Snowdon

Biking down Snowdon feels like a rite of passage for a mountian biker. This was certainly the impression we got from chatting to other people doing it the same day as us - a huge variety from full on downhillers to cross country riders who decided that diluted Bells was the ideal isotonic drink (much to Rich's surprise when he was offered some...)

The way everyone seems to say to do it (and that we would certinaly recommend) is up the Llanberis path, down the Ranger Path and Telegraph Alley. Note that there is a voluntary ban on riding on Snowdon from 1 May to 30 Sept between 9am and 5pm. We chose the middle weekend in April, which happened to be the weekend before Easter. The weather was unseasonably good so it was probably a good choice (not too cold on the top), though I was shocked by how busy it was. The other option would be to do it before 9pm or after 5pm, though this would leave less room for mechanicals and tiredness!

The Llanberis Path is actually surprisingly rideable for the first two thirds. Then it becomes a soul destroying push. There was plenty of banter from other riders and walkers to keep us entertained. It took 3.5 hours (and despite clear skies all the way up, there was cloud just at the top, grrr). The first part of the descent along the ridge to where the Ranger Path leaves is nice and technical. Howeever it was far too busy to ride to we ended up riding along the railway (very frustrating, especially as people thought we were wussing out cos it was too hard, not cos it was too busy). Strating to descend the Ranger Path was heaven again after the crowds on the summit. It starts not too steep, though a little loose - just enough to keep you on your toes. then the switchbacks start - they are much more technical. I think I walked about 6 sections of about 5m each, but rode the rest. If you aren't a technical rider I probably wouldn't recommend it as it is long and remote, and it's nice to enjoy the descent after the long push! Once it flattens out you need to look for a bridleway heading right at 553573. Just when you thought the pushing was all over, there's about 100m more ascent to the top of Telegraph Valley, which you descend into Llanberis. It is singletrack, but smooth and with drainage channels to jump (or at least not wipe out on....)

The following day we climbed onto Snowdon's shoulder from Rhyd Ddu (569528) to where the bridleway ends at 605522, so you have to turn around and come back again. It starts off as trivial doubletrack which gets progressivley harder with height, including a terrrifying slate pile which I walked (but Rich rode ok). There is a variation near the bottom to Pitt's Head (576515) but we wouldn't recommend it in ascent or descent - it's just grassy and a bit boggy. There is a nice tea room in Rhyd Ddu, to sustain you before your push into the Beddgelert Forest (climb to 557514). From here, our guidebook recommended following some forest singletrack back to the car park, and though we think we found it ok, none of it was particularly thrilling after the challenges of Snowdon!