Today’s leader was Arthur Broadhurst, who’d come up with a real cunning plan for twisting our way through the Welsh countryside. Tail End Charlie was volunteered by Gary Chantry, who also undertook the onerous task of trialling a pink hi viz vest to see if it was more visible than the usual blue vest. Heading left out of the fire station, we trundled through Eccleshall High Street and headed for Loggerheads, thence on to the back roads to Woore , Whitchurch, and on into Wales. By now the Sun was really starting to warm things up and the levels of grip seemed to increase by the minute. Soon we were heading for Llangollen and on towards the Horseshoe Pass, which can only mean one thing! The Ponderosa, for the first stop of the day. Heaving!!! Yes it was. What else would you expect on a warm sunny day? A quick cuppa and saddle up for the next section.
Now Arthur started to lead us a merry dance through the Welsh countryside, left here, right there left again, straight on left again. The only person who knew where we were was Arthur, everyone else just following along behind. Down into Ruthin to pick up the B5105, a glorious road down into Cerrigydrudion to pick up another excellent road, the B4501 up past Llyn Brenig to meet the A543 where we turned left to head to the A5 and into Betws-y-Coed. A short jaunt out the other side towards Capel Curig and the lunch stop at the Siabod Café with it’s excellent food and generous portions, and with some stunning views.
About an hour later we gathered our stuff and headed back into Betws-y- Coed to fuel up, before heading back down the A5 to pick up the A543 this time travelling on to Denbeigh. Out of the town met with a change of pace as we took some minor single track roads, calling for high concentration to avoid the gravely parts and oncoming vehicles. Safely negotiated, the group picked up the A525 and rode back into Ruthin and out again, this time on the A494 to a quick jaunt to the Rhugg Farm centre for the last cuppa of the day.
Last leg now, saw us head all the way down a busy A5 to the outskirts of Shrewsbury and then the oft taken route to Cruddgington, which unfortunately had recently been re-surfaced with chippings, making for slow progress. Finally, the riders assembled just outside Newport, before going their separate ways home.
A massive thank you to Arthur for an excellent ride at a good steady pace, Gary C for keeping it all together, and everyone else for a well ordered ride. Oh! And the weather too!
Gary G
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