A Big Ride for little lives

North Wales Coast to Coast by Mountain bike
Aberystwyth to Prestatyn - 4 days off road - 180 miles
Climbing higher than Everest
3rd – 6th June 2010

In June 2010 I rode Coast to Coast across North Wales from Aberystwyth to Prestatyn with three friends Russell Baker, Gareth Mather and Connor McIlwrath. We followed a 181 mile, 4 day mountain bike route that I had pieced together over the previous four years.

The Reason

Following the traumatic time my wife, Sabine, and I experienced with the birth of our twin daughters, Mara and Elisabeth, in 2009 I decided that, while riding the full route for the first time, I would try to raise as much money as possible for those who helped us:

For the full story of the 'little lives' behind this ride (click here)

The Ride

Aberystwyth to Prestatyn
4 days- 180.4 miles - 29754ft ascent (Everest summit - 29000ft)

Day 1: Aberystwyth to Machynlleth
42 miles - 6733ft ascent (2.1 Snowdons)
(inc. the Syfydryn Trail at Nant-yr-Arian and the Mach 3)

Day 2: Machynlleth to Llangynog
47.5 miles - 8785ft ascent (2.75 Snowdons)
(inc. the Climachx Trail and the Bwlch-y-Groes)

Day 3: Llangynog to Gweryd Lakes
47.9 miles - 7730ft ascent (2.4 Snowdons)
(inc the Wayfarer and Llandegla Red Route)

Day 4: Gweryd Lakes to Prestatyn
43 miles - 6506ft ascent (2.0 Snowdons)
(the whole length of the Clwydian Range)

It was a hard ride. We climbed at least twice the height of Snowdon and spent between 8 ½ – 9hrs on the bike each day. This wasn’t made any easier by temperatures in the high 20’s for the first three days.

By the end of the four days, having climbed higher than Everest (approx. 29650ft), we were all shattered. Our legs were very tired and it wasn’t comfortable to sit down any more but we were overjoyed to have completed the ride. After dipping our wheels in the sea at Prestatyn we had just enough energy left to crack open a well deserved can of beer to celebrate the achievement with our families.

The experience of riding so many great trails through the stunning scenery of the Cambrian Mountains, the Berwyns and Clwydian Range is something I will never forget.

A gallery of 400 pictures covering the four days of the ride can be found on our blog, as information on how to get there, where we stayed and ate and where to get your bike fixed.

You can attempt the ride yourself by following the free Route Guide available on the website of the Edge Cycleworks.

The Result

All the hard work was more than worth it as we managed to raise the staggering sum of £5484.42 (split evenly between the four charities). Sabine, Elisabeth and me handed the cheques over in person. When we met the people the money would help it really hit home how appreciated and valuable the donations were.

All I can say is Thank You! to everyone who donated and helped this ride become the success it was. Not only did you touch my families heart with your generosity but you also made a big difference to other families who have to endure difficulties at the start of their children's lives.

The online fundraising was made possible by The Charities Trust