Like?: This weekend is like any of our rides, just turn up and go. Sort of. But this is a bit more complicated so some pre-booking is needed. Open to everyone. Paced for all. An adventure. Exploring, fun, sociable, supportive, open minded, equal. Come for the whole time, or less, or more. You don't have to take part in any of the rides etc, but they'll be interesting and a great way to see the area. But remember, we're a voluntary group that looks after each other, but we're not a hyper-supportive tour company. This is last year's report
Where? Bala is a small town, in Welsh-speaking north Wales, on lake Bala, with a lovely road round it in the south of Snowdonia National Park. Roberts Cycles is a serious shop (01678 520252), the cinema is open on Saturdays, and there's only one pub among ten that gives a cold croeso to English speakers, I'm told. The lake is seductively swimmable....but don't harass the gwyniad, a very rare herring that got trapped in there in the last ice age, and that's unique.
When? Most of us will be there 4 nights, 27-30 August. But you can join us whenever.
Get there? Several options: 1) We are renting a people mover and van to self-drive up to 20 of us and our bikes. We meet at Cutty Sark Gardens, Greenwich, on Friday 27 August 11am, cycle to the van rental place, load up and find the motorway. Takes about 4 hours with rest breaks. On Tuesday 31 August, we leave from Bala after breakfast and get back into London about 4-5 hours later. YOU MUST pre-book this option and send a £20 deposit by 31 March - spaces are limited. Total transport cost will depend on the number of people, but is estimated to be around £25-40. Contact Karen Marks. 2) Take the train from Euston to Ruabon and ride the 25 miles to Bala. Book in advance via Virgin. 08457 222 333. www.virgin.com/trains. Weekend returns start at £30 if booked at least 2 weeks in advance. Bikes £3 extra each way. Ask about group and railcard discounts too. Be warned: Booking these trains is a pain, the trains take only 4 bikes each, and engineering works can mess it all up.
Staying there? As like last year, we have booked several rooms at the White Lion hotel in central Bala. For £20 a night you'll get a bed and a hearty breakfast. You may be sharing a room and not all rooms are en-suite. Again, pre-booking is essential and you will need to send a £20 non-refundable deposit by 31 March to hold your place. Contact Karen Marks. We usually plan our meals together at various restaurants around town, and the hotel has a nice lounge for us to relax and socialize. There are several other options for accommodation listed on the Wild Wales website.
And then? The weekend away is centred on the Wild Wales Ride. That's a tough, optional and extremely hilly (you will need all the low gears you can cluster) all day circular ride in gorgeous Snowdownia scenery starting and finishing at Bala on Bank Holiday Sunday 29 August. It's organised by the local branch of the CTC (national Cycle Touring Club). The route is well supported with signs, mobile mechanics, food stops and a minibus to pick up them that needs a lift. But that bus might take ages for get you and you?ll pay £25. (Last year we planned to use our own van and driver for personal sweep-up services, but fortunately none of us needed it.)
Fourteen of us entered in 2004 and we all finished. It was a hard day, but wonderful. It costs £8 to enter and is limited to 500 cyclists. See www.wildwales.net for more details. You'll need to enter the ride in advance via that website, entries are open now. Please make sure you put Greenwich Cyclists against the club bit of the form. There's a prize for the biggest group, last year they numbered 23.
The long weekend:
Friday: travel to Bala. Early evening shortish ride. Eat. Pub.
Saturday: leisurely 11amish start all-day ride locally. Perhaps to the coast via the wonderful Blaneau Festiniog steam railway down to Porthmadog. Back around 6pm. We'll party somehow. (It's all optional, remember.)
Sunday: the Wild Wales ?Ride. See the Wild Wales website as above. Ride at your own pace. We'll fix a great post-ride recovery evening and compare our slate mementoes.
Monday: touring ride somewhere. Swimming? Perhaps round the lake for a trip on the Bala lake railway.
Tuesday: back to London
Or just turn up for some of the time.
The helpful local Bala tourist office is on 01678 521021.
What to bring?:
You know what you need for a weekend away, but the following are essential too:
a bike that's in good condition. As on our usual rides, we can sort out basic problems that occur on the road, but don't expect a free service from us. If your bike needs work doing to it, new tyres or whatever, do get that done first. The local bike shop mechanic is good (and cheap!) ? but you never know how busy he'll be.
a pump, patches and a couple of spare inner tubes that fit. Tools too if you have them.
layers of clothes to cope with possible rain, heat, cold.... In 2002 it was cold and windy at the top of the hills, in 2003 t-shirts and shorts were all that was necessary.
a sense of humour.
a mobile phone - but service is patchy up there.
Who does what: book your transport and accommodation with Karen Marks. Submit your Wild Wales entry form yourself. Contact Barry Mason if you have questions.
Costs: Transport with us - £40 max, accommodation with us - £80, entry fee - £8. Other; food, drink, shopping, entertainment, etc. There's no membership or other ride fees to pay.
Barry Mason
Rides Co-ordinator Greenwich Cyclists
masonb@supanet.com
020 7232 0444 / 07905 889 005
Karen Marks
Treasurer, Greenwich cyclists
krsmarks@yahoo.com
020 8293 0840 / 07786 332 123
1 March 2004