First Sustrans Cycle

When I read that Joby was planning to cycle from Llandudno to as far as he could get on Sustrans5, I thought it would be a brilliant cycle experience, and I was right. What I love about cycling is that each excursion is an adventure, and this was an example of that.

We stayed in Wern Cottage in the village of Capelulo. In itself, this was a fabulous little holiday. It’s a lovely cottage, beautiful decor and well equipped. We didn’t spot that it was 5 star when we booked it, but it really was like a cross between a hotel and a holiday cottage. Thoroughly, one hundred percent recommended. We arrived after twelve due to work commitments, which meant a short sleep before bike ride. I set out all of my bikey things ready for the morning.

I left the house at about 6.40 and went to wait for Joby at the Fairy Glenn pub. I’d put on many many layers of clothing, a few too many. It was very cold though. And dark. And completely quiet. And a bit spooky. I stood under the pub sign, which creaked as it swung in the wind. For a moment I imagined I was in the intro of a horror film and decided to move around a bit to keep warm and pretend that I wasn’t scared. I thought about Joby coming over the Sychnant Pass and hoped he had some decent lights.

Soon I saw a tiny light in the distance. Turns out it wasn’t a willow the whisp, or a mad axe murderer (on a bike) it was Joby. He was cold and mentioned something about that being the most frightening experience of his life. And later, in the cold light of day on examining the pass, I think he was probably right. Worse still, he could have just ridden on the sustrans. The website said it was closed between Llandudno and Penmaenmawr, but it was only closed between Penmaenmawr and Llanfairfechan.

The route was quite steep initially, and dark. And also cold. I have a constantly running nose and eyes in these conditions. I wonder if this is a universal experience or is it just me and my beginners nose. I was wearing specs as I generally suffer with running eyes.

I managed to make us go massively off course and down to the exact spot where the route was closed between Penmaenmawr and Llanfairfechan. Which meant a nice climb back up a very steep hill.

In general the road is much smoother and better cared for than anything around here. It’s a lovely route through farmland with stunning views of sea on one side and mountains on the other. When it’s light of course. The majority of the roads are very light on traffic, which was wonderful. It was also quite tough with the inclines. One hill in particular was steep and I threatened to stop and stand with the bike, but I refused to. On the icier, nearer sea points the road was very slippy and I provided some comedy moments as I slipped and fell off. I said something along the lines of “I’m going”. As I couldn’t find purchase on anything. But I wasn’t travelling at speed and I had so many layers on I almost bounced back up.

A couple of things I noted were that I probably ate and drank too much before leaving the house. I had two cups of coffee and two welsh cakes. Not huge amounts, but enough to make it less enjoyable to cycle. I’ll remember that for next time. Very very small amounts and eat as you go I think.

Another thing was that I wore my cycle trousers under my waterproof trousers. I was very warm but felt restricted and uncomfortable. I need maybe just padded boxer shorts and some thin thermals leggings instead.

The day before I bought some new gloves and some seal skin socks from High Peak Cycles. Both items were brilliant. I wore the seal skins with thermal inners and my feet were toasty warm. Not warm and boil in the bag effect. Nice and toasty warm. The gloves were so much better than the endura ones I bought before. The fastener on those has broken, they are not breathable and make gear changing difficult and uncomfortable. Plus the lining comes out when you take them off. These ones are made by Chiba and they do the job brilliantly. Warm, comfortable, easy to move while wearing them too.

A further and final thing to note was the need to drop some weight for the hill climbing. Joby climbs with ease. I know he rides a bike more than I do, but in general I do a lot of exercise. I will never be any good up the hills until I drop more weight. One reason I need to do more bike riding is I forget this fact. So, onwards and upwards with the training and I better lay off the chocolate.

We were out for about two to two and a half hours and I think I did about twenty miles. According to Joby we were very close to Anglesey.

I’m going back to the same place at the end of the month, so maybe I’ll make a journey to Anglesey. Maybe it will be light at seven am too, which will be a bonus.

In the afternoon I walked to Conwy over the hills and from a distance I saw the route that Joby took. Yes. Very scary.

Included in the shots below are images taken from the morning bike ride, one of the iron age settlement on the way to Conwy and a few on the beach the following day. See me run on the beach? That’s how fast I am