Welsh Climbs

Has anyone climbed Bwlch-y-Groes from the Llanwchlyn side or Milltir Gerrig
from the Llangynog side? How were they?

They're both in Saturday's audax -- my first for a while.

Simonb wrote:

Has anyone climbed Bwlch-y-Groes from the Llanwchlyn side or Milltir Gerrig
from the Llangynog side? How were they?

Milltir Gerrig from Llangynog is one of my favourites among the big Welsh
climbs. The gradient is quite moderate apart from the initial climb out of
Llangynog. Even that part doesn't have any 'black arrows'; I think it is
1:8, but it is a while since I was out that way. Last time I rode it I was
on tour with full panniers and was still quite comfortable all the way up.

I like the views across the valley to the left, and the unfolding views
towards the Arenigs and Arans as you get to the summit.

Haven't gone up from Llanywchllyn to Bwlch-Y-Groes, and it's years since I
rode down that route, so I can't comment.

Simonb wrote:

Has anyone climbed Bwlch-y-Groes from the Llanwchlyn side or Milltir Gerrig
from the Llangynog side? How were they?

Bwlch-y-Groes from the Bala side is much easier than from Dinas Mawddwy.
I've got up there in 42x19 (mostly out of the saddle though!).

Milltir Gerrig is quite a steady climb - almost a main road.

It depends on the rider of course, but both these climbs are comfortable
enough if you have 39x23 or so.

They're both in Saturday's audax -- my first for a while.

You get to ride in many of these places if you enter the CTC Wild Wales.

http://uk.geocities.com/wild_wales/route.htm

Andrew Templeman wrote:

Bwlch-y-Groes from the Bala side is much easier than from Dinas
Mawddwy. I've got up there in 42x19 (mostly out of the saddle
though!).

I'm going to be on 39x27 so that should suffice.

Milltir Gerrig is quite a steady climb - almost a main road.

Good, good.

You get to ride in many of these places if you enter the CTC Wild
Wales.

This is a special trip -- coming up from Southampton -- I've been set free
for the weekend. So Wlaes is a bit out of the way for me.

http://uk.geocities.com/wild_wales/route.htm

Ooh. Bwlch-y-Groes from the other side looks nasty (all those chevrons!).
Not sure a triple wouldn't be in order for that kind of gradient.

"Simonb" wrote in
:

Has anyone climbed Bwlch-y-Groes from the Llanwchlyn side

Nope, not from any other sides either, but the Nasty side is on the Wild
Wales route for which I've just sent my entry form off. Gulp.

or Milltir
Gerrig from the Llangynog side?

Yes. Very nice. The steepest bit was out of Llangynog, then it was a long
gradual rise up, nothing difficult, a nice smooth road and brilliant
scenery. High up on my list of favourites.