongside the A55 'motorway' and when I last
did it was no fun at all.

I suppose you mean "Sychnant Pass"? Already thought that might be nicer. But
Sustrans manily warn about the section between Llanfairfechan and
Penmainpool. About a track, to be used south of the A55, they say: "Good
track, but inaccessible".

wrote:
martjans wrote:

Because Sustrans states that Route nr. 5 along the coast is suspended
between Llanfairfechan and Conwy, we will probably take the A5 from Capel
Curig to Betws-y-Coed (Señor Chris was indicating, that this won't be too
busy) and find our own route from there to Chester.


The A5 in the direction you mention isn't too bad as it is mostly
downhill.

There is also a flat, minor road alternative by the river for part of
the route starting at Pont Cyfyng.

If that is the only part of the A5 you plan to use, you won't have a
problem although the best scenery is between Capel and Bethesda.

martjans wrote:

I suppose you mean "Sychnant Pass"? Already thought that might be nicer. But
Sustrans manily warn about the section between Llanfairfechan and
Penmainpool. About a track, to be used south of the A55, they say: "Good
track, but inaccessible".

Yes it's "Sychnant Pass" but otherwise the advice given by is
excellent.

Have you seen http://www.cyclingnorthwales.co.uk - recommended.
The A55 should be avoided, see http://www.cyclingnorthwales.co.uk/p...g_penyclip.htm
if you need to be convinced.

Alan
--
----------------------
Alan Crawshaw Tel: 01248 383248
Database Administrator Fax: 01248 383826
University of Wales Bangor
Adeilad Deiniol/Deiniol Building
Ffordd Deiniol/Deiniol Road
Bangor
Gwynedd
LL57 2UX

A.C.P.Crawshaw wrote:

Yes it's "Sychnant Pass" but otherwise the advice given by is
excellent.


Apoligies for that but I don't have a map with the name of the pass on
it and I couldn't remember the correct spelling. Weak excuse I know!
Looking at that page on the A55 'cycle route' reminded me just how bad
it really is.

"martjans" of Tiscali bv wrote:


"Señor Chris" wrote:

Most of the heavy traffic goes around Snowdonia
rather than through it, so I'd avoid the A55, A487 and
A470. Although it is a primary route (green), the A5 is
pleasant riding and has great scenery.

It was the A5 that scared us a bit, because the map on the Sustrans website
indicates, that Sustrans nr. 5 is suspended between Llanfairfechan and
Conwy, and the A55 there doesn't seam to be an option for cycling.

Do not plan to go along the coast between Conwy and Llanfairfechan. The
route is not suspended, it is blocked by a huge headland. I foolishly did in
2004, and this is what I wrote about it at the time:

2pm A cafe in Llanfairfechan Aaaargh!! That felt like the most
dangerous thing I've ever done on a bicycle. At the west end of Penmaenmawr
bay there is a headland where the railway disappears into one tunnel and
the westbound side of the dual carriageway into another. The road eastbound
has been hacked out of the rock. As bikes (and pedestrians) aren't allowed
in the tunnel I thought there would be a shared use path alongside the
road, with a safety barrier, like leaving Conwy. In fact the path for bikes
(and animals!) goes between the two parts of the road, so you have to cross
the road on foot. After cycling up and over the part of the headland that
contains the tunnel, I knew I'd have to sprint across the road again. But
what I didn't expect was to then have to cycle down half a mile of the
road, being pursued and overtaken by the traffic from the tunnel doing 70
mph and more. At least it was downhill so I engaged top gear and went flat
out, praying that for a side turning before the end of the hill. After
about half a mile there's a bus pull in with foot access from a side road.
My legs are all wobbly so I'm having a stiff pot of tea to calm my nerves.

More information and scary pictures he
http://www.cyclingnorthwales.co.uk/p...g_penyclip.htm
--
Steph Peters
Chorlton Wanderers Cycling Group
Monthly slow and easy rides from South Manchester
http://www.sandbenders.demon.co.uk/cycling/chwan.htm