The Edge Cycleworks 'Big' Shop Ride

Drum Mountain

Sun 16th October 2011

It was great to see Colin and Andy arrive at the start of the ride. It had been a while since they had been on a Shop Ride, so we took the opportunity to catch up as we began the ride by winching our way up the long climb to the old chapel, in the hills behind Conwy.

It may have been early October but blue sunny skies meant we were stripping off layers at the top. It also meant we had difficulty seeing where we were going on the descent to Rowen, with the sunlight bouncing off the water covered trail. Fortunately we were under the cover of the trees when it got really steep and loose, so we could pick a safe line.

Although it was a fantastic descent we didn’t let the adrenaline take over as the infamous Rowen YHA climb as next, which started by passing a 25% sign. 25% wasn’t the whole truth either, it’s an average, the top section was nearer 33%. While me and Mike managed to clean the whole climb our arms and legs felt like jelly at the top.

Riding the next section of trail wasn’t pretty as we hadn’t recovered enough to control our bikes properly. But things became easier as we followed the Roman Road across the top of the hills, which gave us a chance to regain our strength before starting the long climb up Drum Mountain.

A cold wind picked up, so a layer went back on, closely followed by our windproofs. When we finally reached the top of the mountain we were glad of our extra clothing and the stone shelter, as the cold wind was joined by grey, cloud filled skies. With the weather turning we didn’t hang around. After a quick rest we set off back down the trail, for a long descent to Llanfairfachen, only to stop again soon after while Mike fixed a pinch flat.

By the time we reached the bottom we were warm again, from holding on down the descent and being back in sunshine. As we climbed back into the hills on the North Wales Path the windproofs came off again. It was turning out to be a proper British autumn ride Mr Miyagi style, layer on, layer off, layer on, layer off.

It was so nice to be back in the sun we stopped for a picnic while looking over the sea at the Great Orme. With the ride now taking it’s toll on our legs the food stop was a welcome energy boost that got us to the top of the final descent, a flat out double track blast the had us grinning from ear to ear at the bottom. It was just what we needed to get us up the climb back through the lanes to our cars.

Directions for this ride are available on my Conwy - Drum Mountain route guide